Georgia Travel Guide 2015

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Tellus Science Museum,
Cartersville
Explore these can’t-miss stops on
the snowbird highway
With its big-time historical sites and small, quirky attractions,
Georgia’s I-75 has “road trip” written all over it. Whether
you drive it north to south in one long adventure (which
is how we’ve explored it here) or choose to break its 339
miles into smaller trips, you’ll get a kick out of the great
photo opportunities, scrumptious eats, and educational
possibilities along the way.
by K ar i na T i m m e l A nte n u c c i
Noah's Ark,
Locust Grove
Booth Western
Art Museum,
Cartersville
The journey begins a stone’s throw from
the Tennessee border in Ringgold, where
you’ll find the 40,000-square-foot Gateway Antique Mall. Get lost for hours in
pockets like the Daniel Boone Trading
Post, with its vast collection of antlers, or
the Man Cave, which offers collectible
model cars, globes, and more. Once you’ve
worked up an appetite, drive twenty minutes south and grab a bite at The Dalton
Depot. The former Western & Atlantic
Railroad Station has been restored to its
original state, and you can view passing
trains as you dine on Angus burgers and
fried green tomatoes.
Exp loreg eorg ia.org
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Next, head to Calhoun, home to an
adult-sized treehouse featuring the fuselage
of a Piper Navajo airplane (the master
bedroom), a boat (the back porch), and a
submarine prop from a 1960s Elvis movie.
Yes, someone does indeed live in Sam’s
Treehouse—Sam Edwards, author and
former aide to President Jimmy Carter.
Another must-see gem off exit 312 is
known by locals as The Garden. Open on
weekdays, this magical plot tucked behind
the Seventh Day Adventist Church features
a miniature city of fifty structures—castles,
bridges, a monastery, a cemetery, and
more—built with pebbles, shells, glass, and
ceramic tile. Before departing Calhoun, satisfy your barbecue craving with fall-off-thebone ribs at Dub’s High on the Hog. The
nondescript downtown joint doesn’t have
a sign (it’s that good!), so take Highway 53
South to Highway 41 North and look for a
log cabin with a red roof and a parking lot
filled with cars.
Now make your way south to Cartersville for the ultimate in fun for the kiddos—
dinosaurs, cowboys, and Indians, oh my!
Get your natural-history kicks at the Tellus
Science Museum, with glowing minerals, a
massive T. rex, an interactive fossil dig, and
much more. From there, explore Etowah
Indian Mounds Historic Site, the most intact Mississippian culture site in the Southeast. From 1000 to 1550 AD, it was home
to several thousand Native Americans and
is now rich in artifacts. And because your
visit wouldn’t be complete without a little
cowboy action, stop at the Booth Western
Art Museum in downtown Cartersville. It
features the largest permanent collection
of contemporary Western art in America,
including paintings, movie posters, and an
interactive kids room.
Wave to Atlanta as you travel south to
Locust Grove and Noah’s Ark, a 250acre nonprofit animal sanctuary where
more than 1,500 abused, injured, and
orphaned animals (including a lion, tiger,
and bear that live together as a family) are
cared for. Call ahead to ensure the habitat
is open to visitors.
Is it time for a slice of peach pie yet?
Absolutely, and Lane Southern Orchards in Fort Valley is happy to oblige.
Depending on the season, you can also
check out the strawberry patch, corn
maze, and farm tours. Hungry for more?
Just a hop and a skip down the interstate,
you’ll delight in delicious, budget-friendly
fare like grandma-style fried chicken,
mashed potatoes, and green beans, at
The Road Less Traveled: Highway 27
Georgia’s Scenic Hometown Highway (georgiaushighway27.com) is what many consider the
“scenic route.” Running parallel to I-75, the primarily four-lane highway runs all the way from
Tennessee to Florida, passing through Georgia towns steeped in Southern charm, such as Rome,
Cedartown, Carrollton, LaGrange, Pine Mountain, Columbus, and Richland. You’ll find gorgeous
state parks for camping, picturesque towns for shopping, historic Indian mounds, Civil War and
military history, and much more. There’s even a Courthouse Tour (hwy27.com/tour) that covers
twenty-one restored and distinctive courthouses along the way.
