Georgia Historic Heartland Travel Region
Map and
Free Outdoors Activities Information
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Free fun indoor activities
in the Georgia Historic Heartland region include:
 Nature
Centers - Wildlife Center - Botanical Gardens - Arboretums
Lakes
Local
Parks - Nature Trails - Forest & Recreation Areas
Walking
& Driving Tours - Indoors & Outdoors
Please scroll down the page to explore these
free fun activities. |
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Nature
Centers - Wildlife Center - Botanical Gardens - Arboretums |
Charlie Elliott
Wildlife Center
On this 6.400-acre preserve, enjoy 29 ponds and a five-acre rock outcropping,
hiking, fishing, birds, hunting and camping. Center Tue.-Sat. 9a.m.-4:30p.m.
Free.
Amenities: Parking, Public Restrooms, Accessibility for mobility-impaired
Phone: 770-784-3059
Address: 543 Elliott Trail, Mansfield, GA 30055 |
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Dauset Trails Nature
Center
Explore the ponds, creeks, wildflower fields, wooded trails and nature center.
Camping for groups available. Mon.-Sat. 9a.m.-5p.m. Sun. 12-5p.m. Call for
guided tours. Free.
Amenities: Parking, Public Restrooms, Accessibility for mobility-impaired, Party
Facilities
Phone: 770-775-6798
Address: 360 Mt. Vernon Rd., Jackson, GA 30233 |
Lewis Vaughn
Botanical Gardens
Nestled in the heart of downtown Conyers, Georgia Piedmont-native plants thrive
here. Daily 9a.m.-6p.m. Free.
Amenities: Parking, Public Restrooms, Accessibility for mobility-impaired, Party
Facilities
Phone: 770-602-2606, 800-CONYERS
Address: Main, Center, Commercial and Railroad Sts., Conyers, GA 30012 |
Lockerly Hall and
Lockerly Arboretum
The 1839 Lockerly Hall is a fine example of plantation architecture. Tours
available with Milledgeville CVB. Mon.-Wed. for Hall. 8:30a.m.-4:30p.m. Call for
Sat. hours. Free.
Amenities: Parking, Public Restrooms
Phone: 478-452-2112
Address: 1534 Irwinton Rd., Milledgeville, GA 31061 |
Piedmont National
Wildlife Refuge
Hiking trails, wildlife drive and fishing are available. Daylight hours.
Visitors center Mon.-Fri. 7:30a.m.-5p.m. Free.
Phone: 478-986-5441
Address: 718 Juliette Rd., Round Oak, GA 31038 |
Sandy Creek Nature
Center ENSAT. Center
Exhibits, native wildlife and 225 acres of woodland, fields and marshland.
Trails daily. Center Tu.-Sat. 8:30a.m.-5:30p.m. Call for tours. Naturalist walk
Sat. 10a.m. Free.
Amenities: Parking, Public Restrooms, Accessibility for mobility-impaired
Phone: 706-613-3615
Address: 205 Old Commerce Rd., Athens, GA 30607 |
State Botanical
Garden of Georgia
A dazzling three-story tropical conservatory dominates this 313-acre preserve,
along with a visitors center and cafι. Call for hours and guided tours.
Donations accepted.
Amenities: Parking, Public Restrooms, Accessibility for mobility-impaired, Food
Phone: 706-542-1244
Address: 2450 S. Milledge Ave., Athens, GA 30607 |
University of
Georgia Arboretum
Thanks to its attractive biologically diverse collection of trees, shrubs and
plants, the campus was designated an arboretum. Daily.
Phone: 706-542-0842
Address: UGA Campus, Athens, GA 30602 |
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Lakes |
Jackson Lake
Jackson Lake is great for swimming, boating and fishing. Daily. Free.
Amenities Parking
Phone: 706-468-8994
Address: GA Hwys. 16 & 212, Monticello, GA 31064 |
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Lake Juliette
With 3,600 acres strictly for fishing, the lake prohibits boats with engines
greater than 25 horsepower, as well as personal watercrafts. Daily. Mar-Oct
7a.m.-10p.m.
Phone: 478-994-9239, 888-642-4628, 888-GPC-LAKE
Address: US Hwy. 23 and GA Hwy. 87, Juliette, GA 31046 |
Lake Oconee
Enjoy boating, fishing, and golfing along lovely Lake Oconee. Daily. Dawn-dusk.
Free.
Amenities: Parking
706-485-7701
Address: Eaton, GA 31024 |
Lake Sinclair
Relax on 417 miles of scenic shoreline, with public boat ramps, tailrace fishing
and various other activities for your enjoyment. Daily. Free.
Amenities: Parking and Public Restrooms
Phone: 706-485-7701
Address: Eatonton, GA 31024 |
Lake Sinclair
Lake Sinclair is an idyllic setting for boating, fishing and lakeside leisure.
Daily. Free.
