Milledgeville was Georgia’s capital for most of the 1800s, and the town still feels like it. The old capitol and the governor’s mansion stand a few blocks apart, Georgia College fills the downtown with students, and on the edge of town is Andalusia, the farm where Flannery O’Connor wrote most of her fiction. Add Lake Sinclair for a day on the water. Here are the best things to do in Milledgeville.
- From AtlantaAbout 98 miles, 2 hours without traffic
- CountyBaldwin County (county seat)
- Known forGeorgia’s antebellum capital, Flannery O’Connor, Lake Sinclair
- State capitalThe legislature met here from 1807 to 1868
Top Things to Do in Milledgeville
1. Old Governor’s Mansion
The Greek Revival home of Georgia’s governors before the capital moved to Atlanta, now run by Georgia College as a museum. Guided tours show the restored rooms; check the college’s site for times.
2. Old Capitol Museum
The Gothic-style building that served as the State Capitol from 1807 to 1868, where the legislature voted to secede in 1861. Now part of Georgia Military College, with a museum inside. Call 478-453-1803 for tour times.
3. Andalusia Farm
Flannery O’Connor’s home, where she wrote most of her stories and raised her famous peacocks. Georgia College owns the farm and it is now a National Historic Landmark. Hours vary by season; check gcsu.edu/andalusia before you go.
4. Memory Hill Cemetery
One of the four public squares in the 1804 town plan, with more than 7,300 graves, including Flannery O’Connor and Congressman Carl Vinson.
5. Lockerly Arboretum
A 50-acre arboretum on the south side of town with more than 3,000 kinds of plants and walking paths.
6. Lake Sinclair
A 15,330-acre Georgia Power lake just north of town, with marinas, campgrounds and good fishing for bass, crappie and catfish.
7. Downtown and Georgia College
Walk the historic district and the college’s front campus, then eat downtown. The Allied Arts center and local galleries show regional work.
Events and Seasons
Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to walk the historic district. Lake Sinclair is busiest from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Georgia College graduation and move-in weekends fill hotels, so check the college calendar before you book.
Nearby and Trip Planning
Milledgeville is about 30 miles east of Macon, so the two make an easy weekend together. Eatonton, with the Uncle Remus Museum, is a short drive north. See our Baldwin County page and the Milledgeville historic sites list for more.
Make this trip yours
Turn this guide into a day-by-day plan for middle Georgia, with a map, directions and stops you can swap.
Plan my tripCommon Questions
What is Milledgeville, GA known for?
Milledgeville is known as Georgia’s capital from 1807 to 1868, for the Old Governor’s Mansion and Old Capitol, for Flannery O’Connor’s farm Andalusia, and for nearby Lake Sinclair.
How far is Milledgeville from Atlanta?
Milledgeville is about 98 miles from downtown Atlanta, roughly 2 hours by car without traffic.
Can you visit Flannery O’Connor’s house?
Yes. Andalusia Farm, owned by Georgia College, is open for visits. Hours vary by season, so check gcsu.edu/andalusia before you go.
Was Milledgeville the capital of Georgia?
Yes. The legislature met in Milledgeville from 1807 until the capital moved to Atlanta in 1868.
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:
- Georgia College: Andalusia: farm, visiting
- Georgia College & State University: Old Governor’s Mansion
- Visit Milledgeville: attractions, events
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.