7 Quirkiest Georgia Towns You Didn't Know Existed

Georgia has an undeniably unique character. The film and TV industry brings in over $4 billion a year, making it one of the biggest production hubs in the country. People have been making barbecue here for more than 5,000 years, with early records even describing Native Americans using wooden racks to smoke meat! Add in 110 miles of coastline and about 15 barrier islands, and you get a state with a lot of personality. That variety shows up in its small towns, too, many of which have their own quirks. Whether you want to tour filming sites from the famed series The Walking Dead, visit a turtle rehabilitation center, or attend a German-themed Oktoberfest event, these seven towns exhibit some of Georgia’s quirkiest spirit.

Senoia

Although Senoia's history as a town dates back to 1860, the film industry brought it fame, thanks to scenes from The Walking Dead being filmed here. Visitors can join a guided tour with Georgia Tour Company, which passes through the downtown district and shows some of the show’s most iconic set locations. Afterwards, travelers can grab a souvenir at The Woodbury Shoppe, which is proclaimed as the official Walking Dead store, selling a variety of officially licensed products. For a more vintage souvenir, stop by FoxxHollow Antiques, a local antique store that sells vintage items, yard art, and artisan goods. To learn more about the town’s history, visitors can spend an afternoon at the Senoia Area Historical Society Museum, which has plenty of 19th and 20th-century memorabilia to appreciate.

Baxley

Each September, barbecue lovers from around the state flock to Baxley for the anticipated Smoketember Fest BBQ Cookoff. During the event, pitmasters prepare some of their best smoked meats, competing in the categories of brisket, ribs, pork, and chicken. During the rest of the year, there are plenty of interesting attractions to check out as well. Literary fans can stop by the Caroline Miller House, the home of the first Georgian Pulitzer Prize winner for her book Lamb in His Bosom. The Moody Forest Natural Area, meanwhile, is a mystical place for hiking, featuring 4,426 acres of wilderness and old-growth longleaf pines. Travelers can finish off their eclectic day at Captain Joe’s Seafood, which serves wild Georgia shrimp, seafood, steaks, and other mouthwatering dishes.

Jekyll Island

Travelers who love sea turtles should make sure to add Jekyll Island to their itinerary. Located in Georgia’s Golden Isles, this small town is home to the only endangered turtle rehabilitation center in the state. Travelers can visit the Georgia Sea Turtle Center daily, where they can enjoy a variety of interactive experiences and exhibits. There are also 10 miles of beaches that stretch along Jekyll Island. Oceanview Beach Park is a popular choice for beachgoers. It is situated mid-island and features amenities like a balcony overlook, picnic tables, and grills. For wildlife watching, consider heading down to St. Andrews Beach Park, at the island’s southernmost tip, where you may be able to spot migratory birds and dolphins. Visitors can also experience the island’s incredible natural surroundings at the Indian Mound Golf Course, which was built in 1975 and showcases the area’s coastal beauty and woodlands.

Helen

In Helen, travelers can experience a little piece of Bavaria without ever leaving the state. Before exploring town, visitors can fuel up at one of its beloved German restaurants, such as Hofbrauhaus Restaurant, which serves wursts, sauerkraut, Germa meatloaf, and other delicacies. To learn more about how Helen became a Bavarian-inspired town, make sure to visit the Helen Arts & Heritage Center, which is home to a history museum, art gallery, pottery studio, and other cultural programs. If you are hoping to escape the summer heat, consider renting a tube from Helen Tubing and floating down the Chattahoochee River. Later in the year, during the fall, Helen hosts its annual Oktoberfest celebration, one of the longest running in the country, featuring a weekend of parades, music, and beer.

Darien

Located between Savannah and Jacksonville, Florida, the coastal town of Darien is a great spot for all things seafood and fishing. Travelers can embark on a fishing charter with one of the town’s local guides, such as Mad Shark Charters. This charter company offers a variety of fishing trips, including inshore and offshore fishing excursions. After the fishing charter, grab a bite at one of Darien’s local seafood restaurants. On Fridays and Saturdays, guests can enjoy a full seafood buffet at B & J's Steaks & Seafood, starting at 4 pm. Skippers’ Fish Camp is another town favorite, a waterfront restaurant that serves fresh shrimp, flounder, crab, and grouper, among other fresh seafood options.

Darien has some fascinating historical sites as well. The Fort King George State Historic Site, for example, is the oldest remaining English fort on Georgia’s coast, once serving as an outpost for the British Empire from 1721 to 1736. The fort has been largely reconstructed today, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in this 18th-century landmark!

Pine Mountain

Pine Mountain becomes energized with vacation energy as summer rolls around. Travelers can easily spend a few days at Callaway Gardens, a resort and garden property spanning 2,500 acres of gardens and woodlands, with lodges, cottages, and villages available for lodging. The resort also offers plenty of activities, including golf, treetop adventure courses, and fishing! Georgia’s largest state park, FDR State Park, is also in Pine Mountain, covering over 9,000 acres with hiking trails, campsites, rental cabins, and a lake. If you are craving a more upscale meal after all of that outdoor exploration, you won’t find a place much more unique than Carriage & Horses Restaurant, a fine dining establishment situated in a historic Victorian home. Those visiting Pine Mountain during July should add the Cool Pool Summer Splash Celebration to their calendar. This event will celebrate the summer season with a live DJ, food, games, and plenty of family-friendly activities.

Madison

Although Madison is home to less than 5,000 residents, it has an art scene comparable to a much larger town or city. There are plenty of galleries scattered throughout to visit. The Madison Artists Guild is a good starting point, featuring a gallery with works from juried local artists. Visitors can also attend a live performance at the Madison-Morgan Cultural Center, which is housed in a restored 1895 Romanesque Revival building. There are lots of other architectural landmarks to appreciate throughout the town, ranging from Greek Revival to Italianate and Queen Anne styles. Heritage Hall, a Greek Revival Home from 1811, offers tours of the interior from Tuesday through Saturday. Travelers can end their day by exploring Madison’s excellent culinary scene, dining at incredible spots like Ricardo's Kouzzina, known for its steaks, chops, pasta, and seafood.

While Georgia is widely known for its sunny days and warm hospitality, it is important to note its quirkier side, too. Between its barbecue cookoffs, old English historic forts, and Romanesque Revival-style cultural centers, there are all kinds of unexpected attractions in The Peach State. If a vacation filled with creativity and surprises sounds like your kind of trip this year, you will find that these towns are just the place to be!