9 Best Small Towns In Georgia For A Crowd-Free Summer
Summer is one of the best times to travel. Kids are out of school, and the sun is shining bright. Cloudless days and bright rays tempt you to spend more time outdoors before the cooler months arrive, making you want to stay inside and hibernate for the next few months. Of course, a summer vacation does not feel like much of a vacation when it seems like everyone else has the same idea for a summer vacation location. These nine small towns in Georgia are some of the best places in the state to plan a little getaway and achieve a crowd-free summer. Georgia is full of gorgeous landscapes, historical landmarks, unique fun, and southern dining.
Georgia is a southeastern state in the U.S. that features a mix of stunning mountain and coastal landscapes. Founded in 1732 as the 13th and last of the former English colonies, it stretches from Savannah to Chattahoochee, with Atlanta as its capital and gateway. That breadth is exactly what makes a crowd-free summer possible here.
Blue Ridge
Discover the natural splendor of Blue Ridge, Georgia, a town where outdoor fun is waiting for the whole family. This mountain town rests in northern Georgia, at 1,750 feet above sea level, about two hours north of Atlanta. Blue Ridge was previously known as an elite health resort for its mineral waters. Visitors can find a variety of ways to take in the culture and landscape, via water activities, train rides, and a one-of-a-kind museum.
Take in the scenery at one of the state’s most beautiful mountain lakes, Lake Blue Ridge. Here, guests can enjoy year-round swimming in clear waters, boating, and camping amongst 3,300 acres. Enjoy a new perspective on the Swinging Bridge on the Toccoa River, a 270-foot-long hiking bridge. Located on the Benton MacKaye Trail and the Duncan Ridge National Recreation Trail, the swinging bridge is the longest of its kind east of the Mississippi River. Take in the mountain views with a relaxed approach on a Blue Ridge Scenic Railway journey. During summer, guests can go on a four-hour, 26-mile round-trip voyage, beginning in downtown Blue Ridge, through the towns of McCaysville, Georgia, and Copperhill, Tennessee. There is no better way to learn about the quirky side of a town’s culture than through unique landmarks. Lastly, check out Expedition: Bigfoot, a museum dedicated to the mythical creature. The museum houses the largest display of genuine Bigfoot artifacts, exhibits, sketches, photos, sighting maps, and the world’s only Bigfoot Research Tech Vehicle.
Helen
Uncover the charm of Bavaria in Helen, Georgia. This little town in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains in White County transports visitors and residents into the streets of an authentic German village. After an economic downfall, the town’s residents decided to transform Helen in the 1960s to evoke the aesthetic and feeling of Bamberg or Lindau, Germany. Helen rests near the Chattahoochee River at the edge of the Nacoochee Valley and offers an array of stunning outdoor adventures to its citizens and visitors throughout the year.
Head to the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest to see Anna Ruby Falls, a rare natural wonder, a double waterfall. Two creeks, Curtis Creek and York Creek, come together to form the falls, which lead into Smith Creek at the base of Anna Ruby Falls. Enjoy the beauty of the Chattahoochee River with a tubing trip via Cool River Tubing. Tubing trips provide one of the best ways to enjoy the river, and this tubing company takes patrons on a relaxing ride through the scenic Alpine Village of Helen. Take a thrilling ride via mountain coaster on the Georgia Mountain Coaster, the first and only mountain coaster in the state. You can take complete control of your ride, controlling the speed so that you can enjoy the summer forest views as slowly or quickly as you please. Go back in time to explore the Renaissance period at Uhuburg, an experience like no other. The Renaissance castle and grounds are a celebratory place, providing philosophical murals, lookout towers, stunning gardens, and more.
Darien
Darien, Georgia, the state’s second-oldest city, is rich in history and water-based activities. Located near the mouth of the Altamaha River on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Georgia, Darien is the county seat of McIntosh County. Nothing screams summertime activities like kicking back and watching boats and fishing vessels drift by through picturesque waters. Darien Waterfront Park, located on the Darien River, is a pavilion and dock bordering a park area that includes picnic tables and a playground for little ones. Live oaks and cabbage palms fill the area, offering ample shade from summer rays.
