Local Area Attractions Near Americus KOA Journey

Historic Americus and Sumter County, Georgia

Historic Americus and Sumter County, Georgia

Beautiful downtown Americus is just 8 miles away.  It offers a great downtown area with local shopping and eating establishments. Americus is located two and a half hours south of Atlanta via US Highway 19, the Magnolia Highway. While agriculture has long been the driving force of the county's economy, Sumter County's historical past is attracting tourists. Tourism is the newest industry in the area. The Americus – Sumter Tourism Welcome Center is located adjacent to the historic Windsor Hotel. Americus, Presidential Pathways, decorated with historical architectural design, rows of boutique shops and unique stores.

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Brickyard Plantation Golf Club

Brickyard Plantation Golf Club

Beautiful Brickyard Plantation Golf Club is located on the property of Americus KOA Journey.  It offers an 18 hole regulation golf course, 18 hole disc golf course and a 9 hole foot golf course.  Golf green fees are included in your stay at Americus KOA Journey.  Carts are available to rent or enjoy the walker friendly terrain.

1619 US Hwy 280 East

Americus, GA 31709

229-874-1234

13th Colony Distilleries

13th Colony Distilleries

Visit 13th Colony Distilleries, where our barrels are aged to taste, not just to time, and South Georgia's perfect climate works its magic. Family-owned and operated since 2009, we're driven by a promise to make quality spirits that are worth drinking slow.

  • Enjoy guided tours and premium experiences
  • Sample award-winning spirits
  • Explore the Tasting Room and merchandise store

305 N. Dudley St.

Americus, GA 31709

229-924-3310

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Historic SAM Shortline Railroad

Historic SAM Shortline Railroad

The story of SAM (Savannah, Americus & Montgomery) Railway illustrates New South boom and bust in Georgia during the 1880s and 1890s.  Train excursions travel through southwest Georgia in air-conditioned 1949 vintage cars mixing a taste of the old rural South with today's excitement. There are fun and exciting train stops at the Georgia Veterans State Park at Lake Blackshear, the Telephone Museum, Leslie GA, Americus GA, Plains GA, and Archery (Jimmy Carter's childhood home). While in Americus, you can visit the historic Windsor Hotel, Habitat for Humanity's Global Village, or the exciting Rylander Theater.  

Explore excursions fun for the holidays like the Candy Cane Express, Valentine Dinner Express or Halloween Express to name a few.

105 9th Ave E.

Cordele, GA 31015

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Providence Canyon (Little Grand Canyon)

Providence Canyon (Little Grand Canyon)

Providence Canyon State Park is a 1,003 acres (4.06 km2; 1.57 sq mi) state park located in Stewart County in southwest Georgia. The park contains Providence Canyon, which is sometimes called Georgia's "Little Grand Canyon". It is considered to be one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Georgia. Providence Canyon actually is not a purely natural feature — the massive gullies (the deepest being 150 feet) were caused by erosion due to poor farming practices in the 19th century.

8930 Canyon Road

Lumpkin, GA 31815

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Andersonville National Historic Site

Andersonville National Historic Site

The Andersonville National Historic Site is comprised of 3 distinct areas: former site of Camp Sumter military prison, the Andersonville National Cemetery, and the National Prisoner of War Museum.  

The park is open daily from 8 am to 5 pm and the National Prisoner of War Museum is open daily from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm (closed some holidays).

760 POW Road

Andersonville, GA 31711

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National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center

National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center

The National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center is where you can learn about the history of the U.S. Army Infantry and honor the legacy of the brave soldiers who have served our country. The museum offers a variety of fun and informative attractions, including the Giant Screen Theater and Virtual Reality Combat Simulators.  Located in Columbus, Georgia near Fort Benning.  Open Tuesdays - Saturday 9am - 5pm & Sundays 11am - 5pm.  Check website for different holiday hours.

1775 Legacy Way

(706) 685-5800

Columbus, GA 31903

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Koinonia Farm

Koinonia Farm

Clarence and Florence Jordan and Martin and Mabel King founded Koinonia in 1942. Their vision was communal - a group of people living a common life together, taking the Early Church and the Sermon on the Mount seriously, and doing all they could so to serve others. Since their founding, hospitality has been central to everything we do. Koinonia has inspired many ideas—our Partnership Housing Movement gave birth to Habitat for Humanity. But mostly, we live a quiet, humble life—loving our neighbor, serving wherever we can, and caring for this small plot of Earth that we're called to steward. We welcome everyone to visit.

