Southwest Georgia is made up of dozens of communities from the outskirts of metro Atlanta to the state line with Florida. For the purposes of this guide, we’ll be including mostly the towns included in the state of Georgia’s “Presidential Pathways” region.
There are, however, some that have been left out but we included the most notable with the most to offer visitors. Locals call the area “Sowega,” which represents 14 counties and the least populous region of the state.
There is a variety of landscapes, including swamps and plains. And as the official name for the region implies, two United States presidents have ties to the region.
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LaGrange
LaGrange is home to one of the state’s largest lakes and a number of attractions. The town was spared during the Civil War and later became a hub for the South’s textile industry. The most well-known family to come out of LaGrange is the Callaways of textile, agricultural, and five-and-dime fame.
What to Do
The Biblical History Center, also known as Explorations in Antiquity, is the most unique attraction around. It’s home to artifacts from the Holy Land and interactive experiences to teach visitors what life was like then from the food to the living arrangements.
Hills and Dales is the former home of the Callaways and is now a museum and gardens open to the public. The LaGrange Art Museum features works from artists from the region, in particular, a collection of works by outsider and folk artists like Howard Finster and St. EOM. Legacy on Main Museum is housed in a former bank and details the local history of LaGrange and its surrounding communities.
Where to Eat
LaGrange has a thriving restaurant scene for such a small area. Start with a hearty breakfast at greasy spoon Guss’s Grill. Charlie Joseph’s Downtown is known for its hotdogs and has been around since the 1920s.
Taste Of Lemon Restaurant is a favorite of ladies who lunch, serving chicken and dumplings, hamburger steak, and macaroni and cheese.
Cart Barn Grill is a no-frills eatery with golf cart seats is attached to a driving range. It’s a bit off the grid, but worth the detour. Mare Sol downtown is ideal for a night out and has tapas, flatbreads, pizzas, and pasta.
Brickhouse Grille serves American classics and tavern favorites like burgers and beer. They have one of the cheapest happy hours in town. For something different, Venucci has Italian flavors while the town’s Korean population makes Keum Soo Kang San Korean Restaurant a popular choice.
Where to Stay
Wingate by Wyndham LaGrange was my home for a few nights, located near the highway with free WiFi and breakfast. Highland Marina Resort is set on the lake with cabins, RV sites, and even boat slips. LaGrange is also home to Great Wolf Lodge, a resort and indoor theme park popular with families.
Warm Springs
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt called Warm Springs his second home while he was being treated for polio. His house is now a museum, which is the town’s main attraction, and the downtown area has shops and restaurants to keep visitors entertained.
What to Do
A visit to the Little White House is the most important part of a trip to Warm Springs. At the historic site, you’ll see the visitor’s center, the home itself, and a small museum with the unfinished portrait of Roosevelt.
Nearby, you can see the Roosevelt Pools that became the president’s polio recovery center. Once you’ve visited all the shops downtown, stop by the Warm Springs Winery for a sip of local wine.
Where to Eat
Dining options are limited in the small town, but the top recommendation is The Bulloch House Restaurant, a family-style Southern eatery with a menu that changes daily. Mac’s Barbeque is a casual option with pulled pork and all the sides.
Where to Stay
Hotel Warm Springs Bed & Breakfast Inn is a historic inn where celebrities and heads of state stayed while visiting Roosevelt. Meriwether Country Inn has amenities like in-room microwaves and free breakfast daily. Ramsey RV Park is another option for travelers who are camping or pulling RVs. Mountain Top Inn & Resort also has accommodations.
Pine Mountain
Originally settled in 1882, Pine Mountain became a tourist destination with the opening of Callaway Gardens, which has multiple hotels, restaurants, and activities. The town itself has shops, restaurants, and other amenities for visitors.
What to Do
Callaway Gardens is the main attraction with its own hotels and restaurants as well as the gardens themselves. The property also includes walking trails, golf courses, boating, fishing, watersports, a spa, and even a ropes course.
Nearby, Wild Animal Safari gives guests the opportunity to drive through a safari with giraffes, zebras, and other animals. Chipley Historical Center, located in the town’s old jail, has exhibits on the area’s history. Butts Mill Farm is an educational farm with go-karts and a petting zoo.
Where to Eat
Callaway Gardens has 11 restaurants, including some only open seasonally, but the town of Pine Mountain does as well. Most don’t require garden admission to dine there.
