6 Storybook Towns In Georgia

Georgia may not be the first state to come to mind when thinking of the United States' storied history, but it probably should. The fourth of all US states to join the Union in 1788, the celebrated place known as the Peach State bears a proud past as one of the country's founding regions. These towns suggest as much, offering stories of Native American settlement, early European immigration, the somber past of the slave economy, and newer additions to Georgia's vibrant population, from Latin America and elsewhere. For a look into the state's fascinating past and present, these small towns await with big attractions for all kinds of visitors.

Helen

The northeast town of Helen, tucked up in Georgia's Blue Ridge mountain range, blends an American feel with a touch of Germany. At 600 people today, the town's settlers included a large Bavarian population, who have honored their heritage through German-style architecture as well as a popular annual Oktoberfest beer celebration. Those below the drinking age can still get in on the fun at the Hansel & Gretel Candy Kitchen, a beloved downtown sweets shop. Other elements of Bavarian heritage here include Hofer's Bakery and Cafe, as well as the Hofbrauhaus Restaurant, which has pleasant views over the Chattahoochee River that flows through the town.

Rome

In another nod to European civilization, the northwest town of Rome, population 38,100, welcomes travelers on a far larger scale. The town has taken inspiration from the former capital of the Roman empire: the Capitoline Wolf, a sculpure that shows the mythical beasts of Romulus and Remus that figure in the first Rome's founding story, appear in this corner of Georgia, too.

Visitors can explore stories of the region's past at the Chieftains Museum and Major Ridge Home, named after the Cherokee military leader of the same name, who once lived at this residence. Also in town, the handsome Berry College nods to architecture more like Oxford, England, than the American South. The town's Garden Trail offers a self-paced walk through local, beautiful green spaces.

St. Marys

St. Marys, with 19,500 residents, the coastal town of St. Marys, just across the St. Marys River from Florida, shows a visitor some of Georgia's best seaside living. Once a Spanish territory, now associated with nearby Cumberland Island, the region combines history and a touch of the exotic. Given its proximity to the sea, local restaurants feature seafood prominently. Seagles Restaurant, on the river, promises a fresh catch and a salty breeze to match. For a more active outing, the St. Marys Tabby Trail presents a bikeable path along the town's scenic waterside. Those traveling with pets may enjoy the Tommy Casey Memorial Dog Park, also in town.

Plains

Plains, with a tiny population of about 550, stands as a little town with a big reason to be proud: it is the hometown of Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president, who passed away in December 2024 at the age of 100. Following his presidency from 1977 to 1981, Carter launched a long career as a humanitarian. He promoted and volunteered for the Habitat for Humanity organization, which built affordable houses for the needy. The winner of the 2002 Nobel Prize for Peace, Carter is now the longest-living president in history.

The town's other attractions include its historic train depot, built in 1888 (which Carter used as his presidential campaign headquarters). The Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail, named after Carter's wife, offers respite from the more politics-focused attractions downtown.

Tallulah Falls

Tallulah Falls, with just 200 residents, offers mountain calm away from busier Georgia destinations. The town's namesake pour from the Appalachian mountains that traverse the South Carolina state line, just across from the Tugaloo River. One might say water defines the area, as the falls sit within the Tallulah Gorge State Park, a popular location for families and other visitors, while the Tallulah Falls Power Station manages the hydropower derived from the river. The North Georgia Hydro headquarters sit south of town. Just northwest of Tallulah Falls, Lake Rebun provides some calmer waters for more relaxation. On either side of the falls, numerous overlooks provide gobsmacking views of this powerful natural phenomenon. Grab a bite to eat or some rest for the next excursion at Tallulah Adventures, an education center, with its adjoining meal options at The Edge Cafe.

Tybee Island

With a modest 3,100 inhabitants, the town of Tybee Island and its peninsula juts into the Atlantic and defines the Georgia coastline in the process. Like St. Marys, the place is thoroughly tied to its seaside existence, with a strong local tourism industry that spans on-the-beach accommodations, like the Surf Song Bed and Breakfast and the Tybee Island Inn nearby. Tybee Island lies downstream on the Savannah River from the city of the same name, further suggesting Tybee's connections to maritime trade and culture. The site of Fort Pulaski, where a key Civil War battle took place, now welcomes visitors as a monument under the management of the US National Park Service. Last but hardly least, the Tybee Island Light Station has stood watch over the Georgia coast since 1732.

Write Your Own Story in Georgia's Small Towns

Clearly, these small towns in Georgia represent the state's storied past and dynamic present. Mountain towns like Helen and Tallulah Falls balance history you can taste and a sense of adventure almost as strong as the waterfall itself. Coastal history comes alive in places like St. Marys and Tybee Island, whether from Spanish colonial days or the fraught conflicts of the US Civil War period. Even Georgia's smallest towns, like the hamlet of Plains, anchor current events like the passing of its most famous resident, former president Jimmy Carter. For storied lives and dreamlike escapes, these and other towns in Georgia beckon tourists of all tastes and interests.