Historic Heartland

Click map for detailed region map
This section of the Georgia Tourist Guide will introduce you to the central part of the state, Georgia’s Historic Heartland, just east and south of Atlanta. In this region you will find some of the most beautiful land anywhere – rolling hills and lush green pastures and stately oak trees lining the streets of charming, old Southern towns. You can hearken back to the warmth and serenity of the past and witness true southern hospitality in the attitudes and friendliness of the people. But don’t think this region has been left behind. There is an incredible amount of growth occurring all the way from Athens to Macon, and with this growth has come an explosion of things to do and see – an interesting mix of modern lifestyles with the old southern charm and culture of this region. The Historic Heartland Tourist Guide can help you plan your visit so that your experience is complete and enjoyable.

Historic Heartland Travel Association
Website: http://www.historicgeorgia.org/
Events: Calendar of Events for the Historic Heartland Region
County Map: View Map of Georgia Counties

Local Convention and Visitor Bureaus, Chambers of Commerce, Tourism Organizations
Athens	Barnesville	Byron
Conyers	Covington	Eatonton
Forsyth	Fort Valley	Jackson
Juliette	Macon	Madison CVB
Milledgeville	Monroe	Monticello
Old Clinton	Perry	Roberta
Social Circle	Warner Robins	Watkinsville

Antebellum Home in Madison

Let’s start in Macon, which is the home of three world-class museums. If you are a music lover, be sure to visit the Georgia Music Hall of Fame; the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame honors Georgia sports legends; and the Tubman African American Museum is Georgia’s largest African American museum. Use the “Quick Links” feature of the Historic Heartland Tourist Guide to link to all of the information about African American sites.


Georgia Music Hall of Fame in Macon

As for festivals, Macon, the “Cherry Blossom Capital of the World”, hosts the acclaimed International Cherry Blossom Festival. It is acclaimed for a good reason; there are 300,000 Yoshino cherry trees in the city! Just south of Macon are some regional festival favorites. The Peach Festival in Byron and Fort Valley celebrates the beloved Georgia peach; the Mossy Creek Barnyard Festival near Perry and Warner Robins commemorates the past with music, arts and crafts; and the huge ten-day Georgia National Fair in Perry attracts thousands to its music competitions, circus performers, midway rides, and exhibitions. In Warner Robbins don’t miss the Museum of Aviation, which features more than 100 aircraft. For more information about these locations and attractions, simply select “Historic Heartland” plus “Things to Do” and “View Results” to produce the listings and articles available in the Historic Heartland Tourist Guide.


Museum of Aviation

Let’s head up to the northern most area of the Historic Heartland to Athens, home of the University of Georgia. Downtown Athens, directly across from the university, has been restored and is always a vibrant and charming mix of pubs, eclectic restaurants and cafes, and shops. Athens’ nightclubs have given rise to such groups as REM, Widespread Panic and the B-52’s. Stroll or jog through the beautiful Georgia Botanical Gardens located on the University of Georgia campus. Relive great UGA sports moments and visit the Georgia Bulldog Hall of Fame in the Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall Sports Museum.


Georgia Botanical Gardens in Athens


Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall Sports Museum

Discover the beauty and romance of the Old South by following Georgia’s Antebellum Trail, which runs between Athens and Macon through a number of charming towns with distinctive shopping opportunities, beautiful antebellum homes, and historic landmarks. How does a visit to the “No. 1 Small Town in America” sound! Travel Holiday Magazine bestowed that honor upon Madison, known as the town that Sherman refused to burn. There are many other little gems along this trail. Want to try a national award winning restaurant known for its southern cuisine? Then you must not miss a dining experience at The Blue Willow Inn in Social Circle.


Antebellum Home


World Famous Blue Willow Inn Restaurant in Social Circle

The town of Covington was home for The Dukes of Hazzard and In the Heat of the Night. Conyers played host to the 1996 Olympic equestrian events at the Georgia International Horse Park. Now the park hosts special events and there are horse trails and biking trails to enjoy.

The area has three large lakes: Oconee, Sinclair and Jackson; and you could easily put together a nice affordable, week-long golf trip. If you’d like to read more about central Georgia’s activities, lodging, restaurants, attractions, etc., please explore the “Historic Heartland Tourist Guide”.


Golf on Beautiful Lake Oconee - One of the World's Top Golfing Destinations


If you’d like to read more about central Georgia’s activities, lodging, restaurants, attractions, etc., please explore the “Historic Heartland Tourist Guide”.

Historic Heartland Travel Association Website