Southwest Georgia is a region long associated with pastoral beauty and country hospitality. Known locally as SOWEGA, this region is characterized by vast swaths of old plantation fields and rich riverfront floodplains, speckled with small towns and elegant homesteads. Investigate local historic landmarks revealing Southwest Georgia’s tumultuous history.
Albany, a large inland metropolis on the banks of the Flint River, anchors the region. Learn about the city’s checkered past as you explore 19th-century landmarks or stroll along the Riverfront Trail. The Albany Civil Rights Institute outlines the city’s role in the historic movement. Discover the story of local Creek Indian people at the Thronateeska Heritage Center. Follow the Oxford Environmental Park Nature Trail to learn about the ecological features defining this region. Outside the city, find pecan groves, pinewoods, farms and plantations.
Take a self-guided road trip around Southwest Georgia’s sprawling country landscapes. Neat rows of corn, peanut vines, tobacco and cotton lattice the wide, flat region. Visit Thomasville to experience the region’s distinctive Victorian flavor. Check out mansions and plantation homesteads. Some are open to the public and present an intriguing insight into Southwest Georgia’s old way of life.
Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain features beautifully manicured parkland and is the ideal spot to relax amid peaceful greenery. Visit in spring to see rhododendrons and azaleas blooming.
For interesting presidential history, tour FDR’s Little White House. This preserved cottage was home to Franklin Roosevelt while he was being treated for polio in Warm Springs. Plains is the hometown of former president Jimmy Carter and features a collection of museums and historic exhibits dedicated to his term.
Reach Southwest Georgia via Albany’s regional airport. Alternatively, drive to the regional capital in about 3 hours from Atlanta. Southwest Georgia is a year-round destination. Book in advance during the busy spring and fall seasons. For pastoral charm and rich local history, be sure to visit Southwest Georgia.
