Small Towns in Georgia: 13 Stunning Spots You'll Love (& What To Do There)

Hidden treasures are the best part of traveling, and the small towns in Georgia are riddled with secret finds.

Whether it’s a small town near Atlanta, or one of the quaint towns in Georgia within driving distance of the city, you’ll find unique shops, world class dining, history, outdoor adventure, museums and culture.

Here are 13 of the best small towns in Georgia to visit this year.

OUR TOP-PICK FOR SMALL TOWNS

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Blue Ridge: Urban Sophistication Meets the Great Outdoors

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Discover Blue Ridge, Georgia’s favorite mountain town, where city sophistication meets small town charm. Great restaurants, stylish shops and galleries, hiking trails, waterfalls, beautiful mountains, vineyards, breweries, cozy cabins and friendly people.

In the foothills of the mountain range, you’ll find everything you need for a quick getaway from the city (only 90 minutes away) that will satisfy everyone from the avid shopper to the passionate hiker… from families with kids to families with fur-babies… for foodies, craft beer connoisseurs, campers and more. Make Blue Ridge your next adventure.

Address:

Blue Ridge, Georgia

REMARKABLE SMALL TOWNS NEAR ATLANTA

Small Towns in Georgia: 13 Stunning Spots You'll Love (& What To Do There)

MCDONOUGH

Just south of Atlanta is a small Georgia town where you can wile away time watching trains go by, get your heart racing at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, or savor BBQ at the original shack that launched Shane’s to stardom. McDonough is worth a stop.

We recommend breakfast or lunch at GRITZ and a visit to two of the best museum secrets in the state - the Heritage Park Veterans Museum and the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation.

RUTLEDGE

When you reach the red barrel with stop signs affixed to it, you know you’ve arrived in this delightful historic town just three-miles from Georgia I-20.

Your first stop is Rutledge Hardware, which is part museum, part general store, then grab an Amtrak sandwich for lunch at The Caboose. Save room for buttermilk pie from Yesterdays, and work it all off hiking or biking the trails at nearby Hard Labor Creek State Park.

MADISON

Known as the town Sherman spared on his March to the Sea during the Civil War, Madison has one of the state’s oldest and largest National Historic Districts.

Take a walking tour to see some of the most beautiful antebellum architecture in the state of Georgia. Stay in the middle of it all at the charming James Madison Inn. Or step back in time with a milkshake at the Madison Drug Company. Make sure to catch an event at the Madison Morgan Cultural Center while you're in town.

Just outside of Madison is Farmview Market with the only farm-to-table quick serve restaurant in Georgia.

EATONTON

Eatonton is part of the historic heartland on Georgia’s Antebellum Trail. It’s also located in the state’s lake country.

In addition to lazy days on the water, stroll through this small town to see classic antebellum architecture, then tell tales on the porch at the Uncle Remus Museum.

My favorite place to visit in Eatonton is the Old School History Museum, located in the original 1916 Eatonton School. Remember blackboards, and Weekly Readers? This incredibly well-done museum has both, as well as the original cloakroom, a replica soda fountain, and even the photos of every graduating class from 1916 to the 1970’s.

HARLEM

Nestled just off I-20 is Harlem, Georgia, birthplace of Oliver Hardy, of the 30’s comic duo Laurel and Hardy. Pull off for a quick museum tour, or for something really special, visit during the Oliver Hardy Festival in October.

For outdoor adventure we can’t recommend enough Savannah Rapids Park. And if you are a disc golfer, don’t miss the International Disc Golf Center in nearby Appling.

SENOIA

Senoia is probably better known as Woodbury, from the award-winning The Walking Dead TV show, which was filmed in town. You simply can’t visit here without taking a Walking Dead tour, either with a guide or self-guided.

Grab a cup of joe at Senoia Coffee and Café, the real life Woodbury Coffee House. Plan to lunch at Nic and Normans, the restaurant owned by Walking Dead producers and actors. The shops along Main Street have everything a zombie hunter would need.

SMALL TOWNS IN NORTH GEORGIA

DAHLONEGA

Nestled at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Dahlonega is the site of the country’s first gold rush! Explore the Gold Museum State Historic Site, and two different mines with a Gold Fever Tour package.

Sip the best from Georgia’s wine country -- while learning about ghosts -- along the square on a Grapes and Ghosts Wine Tour. And to really get the mountain flavor, come on Saturday afternoons April – October when local musicians gather on the square for an Appalachian jam session.

HELEN

Most people visit Helen for the Bavarian-themed shops and restaurants, but we love Helen for it’s major outdoor adventures.

