8 Georgia Towns With A Slower Pace Of Life

In Georgia the best days are the ones you refuse to rush. A restored train crawls four hours along the Toccoa River out of Blue Ridge. In Thomasville more than 1,500 rose bushes reward whoever walks the garden slowly. Down on the coast a ferry idles out to Cumberland Island on its own schedule. Life stays unhurried in these eight towns all year.

Dahlonega

The first stop on our list sits just over an hour north of Atlanta, right up against the Blue Ridge Mountains. Dahlonega was the site of the first major American gold rush, and if you feel lucky, you can pan for it yourself at Crisson Gold Mine with a guided instructor. If you don't strike gold, take a load off at R-Ranch. With over 800 acres of campsites, lodgings, trails, stables, and lakes, you won't run short of ways to fill a day.

Hancock Park keeps something going year-round, whether outdoor movies, farmers markets, or just a good walk. Dahlonega is also home to the North Georgia Zoo and Petting Farm. Get up close with the ambassador animals and learn about them hands-on.

Blue Ridge

One hour north of Dahlonega is Blue Ridge, about 90 miles from Atlanta. For a slow afternoon, take the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, a restored line that runs a four-hour round trip along the Toccoa River. There are four cabins to choose from, and the closed coach is the pick during summer months. Spend the rest of the day at Mercier Orchards, where you pick your own fruit of the season. Stop at the Candy Kitchen for sweet treats while you are there.

On weekends, catch a double feature at the Swan Drive-In Theatre. The outdoor cinema pairs its movies with a full food menu. Locals recommend adding bug spray to the list of things to bring. Throw some pillows in the bed of a pickup truck and lie back to enjoy the film.

Covington

The rolling country about 35 miles east of Atlanta brings you to Covington, a town founded in 1822 that has spent the last few decades doubling as a movie set. The tight grid of antebellum and Victorian streets has stood in for more than 150 films and shows, including "The Dukes of Hazzard" and "The Vampire Diaries." That track record earned Covington the nickname the Hollywood of the South. The best way to see it is on foot. Start on the courthouse square, where the lawn and fountain sit steps from antique shops and storefronts you may recognize. Grab lunch on the rooftop at the Mystic Grill next to the Clock Tower, then pick up a Walk of Stars map at the Welcome Center and trace the filming sites at your own pace.

When you want to trade sidewalks for shade, the Cricket Frog Trail follows the old Central of Georgia Railroad line out of downtown. The flat rail-trail is built for an unhurried walk or bike ride. For an afternoon that ends slow, head to Scoops for a scoop off a list of more than 30 flavors and eat it on a bench in the square as the light fades over downtown.

Madison

Madison takes its time, and the well-preserved historic buildings draw people from all over. The best way to see everything is with the Madison Trolley Company, which rolls through 19th-century neighborhoods and past the town's landmarks while the guide fills in the stories behind them.

An unexpected find is the Georgia Safari Conservation Park, where a guided driving tour takes you through open savanna. Afterward, head south for barbecue made low and slow at Brookshire Barbecue. The menu runs to pulled pork and brisket, and the sides hold their own, with mac and cheese and collard greens.

Washington

Just an hour east of Madison is the historic town of Washington, where people still greet each other downtown and know their neighbors. Stop at the Washington Historical Museum to take in more than 200 years of town and Wilkes County history. The collection holds artifacts like George Washington's gravy boat and an Eli Whitney cotton gin.

Make a project to take home at Greenhow Handmade Ironworks, where the owner walks you through the whole process. You don't need your own tools, just a sense of adventure and a willingness to get a little dirty. End the day with ice cream in the square. The Washington Creamery makes its ice cream by hand with locally sourced ingredients.

St. Marys

On the coast, less than an hour north of Jacksonville, Florida, sits St. Marys. It keeps a laid-back pace without leaving you short of things to do. Get on the water in a kayak with Knuckleheads Kayak Adventures, whose local guides paddle the St. Marys River and share the area's history along the way. Spend the afternoon on a swinging bench in Howard Gilman Memorial Park, watching the boats come in or the sun go down. The park hosts community events throughout the year.

The Cumberland Island Ferry runs out to Cumberland Island, about seven miles east of St. Marys. The island is reachable only by boat, and the crossing takes about 45 minutes each way. Once ashore, you can join a walking tour among the other things to do.

Darien

Head north 51 miles from St. Marys and you'll reach Darien, a slow and easygoing stretch of the coast. Most people come for the seafood. At Skippers' Fish Camp it arrives right off the boat, and you eat your locally caught fish and shrimp over views of the Georgia coast.

Work off that meal on the Pedaling Pig, a pedal-powered wagon that loops Darien's marked trail past natural sights and historical markers. One marker is the Old City Jail Art Center, a gallery of local artists set in a former jailhouse where the jailer and his family lived downstairs from the prisoners. Inside, you can take in a range of art styles and learn the building's history.

Thomasville

Last on our list is Thomasville, a town in the Red Hills of South Georgia. Start with Downtown Thomasville, the largest small-town shopping district in South Georgia, with more than 100 local merchants. Locals recommend at least two full days to work through the shops.

Just two miles from downtown is the Rose Garden at Cherokee Park, where 1,500 rose bushes bloom from spring into summer. Walk through the garden and pose for a photo or two. If you miss the roses, come around Christmas for the Victorian Christmas event downtown, when the streets fill with Victorian-era clothing, decorated storefronts, and carriage rides among the lights.

Slowing Down in Georgia

The common thread across these eight towns is that the good parts cannot be hurried. A four-hour train ride, a two-day shopping district, and a 45-minute ferry all ask for the same thing, which is your patience. Give it to them and you see the best of Georgia one gold pan, one rose garden, and one riverbank at a time.