In Pine Mountain Carriage & Horses offers fine dining in a historic setting. Located in nearby Hamilton, Hunters Pub and Steakhouse is a surprising find with steaks and other dinner options. The Oyster House serves seafood, including oysters, shrimp, fish, and more.
Where to Stay
You won’t have any trouble finding a place to stay in Pine Mountain. Callaway alone has Mountain Creek Inn, Mountain Creek Villas, Southern Pine Cottages, and the Lodge and Spa.
F.D. Roosevelt State Park is another favorite option with standard campsites, backcountry campsites, and cottages. Garden Inn and Suites is a budget-friendly hotel with free breakfast, while Valley Inn has rooms with RV parking. Campgrounds include Blanton Creek Park and Pine Mountain RV Resort.
Columbus
Once a significant stop on the road to Atlanta, Columbus is located on the Chattahoochee River and the state line with Alabama. Here you’ll find major museums, restaurants, hotels, and plenty of activities to keep all ages active.
What to Do
Chattahoochee Riverwalk has paths for walking and biking and entry to the river for kayakers and paddleboarders. The Columbus Museum is free to visit and combines both history, culture, and art in one location.
Go on a rafting trip with Whitewater Express, who also runs zip lines and ropes courses between Columbus and Phenix City, Alabama.
At Fort Benning, The National Infantry Museum is an important attraction, which details the history of the military, specifically infantry divisions, in America’s wars.
Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center is an educational nature center that teaches about the nearby ecosystems and the creatures that call them home.
National Civil War Naval Museum has artifacts like cannons, weapons, and even a Civil War ironside. The Springer Opera House is a historic theater that hosts plays and musical performances. Kids will love the Coca-Cola Space Science Center, which has a number of NASA artifacts from the end of the shuttle program.
Where to Eat
Downtown Columbus has plenty of great restaurants, including the waterfront favorite 11th and Bay Southern Table, which serves Southern food with a contemporary twist. Country’s On Broad is a barbecue chain set in an old Greyhound bus station.
Plucked Up Chicken & Biscuits is a breakfast joint that gets popular on the weekend with chicken and biscuits, as the name implies. Nonic is the city’s newest beer bar, also serving wine, cocktails, and small plates. Grab your morning jolt and pastries at Iron Bank Coffee, a former bank, and dinner at The Black Cow includes Southern comfort food.
Where to Stay
The Marriott Hotel is one of the few downtown with hundreds of rooms and suites in a historic brick warehouse. Home2 Suites by Hilton Columbus, GA is a comfortable hotel near Fort Benning with pet-friendly amenities. Rothschild-Pound House Inn is a historic inn downtown that has hosted celebrities and politicians over the years.
Buena Vista
The small town of Buena Vista is perhaps most associated as being the home to folk artist St. EOM. In addition to Pasaquan, which you can visit, the town has a number of shops and restaurants. Called “America’s Front Porch,” they host the Rural America festival every year.
What to Do
Buena Vista has a number of buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, but it’s Pasaquan that really brings in visitors to the small town. The former home of St. EOM was restored with support from the Kohler Foundation.
Where to Eat
Dining options are limited in Buena Vista, but there are a few to choose from. A&R Barbecue comes highly recommended so don’t let the shabby exterior fool you. J&L Front Porch Pizzeria serves pizza, pasta, and wings, and Los Aztecas Mexican Restaurant is a standard Mexican eatery.
Where to Stay
Sign of the Dove B&B is one of the few places to stay and also serves meals. Buck Creek Campground has RV and trailer campsites.
Plains
The small town of Plains rose to national notoriety when Jimmy Carter, a peanut farmer, became the president of the United States. Many of the attractions are related to him, including the national historic site’s three distinct experiences. Also, explore downtown’s antique shops.
What to Do
Jimmy Carter landmarks are made up of three different sites. Jimmy Carter National Historic Site at the former Plains High School has exhibits on Carter’s early life as well as mementos from his campaigns.
Jimmy Carter Boyhood Farm has been recreated to resemble where he grew up and The Plains Depot focuses on the town’s role in his run for president. SAM Shortline Train at Georgia Veterans State Park runs through Plains in vintage passenger cars.
Where to Eat
Since Plains is a small town, dining options are again limited. Buffalo Grill at the Old Bank serves sandwiches and Southern favorites.
Where to Stay
Plains Historic Inn & Antique Mall was developed by the Carters and has historic furnishings, free Internet, and breakfast daily.
Albany
Albany is one of the largest towns in Southwest Georgia. Settled by Creek Indians, the Flint River runs through the area. Musician Ray Charles grew up nearby and the arts and musical traditions have carried over to today. The town is also home to the Albany Marathon and Half Marathon, one of the top Boston Marathon qualifiers in the country.
What to Do
Chehaw Park is an all-in-one attraction with a zoo, frisbee golf course, mountain biking trails, and even campsites. Learn about Albany’s role in the Civil Rights Movement at Albany Civil Rights Institute. Sample wine and moonshine at Still Pond Vineyard & Winery.
Flint RiverQuarium is a unique aquarium experience as it focuses on the ecosystems of the Flint River, which runs alongside the attraction. Riverfront Park is set on the Flint River and is home to the Ray Charles statue.
Where to Eat
Foodies will enjoy a trip to Albany, which excels at Southern food. Pearly’s Famous Country Cooking is a local favorite, serving breakfast all day. Carter’s Grill & Restaurant is a soul food establishment with fresh options daily, located near the Albany Civil Rights Institute.
Grab a morning burst of caffeine at Elements Coffee Co, serving fresh java and sandwiches. The Cookie Shop has breakfast, lunch, and the best cookies around. Owned by the Stewbos group, Harvest Moon, The Catch, and Henry Campbell’s are all delicious.
Where to Stay
You’ll find all the chain hotels in Albany, but Merry Acres Inn (review here) is the only independently run accommodation in town. Fairfield Inn & Suites is well located at affordable prices. Another unique option is Wynfield Plantation, a hunting lodge with guest cabins.
Americus
Despite its relatively small size, Americus is home to Georgia Southwestern University and the headquarters of Habitat for Humanity. Much of downtown is listed on the historic register for its preservation.
What to Do
Habitat for Humanity was founded in Americus and their Global Village & Discovery Center was created to show visitors what the living conditions of Third World countries are like. *This place has since closed.*
Georgia Rural Telephone Museum in nearby Leslie has the largest collection of antique telephones in the world. Thirteenth Colony Distillery creates hand-crafted small-batch liquors like whiskey, gin, and vodka. Rylander Theatre is a historic theater that puts on local productions.
Where to Eat
Most Americus dining options are open early in the day, so plan accordingly. Cafe Campesino roasts their own coffee and offers beverages and sandwiches at their downtown location. Little Brother’s Bistro & Cafe sells soups, sandwiches, and flatbreads.
Roman Oven Pizzeria has large pizzas and a salad bar. Granny’s Kitchen serves Southern comfort food and Pat’s Place is a sports bar. The 1800 Mexican Restaurant is another favorite.
Where to Stay
The historic Best Western Plus Windsor Hotel (review here) is the crown jewel of Americus with its red brick exterior and an in-house restaurant. Americus Garden Inn Bed and Breakfast is a beautiful old home turned inn with stunning gardens. There are also chains like Hampton Inn, Quality Inn, and Days Inn nearby.
Andersonville
The town of Andersonville is mostly made up of a former Civil War prisoner of war camp. In addition to the historic site, the area is home to a number of historic structures like the grist mill, pioneer farm, cabin, and churches. In the 1970s, the mayor decided to return Andersonville to how it would have looked during the time of the war.
What to Do
The town of Andersonville is known for its connection to the Civil War. Andersonville National Cemetery honors the fallen soldiers and Andersonville National Historic Site has a prisoner of war museum and artifacts from its time as a prison camp. Drummer Boy Civil War Museum is in the recreated Andersonville village.
Where to Eat
There are very few dining options around Andersonville, and the few places have limited hours, so bring a picnic. Easterlin’s Country Store is the only restaurant in town.
Where to Stay
Because of its remote location, you may be better off going to Andersonville for the day rather than staying overnight. But if you want to stick around, Andersonville RV Park offers electric hookups. A few places also rent out cottages and homes.
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My visits to destinations in Southwest Georgia were supported by Explore Georgia, Visit Albany, LaGrange Chamber of Commerce, Columbus Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and Laurie Rowe Communications.
We would love to visit this area. Need more info.