Photo: Ramsey Eden, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Newnan calls itself the City of Homes, and a drive down its shaded streets explains why: block after block of antebellum and Victorian houses, many of them spared during the Civil War, around a courthouse square that is still the center of town. It is an easy trip about 45 minutes southwest of Atlanta, with small museums, a historic cemetery, a lively downtown and one of Georgia’s wildest state parks on the Chattahoochee nearby. Here are the best things to do in Newnan. We checked the details on October 21, 2026.
- From AtlantaAbout 38 miles, 45 minutes without traffic
- CountyCoweta County
- Known forHistoric homes, the 1904 courthouse square and Chattahoochee Bend State Park
- Visitor infoCoweta County Convention and Visitors Bureau, in the historic 1904 courthouse on Court Square
Top Things to Do in Newnan
Court SquareShops, restaurants and the Alamo
McRitchie-Hollis MuseumNewnan Coweta History Center
Chattahoochee BendA wild bend in the river
Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Ramsey Eden, CC BY-SA 3.0; Blastoids, CC BY-SA 4.0; Tyler Lahti, CC BY-SA 4.0.
1. Court Square and the 1904 courthouse
Newnan’s downtown centers on the Classical Revival Coweta County Courthouse, built in 1904, which now houses the visitors bureau. The streets around it are lined with shops, restaurants and the Alamo, a former theater turned music venue.
2. McRitchie-Hollis Museum
Home of the Newnan Coweta History Center, in a 1937 neoclassical house restored to its 1930s and 1940s look, with local history exhibits. Open Tuesday to Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 74 Jackson St.; 770-251-0207.
3. Oak Hill Cemetery
Established in 1833, the resting place of Georgia governors and political leaders, with old oaks and Victorian monuments a short walk from downtown. The historical society runs guided cemetery tours some evenings in October.
4. Coweta County African American Heritage Museum
A museum and research center dedicated to the county’s African American history, run by the African American Alliance. 92 Farmer St.; hours are limited, so call ahead.
5. Historic Railroad Depot and Male Academy Museum
Two more sites kept by the Newnan Coweta Historical Society: the depot at 60 East Broad Street, used for exhibits and events, and the Male Academy at 30 Temple Avenue. Check with the history center before you go.
6. Main Street events
Main Street Newnan hosts Market Day and other events on the square, and the city’s Wadsworth Auditorium has performances through the year. See our Georgia festivals and events calendar.
Take the City of Homes Tour
Newnan has several historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places. The best way to see them is the free City of Homes self-guided driving tour; pick up the brochure at the McRitchie-Hollis Museum. It loops through the antebellum and Victorian neighborhoods along streets like Jackson, Greenville and LaGrange, past the courthouse and Oak Hill Cemetery. Most homes are private, so enjoy them from the sidewalk. Many date from before the Civil War. The courthouse, churches and the College Temple served as hospitals for wounded soldiers, and in July 1864 Confederate cavalry under Gen. Joseph Wheeler defeated a Union raid at the Battle of Brown’s Mill, about three miles south of town, sparing Newnan from the destruction that hit much of Georgia.
Outdoors Near Newnan
About 25 miles west of town, in a wide bend of the Chattahoochee River, Chattahoochee Bend State Park is one of Georgia’s larger state parks at 2,910 acres, protecting five miles of river frontage. It has 12 miles of hiking trails, 4.3 miles of biking trails, an observation platform over the river and forest, and river paddling trips of 10.5 to 15 miles. Stay overnight in one of 6 cottages or 37 campsites, plus walk-in, platform and backcountry sites. $10 ParkPass.
For more county parks, ball fields and trails, see our Coweta County parks guide.
A One-Day Plan
| Time | Do this |
|---|---|
| Morning | McRitchie-Hollis Museum, then the City of Homes driving tour |
| Lunch | A restaurant on Court Square |
| Afternoon | Hike or paddle at Chattahoochee Bend State Park |
| Evening | Dinner and a show or live music downtown |
Nearby
Newnan pairs well with small-town Senoia, about 30 minutes east, and LaGrange, about 40 minutes south. For a longer trip, F.D. Roosevelt State Park and Roosevelt’s Little White House in Warm Springs are about an hour south, and Callaway Gardens is close by. See more of the region in our best day trips from Atlanta and the 25 best state parks in Georgia.
Common Questions
Why is Newnan called the City of Homes?
Newnan is known for its many antebellum and Victorian homes, several historic districts and, historically, a high rate of home ownership. Many homes survived the Civil War, when the town served as a hospital center and was spared after the Battle of Brown’s Mill.
How far is Newnan from Atlanta?
About 38 miles, roughly 45 minutes by car without traffic.
Is downtown Newnan walkable?
Yes. The shops and restaurants around Court Square, the McRitchie-Hollis Museum and Oak Hill Cemetery are all within an easy walk of each other.
Is there a state park near Newnan?
Yes. Chattahoochee Bend State Park, about 25 miles west of town, has 2,910 acres on the Chattahoochee River with trails, paddling, cottages and campsites.
Sources we checked
Facts on this page were checked against official sources on October 21, 2026. Hours change, so confirm before you go:
- City of Newnan: Historical Attractions: museums, depot, Male Academy and 1904 courthouse
- Explore Newnan-Coweta: McRitchie-Hollis Museum: address, hours and City of Homes tour brochure
- Georgia State Parks: Chattahoochee Bend: acreage, trails, paddling and lodging
- City of Newnan: History: Civil War hospitals, the Battle of Brown’s Mill and the City of Homes name
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.