1324 GA Highway 49 South

Americus, GA 31719

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Lake Blackshear

Lake Blackshear

Touching five counties and covering some 8700 acres, Lake Blackshear is a natural habit for many species of fish and wildlife.  From fishing to boating and water-skiing, the outdoor enthusiast will find entertainment year-round. Lake Blackshear is a man-made lake on the Flint River in Georgia created by a dam that was constructed from 1925 to 1930.The Crisp County Power Dam, also known as the Warwick Dam, was the first county owned, constructed, and operated power dam in the United States, requiring an amendment to the Georgia State Constitution to make the project legally possible. It came online in August, 1930, under the authority of the Crisp County Power Commission. The lake is approximately 20 miles (32 km) long and varies in width, but is rarely more than one mile (1.6 km) wide; it covers approximately 8,500 acres (34 km2). It was named for David Blackshear, the founder of Fort Early. When the dam was constructed, little effort was made to cut the trees that would soon be underwater. It was believed that the trees would soon die and decompose once submerged. While this was true for many of the trees, there are still many living Cypress trees in the middle of the lake and there are still many dead trees that have not fallen down.

961 Power Dam Rd.

Warwick, GA 31796

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Jimmy Carter National Historic Park, Plains GA

Jimmy Carter National Historic Park, Plains GA

Plains Georgia is the home of the 39th President, Jimmy Carter.  While in Plains, you can visit Jimmy Carters boyhood home, Visitor Center at the Plains High School and the 1976 Presidential Campaign Headquarters at the Plains Depot.

Once you have arrived at Jimmy Carter National Historical Park, there are several areas to visit. Visitor Center - 300 N Bond St, Plains, GA 31780. Plains High School serves as the park museum and visitor center. Jimmy Carter Boyhood Farm - 402 Old Plains Hwy, Plains, GA 31780.

300 North Bond Street

Plains, GA 31780

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Plains, Georgia - Jimmy Carter Peanut

Plains, Georgia - Jimmy Carter Peanut

While visiting the home of President Jimmy Carter, check out the peanut statue which stems from his upbringing as a Georgia farmer; peanuts were central to his family's business, became his political symbol during his 1976 presidential campaign (leading to the iconic "Smiling Peanut" statue in Plains, GA), and represented his agricultural roots, though he reportedly disliked the statue's smile. The peanut symbolized his identity as an "everyman" farmer who brought agriculture to national attention.

120 Buena Vista Rd

Plains, GA 31780

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Georgia Veterans Memorial State Park

Georgia Veterans Memorial State Park

Open daily from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm.  Two museums are located within the park.  The indoor exhibit interpret military actions from the Revolutionary War through the Gulf War.  The outdoor exhibit houses aircraft, armored vehicles and guns from World War 1 through Vietnam.

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Wolf Creek Plantation Winery

Wolf Creek Plantation Winery

Wolf Creek Vineyards & Winery is available by reservation for private events, weddings, and group bookings, including scheduled team-building experiences.  Not Open to the Public Daily.

Wolf Creek Vineyards is proud to be Sumter County's first and only winery specializing in muscadine wine. Since opening in 2013, our family-owned vineyard has transformed an abandoned golf course into a thriving destination in Americus, Georgia. We love bringing the taste of the South to wine lovers everywhere.

From our original three wines, Mapmaker's Red, Number 9 Red and Number 9 White, Wolf Creek has expanded to offer twelve handcrafted wines, ranging from sweet to dry. Each bottle is made with locally grown grapes and reflects the rich tradition of Southern wine making.

Looking for the perfect setting for your next celebration? With expansive vineyard grounds, wide open skies and breathtaking outdoor views, Wolf Creek Vineyards is one of South Georgia's most picturesque wedding and event venues. Whether you're planning a rustic vineyard wedding, a lively corporate festival, or an intimate private gathering, our team will make your day exactly what you envision. We take great care for these moments in people's lives, we know how much they matter and we feel fortunate to help people celebrate happiness.

207 Wolf Creek Drive

Americus, GA 31709

229-942-0091

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Habitat for Humanity, International

Habitat for Humanity, International

Habitat for Humanity, International was founded in Sumter County. Our missionSeeking to put God's love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.Our visionA world where everyone has a decent place to live.Our principles

  1. Demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ.
  2. Focus on shelter.
  3. Advocate for affordable housing.
  4. Promote dignity and hope.
  5. Support sustainable and transformative development.