Amenities: Parking and Public Restrooms
Phone: 478-452-4687, 800-653-1804
Address: US Hwy 441, Milledgeville, GA 31061 |
Turner Lake
A great place for fishing, hiking and walking.
Phone: 706-468-8994, 706-468-8043
Address: 6185 Turner Lake Rd., Covington, GA 30014 |
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Local
Parks - Nature Trails - Forest & Recreation Areas |
Bartram Forest
The forest boasts walking trails, bird-watching, educational kiosks, a pavilion
and garden. Mon-Fri. 8a.m.-4:30p.m.. Free.
Amenities: Parking, Public Restrooms, Accessibility for mobility-impaired
Phone: 478-445-2119
Address: US Hwy. 441 S., Milledgeville, GA 31061 |
Lawrence Shoals
Recreation Area
Boating, swimming, picnicking and camping are offered. Sun.-Thurs. 7a.m.-9p.m.
Fri.-Sat. 7a.m.-10p.m. Call for camping fees.
Amenities: Parking, Public Restrooms, Accessibility for mobility-impaired
Phone: 706-485-5494
Address: 125 Wallace Dam Rd., Eatonton, GA 31024 |
Memorial Park and
Bear Hollow Wildlife Trail
The park covers 72 acres with a lake and a zoo, which is home to more than 120
species of native animals. Mon.-Fri. 8a.m.-Sun.set. Weekends, holidays, 9a.m. to
Sunset. Free.
Amenities: Parking, Public Restrooms, Accessibility for mobility-impaired
Phone: 706-613-3580
Address: 293 Gran Ellen Dr., Athens, GA 30606 |
North Oconee River
Greenway and Heritage Trail
This park connects Sandy Creek Park, Sandy Creek Nature Center, North Oconee
River Park, Dudley Park and UGA with 7 miles of trails. Daily sunrise-sunset.
Free.
Amenities: Parking, Public Restrooms, Accessibility for
mobility-impaired
Phone: 706-613-3615
Address: 205 Old Commerce Rd., Athens, GA 30607 |
Oconee Forest Park
This 60-acre, 100-year-old forest park has lakeshore hikes, bike trails, a
picnic area and a network of trails with more than 100 kinds of native trees and
shrubs. Daily. Free.
Amenities: Parking, Public Restrooms, Accessibility for mobility-impaired
Phone: 706-542-1571
Address: UGA Recreational Sports Complex, College Station and E. Campus
Road, Athens, GA 30602 |
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Walking
& Driving Tours - Indoors & Outdoors |
Alice Walker Driving
Tour
This self-guided driving trail takes you to points of interest of Alice Walker.
Brochure available at the Chamber of Commerce.
Phone: 770-358-3132
Address: 105 S. Washington St., Eatonton, GA 31024 |
Barnesville Walking
Tour
Enjoy the charm of small-town Barnesville with its many Victorian homes, quaint
shops and picturesque neighborhoods.
Phone: 770-358-2732
Address: Downtown Barnesville, Barnesville, GA 30204 |
Cannonball House and
Civil War Museum
This Greek Revival home, built in 1853 and complete with period furnishings, is
now the site of a collection of Civil War artifacts. Mon.-Sat. 10a.m.-5p.m.
Guided tours available.
Amenities: Parking, Public Restrooms, Accessibility for mobility-impaired, Party
Facilities
Phone: 478-745-5982
Address: 856 Mulberry St., Macon, GA 31201 |
Elder's Mill Bridge
in Watkinsville, was built in 1897 and is 100 feet long.
Phone: 706-769-5197
Directions: From Athens, take Hwy. 441 for 9 miles south to
downtown Watkinsville, go south on Hwy. 15 for 4 1/2 miles and east on Elder's
Mill Road for 1 mile. In Herman Michael Park. |
Georgia Museum of
Art (GMOA)
The GMOAs permanent collection focuses on 19th- and early 20th-centery American
painting. Call for hours and guided tours. Suggested donation $2.
Amenities: Parking, Public Restrooms, Accessibility for mobility-impaired, Food
Phone: 706-542-4662 -
Address: 90 Carlton St., Athens, GA 30602 |
Happy Valley Pottery
Features on-site pottery-making and glass-blowing demonstrations. Mon.-Sat.
8a.m.-4p.m. Sun. Reservations. Free.
Amenities: Parking, Public Restrooms, Accessibility for mobility-impaired
Phone: 706-769-5922
Address: 1210 Carson Graves Rd., Watkinsville, GA 30677 |
Haralson Mill Bridge
in Conyers is open to traffic. It was built in 1997 and is 150 feet long.
Phone: 770-532-6206
Directions:
From Atlanta, take I-20 east to Exit 40 at Sigman Road to Hwy. 20 north, go east
on Bethel road and north on Haralson Mill Road. In Panola Mountain State
Conservation Park. |
Historic Commercial
District Tour
Self-guided walking tours, maps and brochures are available at the Chamber of
Commerce.