Enjoying the river does not have to be limited to the shore. Captain Gabby Charters takes guests out on cruises to the beaches of Sapelo Island or along the Altamaha River. Formerly a shrimp boat, the converted kayak mothership leads guests with an experienced captain and naturalist. Over on Market Street, you can find a stunning example of 19th-century architecture. The First African Baptist Church, originally built in 1834, is a 1868 replica of the original standing on the same site. Darien is also home to Fort King George, the oldest English fort remaining on Georgia’s coast. Between 1721 and 1736, the fort was the southern outpost of the British Empire in North America. While much of the site has been reconstructed using old records, original sawmills and tabby ruins remain.
Clayton
North of Atlanta, Georgia, is the quaint Blue Ridge Mountain town of Clayton. Situated in Rabun County, in the northeast part of the state, this small town is where nature, history, and good food collide, creating an unforgettable summertime getaway.
Find an abundance of natural beauty in Stekoa Creek Park. Once an untamed jungle of invasive species and debris, the Chattooga Conservancy came together to restore the 3.5 acres of land, building a rain garden, nature trail, and community pavilion. Also, native shrubs, trees, and wildflowers should be planted for the community to enjoy. Step back in time and learn about Clayton’s history at the Rabun County Historical Society and Museum, a space dedicated to keeping the county’s 200-year-old history alive. The museum displays a variety of historical artifacts, photographs, and records in its 2,300 square foot museum and archives. Try out some local fare at Sunday Diner, a restaurant committed to making every meal feel like Sunday Dinner. Menu offerings can be considered pure comfort food and Southern favorites, such as Ribeye Steak Sandwiches and Fried Pickle Chips.
Jekyll Island
Off the coast of Georgia is the small barrier island of Jekyll Island, a small town bursting with history and charm. This Georgia town, comprising 5,700 acres, is separated from Georgia’s mainland by a salt marsh and Jekyll Creek. As part of the Golden Isles, Jekyll Island’s neighboring islands consist of St. Simons Island, Sea Island, and Little St. Simons Island. Originally founded in 1733, the island later became a private winter retreat to some of the wealthiest families in the US in the late 1800s. Now, the island offers historical landmarks to visit, beautiful scenery, and delicious dining.
Learn all about Jekyll Island’s culture and history at the Mosaic Jekyll Island Museum. Visitors can explore interactive exhibits and go on an auditory journey into the past of this intriguing barrier island. The museum is built within the existing footprint of the club's historic stables. Jekyll Island is home to several historical buildings, with the oldest, the Horton House, dating back to 1743. Although the building is a skeleton of what it once was, the structure is one of the oldest surviving tabby buildings in the state and makes for a stunning backdrop for photos. Another beautiful spot on the island to take pictures is Driftwood Beach. Along the shore, large ancient driftwood frames the waterfront, transporting visitors to what feels like another world entirely. Enjoy local dining with a view of the setting sun at The Wharf, a restaurant and bar positioned on the pier with open-air dining. The menu includes local favorites like Oysters On The Half Shell, Coastal Shrimp Boil, and Key Lime Pie.
Senoia
Visit Senoia, Georgia, home to beautiful 19th-century architecture and the location where scenes from the infamous The Walking Dead television show were filmed, for an unforgettable summer vacation. This charming city, in Coweta County, sits southwest of Atlanta, Georgia, in the Atlanta metropolitan area. Senoia is a destination for those looking for a little adventure in a slower-paced setting.
One of the best ways to experience Senoia is through a Driving Tour of Homes. Brought to you by the Senoia Area Historical Society, the tour takes patrons past 24 homes registered in the National Register Historic District. Some of the sites will appear familiar, as they are the locations for films, Fried Green Tomatoes and Pet Cemetery II, and the TV show The Walking Dead. The Historical Society also provides a museum, the Senoia Area Historical Society Museum, located inside a historic house on 6 Couch Street. Displaying artifacts like original land lottery deeds from the 1820s and ration coupon books from the 1940s. While Senoia is a great place to relax, it does offer some more fast-paced summer activities, such as the Senoia Raceway. You can watch an adrenaline-pumping race play out on a high-banked dirt oval.