Nearby Unicoi State Park has a wonderful adventure program, including a harrowing zip line. It's so fun! In the summer, you must tube the Chattahoochee while in town. If the water is too low, the Helen Water Park is another best bet. And in the fall, don't miss Oktoberfest!

Get your German fix with lunch at Hofer’s Bakery and Café, plus an afternoon pick me up with coffee and ice cream for the kids at one of our favorite haunts, Hot & Sweet just off Main Street.

ELLIJAY

This small town in North Georgia is best known for apples. But Ellijay also has a vibrant Main Street with quaint shops and restaurants!

Our favorite is Mountain Treasures because in addition to adorable clothing, they also have a sample selection of wines from Cartecay Vineyards (an Ellijay winery) and moonshine!

Outdoor adventurers will enjoy the serenity of Carter’s Lake. Rent a pontoon boat from the marina to explore 62 miles of natural shoreline, or take a hike around the lake on several leisurely trails. Or if you're looking for a more challenging hike, the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail is located on nearby Springer Mountain, making this town a great basecamp for an AT adventure.

SMALL TOWNS IN GEORGIA NEAR THE COAST

ST. MARYS

Along the coast of Georgia is the unassuming town of St. Marys. It is here you can get a ferry to the remote Cumberland Island National Seashore, one of several barrier islands in Georgia.

Before you go, take a self-guided history tour downtown, check out the St. Marys Submarine Museum, or just grab a bit of fresh seafood at Locals DockSide.

DARIEN

Located halfway between Savannah and Jacksonville, Darien is a coastal community worth a stop.

Savor fresh fried shrimp at Skippers Fish Camp. Or take a boat from Darien to remote Sapelo Island, where you can enjoy deserted beaches, as well as tour the historic Reynolds Mansion.

Grab a wooden gun and play soldier through the recreated Fort King George. And if history is your thing, you'll find Fort Morris State Historic Site nearby, which was used during the Revolutionary War.

SMALL TOWNS IN SOUTH GEORGIA

THOMASVILLE

Thomasville is a true southern town with a modern flair. There are the traditional activities such as quail hunting on nearby plantations, and tours of the historic homes. However, Thomasville is also gathering a reputation as a foodie town.

Food is part of the southern tradition of warmth and hospitality, and Thomasville is rich in both. This small town in South Georgia is home to a world-renowned dairy and cheese shop (Sweet Grass Dairy), plus a vineyard (Farmer’s Daughter Vineyards Tasting Room).

Thomasville chefs don’t just know where the food came from -- they know the farmers who grew it...personally.

ALBANY

RiverFront Park is beautiful development along the Flint River where kids can play at the Turtle Grove Play Park, or sit on piano keys and listen to Ray Charles tunes -- Charles is from Albany -- while looking at a life-sized sculpture of the signer at his piano. There is also a splash fountain and three miles of bike trails.

Nearby, is the not-to-be-missed Flint Riverquarium.

Do your stomach a favor and get a hot dog at Jimmies. This iconic dog joint has been in operation at the same location (across from the bus station) since 1925. It’s off the beaten path a bit, but well worth it. The prices will make your wallet smile too!

COLQUITT

This tiny small town in South Georgia of less than 2,000 is best known for the theater company that performs the folk-life play Swamp Gravy. Each season is unique and tells the story of Southern heritage.

While in this part of the state, be sure to check out the Kolomoki Indian Mounds at Kolomoki Mounds State Park.

MORE INFORMATION FOR YOUR TRIP TO GEORGIA

YOUR GEORGIA VACATION
NATIONAL PARKS: National Parks in Georgia: 11+ Awesome Adventures Perfect for Day Tripping
RESORTS: 25 Dreamy Resorts in Georgia Perfect for Pampering the Family
ROMANTIC GETAWAYS: 45 Most Romantic Getaways in Georgia for a Dreamy Escape
GLAMPING: Glamping Georgia: 17+ Most Unique Places To Escape

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Sue Rodman

Sue came to Atlanta after finishing the Walt Disney World College Program where she was a tour guide then guest relations hostess (and no she did not moonlight as Snow White). Sue spent 25 years in PR before adding freelance travel writing to her resume. Prior to 365 Atlanta Traveler, Sue published an award winning family travel blog called Field Trips with Sue for eight years, and produced a TV segment with the same name on CBS Better Mornings Atlanta. Her favorite place to visit is anywhere with her husband and three sons. Sue believes anytime is a good time for dessert and there are no bad field trips, just better stories.