Amenities: Parking, Public Restrooms, Accessibility for mobility-impaired
Phone: 478-994-9239, 888-642-4628
Address: Downtown Forsyth, GA 31029 |
Historic Piedmont Scenic Byway Drive
Route - Traveling
through Putnam and Hancock Counties, the Historic Piedmont Scenic Byway
stretches for 82 miles, following State Highways 15, 16 and 77, and rural county
roads which link the county seats of Eatonton, Sparta and the communities of
Linton, Culverton and Jewell.
From the Rock Hawk effigy, built by Native Americans thousands of years ago, to
Glen Mary Plantation and other antebellum homes, this route reveals a region of
Georgia that is rich in historic and cultural qualities. The scenic and natural
beauty of the Piedmont is also on display as the byway travels through the
Oconee National Forest, across the Oconee and Ogeechee Rivers, and past acres of
rolling farmland.
Click here for Info and Map |
Historic Walking/
Riding Tour
A self-guided walking or driving tour of historical homes and significant sites
in Perry. Brochure available at the New Perry Hotel or the Perry Welcome Center.
Phone: 706-485-7701, 706-485-3277
Address: 101 General Courtney Hodges Blvd., Perry, GA 31069 |
Horticulture Trail
Garden
Exquisite ornamentals are performance-tested in seasonally rotating gardens.
Office hours Mon.- Fri. 8a.m.-5p.m. Garden always open. Call for guided tours.
Free.
Amenities: Public Restrooms
Phone: 706-542-2471
Address: 1111 Plant Science Bldg.,
Address: UGA Campus, Athens, GA 30602 |
ITA Collegiate
Tennis Hall of Fame
It has inducted more than 150 players, coaches and contributors, including
Arthur Ashe and Jimmy Connors. Mon.-Fri. 9a.m.-12p.m. Call for guided tours.
Free.
Amenities: Parking, Public Restrooms, Accessibility for mobility-impaired
Phone: 706-542-8064
Address: UGA South Campus, Athens, GA 30602 |
Lane Packing Company
At Lanes peach-packing facility, browse the locally grown produce at the
market. Tours available daily. Call for hours. Free.
Amenities: Parking, Public Restrooms, Accessibility for mobility-impaired, Food,
Party Facilities
Phone: 478-825-3362, 800-27-PEACH
Address: GA Hwy. 96. 50 Lane Rd., Fort Valley, GA 31030 |
Lights on Macon
Illumination Tour
Some of the citys most resplendent homes are lit 365 days a year to showcase
their unique architectural features on this free self-guided tour. Nightly at
dusk.
Phone: 478-743-3401, 800-768-3401
Address: Downtown Macon, Macon, GA 31201 |
Monastery of the
Holy Spirit
The 2,000-acre grounds include a bonsai garden greenhouse and lake. It hosts
service, tours and religious retreats. Daily 10a.m.-5p.m. Vespers at 5:20.
Amenities: Parking, Public Restrooms, Accessibility for mobility-impaired
Phone: 770-483-8705
Address: 2625 GA Hwy 212, Conyers, GA 30094 |
Monticello Crossroads Scenic
Byway Drive Route - This driving
tour commences at the rock-formed Dows Pulpit, where Reverend Lorenzo Dow, the
famous walking evangelist, used to preach. Pine forests and rolling pastures
dominate the views along the Monticello Crossroads Scenic Byway as it runs
through Jasper County. This 29-mile Byway emphasizes the rural and historic
qualities of the area.
Native Americans and evangelical Methodist Circuit Riders once used these routes
as they crossed the state. Highway 83 was also part of the Seven Island Stage
Coach Road that ran from Augusta to New Orleans and the Natchez Trace. Several
structures and the central business district of Monticello have been listed on
the National Register of Historic Places. Amenities: Parking, Accessibility for
mobility-impaired
Phone: 706-468-8834
More info and map. |
Monticello Historic
District Driving Tour
Free brochure available in visitors center.
Phone: 706-468-8894
Address: 123. W. Washington St., Monticello, GA 31064 |
Seven Islands Trail
This Indian trail, which later became a stagecoach route, dates back to 1670.
Travel dirt roads and enjoy a nostalgic ride throughout Jasper County. Daily.
Free.
Phone: 706-468-8994
Address: Jasper County, Monticello, GA 31064 |
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Other
fun Georgia Historic Heartland Travel
Region Activities include: |
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State Parks
- Hard Labor Creek, High Falls and Indian Springs |
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Historic
Sites - Jarrell Plantation |
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Festivals
and Events |
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Free Fun Stuff To Do Indoors |
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Fun Indoor and Outdoor Activities $5 and
Under |
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For
more information, visit the Georgia Historic Heartland
Tourist Centers |
 Click
on the link to download and print the
Georgia
Historic Heartland Travel Region Map
for a reference. It is in .pdf format.
Historic Heartland Travel Region -
9 Travel
Regions |
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