georgia small towns (Atlanta, Columbus, Roswell: house, live, restaurants)

[billybob1050]

I will be driving through Georgia in a few weeks, and would like to visit some small, quaint, charming, high-quality towns with historic districts in the downtown area. In numerous past trips, the small towns I enjoyed were Dahlonega, Newnan, Covington, Plains, Madison, Barnesville and St. Marys. Does anyone out there know of other nice small (hopefully less than 10,000 population) towns in Georgia that I could visit? Thank you so much for your advice.

[ATLCOL1]

Originally Posted by billybob1050

I will be driving through Georgia in a few weeks, and would like to visit some small, quaint, charming, high-quality towns with historic districts in the downtown area. In numerous past trips, the small towns I enjoyed were Dahlonega, Newnan, Covington, Plains, Madison, Barnesville and St. Marys. Does anyone out there know of other nice small (hopefully less than 10,000 population) towns in Georgia that I could visit? Thank you so much for your advice.

You would really like Warms Springs and Pine Mountain. Warm Springs is home to FDR's Little White House and Pine Mountain is home to Callaway Gardens. The towns are 25 minutes north of Columbus or 55 minutes south of downtown Atlanta.

[small town south]

Warm Springs is a terrific place to visit, as is Andersonville for the Confederate prison camp. Greensboro is a good stop, also. Just off I-20, exit 130, stop by the Chamber of Commerce for the walking tour map. Yesterday Cafe is a great spot for some southern cooking (make sure you save room for a slice of buttermilk pie). Genuine Georgia is a terrific shop that features the work of various artists/artisans from around Georgia. If you like antiquing, check out the antique mall.

For a different area, historic Lawrenceville is interesting and fun to visit. Though Lawrenceville is no longer a small town, the historic part still has that small town feel. The Veteran's Museum in the historic courthouse is worth a visit, manned by volunteer vets. There are several very good restaurants around the square and some interesting shopping.

Have fun! I, too, love the small towns in GA.!

[Blue Eagle]

Milledgeville is a very historic town with an interesting downtown. It was the state capital of Georgia from 1804 until 1868. The Old State Capital building is where the Secession Convention occurred in 1861. The Old Governor’s Mansion was the residence of Georgia governor’s during this era.

The St. Stephens’s Episcopal Church was built in 1841. Barbarians under the command of General Sherman used this church as a stable for their horses in 1864. And these vandals also pored molasses into the church organ.

Author Flannery O’Connor lived in Milledgeville. Andalusia was her family’s farm that inspired many of her writings. She is buried in the Memory Hill cemetery, as is Carl Vinson and other prominent political figures

[Brian]

In northwest and west Georgia:

Cave Spring, Georgia

Rockmart, GA - Official Website

Dallas Official Site

georgia.gov - City of Hiram

Adairsville, Georgia

georgia.gov - City of Cedartown

Cities/towns (such as Cartersville, Acworth, Rome, Calhoun, Douglasville, etc) around these towns are nice, but the population are 10k and up.

[antiquesmountainapache]

Acworth has some shops and excellent restaurants. Many of my friends go to Cartersville a good bit and say it is a little hidden gem. Perhaps a little larger than your question, but one of my favorites, is Marietta's Square. Although it's in metro Atlanta, I love Roswell's historic district. Have fun!

[rmg04]

If you go past Covington, you'll find signs for Social Circle. If you want a wonderful atmosphere and great (true) Southern food, go there and eat at the Blue Willow Inn. you won't regret it.

Kennesaw, Acworth, and Marietta (Areas just NW of the perimeter) are also great locations as other are saying.

[ebs964]

How about Madison? I only drove through there once but I have always intended on going back - very interesting.