Americus is a Southwest Georgia town of grand Victorian buildings, about 129 miles south of Atlanta. It is the hometown of Habitat for Humanity, which still has its international headquarters here, and the best base for two National Park Service sites: Andersonville, 13 miles north, and Jimmy Carter’s Plains, 11 miles west. Here are the best things to do in Americus.
- From AtlantaAbout 129 miles, just under 3 hours without traffic
- CountySumter County
- Known forThe Windsor Hotel, Habitat for Humanity, nearby Plains and Andersonville
- Getting thereI-75 south to Cordele, then GA 280 west
Top Things to Do in Americus
1. Andersonville National Historic Site
The site of Camp Sumter, the Civil War prison where almost 13,000 Union soldiers died, plus the National Prisoner of War Museum and Andersonville National Cemetery. Free. About 22 minutes north.
2. Jimmy Carter National Historical Park
In Plains, about 17 minutes west: Plains High School, the train depot that was Carter’s 1976 campaign office, and the Carter boyhood farm. Free.
3. The Windsor Hotel
A turreted 1892 Victorian hotel downtown. Even if you do not stay, walk through the lobby and have a drink on the balcony.
4. Rylander Theatre
A restored 1920s theater downtown that sat closed for decades and reopened in 1999. It hosts concerts, plays and films.
5. Koinonia Farm
The Christian farming community about 11 miles outside town where the idea for Habitat for Humanity began. Visitors can stop at the farm store for pecans and baked goods.
6. Georgia Veterans State Park
About 35 minutes east on Lake Blackshear, with a B-29 bomber, tanks and other military displays, golf and a beach.
Events and Seasons
Spring and fall are the best seasons for walking Americus and the Plains and Andersonville sites; summer is hot. Andersonville holds a Memorial Day observance at the national cemetery, and Plains celebrates its peanut heritage with a festival each fall.
Nearby and Trip Planning
Providence Canyon State Park, Georgia’s “Little Grand Canyon,” is about an hour west. For more of the region, see our Albany and South Georgia guides.
Make this trip yours
Turn this guide into a day-by-day plan for Southwest Georgia, with a map, directions and stops you can swap.
Plan my tripCommon Questions
What is Americus, GA known for?
Americus is known for its Victorian downtown and the 1892 Windsor Hotel, and as the hometown and international headquarters of Habitat for Humanity. It is also the closest town to Andersonville and Plains.
How far is Americus from Plains and Andersonville?
Plains is about 11 miles west, roughly 17 minutes, and Andersonville is about 13 miles north, roughly 22 minutes.
How far is Americus from Atlanta?
Americus is about 129 miles from downtown Atlanta, just under 3 hours by car without traffic.
Is Habitat for Humanity’s Global Village still open?
The Global Village and Discovery Center has been reported closed, so do not plan a trip around it. Koinonia Farm, where Habitat began, still welcomes visitors.
Sources we checked
Facts on this page were checked against official sources and our own detailed pages. Drive times are from downtown Atlanta (Five Points) using OpenStreetMap routing and do not include traffic. Hours, prices and event dates change, so confirm before you go:
- National Park Service: Andersonville: prison site, museum, cemetery
- National Park Service: Jimmy Carter NHP: Plains sites
- Explore Georgia: Americus: Windsor Hotel, Rylander Theatre
- Koinonia Farm: visiting, farm store
Spot something out of date? Email Contact@n-georgia.com and we’ll check it against the official source. Read how we research our guides.