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h o r s e c r e e k w i n e r y, C a l h o u n S e v e n t h - d ay A d v e n t i s t C h u r c h
Horse Creek Winery, Sparks
The Garden,
Calhoun
Yoder’s Restaurant, which sits within
a Mennonite community in Montezuma.
And don’t forget to pop off I-75 for a
heaping bag of freshly roasted, Georgiagrown peanuts or pecan halves at familyrun Ellis Bros. in Vienna.
Blink and you’ll miss the Crime and
Punishment Museum in Ashburn. Outside, the former jail resembles a brick
house; inside, you’ll see remnants of the
South’s colorful jail history, including a
replica of “Old Sparky,” Georgia’s electric
chair. The museum’s unusual Last Meal
Cafe, named for death-row inmates’ lavish
last meals, provides Southern-food lunches
by appointment on Saturdays.
Our ride down I-75 ends at Horse
Creek Winery in Sparks, where its forty
acres produce some of the sweetest muscadine grapes in the country. A rustic
tasting room welcomes you to sample the
handmade wines; on a hot day, the signature wine slushy is a must-try.
resources
Gateway Antique Mall, exit 353 gatewayantiquemall.com, The Dalton Depot, exit 333 thedaltondepot.net, Sam’s Treehouse, exit 312 samstreehouse.
com, The Garden, exit 312 1411 Rome Rd., Calhoun,
Dub’s High on the Hog, exit 312 706-602-5151, closed
Monday and Tuesday, Tellus Science Museum,
exit 293 tellusmuseum.org, Etowah Indian Mounds
Historic Site, exit 288 770-387-3747, Booth Western
Art Museum, exit 288 boothmuseum.org, Noah’s
Ark, exit 212 noahs-ark.org, Lane Southern Orchards,
exit 142 lanesouthernorchards.com, Yoder’s Restaurant, exit 127 478-472-2024, Ellis Bros., exit 109
werenuts.com, Crime and Punishment Museum,
exit 82 229-567-9696, Horse Creek Winery, exit 41
horsecreekwinery.com
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GOLDEN ISLES OF GEORGIA
ISLANDS IN
THE SUN
Georgia’s Golden Isles promise a magical retreat.
St. Simons Island
Lighthouse
GoldenIsles.com
O
n the southernmost segment of Georgia’s 100-mile
coastline between Savannah, Georgia, and Jacksonville,
Florida, sits the Golden Isles. Nestled along stretches of
salt marshes, the four beloved barrier islands—St. Simons Island,
Sea Island, Jekyll Island, and Little St. Simons—and the mainland
port city of Brunswick offer breathtaking landscapes, a variety of
recreational pursuits, and an inherent tranquility.
Each area has its own distinguishing characteristics. Fly into
the city of Brunswick to discover history as rich as its seafood—city streets and squares still bearing their colonial names
and uniquely Southern historic sites. The largest of the isles, St.
Simons Island features moss-draped oak-lined streets, sandy
beaches, quality dining and shopping, and highlights of maritime
and military history. A short drive over the causeway brings you
to Sea Island, an internationally acclaimed resort featuring The
Cloister on Sea Island and The Lodge at Sea Island Golf Club, and
all of the activities under the sun, from a yacht club to a shooting
school. For those seeking a most intimate experience, privately owned Little St. Simons Island offers seven miles of private
beaches and is only accessible by boat from Hampton River
Marina on St. Simons Island. Just to the south lie ten miles of unspoiled, dune-lined beaches on Jekyll Island, featuring a National
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Historic Landmark District that is the home of
the iconic Jekyll Island Club Hotel.
Your visit to the Golden Isles is bound to
be a little slice of heaven, whether you choose
to explore one or all.
A
cross the immortalized Marshes
of Glynn, made famous by poet
Sidney Lanier, lies St. Simons Island
(goldenisles.com). The picture-perfect, almost
eighteen-square-mile barrier island is filled
with exceptional historic sites, such as Christ
Church, Frederica, one of the oldest churches
in Georgia, with worship held continuously
since 1736. Uncover an array of island activities, including kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and hunting for tree spirits, as well
as accommodations and eateries that fit any
taste or budget.
