10 Georgia Towns With A Slower Pace Of Life
In the 1930s, a couple of musicians sat down and penned the words that would become the official state song of Georgia in 1979, “Georgia on My Mind.” To this day, this is often an interchangeable slogan and unofficial motto of the state, with lyrics that point to the serene and peaceful nature of the Peach State beyond its booming cities like Atlanta, Macon, and Savannah. Many with ‘Georgia on their minds’ think of the slow pace of living common in the state's rural communities, from the wildflower fields of Nashville to Wolf Mountain Vineyards of Dahlonega. There are many of these small, slow-paced towns state-wide to explore and discover.
Blue Ridge
When traveling to the northeast from Atlanta, you can see many of Georgia’s smaller towns along the way. Ninety miles of traveling will land you in Blue Ridge, with a distinct small-town way of life characterized by the unchanging landscape of the mountains for which the village was named in the background. The historic downtown area is loaded with locally-owned businesses and shops, limiting the chain establishments in the town limits to preserve its rural feel. When you visit shops like Blue Ridge Mountain Outfitters, you can see the businesses here are the life’s work of its residents.
Preserving history is integral to the community's slow-paced personality, evident in popular destinations like the Fannin County Courthouse, an architectural stronghold constructed in 1937. You can leave the bustle of cities like Atlanta behind with natural wonders beyond the Blue Ridge Mountains here, like Lake Blue Ridge or the Chattahoochee National Forest.
Nashville
Nashville is just a short thirty-mile jaunt from Valdosta. Unlike the booming metropolis of this name in Tennessee, Georgia’s version has less than 5,000 people and preserves a slow-paced lifestyle. Rural roots run deep here, and the town's economy centers greatly on the farming way of life that keeps the commercial chain stores and restaurants mainly at a distance. Instead, visitors taste the local flavors from the region’s entrepreneurs at popular spots like Smokin’ Smitty’s Father & Son BBQ, a long-standing establishment in Berrien County for smoked meats.
A slow-paced community like this has a greater opportunity to see and appreciate the changing seasons, which draws in tourists from all around to see the meadows of wildflowers in the spring. Nature enthusiasts join history buffs to enjoy Nashville, as the village is also home to several Civil War-era markers and the Berrien County Historical Society Museum, which preserves the region’s rich past through artifacts and exhibits.
Baxley
The small town of Baxley is best known for being a quiet, rural community dominated by family-owned businesses and dependent on the efforts of the many local farms. This slower pace of life is likely best seen in the natural wonders that make Baxley worth a visit, such as the Moody Forest Natural Area with its hiking trails and beautiful scenic vistas.
The town is a blend of its old traditions and modern living, with historic sites like the Appling County Courthouse standing proud since 1908. Today, this is a place for history buffs to visit when they are not taking in a heaping slice of local commerce like the popular Klassy Kafe or shops like Southern Bliss Boutique.
See this quiet, slow town come to life in April for the Baxley Tree Fest - a unique celebration of food, entertainment, and community camaraderie surrounding the county’s rich forestry industry roots.
Dahlonega
The quaint city of Dahlonega has been known for years as a place for a quiet and slower-paced getaway with its family-run restaurants like The Smith House and small wineries like Wolf Mountain Vineyards. Only being a meager hour and fifteen-minute drive from Atlanta on GA-400, Dahlonega is becoming a popular destination for a change from the bustle of ATL.
History and nature blend seamlessly together in Dahlonega, significantly contributing to the residents’ taking more time to uphold traditions, preserve historic sites, and enjoy the bounties of nature. From popular museums showcasing Georgia’s gold rush history from 1828, the Dahlonega Gold Museum Historic Site, to the Chestatee Wildlife Preserve and its many animals and trails for exploration, there is always something to slow you down in Dahlonega.
Every October, the town livens up from its traditionally slower pace for the Gold Rush Days Festival, which celebrates this unique piece of the village’s history with arts, live entertainment, and food.
Eastman
Roughly an hour from Macon is Eastman, a much slower and more tight-knit community than the nearby metropolis. With a population of just over 5,000, it would be hard to guess this village doubled as a college town, home to Middle Georgia State University’s Aviation Campus, one of the country's top institutions of its kind. Surprisingly, despite the university, the town remains ungentrified, dodging most attempts for large chain franchises to plant roots in favor of locally-owned eateries like Priscilla’s Restaurant.
