7 Small Towns In Georgia With Big Charm
Georgia聽is now one of the most populous and fastest-growing states in the nation, with vibrant cities and numerous cultural amenities. That said, Georgia is also still a classic聽southern state, with dozens of lovely and welcoming small towns with big charm dotting its landscape. Whether you prefer to explore history, experience nature, enjoy good shopping and dining, or just sit back and enjoy the view during your travels, check out seven great Georgia small towns awaiting your arrival.
Blue Ridge
Although the town of聽Blue Ridge聽is only about 90 miles away from聽Atlanta, it provides travelers with a welcome change of pace from the bustling big city. Downtown Blue Ridge鈥檚 quaint shops and boutiques line up just a short distance away from railroad tracks that pass right through town. Those tracks carry the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, which offers 26 miles of mesmerizing views of the surrounding mountains. In addition to the great scenery and charming downtown, the town鈥檚 Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association offers exhibitions and educational content throughout the year.
Dahlonega
The phrase 鈥済old rush鈥� brings to mind聽California聽and the American West, but the nation鈥檚 first gold rush led to the founding of the northern Georgia town of聽Dahlonega聽in 1829. Unfortunately, this gold rush also contributed to the awful聽Trail of Tears, the forced removal of the area鈥檚 native聽Cherokee聽people. Both the positive and negative aspects of the Dahlonega gold rush are presented in a museum housed in the historic former Lumpkin County Courthouse (1836). Dahlonega is also surrounded by great local wineries and offers convenient access to outdoor exploration at nearby Amicalola Falls State Park and Chattahoochee National Forest.聽 聽
Darien
Darien was once a shipping port like its bigger coastal rivals, Savannah and Brunswick, but those days ended after the town was burned to the ground during the Civil War. Fortunately, Darien was able to slowly transform into a thriving travel destination along the lovely Georgia seacoast. While that means it is in competition with Savannah and Brunswick once again, Darien offers a smaller but equally lovely alternative. The town鈥檚 waterfront district houses shops and restaurants like the Sugar Marsh Cottage and Canopy Restaurant, while the walking paths along the Altamaha River provide magnificent water views.聽
Helen
The northern Georgia town of聽Helen聽was once a center for the timber industry, with logs floating down the聽Chattahoochee River. When that industry declined more than 50 years ago, Helen survived by transforming itself into a town with the look and feel of a village in the Bavarian Alps of聽Germany. Bavarian-style homes, shops, and restaurants are all around, and Helen hosts what is probably Georgia鈥檚 best Oktoberfest each autumn. As an added bonus to this Alpine escape, the 750,000-acre Chattahoochee National Forest is just a short drive away.聽
Tallulah Falls
The village of Tallulah Falls has been a popular wilderness retreat from its very start back in 1885. Several lovely聽Victorian-era聽structures point to Tallulah Falls鈥� longstanding popularity with tourists and make the town great for a walking tour. Just outside of town, Tallulah Gorge State Park has 20 miles of trails, five waterfalls, an 80-foot-high suspension bridge, and the namesake gorge that is 1,000 feet deep and 2 miles long. Tallulah Falls also serves as a great base of operations for day trips into the聽Blue Ridge Mountains听补苍诲听Great Smoky Mountains.
Thomasville
Nicknamed the 鈥淐ity of Roses,鈥� the southwest Georgia town of Thomasville holds its famous Rose Festival every April. The town鈥檚 charming downtown, full of historic buildings, shines a bit brighter during the festival but is well worth a tour any time of year. Thomasville walking tour highlights include the lovely Cherokee Lake Park and the impressive 鈥淏ig Oak,鈥� a tree that has stood at what is now the corner of Monroe and Crawford Streets for around 350 years. Visitors interested in Thomasville鈥檚 past should also visit the Jack Hadley Black History Museum and the Pebble Hill Plantation.
Washington
Washington is one of the oldest towns in Georgia and has historic connections to both the聽Revolutionary War聽and the聽Civil War: an important battle was fought nearby in 1779, and Jefferson Davis officially dissolved the Confederate government in town in 1865. History buffs should check out sites associated with both events, along with historic architectural gems like the 1898 Fitzpatrick Hotel and 1904 Wilkes County Courthouse. Washington is also popular with treasure hunters due to a longstanding rumor that a horde of Confederate gold is buried somewhere in the area!
Georgia is called the Peach State in honor of one of its most prolific agricultural products, but such a sweet nickname also suits a state that is a true joy to visit. Some of Georgia鈥檚 small-town gems are tucked away in the mountains, while others are set along the seacoast, yet they all overflow with beauty, history, and southern charm. So, do not delay in adding Georgia to your travel list!
