7 Small Towns In Georgia With Big Charm

Georgia is now one of the most populous and fastest-growing states in the nation, with vibrant cities and numerous cultural amenities. That said, Georgia is also still a classic southern state, with dozens of lovely and welcoming small towns with big charm dotting its landscape. Whether you prefer to explore history, experience nature, enjoy good shopping and dining, or just sit back and enjoy the view during your travels, check out seven great Georgia small towns awaiting your arrival.

Blue Ridge

Although the town of Blue Ridge is only about 90 miles away from Atlanta, it provides travelers with a welcome change of pace from the bustling big city. Downtown Blue Ridge’s quaint shops and boutiques line up just a short distance away from railroad tracks that pass right through town. Those tracks carry the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, which offers 26 miles of mesmerizing views of the surrounding mountains. In addition to the great scenery and charming downtown, the town’s Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association offers exhibitions and educational content throughout the year.

Dahlonega

The phrase “gold rush” brings to mind California and the American West, but the nation’s first gold rush led to the founding of the northern Georgia town of Dahlonega in 1829. Unfortunately, this gold rush also contributed to the awful Trail of Tears, the forced removal of the area’s native Cherokee people. Both the positive and negative aspects of the Dahlonega gold rush are presented in a museum housed in the historic former Lumpkin County Courthouse (1836). Dahlonega is also surrounded by great local wineries and offers convenient access to outdoor exploration at nearby Amicalola Falls State Park and Chattahoochee National Forest.   

Darien

Darien was once a shipping port like its bigger coastal rivals, Savannah and Brunswick, but those days ended after the town was burned to the ground during the Civil War. Fortunately, Darien was able to slowly transform into a thriving travel destination along the lovely Georgia seacoast. While that means it is in competition with Savannah and Brunswick once again, Darien offers a smaller but equally lovely alternative. The town’s waterfront district houses shops and restaurants like the Sugar Marsh Cottage and Canopy Restaurant, while the walking paths along the Altamaha River provide magnificent water views. 

Helen

The northern Georgia town of Helen was once a center for the timber industry, with logs floating down the Chattahoochee River. When that industry declined more than 50 years ago, Helen survived by transforming itself into a town with the look and feel of a village in the Bavarian Alps of Germany. Bavarian-style homes, shops, and restaurants are all around, and Helen hosts what is probably Georgia’s best Oktoberfest each autumn. As an added bonus to this Alpine escape, the 750,000-acre Chattahoochee National Forest is just a short drive away. 

Tallulah Falls

The village of Tallulah Falls has been a popular wilderness retreat from its very start back in 1885. Several lovely Victorian-era structures point to Tallulah Falls’ longstanding popularity with tourists and make the town great for a walking tour. Just outside of town, Tallulah Gorge State Park has 20 miles of trails, five waterfalls, an 80-foot-high suspension bridge, and the namesake gorge that is 1,000 feet deep and 2 miles long. Tallulah Falls also serves as a great base of operations for day trips into the Blue Ridge Mountains and Great Smoky Mountains.

Thomasville

Nicknamed the “City of Roses,” the southwest Georgia town of Thomasville holds its famous Rose Festival every April. The town’s charming downtown, full of historic buildings, shines a bit brighter during the festival but is well worth a tour any time of year. Thomasville walking tour highlights include the lovely Cherokee Lake Park and the impressive “Big Oak,” a tree that has stood at what is now the corner of Monroe and Crawford Streets for around 350 years. Visitors interested in Thomasville’s past should also visit the Jack Hadley Black History Museum and the Pebble Hill Plantation.

Washington

Washington is one of the oldest towns in Georgia and has historic connections to both the Revolutionary War and the Civil War: an important battle was fought nearby in 1779, and Jefferson Davis officially dissolved the Confederate government in town in 1865. History buffs should check out sites associated with both events, along with historic architectural gems like the 1898 Fitzpatrick Hotel and 1904 Wilkes County Courthouse. Washington is also popular with treasure hunters due to a longstanding rumor that a horde of Confederate gold is buried somewhere in the area!

Georgia is called the Peach State in honor of one of its most prolific agricultural products, but such a sweet nickname also suits a state that is a true joy to visit. Some of Georgia’s small-town gems are tucked away in the mountains, while others are set along the seacoast, yet they all overflow with beauty, history, and southern charm. So, do not delay in adding Georgia to your travel list!