8 Best Towns in Georgia to Visit in 2024
In the southeastern U.S., Georgia is one of many states worth visiting in 2024. As there are plenty of locales and attractions to consider, this state provides many historical and natural landmarks to make for a pleasant New Year's trip in moderate or subtropical climates. No matter how familiar or unfamiliar one is with traveling around the country, these towns are the best options for travelers looking to get out of the house and into the Peach State.
Dahlonega
Dahlonega, a northern town with 6,791 residents, is worth visiting this year. With its "gold rush" foundations, the town has expanded as of today with its 19th-century regional vineyards and wine-tasting experiences over at Public Square. The Dahlonega Gold Museum is a historical pivot for tourists who want to live out the 1840s through mining history and up-close interviews with families who have stayed in the town for decades. Over at the Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery, North Georgia Mountains is a perfect sightseeing treat for anyone sipping on pristine wines and ciders. Animal lovers may prefer Chestatee Wildlife Preserve & Zoo, a landmark filled with over 100 exotic and native species of rescued animals. The downtown side features Lake Zwerner and Yahoola Creek Reservoir, both ideal for tourism because of an emphasis on fun watersports and leisurely hikes around a circumnavigational trail. Reens' Bratzeit & Biergarten and Shenanigans Restaurant & Irish Pub each provide unique dining atmospheres with contemporary European influence. It is also recommended to check out the upcoming live music events being sponsored by Shenanigans for 2024, running from mid-January through February!
Tallulah Falls
Tallulah Falls is a gorgeous Victorian-era resort town with only 207 inhabitants, fantastic waterfall sights, and scenic attractions that may suit anyone traveling in 2024. For instance, the Tallulah Gorge State Park is a captivating landmark that contains a 1,000-foot drop and features its namesake Gorge Rim Trail which is considerably the best dramatic sight to take in from any distance. A traditional fine food restaurant, The Edge Cafe is a beautiful locale to visit for its quality flatbread pizza selections and southern wilderness views. Live bonfire and marshmallow roasting activities are always expected at the Opry House, a semi-historical locale with casual lawn chair thrills and bluegrass conversations. For baked goods and small bites to eat, the Tallulah 1882 is a riveting locale with healing remedies and caffeinated teas crafted through organic means. For upcoming events this year, be sure to check out Tallulah River's American Whitewater paddling in early and mid-April, where travelers and locals will congregate to take rafts across the "Niagara of the South" to enjoy exquisite whitewater, making for an unforgettable travel experience unlike any other.
Covington
A filmmaker's paradise in Georgia, Covington is home to 14,869 locals and features some of the best Victorian architecture and signature neighborly events. On the I-20 Corridor, locals will greet tourists and encourage them to check out the Town House Cafe and Amici Italian Cafe for gourmet pizzas. City Pharmacy, a key locale in the downtown district known for its lovely cocktails and historic digging sites, is hosting a Happy New Year Brunch Meet-Up in the middle of January that would be worthwhile for tourists in town for 2024. Nearby, Mystic Grill is a historical restaurant featuring local farmer delights and a rooftop view of the town featured in television shows like "Vampire Diaries," as well as history related to the bank building foundation it rests on. Even further legacies can be spotted at Courthouse Clocktower, a landmark known for its graceful chimes and authentic filming stops crucial to Georgian nightlife. Nature enthusiasts will likely stick to Covington Central Park, a natural landmark connecting eleven neighborhoods to create a unique, tranquil lakeside environment. For Hollywood-esque vibes and New Year enjoyment, Covington is a must-see.
Ellijay
Georgia's "apple capital" is home to 1,884 residents who love their fresh orchard locales and fruit festivals. A significant highlight in Ellijay is the Red Apple Barn. This world-famous seasonal pumpkin patch offers delicious apple ciders and chutneys, family-friendly tractor rides, and tasty goodies for children. It also hosts the annual Georgia Apple Festival, which cherishes handmade crafting vendors, classy entertainment, and antique car exhibits for vehicle lovers. The Festival has some welcoming events scheduled between January and October 2024, so there is plenty of time for newcomers in town to participate and meet the locals throughout this year. Seguing towards history, the Tabor House Museum houses a beautiful display of wartime artifacts and seasoned decorations reminiscent of Cherokee history and early settlers in the town. Down at Cartecay River, travelers can enjoy lush nature mixed with leisurely canoeing and guided water tours, resulting in a safe and happy trip. Anyone seeking more nature can be mesmerized by the Engelheim Vineyards, a peaceful grape house home to German wine-tasting rooms and a carefully placed angel outside of the estate, hence its distinction as the "Angel Home" to locals.