Greensboro
Established in 1786, Greensboro is steeped in history and stunning vistas. The town’s name comes from Revolutionary War hero General Nathanael Greene. Greensboro rests between the Ogeechee and Oconee rivers in the center of Greene County. Its topography consists of gently sloping areas and hills, sitting at an elevation of 640 feet. Book a summer getaway to Greensboro for an adventure through history and outdoor fun.
Several of Greensboro’s historical sites can be found in the downtown area. On Greene Street, visitors can check out the Old Rock Gaol. The old jail housed prisoners up until the 1890s. You can touch the two-foot granite walls, view the gallows, and stand in an actual cell. Nearby is the Greene County Courthouse on North Main Street. Built between 1848 and 1849, the three-story Greek-Revival style brick courthouse was later expanded in 1939. No trip to Greensboro is complete without taking in its natural beauty. The Redlands Wildlife Management Area is a family-friendly park perfect for strolling and picnicking during warmer months. Encompassing 37,500 acres of U.S. Forest Service property and 606 acres of University of Georgia land, the area is home to a mixture of pine and hardwood forests, with deer, turkeys, squirrels, and raccoons also calling the lush land home.
Brunswick
Embark on an adventure to the southeastern coast of Georgia to discover the historic and natural beauty of Brunswick. Situated between Savannah, Georgia, and Jacksonville, Florida, Brunswick is the city seat of Glynn County, lying on St. Simons Sound and the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. Head to the vibrant city of Brunswick for summertime fun, enjoying the great outdoors, and a variety of historical sites.
At the intersection of Albany and Prince Streets rests one of Brunswick’s oldest residents, the Lover’s Oak Tree. Estimated to be over 900 years old, the grand oak tree’s trunk measures about 13 feet in diameter, and its branches measure 12 to 30 inches in diameter. Find an array of moss-laden live oak trees across the grounds of the Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation, a former rice plantation and dairy operation. The plantation features a film on the history of the plantation, 18th and 19th-century home furnishings, and a nature trail leading to a marsh where rice once grew. In the Historic Downtown of Brunswick, visitors can find the Mary Ross Waterfront Park, the perfect place to enjoy a picnic with waterfront views. The park is home to a scale model of a Liberty Ship, which is similar to the ships built in Brunswick’s shipyards in World War II.
Milledgeville
Milledgeville, the former 19th-century capital of the state, is full of historic character and outdoor adventures. Founded in 1803, Milledgeville received its name after John Milledge, a former Georgia governor. The city is home to beautiful gardens, a rippling river, and notable landmarks. Go on a stroll through the lovely Lockerly Arboretum, 50 acres of gardens, a pond, and walking trails. An array of camellias, azaleas, oaks, magnolias, and centuries-old bald cypress fill the stunning space. At the center, visitors can find Rose Hill, a Greek Revival-style home erected in 1852.
Venture over to the Oconee River Greenway and take one of the trails, paths, or boardwalks for a stroll or bike ride. Visitors may also navigate the river via canoe or kayak to see a variety of bird and plant species. Milledgeville is home to beautiful outdoor spaces and a variety of indoor places. Check out Andalusia Farm, a former cotton plantation. American author Flannery O’Connor later lived in a house on the 520 acres from 1951 to 1964. The author’s final resting place is in Memory Hill Cemetery. Recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, the cemetery features Victorian-era tombstones for several notable people, including Carl Vinson and Bill Miner.
Finishing Thoughts
Georgia offers so many things to do, perfect for a summer vacation. This state’s small towns provide unique attractions like a Bigfoot museum in Blue Ridge and a mountain coaster in Helen. Countless historical sites sit throughout the state, including the oldest remaining English fort in Darien and dozens of historically registered homes in Senoia. If spending time outdoors is your ideal way to spend the summer, Georgia offers plenty of options, too. With the Redlands Wildlife Management Area in Greensboro, the Lockerly Arboretum in Milledgeville, and the over 900-year-old oak tree in Brunswick. Southern cuisine is reason enough to travel to Georgia. You can enjoy classic southern comforts from Sunday Diner in Clayton and coastal delights like Oysters On The Half Shell at The Wharf in Jekyll Island. Plan a trip to one of Georgia’s small towns for a summer to remember.