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GoldenIsles.com
A
The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort
Synonymous with St. Simons Island is The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort (kingandprince.com). For generations, families and friends have gathered at this oceanfront resort, which combines Southern hospitality and casual
elegance in a picturesque setting. At this most desirable of beachfront locations, select the lodging that suits you
best: hotel rooms, homes, or two- and three-bedroom villas. Playtime at the resort has just as much variety: Take
a dip in the five oceanfront pools, opt for the challenging King and Prince Golf Course renowned for its dramatic
island holes, or simply relax with a massage at the Royal Treatment Cottage.
After all that island fun, satisfy your appetite at Halyards
(halyardsrestaurant.com). The relaxed grill, with a bar as long as its
wine list, prides itself on an everything-fresh menu heavy on seafood
dishes, such as fried oyster sliders and baked crab cake, and featuring Georgia products. Sit in the outdoor lounge or at a comfortable
banquette in the maritime-themed dining room to enjoy local favorites incorporated in the menu, including Gayla’s Grits from Lanier
County and zipper peas from McIntosh Seed in nearby Darien.
Chef Dave Snyder at Halyards
GoldenIsles.com
Ready for a nightcap? Sip the signature Wild Orchid Martini—
a coconut rum and pineapple juice concoction—at Village Inn
& Pub’s (villageinnandpub.com)
solid mahogany bar, which
was brought over from
England. Situated in the
heart of the Village on St.
Simons Island, the picturesque inn’s twenty-eight
guest rooms are set around
a restored 1930s beach cottage (home to the pub and
concierge desk) and giant
live oaks.
Village Inn & Pub
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GOLDEN ISLES OF GEORGIA
Pristine Little St. Simons Island (littlessi.com), with
10,000 acres of maritime forests, marshlands, and
shell-strewn beaches, can be enjoyed by no more
than thirty-two overnight guests at a time. This rare
natural sanctuary offers sixteen rustic-chic guest
rooms in a handful of cottages. Each house features
screened patios and fireplaces, which encourage
hangout time. You can also opt to rent the entire
island for an exclusive family affair.
Biking on Little St. Simons Island
The Golden Isles’ mainland heart is Brunswick (goldenisles.com), which
has been a port city for more than 200 years. Take some time to explore
Old Town Brunswick, which is enjoying a renaissance with the ongoing
restoration of historic buildings and public squares. The city remains
a major transportation center for those flying to and from the isles.
Brunswick Golden Isles Airport ( flygcairports.com), with connection in
Atlanta to more than 350 Delta destinations worldwide, stands ready
to serve just thirty minutes across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway
from Jekyll Island.
Brunswick Golden Isles Airport
The amenities available for the whole family on Sea Island (seaisland.com) make planning a vacation easy as pie.
This resort isle is home to The Cloister at Sea Island and The Lodge at Sea Island Golf Club, two of the top five
resorts in the continental U.S., according to Travel + Leisure’s 2013 and 2014 World’s Best Awards. Activities satisfy
all tastes—whether you are an outdoor enthusiast or a spa addict, you’ll find your happy place. Golfers will appreciate the Golf Performance Center (with a range where your golf balls soar through coastal breezes) and three
championship golf courses at Sea Island Golf Club. Renowned for its hospitality, there are nine dining venues to
choose from as well as real estate ownership opportunities—for those who don’t want to say goodbye.
The Cloister at Sea Island
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GoldenIsles.com
GOLDEN ISLES OF GEORGIA
W
ith miles of beach, marsh, and
maritime forest, Jekyll Island
(jekyllisland.com), is a haven of
discovery. Easy to get to, but hard to leave,
the southernmost of the Golden Isles claims
ten miles of natural beaches, twenty miles
of bike trails, a 240-acre historic landmark
district, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, and
an array of lodging choices.
Visit The Georgia Sea Turtle Center to get
up close and personal with sea turtle patients
as well as their researchers and medical staff.
Learn about and witness the turtles’ rehabilitation—you may even observe a surgery through
an exhibit treatment-room window.
