The Best Small Towns in Georgia to Chill Out In 2024

As one of the original 13 colonies, Georgia is a beautiful state with a long history. First settled in 1733 in Savanah by British settlers, today it is known as the Peach State for its rich peach crops. The state itself is situated in a picturesque position in the US, with the Atlantic Ocean to the East and the Appalachian Mountains on its Northwestern border. As a result of this scenery, there are many great small towns in Georgia that are perfect for visitors. Uncover some of the best Georgia small towns to chill out in 2024.

Saint Simons Island

With a population of just under 16,000, Saint Simons Island sits on the Marshes of Glynn and has some of the best beaches in Georgia, along with beautiful locales and attractions to explore. One can relax at East Beach, or go fishing and biking along the St. Simons Island Trail System. One of the best-kept secrets in town is the St. Simons Lighthouse Museum, built in 1872, and one of the only five light towers left in the state. As an island, Saint Simons has great seafood restaurants to try out, ranging from Georgia Sea Grill to Iguanas Seafood Restaurant and more.

Tallulah Falls

Located about 100 miles northeast of Atlanta, Tallulah Falls is a majestic place named after Tallulah Gorge, a 1,000-foot canyon. Six waterfalls descend the gorge, which can be seen by visiting Tallulah Gorge State Park. However, you must be prepared to walk down 1,000 stairs to reach the gorge itself.

There are other spots to explore within this small town, such as Tallulah Adventures & The Edge Café, an event venue, community center, and café and bar. You can also try out some of the quaint gift shops in town, like Harvest Moon, a garden and antiques shop, and Ladybug Landing. Lastly, for tea lovers, consider visiting Tallulah 1882, which has multiple herbal teas and espresso.

St. Marys

Located just north of Jacksonville, Florida, on the coast of Georgia, St. Marys is a pretty spot that also acts as a gateway to Cumberland Island. The best place to start in this small town is the Cumberland Island National Seashore Museum, which has artifacts from the Timucuan Indians and major historical events.

For other intriguing historical spots, visit the McIntosh Sugar Mill Ruins, Our Lady Star of the Sea Historic Catholic Chapel, or the Oak Grove Cemetery. If you wish to see the best of the Georgia coastline, consider renting a kayak from Knuckleheads Kayak & Paddle Board Rentals and taking the St. Marys River Tours or Cumberland Island Tours. Lastly, explore a maritime forest at Crooked River State Park, which also has a ferry to the Cumberland Island National Seashore.

Jekyll Island

Located between Jacksonville, Florida, and Savannah, Georgia, Jekyll Island is a breathtaking town with many places to kick back and chill out. It has 10 miles of beaches, contained within Driftwood Beach and Great Dunes Beach Park, which are perfect for swimming or relaxing. If biking is more your style, the island has more than 24 miles of paths and trails for you to explore.

Wildlife lovers can learn about the sea turtles in the area at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. You can learn more about the island's history at Mosaic, Jekyll Island Museum, or take its tours around historic landmarks on the Landmark Trolley Tour. One of the most unique spots in town is Faith Chapel, an intriguing church with animal carvings, terra cotta gargoyles, and unique stained glass windows.

Covington

Covington is such a picturesque small Georgia town that it was used as a set for more than 100 films and TV shows. The town was founded in 1822 and has many historic buildings, despite the fact that many were destroyed during the American Civil War. Today, film lovers will enjoy exploring Covington's filming locations via the Mystic Falls Tours, which take visitors around several locations seen in The Vampire Diaries ranging from Miss Mystic Falls to Lockwood Mansion.

There are other places to explore in this scenic town, including Cornish Creek Reservoir/Lake Varner, which offers fishing, picnicking, and wildlife sightseeing. If you want to see the historic buildings of Covington in a different light, check out the Covington Ghost Tours, which will take you through many haunted spots.

Pine Mountain

Located in western Georgia, Pine Mountain has earned accolades for being a great family destination. It's easy to see why, as it has such beautiful attractions, which include the Callaway Gardens resort, with gardens, a lake, a golf course, and more. But perhaps the best place to explore in Pine Mountain is Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park, the largest state park in Georgia. It has 23 miles of trails going through many scenic locales, including waterfalls.

You can also see Roosevelt's Little White House, where he lived to relax in the hot springs nearby. For animal lovers, the Wild Animal Safari has giraffes, zebras, camels, and more, which you can feed and touch. It also has ligers, a crossbreed of lions and tigers.

Dublin

First settled in the early 1800s, the town got its name from the early Irish settlers who named it after the city in Ireland. Today, Dublin is proud of its community spirit, picturesque parks, and unique shops. One of the best spots in town is the Beaverdam Wildlife Management Area, featuring more than 5,500 acres of forest for bird watching, fishing, camping, boating on the Oconee River, and much more. In addition to the Irish, Dublin had a sizeable slave population and, upon emancipation, made a great impact on the town, which you can learn more about at the First African Baptist Church founded in 1867 or the historic 'Cross the Creek Cemetery.

For other spots to check out, visit the Dublin International Market or take the Downtown Dublin Audio Tour, which has four audio stations at the Old City Cemetery, Dublin Carnegie, Dublin Visitors Center, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Monument Park.

Ellijay

This Northern Appalachian Georgia town is an idyllic settlement, perfect for a day trip or a longer stay. With mountain towns, you will always have great hiking trails, and Ellijay is no exception. Some of the best trails include Amicalola Falls, Deadennen Mountain, Wallalah Mountain, and Long Creek Falls.

Other than hiking, Ellijay is renowned for its apple orchards, which offer freshly grown apples and products like cider, pies, and dumplings. You can visit many of these family orchards, such as Aaron Family Orchards, B.J. Reece Orchards, and R&A Orchards. You can also go for a relaxing float down the Cartecay River with the Cartecay River Experience or enjoy fine wine from some of the vineyards in the area, like Roo Mountain Vineyards.

The deep southern state of Georgia is renowned for hospitality, which is on full display in its many small towns. These towns offer delicious cuisine, excellent hiking trails, and freshly grown fruit for you to try. And with small populations, you will never feel rushed or crowded in these towns. Whether you are interested in the beaches or the mountains, Georgia is just the place for you to kick back and chill out in 2024 and beyond.