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Things to Do in Thomasville, Georgia

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Rose beds at the Thomasville Rose Garden in Cherokee Lake Park

Thomasville is a small, good-looking town in far south Georgia, about 35 miles north of Tallahassee. In the late 1800s wealthy Northerners came here for the winter, and they left behind Victorian homes, hunting plantations and a brick-paved downtown that is still full of locally owned shops and restaurants. It is also Georgia’s official Rose City, home to a live oak more than three centuries old. Here are the best things to do in Thomasville.

Top Things to Do in Thomasville

1. Downtown Thomasville

Brick streets, restored storefronts and a busy mix of boutiques, cafes and restaurants make downtown the heart of any visit. Park once and walk it.

2. The Big Oak

A live oak at 124 E. Monroe St. estimated to be well over 300 years old, with limbs that spread wider than most houses. It is free and always there; stop for a photo on your way downtown.

3. Thomasville Rose Garden

More than 1,500 rose bushes in Cherokee Lake Park, the biggest of the city’s 85 rose beds. The Georgia General Assembly made Thomasville the state’s official Rose City in 2016. Best from April into early summer.

4. Pebble Hill Plantation

A grand hunting plantation south of town with a furnished main house, gardens and stables. Main house tours run Tuesday to Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., for ages 6 and up; the grounds also open on Sunday afternoons.

5. Lapham-Patterson House

An 1884-85 winter cottage built for a Chicago shoe merchant, with gas lighting and indoor plumbing that were cutting edge for the time, and famously few right angles. A fun, quirky house to tour.

6. Black Heritage Trail

A self-guided tour of churches, schools, homes and businesses that tell the story of Thomasville’s Black community. Our page lists every stop.

7. Thomasville Center for the Arts

The town’s arts center, with galleries, concerts and classes. Check the calendar for what is on.

Events and Seasons

Thomasville has two big annual events. The Rose Show and Festival takes over town each April, when the gardens peak; in 2026 it was April 24 and 25. In December, Victorian Christmas fills downtown with costumed characters, carriage rides and music; the 40th annual event is set for Thursday and Friday, December 10 and 11, 2026. Spring is the prettiest time to visit, and summer is hot and humid, so plan outdoor sights early in the day.

Nearby and Trip Planning

Thomasville pairs easily with Tallahassee, under an hour south. To the west and north, see our Plantation Trace libraries list and the Thomas County page, and use the Thomas County map for back roads. For a longer south Georgia trip, add Valdosta and the Okefenokee.

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Common Questions

What is Thomasville, GA known for?

Thomasville is known as Georgia’s Rose City, for the Big Oak, a live oak more than 300 years old, and for Victorian homes and hunting plantations left from its days as a winter resort for wealthy Northerners.

How far is Thomasville from Atlanta?

Thomasville is about 225 miles from downtown Atlanta, roughly 4 hours 35 minutes by car without traffic. It is about 34 miles from Tallahassee.

When is Victorian Christmas in Thomasville?

The 40th annual Victorian Christmas is set for Thursday and Friday, December 10 and 11, 2026, in downtown Thomasville.

Can you tour Pebble Hill Plantation?

Yes. