These Small Towns In Georgia Have The Best Downtown Areas
Sometimes it is the downtown that makes the locale renowned, which is especially true for small-town settings. Embraced by the state's naturally-scenic beauty, these eight Georgia towns have the best downtown areas.
Athens
The small town of Athens, with a moniker of the Classic City, is hands down the host to one of the best downtown areas in the state, named the South's Best College Town by Southern Living in 2020. Home to the University of Georgia, Athens is a known music mecca with a spectacular food scene and youthful vibe that resonates through town. One will find a myriad of free and cheap ways to keep entertained days on, including many interesting landmarks dotting the scape to hunt on a leisurely stroll along the very walkable downtown. The renowned State Botanical Garden of Georgia is also spread over a 300-acre site with endless nature trails to access the various display gardens.
To refuel, the outpost of the famous Atlanta-based drive-in, The Varsity, offers a quick and delicious lunch menu of hot dogs, hamburgers, and frozen drinks. For the best French toast in life, one must try the peach variation at the Georgia-famed Mama's Boy for breakfast or brunch. For an atmospheric stay complementing the town's vibe, there's the thematically-decorated Graduate Athens right outside campus. The upgraded college experience includes spa services, a coffee shop, and a music venue. The Hotel Indigo Athens Downtown also offers a unique siesta in a building inspired by the state's beautiful covered bridges.
Blue Ridge
The thriving artistic town of Blue Ridge is known for a vibrantly-decorated and stroll-worthy downtown area. The district has fantastic restaurants, craft breweries, and art galleries, along with the region's only drive-in cinema. A classic slice of Americana, the 1955 establishment comes with an old-school snack bar serving nostalgic burgers and other munchies. Best of all, one can enjoy the fresh mountain air right in the heart of town, surrounded by waterfalls, rivers, and wildlife of the Chattahoochee National Forest.
Adorned by beautiful landscapes to stroll through and picnic, there's the Lake Blue Ridge to take on with a pontoon boat, kayak, SUP, or a fishing rod. The allegedly healing waters are also great for swimming, known for their high mineral content. In the vicinity, one will find many nature trails adorned by orchards and wineries to stroll peacefully through the trees while munching on some picked fruit. The famous and historic Blue Ridge Scenic Railway runs through the range to let one enjoy the infamous scenery of the Blue Ridge from the window and comfort of one's seat.
Dahlonega
Dahlonega's small townscape is drenched in history as an essential stop during travel in the South. Founded in the early 1800s and named after the Cherokee word for gold, the town quickly prospered by providing the needed amenities to the passer-by carriages and other crafts. The beautiful town square and the well-preserved historic downtown area dotted with landmarks are the legacies of the Georgia Gold Rush. The attractive downtown features countless picturesquely historic shops and boutiques, some of which were born at the height of the nation's first gold rush.
The Dahlonega Gold Museum Historic Site is full of displays and artifacts, while the Consolidated Gold Mine offers the experience of prospecting and mining in the 1800s. All set surrounded by beautiful nature makes it easy to reach the waterfalls and mountain scenes right from Dahlonega's heart. The Chattahoochee National Forest calls out to the outdoor adventurers with mountain biking, hiking, trout fishing, and waterfall-chasing. The area is also strewn with vineyards and wineries, known as the Dahlonega Wine Trail.
Darien
"Once upon a port," Darien was founded by Scottish Highlanders and was originally known as New Inverness. Now a quiet fishing town, it retains the stature of the bygone days in the Oglethorpe-designed squares, stately churches, and historic homes. A stroll-though the magnificent architecture-lined streets of the downtown will transport one into that period. At the same time, the spectacular Darien River Waterfront Park & Docks is a pleasure-filled space with attractions and sights. Following a visit to the Old Jail Art Center for history and works by local artists, one can browse the many specialty shops or dine at the popular Skippers' Fish Camp on locally-caught shrimp.
Set 50 miles from Savannah, Darien is the state's second-oldest planned city, featuring a significant Fort King George Historic Site. The reconstruction of Fort King George, initially built-in 1721, is the oldest erect English fort on Georgia's coast. The Burning of Darien Museum also shows an epic movie describing the exciting times of defense called "Glory." The active will be happy to find a walking trail nearby, while those seeking more culture must visit the museum at the neighboring old Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation, where rice was produced between 1800 and 1915. For an evening stroll, the renowned Darien Waterfront Park offers gorgeous views of the river during sunset.