Nature and golf both bring their A games.
Hole #9 on Pine Lakes Golf Course on Jekyll Island
Known as Georgia’s largest public golf resort,
Jekyll Island offers four golf courses, including
Recognized as a National Historic Landmark since
Pine Lakes, Indian Mound, and Oleander, each a cham1978, the grand Jekyll Island Club Hotel (jekyllclub.com)
pionship eighteen-hole course that winds through an
sits within the historic village. The hotel is a short walk
undeveloped landscape. The fourth, Great Dunes, tees
to Jekyll Wharf, where folks arrived on their yachts to
you up to another nine holes and provides stunning
enjoy the Golden Isles as early as 1888. The hotel offers
ocean views and markers that narrate a timeline of
a vision of its past with classic American Queen Anne
golf on Jekyll Island.
architecture, distinguished by its famed turret, bay
Steeped in history, The Jekyll Island Club Historic
windows and verandas, and period reproductions
Landmark District has been carefully maintained and
in its 157 rooms and suites. Today, guests also enjoy
registered in the National Register of Historic Places.
an outdoor pool open year round, private beach
Ride a narrated trolley tour or take a self-guided stroll
through the Jekyll Island Museum to learn the stories of pavilion, and tournament-level croquet lawn. Guests
can also enjoy fine dining at the Grand Dining Room
wealthy iconic American families, including the Rockeand the Courtyard at Crane located in historic
fellers, Vanderbilts, and Pulitzers, who made the Club
Crane Cottage.
their private winter getaway and hunting retreat.
Jekyll Island Club Hotel
GoldenIsles.com
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Latitude 31°
Catch a sunset bite at Latitude 31° (latitude31jekyllisland.com) on the Historic Wharf in the Landmark District.
Steaks and fresh seafood, including the menu items from adjacent Rah Bar—wild Georgia shrimp, oysters,
and Dungeness crab legs—are on the menu. Order up a Rah Margarita and enjoy live music on the weekends.
And feel free to invite your furry family members, too, as dogs are welcome.
Villas By The Sea Resort
Beyond the Jekyll Island Club Hotel, there
are many other lodging options of varying
sizes and characteristics on Jekyll Island. The
largest—and only fully appointed—condominium beach resort on the island, Villas By The
Sea Resort (villasbythesearesort.com) features
149 studio and one-, two-, and three-bedroom
villas just steps away from the ocean. Delight
in the partially shaded, solar-heated swimming pool or beach pavilion, or rent a bike
and meander down the 400-foot oceanfront
boardwalk. End up at Driftwood Bistro for
island cuisine.
For additional information on Jekyll Island
activities, attractions, shopping, and dining,
visit jekyllisland.com.
Clockwise from top left: Jekyll Island’s Driftwood Beach is a favorite photo op; a
naturalist measures a nesting sea turtle; more than 20 miles of trails make biking
a popular island pastime; chefs and foodies from across the Southeast flock to
Shrimp & Grits: The Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival the third weekend in September.
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Jekyllisland.com
GOLDEN ISLES OF GEORGIA
It’s all about relaxation at the new
Westin Jekyll Island (westinjekyllisland.com). Catch up on your Zs
in a plush Westin Heavenly Bed
in one of 187 guest rooms and 13
suites. And unwind with other
signature amenities, such as the
Heavenly Bath (rain shower, White
Tea bath products—yes, please),
and outdoor pool with direct beach
access. Dining options include an
indoor-outdoor oceanfront restaurant, a rooftop lounge, and poolside and lobby cafes.
The Westin Jekyll Island
At the 124-room Days Inn & Suites Jekyll Island (daysinnjekyll.com),
the affordable accommodations include ocean- and island-view
guestrooms, oceanfront one-bedroom suites, and oceanfront
suites complete with galley kitchen, living room (with queen sofa
sleeper), and either a large private balcony or patio area. Enjoy a
complimentary continental breakfast along with the two pools, a
hot tub, and bike and kayak rentals on the property.
