Smithville GeorgiaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Smithville, Georgia.
1. Georgia Rural Telephone Museum
VINTAGE COMMUNICATIONS HISTORY
The Georgia Rural Telephone Museum houses one of the largest collections of antique telephones and communications equipment in the world. Visitors can explore the evolution of telecommunications through interactive exhibits and historical displays. The museum offers a fascinating glimpse into how communication technology has transformed rural communities over the decades.
2. Koinonia Farm
HISTORIC COMMUNITY FARM
Koinonia Farm is a historic Christian farming community founded in 1942 as a place where people of all races could live and work together. The farm is known for its involvement in the civil rights movement and as the birthplace of Habitat for Humanity. Visitors can tour the grounds, learn about sustainable farming practices, and purchase organic products from their farm store.
3. Rylander Theatre
HISTORIC PERFORMING ARTS VENUE
The Rylander Theatre is a beautifully restored 1921 vaudeville theater that now serves as a premier entertainment venue near Smithville. The theater features ornate architectural details, including a stunning ceiling and original fixtures that transport visitors back to the golden age of entertainment. Throughout the year, the Rylander hosts a variety of performances including plays, concerts, and classic film screenings.
4. Harmony Lane Farm & Creamery
ARTISANAL GOAT FARM
Harmony Lane Farm & Creamery offers visitors a chance to experience a working goat farm where they can cuddle, visit, and feed the goats. The 64-acre farm produces a variety of goat milk products including cheese, soap, lotion, and fudge that are available in their farm store. Visitors particularly enjoy the opportunity to interact with the animals and learn about sustainable farming practices.
5. Appalachian Center for Craft
ARTISAN EDUCATION CENTER
The Appalachian Center for Craft is an educational facility dedicated to preserving and promoting traditional and contemporary craft. Visitors can explore galleries showcasing works in clay, fiber, glass, metals, and wood created by students, faculty, and regional artists. The center offers workshops, demonstrations, and a craft shop where visitors can purchase unique handcrafted items.
6. Farmhouse Finds
RUSTIC SHOPPING EXPERIENCE
Farmhouse Finds is a charming country-style marketplace offering a curated selection of home decor, furniture, and nostalgic candies. The shop combines shopping with dining, featuring deli sandwiches and creamy milkshakes that can be enjoyed in their quaint outdoor seating area. Visitors appreciate the unique blend of retail therapy and comfort food in a rustic setting.
7. Smithgall Woods State Park
PREMIER TROUT FISHING DESTINATION
Smithgall Woods State Park features crystal clear trout streams running through spectacular mountain property, making it an angler's paradise for catch and release fishing. The park offers five miles of trails and 18 miles of roads for hikers and bicyclists to explore hardwoods, streams, and observe wildlife. Visitors can also enjoy elegant accommodations in one of the park's six beautifully decorated cottages, some featuring porches along the stream or private hot tubs.
8. Refined Boutique
UPSCALE SHOPPING DESTINATION
Refined Boutique offers shoppers a carefully curated selection of clothing, accessories, and home goods with a focus on quality and style. The boutique combines elements of an antique shop with contemporary fashion to create a unique shopping experience. Visitors appreciate the personalized service and distinctive items that can't be found in chain stores.
9. Andersonville National Historic Site
CIVIL WAR MEMORIAL
Andersonville National Historic Site preserves the former Camp Sumter, one of the largest Confederate military prisons during the Civil War. The site includes the National Prisoner of War Museum, which commemorates the experiences of all American prisoners of war throughout the nation's history. Visitors can also explore the Andersonville National Cemetery, where nearly 13,000 Union soldiers who died in the prison camp are buried.
10. Jimmy Carter National Historical Park
PRESIDENTIAL HISTORY SITE
Jimmy Carter National Historical Park preserves sites associated with James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, the 39th President of the United States. The park includes Carter's boyhood farm, high school, campaign headquarters, and the train depot that served as his presidential campaign headquarters. Visitors can gain insight into how Carter's early life in rural Georgia shaped his character and presidency.
11. Georgia Veterans State Park
MILITARY HISTORY OUTDOORS
Georgia Veterans State Park was established as a memorial to U.S. veterans and features a military museum displaying artifacts from the Revolutionary War through Operation Desert Storm. The park offers outdoor recreation including golfing at the 18-hole Lake Blackshear Resort course, fishing, boating, and hiking. Visitors can stay overnight at the park's lodge, cottages, or campground while enjoying scenic views of Lake Blackshear.
12. SAM Shortline Excursion Train
HISTORIC RAILWAY JOURNEY
The SAM Shortline Excursion Train offers passengers a nostalgic journey through rural Southwest Georgia aboard vintage 1949 rail cars. The train travels along the Savannah, Americus and Montgomery Railroad line with stops at charming towns including Leslie, Americus, and Plains. Each excursion features a different theme or destination, allowing visitors to experience the region's rich history and small-town charm.
13. Habitat for Humanity Global Village
INTERNATIONAL HOUSING EXHIBIT
The Habitat for Humanity Global Village & Discovery Center showcases how Habitat addresses housing needs worldwide through life-size displays of homes from different countries. Visitors can explore the village to learn about global housing challenges and Habitat's innovative solutions to poverty housing. The interactive exhibits demonstrate construction techniques and sustainable building practices used around the world.
14. Cafe Campesino
FAIR TRADE COFFEE SHOP
Cafe Campesino is Georgia's first fair trade, organic coffee roastery that serves sustainably sourced coffee in a cozy, community-focused environment. The cafe offers visitors a chance to learn about fair trade practices and the journey of coffee from farm to cup through educational displays and occasional roastery tours. Customers can enjoy freshly roasted coffee drinks alongside locally sourced pastries and light fare while supporting ethical business practices.
15. Chehaw Park & Zoo
WILDLIFE AND RECREATION
Chehaw Park & Zoo is a 700-acre multi-use facility featuring a zoo designed by Jim Fowler of Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom fame. The park offers recreational activities including camping, hiking, BMX racing, and a children's play park alongside its AZA-accredited zoo with over 200 animals. Visitors can enjoy up-close encounters with native and exotic species while exploring the beautifully maintained natural setting.