If you’re dreaming about a road trip with small-town charm, sweet tea, and way fewer crowds, this one’s for you.
We’re talking tiny towns in South Georgia where you can watch shrimp boats roll in, stroll under 300-year-old oak trees, and eat BBQ that might just change your life.
You’ll find car shows, peanut statues, spooky old forts, and even a theme park tucked away between the farmland and forests.
Each stop has its own thing going on and trust me, they’re all full of fun surprises.
So fill up the gas tank and get ready to cruise through some of the most unforgettable hidden gems in the Peach State.
1. Hawkinsville
Hawkinsville is a small town, located right along the Ocmulgee River, and it’s known as the “Harness Horse Capital of Georgia” thanks to its training track for racehorses.
You can catch live harness racing at the Lawrence Bennett Harness Horse Training Facility during special events like the Annual Harness Horse Festival, held every first Saturday of April.
Or explore Pulaski County Courthouse, which has been standing since 1874 with its cool columns and red towers.
Don’t miss a walk along the riverfront or a stop at the Hawkinsville Opera House, built in 1907 and still hosting plays, concerts, and even comedy nights.
2. Blakely
Next up is Blakely, a friendly town tucked in the southwest corner of Georgia that’s big on peanuts and history.
This place is home to the Peanut Proud Festival every March, complete with a parade, live music, and piles of boiled peanuts to snack on.
You can also check out the giant peanut statue downtown (yep, it’s a real thing) and visit the historic Kolomoki Mounds State Park just outside town, where you’ll find ancient Native American burial mounds dating back over 1,500 years.
3. Cairo
Next up is Cairo (pronounced “Kay-ro,” not like the city in Egypt), which has small-town charm and a sporty twist.
This town is known as the birthplace of Jackie Robinson, renowned as the first African American to play Major League Baseball in the modern era, and you’ll find a historical marker honoring him in front of the Roddenbery Memorial Library.
Cairo also throws a big celebration every May called the Great Southern Antique Car Rally, where the streets fill up with classic rides, live music, and some seriously good BBQ.
4. Thomasville
Just a 20-minute drive from Cairo is Thomasville, a town that’s all about giant oak trees, fancy Victorian-era houses, and some seriously good food.
You can visit the famous Big Oak, a massive live oak that’s over 330 years old, or stroll down Broad Street for antique shops, bakeries, and the cutest downtown you’ve ever seen.
Don’t leave without grabbing lunch at Jonah’s Fish & Grits, where the shrimp and grits are basically legendary.
5. Moultrie
Next on the route is Moultrie, a cozy town known for its farm charm and one of the best downtown squares in the whole state.
Every October, it hosts the Sunbelt Agricultural Expo, which is like a giant farm show with tractors, demos, and food trucks everywhere.
The downtown area is super walkable with cute shops, local eats like The Square and Three Crazy Bakers, and even a big fountain right in the middle.
6. Valdosta
Then there’s Valdosta, one of the bigger stops on this road trip, and it packs in the fun with theme parks, college football, and awesome food spots.
Wild Adventures is the big draw here—it’s part zoo, part amusement park, and part waterpark, all rolled into one wild day.
You can also catch a Valdosta State University football game at Bazemore–Hyder Stadium or grab a burger at Smok’n Pig BBQ.
7. Douglas
Douglas keeps the good times rolling with aviation history, a cool WWII story, and a super chill downtown.
The WWII Flight Training Museum sits right on the old air base where pilots once trained, and it’s packed with vintage gear, uniforms, and even flight simulators.
After that, swing by the supposedly haunted Ashley-Slater House for a peek at fancy 1914 architecture, then grab a donut at Holt’s Bakery.
8. Darien
Last but not least is Darien, a salty little coastal town where shrimp boats line the docks and the seafood is as fresh as it gets.
You can walk along the waterfront and watch the boats roll in, then dig into a plate of wild Georgia shrimp at Skipper’s Fish Camp right on the river.
History lovers can explore the old Fort King George Historic Site, built way back in 1721, with wooden barracks, cannons, and views that’ll make you want to stay a while.
Related Posts