Days Inn & Suites Jekyll Island
Looking for a more boutique experience? The Beachview Club
Resort Hotel Jekyll Island (beachviewclub.com) is a small beachfront
property that offers a tranquil setting, pool, and sixteen-person
spa under a canopy of century-old oak trees. The hotel currently
features thirty-eight oceanside efficiencies and suites, the latter of
which feature private patios or second-floor balconies overlooking
the lush gardens and palm trees surrounding the courtyard.
Beachview Club Resort Hotel Jekyll Island
For a kid-friendly stay, head to the
Holiday Inn Resort at Jekyll Island
(hijklresort.com), which boasts 157 completely new, contemporary rooms in
an environmentally friendly oceanfront
facility. The high-energy pool area
includes an outdoor deck, lounge, and
poolside bar and grill, The Rusty Anchor.
Another restaurant, Beach House, focuses on fresh local seafood and craft beers
on tap. The kiddos will love the Kids
Club with its on-site activities room,
while you make use of the state-of-theart equipment in the fitness center with
panoramic views of the Atlantic.
Jekyllisland.com
Holiday Inn Resort at Jekyll Island
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Atlanta Metro
At the intersection of world-class attractions and Southern hospitality, you’ll find Atlanta Metro.
Yes, the bustling city is home to acclaimed restaurants, sprawling museums, professional sports teams,
and celebrated shopping districts. But it’s also filled with historic neighborhoods,
peaceful parks, and thousands of leafy trees.
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Varsity Hats
A classic memento from the
world’s largest drive-in, this
paper hat has been a part of
The Varsity servers’ uniforms
since the restaurant’s inception in 1928. It’s available
with a purchase at all eight
Atlanta-area locations. Free.
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SweetWater Growler
Tour Atlanta’s 25,000-squarefoot SweetWater Brewery,
a pioneer of the city’s beer
scene. Be sure to take home a
64-ounce glass growler (that’s
almost half a gallon); later, fill
it with the famed SweetWater
420 or Blue. $9.
Doux South
Pickled Foods
Atlanta chef Nick
Melvin pickles
organic local produce to create Drunken
Tomatoes (with red wine, basil, and garlic) and
Angry Cukes (with seriously spicy, crunchy
cucumbers), and more. Available at H&F Bottle
Shop in Buckhead. $10 each.
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coast
With miles of unspoiled shoreline, live oaks draped with Spanish moss, and abundant wildlife,
Georgia’s Coast amazes visitors with timeless beauty. It’s not hard to imagine what this part of the state
looked like centuries ago, when the lovely port town of Savannah served as the state’s first capital. Come for
the seaside towns, stay for the incredible food, and leave with a bounty of oceanside memories.
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Bloody Amazing Bloody Mary
Mix and Seasoning
This mix isn’t limited to
cocktails—it’s also a fullbodied marinade and seasoning for veggies, seafood, and
more. Purchase it at The Still
and Winery on St. Simons
Island. $9.99.
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Sugar Marsh Cottage Cookies
Nothing says the Coast more sweetly than these
seashell-shaped shortbread cookies. The buttery
coquilles dipped in
chocolate and raspberry
coatings can be found
at artisan confectioner
Sugar Marsh Cottage in
Darien. $13.
The Salt Table Seasoning
Spice up your grill skills with
the signature Savannah
Grilling Blend from The Salt
Table. A mixture of thirteen
ingredients—including
Himalayan salt, chili pepper, and smoked
paprika—it tastes like sweet barbecue
with a little zing. $8.95.
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classic south
Home to important sites from the Revolutionary and Civil wars, Georgia’s Classic South region is
rooted in history. Yet its towns brim with modern-day offerings, from ATV rides with helmet cameras
to high-end lodges with award-winning spas. Set off on a turkey hunt, swim in one of the region’s
many lakes, or ride a Petersburg boat down the Augusta Canal.
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Chinaberry Foods Cheddar
Cheese Straws
Made from scratch with butter
and extra-sharp cheddar, these
crisp wafers pair well with hors
d’oeuvres and a glass of wine.
Purchase them at Chinaberry
Foods, a fourth-generation business in Thomson. $9.95.