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Rylander Theatre

Rylander Theatre

The historic theater was built in 1921 and renovated in 1999 and presents professional and local performances in an upscale setting.  Free, self-guided "walk-up" tours of the auditorium and lobbies are available during box office hours, subject to availability.

310 W. Lamar St.

Americus, GA 31709

229-931-0001

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Mobile Glassblowing Studios

Mobile Glassblowing Studios

This is Your Ticket to Creative Freedom!Mobile Glassblowing Studios, LLC was founded in 2015 with the mission to provide all those with an interest in glass blowing with an affordable, simple way to experience hot glass in a wide range of environments.  ?Using these furnaces, we have been able to bring the world of hot glass to audiences who might have never experienced this amazing process otherwise, spreading an appreciation for how things are made to venues not traditionally thought of as "art markets".   We developed these furnaces and equipment with accessibility in mind - not just for artists but for the public as well.  Low buy-in, low overhead, minimal maintenance and the ability to easily transport your studio will open up new business possibilities, and help to change the way we all think about glass production.

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Ellis Bros. Pecans

Ellis Bros. Pecans

Ellis Bros. Pecans, Inc. is a multi-generational family owned and operated agri tourism business located in the heart of South Georgia (Vienna, Dooly County). The retail store sits adjacent to the original orchard purchased by Marvin and Irene Ellis in 1944. The rich and fertile soils of South Georgia produce some of the best pecans in the United States.  Marvin & Irene's eldest son, Elliott, moved home to help with the family farming operation and opened a small roadside stand to sell pecans and pecan confections made by his mother, Irene. Using a single billboard with a catchy logo, “We're Nuts...to sell this low” with our iconic crazy pecans, he was able to entice customers driving along I-75 to venture the one mile off the beaten path to visit his stand. In 1978, Elliott opened the retail store and founded “Ellis Bros. Pecans” which his sons later incorporated in 1983. 

Since that time, the Ellis Family has added a pecan shelling and processing plant, 3 candy kitchens, a pecan tree planting/hedging/spading division, a wholesale/co-packing division, and a website for eCommerce sales. The once roadside stand has now expanded to an over 4,000 sqft “pecan outlet” with more than 650 different products and a gift shop. Ellis Bros. Pecans is considered a “historical landmark” to our community and visitors traveling Interstate 75. The original 65-acre pecan orchard has now grown to over 3,000 acres of producing orchards farmed by the Ellis Family. 
Since the passing of Elliott “Pops” Ellis in 2021, Cile Ellis and her three sons continue to own and grow the business. Brad & Keith (3rd generation) along with their children (Jena & Slade) and (Kate & Stephen) manage the daily farming and business operations. Though all under the age of 9 years old, all 10 of Cile's great-grandchildren (5th generation) are soaking in all of the knowledge of growing and cultivating pecans.Check out the recipes on their website!

1315 Tippettville Rd

Vienna, GA 31092

800-635-0616

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Radium Springs Gardens

Radium Springs Gardens

Admire one of Georgia's seven natural wonders! Radium Springs Gardens pumps 70,000 gallons of clear, 68-degree water per minute from an underground cave. Stroll through a courtyard where the former Radium Springs Casino once stood, enjoy foliage-draped hillocks, crystal clear waters and flora both indigenous and exotic. The park features a restored terrace, new sidewalks, a casino garden and gazebos.

Open Tuesday - Sunday 9 am - 7 pm

2501 Radium Springs Rd.

Albany, GA 31705

229-317-4760

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The Historic Windsor Hotel & Restaurant

The Historic Windsor Hotel & Restaurant

The Windsor Hotel is located in the heart of downtown Americus, Georgia. Built-in 1892, the Windsor is a five-story Victorian masterpiece hotel architecturally designed with a tower, balconies, and a three-story open atrium lobby. It occupied nearly an entire city block and was the site of numerous balls and celebrations. The hotel closed its doors in 1972 after almost 80 years in operation. The hotel has undergone extensive renovations in 1991, 2010, and most recently in 2019. The hotel has been updated with modern amenities including a business center, all-new bedding, flat-screen televisions, granite countertops in the bathroom, a micro/fridge, and much more.Currently, the hotel has 53 luxurious guest rooms, including six Suites and two Tower Suites: the Bridal Suite and the Carter Presidential Suite, which is named in honor of our 39th President and local county resident Jimmy Carter. President and Mrs. Carter spent the night in the Presidential Suite in 2002 and are frequent guests and big supporters of the hotel.  

The hotel also has 3 dining choices.

125 West Lamar Street

Americus, GA 31709

229-924-1555

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