Blairsville
A beautiful small town near the Nottely River, Blairsville has 564 residents and is frequented for its historical sites and cozy locales. The Union County Historical Courthouse has 18th and 19th-century military exhibits and dollhouse collections for sociocultural impact. The Mountain Life Museum is also a famous landmark for visitors, with its memorable outdoor walking trails and Civil War-era Payne Cabin, a smithy barn from the 1900s that makes tourists feel like they are part of an older generation. The Vogel State Park features prominent views of Blood Mountain in the Chattahoochee National Forest and is a must-see for tourists because of its rolling blankets of gold leaves and mountain pass elevations. South American mammal lovers will appreciate the Lasso the Moon Alpaca Farm, a convenient locale upholding the beauty of North Georgia Mountain habitats and has cute crocheting workshops for all ages. The Grandaddy Mimm's Distilling Company is a welcoming site with moonshine spirits and social whiskey hours. The distillery is hosting events throughout January 2024 for newcomers in town who want to explore the locale and taste new samples at the bar, so travelers now have another reason to visit this trendy town!
Milledgeville
With a population of 16,977 residents, Milledgeville is a nice destination for travelers wanting to take in a mixture of commercialized history and natural pleasantries. The Old Governor's Mansion is a key pitstop in town because of its 18th-century High Greek Revival architecture and regal facades that make it worth every moment in person. The landmark is also scheduled to host a musical picnic on the front lawn on April 20th, making this year the perfect time for travel. Plantation history is findable at Andalusia, a historical locale originally constructed to support famed author Flannery O'Connor during the mid-19th century. Over at the Lockerly Arboretum, tourists can absorb sunlight and calming meadows with a touch of horticultural history. Oconee River Greenway is another nature alternative, with its boardwalk cycling routes, avian shorelines, and courteous paddlers. Those who are hungry may enjoy Buffington's mouthwatering snack wraps or Amici Pizza & Wings for southern sidewalk charms not commonly found in other small towns. For upcoming events this year, tourists can participate in social mimosa weekends and Lake Sinclair sunsets running from January through March.
Pine Mountain
Pine Mountain, home to 1,339 inhabitants, is frequented by tourists who love backpacking through vibrant natural landmarks. At the Callaway Resort & Gardens, travelers can take in four seasons of relaxing hiking trails and world-class golfing lessons, in addition to exploring over 2,500 spectacular acres all around Robin Lake. At F.D. Roosevelt State Park, guests can enjoy trekking through more than 9,000 acres of the 23-mile Pine Mountain Trail, featuring carved mountains and famous picnic sites once appreciated by former U.S. president Franklin D. Roosevelt. An unforgettable experience can be had at the glass-enclosed Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center, where more than 1,000 species of colorful butterflies flutter around. From a historical perspective, Chipley Historical Center provides a backyard lens of West Central Georgia through its cultural heritage and genealogies of the oldest communities in town. Dino Village is also an option for family-friendly travelers, which hosts several reptilian exhibits and a newly established gorilla selfie spot designed to amuse guests in 2024. The Ida Cason Callaway Memorial Chapel may appeal to tourists who want to appreciate fieldstone quartz and mosaic art, with fancy pipe organ rings and seasonal concerts meant to uphold 16th-century Gothic architectural tradition.
Cartersville
A museum-oriented destination just northwest of Atlanta, Cartersville has 23,436 locals who know far too well about metropolitan tourism. The Booth Western Art Museum and Tellus Science Museum are ideal for anyone who wants to witness Native American and Civil War artifacts, modernized limestone wonders, and scientific or futuristic discoveries. The Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site is an archaeologically significant landmark with sacred nature trails that have been around since 1000 A.D. For urban landscapes downtown, tourists can check out Cartersville Farmers Market, a crowded venue full of homegrown appetizers and brewery finds; the Market is also hosting the 3rd Annual Black History Parade on February 24th and various musical events between March and July of this year, making a visit to this town during the current season even more enjoyable for Greek organization entertainment, marching band performances, and visual arts demonstrations. For a magical and fairytale-like adventure in town, newcomers may visit the Barnsley Resort, which is full of horseback riding expeditions, undulating hills, and scenic Manor House Ruins garden enchantment.
With many ways to enjoy Georgian small towns this new year, there is no reason not to consider these small towns. For one's itinerary in the lovely "Peach State," these towns are the best to explore in 2024 for beautiful historical and natural landmarks. Unforgettable experiences are bountiful across the state, so having this list as a guide will help ensure travel success, complete with plenty of events scheduled for newcomers!