Most of the year, travelers find their way to Eastman for its convenient access points to the Ocmulgee River or the bounty of local pecan orchards like Stuckey’s, which offer tours, samples, and fun. The only time the slower pace of Eastman changes is for the annual celebration known far beyond the municipal limits: the Dodge County Fair, which features carnival rides, competitions, food, entertainment, and more.
Commerce
Commerce might have close to 7,500 residents, but it is still small and close enough that much of the town shuts down on fall Friday nights so business owners and residents can band together to cheer on the Commerce High School Tigers at the stadium. While many might find the town by visiting its popular Tanger Outlets stop, they soon discover there is a hefty helping of local business to make them slow down and smell the wildflowers, sometimes literally with shops like Simple Blessings.
For those visiting Commerce, plenty can keep you occupied when you decide to stay and explore. You can walk through the historic downtown and its early 1900s architecture to find yourself at local favorites like El Parian Mexican Restaurant. If the pace gets too slow, you can ramp up the fun and excitement with an afternoon at the renowned Funopolis Family Fun Center.
Greensboro
Greensboro is just over an hour from Atlanta, making it a getaway destination for city residents. This tight-knit community has become a haven of relaxation and a slower pace centered around Lake Oconee, with multiple bed and breakfasts and water recreation available throughout the year. You can relax and slow down in style when you visit and stay at one of the numerous resorts along the water, like the Reynolds Lake Oconee Resort or the Ritz-Carlton Reynolds.
Getting into the town itself, Greensboro has much to offer the residents or travelers wanting to remove some bustle from life, beginning with numerous locally owned and operated shops like the Greensboro Antique Mall.
In the spring, those choosing to stay or visit the Ritz-Carlton on the water can indulge in a decadent escape in the form of the Lake Oconee Food & Wine Festival.
Sylvester
Hailed to many across the country as the ‘Peanut Capital of the World,’ Sylvester is a place to stop and explore all things quintessentially rural Georgia. While the town might be home to nearly 6,000, it has a small and tight-knit appeal that significantly separates it from the larger city of Albany, only twenty-two miles away. For those looking for the story behind why Sylvester is the peanut capital, check out the Peanut Festival in October, one of the only times the town is bustling.
Beyond the nuts, Sylvester has a wealth of locally owned businesses to help you settle in for a longer stay. Some comfort food delights are leading the pack, like Fat Boy’s Backyard BBQ and Jackson’s South Food Kitchen, offering heaping portions of traditional southern fare.
Jackson
Only roughly an hour from Atlanta, Jackson offers visitors a space to get in tune with nature that you cannot find in the larger cities. Some of the most popular attractions here in Jackson include the High Falls State Park and the Indian Springs State Park, the latter being among the oldest state parks in the United States, known for its natural spring waters. Experiencing the beauty of Georgia’s nature in all seasons is a start to experiencing the slow-paced life in Jackson.
When residents here are not attending community events like Friday night football games or gatherings like October’s Jackson Alive Fall Festival, they support their neighbors and friends and enjoy the abundance of small businesses available in the town. Despite Jackson's slow pace, from shops like Hey Jo Boutique to restaurants like the popular Bradley’s Olde Tavern, there is always something to see and do.
Hawkinsville
The town of Hawkinsville is a testament to a slower way of life. Its combination of local farm dependence, creating events like weekly farmer’s markets for residents, and a push for the great outdoors, with local access to some of the region’s best kayaking and hiking, is a testament to this relaxed pace.
Exploration is encouraged through the quaint community, where small businesses are the cornerstone of the town’s personality. In this space, locations like the Hawkinsville Antique Mall and its collection of items can thrive alongside popular eateries like Heritage Restaurant on Commerce Street or Tom and Sandy’s Horseshoe Restaurant on Broad Street.
Unlike the harness horse racing the town has become most known for with the world-class training facility in the municipal limits, Hawkinsville’s slow pace and community spirit are on full display each year in April for the Harness Festival with live events and food.
Preserving Pace and Heritage in Georgia’s Small Towns
Small towns carry the traditions and the spirit of the agricultural roots that have been the backbone of Georgia since it was a colony in the 1700s. Many rural communities remain a pulse, maintaining this proud heritage, from the ‘Peanut Capital of the World’ in Sylvester to the long-standing traditions and history of harness horse racing alive and well today in Hawkinsville. The Peach State has a slower way of life when you get away from the major cities, and the more you explore these quaint communities, the more you will have Georgia on your mind.