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White Hills Herb Farm Tea
The lavender calamint rooibos tea from the
lavender farmers at White Hills
Herb Farm in Dearing blends
lavender, Georgia calamint,
rosehips, and rooibos. Call
ahead for an appointment
to pick it up from the
farm. $8.
Ogeechee River Mill
Corn Meal
Want to purchase some
Southern staples on your
road trip? Make a stop at
Gurley’s IGA in Warrenton
for corn meal, perfect for
baking cornbread or frying
catfish at home. $6.
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historic heartland
The days are peachy in Georgia’s Historic Heartland region, home to acre after acre of orchards.
Pick up a jar of jam at a local farm store and head off to explore the region’s many small towns, where
you can still find old-fashioned town squares and soda shops. Don’t miss the Native American heritage
sites or Georgia’s Antebellum Trail, showcasing historic communities that Sherman spared.
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Dickey Farms Peach Preserves
Dickey Farms in Musella is
home to Georgia’s oldest
continuously operating peach
packinghouse, and it serves
up sweet creations, such as
preserves made from whole ripe
peaches and sugar—perfect with
your next biscuit. $5.50.
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Terrapin Beer Growler
Athens’ own Terrapin Beer crafts hoppy ales,
IPAs, and porters with playful names,
such as HI-5 IPA, and
trippy packaging.
Pick up a growler at
5 Points Growler locations in Athens.
Starting at $6.
Blue Willow Inn
Cookbook
Now you can whip up
cornbread and chicken
and dumplings like the
chefs at the famed Blue
Willow Inn, a Greek-revival mansion and restaurant in Social Circle. Find it at the restaurant’s
gift shop. $19.95.
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magnolia midlands
For a taste of small-town country life, head to Magnolia Midlands, the state’s bucolic belt. Here you’ll
find the birthplace of sweet Vidalia onions, the makers of Claxton fruitcake, and the town of Alma,
better known as Georgia’s Blueberry Capital. When you’re not munching your way through the region,
take a dip in the area’s pristine lakes and rivers and keep an eye out for the abundant wildlife.
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Claxton
Fruitcake
Since 1910,
Claxton Fruitcake
Company has been churning out rich fruitcakes
made with pound-cake batter and filled with
nuts, raisins, pineapple, cherries, lemon peel, and
orange peel. Bring this holiday tradition to your
home by visiting their Claxton location. $20.95.
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Red Brick Farm Pickled Okra
It’s the staple of every Southern
home’s Bloody Mary bar: pickled
okra for a salty garnish. Head to
family-owned Red Brick Farm in
Douglas, where you can grab a
hand-packed jar to complement
your Bloodies or even to eat as a
healthy snack. $5.
M&T Meats Country Ham
Let M&T Meats’ fresh ham take center stage at
your next gathering. Simply cut from all-natural
pork without any processing, it’s available at the
extensive meat counter at the butcher’s Hawkinsville location. $5.99/slice.
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historic high country
Nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Georgia’s Historic High Country boasts
charming towns, sweeping views, and high-flying adventure (hang gliding, anyone?). It’s also home to
many significant Civil War landmarks and Native American sites. Don’t miss the chance to ride on
the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, which nods to the region’s rich railroad history.
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Mercier Orchards Hard Cider
After an action-packed day in Blue
Ridge, drop by Mercier Orchards,
an area mainstay since 1943.
Peruse aisles of local goods and
pick up a bottle of crisp hard cider
made from apples grown in the
orchards, family-owned for four
generations. $7.
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Pigeon Mountain Trading
Company Honey
This LaFayette company’s pure honey is known
as “wildflower honey” because
the bees that make it drink
nectar from the wildflowers that
bloom in the region from spring
through summer. Find it at their
general store. $8.75.
Barrel and Barley Growler
Instead of tap-filled growlers
(resealable glass jugs filled
with draft beer), Barrel and
Barley Craft Beer Market in
Woodstock uses counterpressure fillers to ensure
your premium beer remains carbonated for several
months. $5.
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Blue Haven Bee Company Honey
At Blue Haven Bee Company in
Canon, five million honeybees
produce some of the best raw
honey around. Try the delicious
Georgia Wildflower and be
sure to pick up a handcrafted
glazed pot for serving. $10.99,
honey; $40, pot.