Helen
Instead of attracting visitors with historic buildings, Helen rebranded itself post-war as a mountain-getaway destination. Becoming an instant hit for those who wanted to experience Germany without flying overseas, Helena is now one of the highest regarded small towns to visit in the nation. Known for the Bavaria-styled façades, one cannot help but feel transported into a beautifully quaint Alpine village. The "Little Bavaria" features many European-themed events and festivals, where people come from around the country for a get-together over an authentic beer.
The once-plain downtown is now a vibrant district framed by the gorgeous mountains. One can access the scenic views from the window of a thematic restaurant or while sitting down for coffee on a riverside patio. The great outdoors blend with the downtown scape, giving easy access to enjoy tubing on the waters, a gentle hike up to the beautiful Anna Ruby Falls, or starting a trek to one of the peaks. Set right in "the most happening downtown area of them all," the 3-star Castle Inn features direct access to main street fun and activities in the surrounding area.
Madison
The 100-mile scenic route from Athens runs through seven significant small towns and cities, with Madison's wonderfully-preserved architecture a must-stop on this renowned Georgia Antebellum Trail. Historically beautiful, Madison was considered too pretty to be burned during the war, sparing architecture and sealing its fate as a popular tourist destination in the years to come. Set in the east of the state, less than an hour away from Atlanta, the town is great to explore by foot, offering sightseeing opportunities at every turn. Architecture geeks, history fans, and anyone who appreciates a fine stroll will eventually come to gather at the picturesque downtown square only to be greeted by more sights. Madison's valuable collection of antebellum homes is housed in one of the state's largest designated National Register of Historic Districts.
There's a touring program drawing visitors from all around to participate in a detailed narration of the sites, such as the famous annual Holiday Home Tour or the Madison in May Tour of Homes and Gardens, where tourists get to appreciate the interiors of the magnificent Honeymoon 1851 Mansion and Serenata Farm. One can take advantage of the daily tours at the Heritage Hall, which is itself a Greek Revival home from 1811. Rogers House & Rose Cottage from 1891 is another beautiful residence with a fascinating history of being built by a formerly enslaved woman. The Madison-Morgan Cultural Center is a restored 1895 Romanesque Revival building and the first graded public schoolhouse in the Southeast, now hosting exhibits on Madison's rich history and cultural arts.
St. Marys
Part of the Georgia Coast Barrier Islands, the town was explored in the mid-16th century by Spanish settlers, with a later connection to the United States Submarine Force. The coastal city with a deep history features a lively and vibrant downtown area, reflecting its various eras. The wonderful Historic District features many historically marvelous buildings, such as the First Presbyterian Church that crowns the scape since 1808. The Marys Submarine Museum charts the history of submarines throughout America's maritime history.
Set right near the waters, St. Mary's unique downtown is lovely and different from others, giving easy access to the great outdoors, including coastal views. Still featuring all of the small-town charm to be among the top, one will find the Spouses Bakery & Deli renowned for fresh donuts, Brackish with the best craft brew, and fresh seafood at the Seagle's Restaurant. St. Marys is also a coveted base for adventures on the proximate islands, such as Cumberland Island, which is known for a different array of historic buildings and wild horses.
Washington
Washington is the infamous brief capital of the state and the locale where the southern states of the Confederacy voted to dissolve and thus, ended the Civil War in 1865. Set in east Georgia, the small town is replete with Southern charm featuring over 100 antebellum homes. One can see over 50 of them during a two-hour entertaining Miss Fanny's Tours, while to see private residences from the 18th and 19th centuries, one can partake in the bi-annual Washington-Wilkes Tour of Homes. The must-visit Robert Toombs House, formerly owned by the legendary secessionist U.S. senator, now houses facts on the town's significance during the American Civil War.
There is the striking Wilkes County Courthouse from 1904, the restored Fitzpatrick Hotel from 1898, and the beautiful home of 1835 that houses the Washington-Wilkes Historical Museum. For more scenic sights, the open-air museum Callaway Plantation is a short ride away from a significant plantation life of 1785. There's also the Kettle Creek Battlefield, located 12 miles from downtown, which is the site of one of the most decisive battles in the Revolutionary War. At the heart of the historic center of the downtown, one will find an old-fashioned soda fountain at Fievet Pharmacy for a cherry Coke the way it tasted way back in the day.
All of these downtown areas have unique stories, along with a vibrant spectrum of attractions. From historic to eclectic and everything in-between, these towns envelop one with their incredible hearts.