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Currahee Vineyard and Winery
Blueberry Wine
Ole Blue wine from the lovely Currahee Vineyards and Winery in Toccoa is handcrafted with muscadine
grapes and a little blueberry. Expect
a surprising tartness that pairs well
with French vanilla ice cream, according to critics. $14.
Dawsonville Moonshine
Distillery Corn Whiskey
Using recipes handed down
through generations of Appalachian moonshiners, Dawsonville
Moonshine Distillery offers corn
whiskey in flavors such as Georgia
Mountain Apple Pie. Purchase the 109-proof alcohol at City Liquor of Dawsonville. $22.
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Folks in Georgia’s Northeast Mountains are proud of their Appalachian heritage and craft traditions.
Check out the art on display at local festivals, and don’t miss the moonshine-era racecars in
Dawsonville, the “Moonshine Capital of the World.” Spend your days discovering this rich culture
and your evenings lingering over a glass of wine at one of the region’s many vineyards.
plantation trace
Foodies swoon over Plantation Trace, home to culinary artisans of the highest order. Sample
heirloom grits, Old World–style cheeses, and even homegrown olive oil. The region’s towns are
equally innovative, offering top-notch theatrical productions and one-of-a-kind museums. Don’t
leave without paying a visit to the grand hunting plantations that give the region its name.
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Still Pond Distillers
Muscadine Moonshine
Made from muscadine grapes instead of corn, this moonshine from
Still Pond Distillers in Arlington is
a smooth sipper with no aftertaste.
Don’t be fooled, though: It’s still 80
proof. Purchase it from Warehouse
Package Store in Albany. $14/pint.
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georgia on my mind
Hot Tar Tartar Sauce
Add some kick to your catfish with this creamy
tartar sauce from Hot Tar, a
habañero-blending company in
Cairo. It packs heat from fresh,
Southwest Georgia–grown,
chocolate habañero peppers.
Find it at Center Drugs and
Gifts in Cairo. $7.95.
Grassroots Coffee
Beloved for its fresh-roasted,
single-origin coffees, Grassroots
Coffee Company is one of
Thomasville’s most popular
haunts. Sample the Costa Rica
Tarrazu, a medium-bodied brew
with floral notes and hints
of lemon and pecan. $13.
g d ec d ; s o u v e n i r s p h oto g ra p h e d by
ca r o l i n e C . k i lg o r e
{ a b ov e: p e b b l e h i l l p la n tat i o n , T h o m a s v i l l e }
presidential pathways
Much of the Civil War’s endgame, including its final battle, took place in this region 150 years ago. Today,
you’ll discover programs and museums commemorating the historic events and showcasing Presidential
Pathways’ rich military culture. Also be sure to pay visits to Jimmy Carter’s hometown of Plains and the Little
White House in Warm Springs, where Franklin Delano Roosevelt sought relief from polio and politics.
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Billy Beer Cans
On your way through President
Jimmy Carter’s hometown of Plains,
pick up a vintage can of Billy Beer at
Bobby Salter’s Plains Peanuts. The
collectible item (no longer in production) was first brewed in 1977 and
named after the president’s colorful
younger brother, Billy. $4.99.
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Stripling’s Wild Mayhaw Jelly
Grown in South Georgia swamps, wild
mayhaw berries have an
apple-like taste. Spread this
mayhaw jelly, available at
Stripling’s General Store in
Cordele, on everything from
blueberry muffins to roasted
chicken. $6.59.
Hotlanta Red Wine
You’ll get a kick out of this handbottled red table wine, made with
locally grown muscadine grapes
and spicy jalapeño peppers. Pick up
a bottle at Warm Springs Vineyard
and Winery, located on fourteen
sprawling acres just over a mile from
downtown Warm Springs. $15.
g d e c d, s o u v e n i r s p h oto g ra p h e d by
ca r o l i n e C . k i lg o r e
{ a b ov e: r o o s ev e lt’ s l i t tl e wh i t e h o u s e stat e h i sto r i c s i t e , wa r m s p r i n g s }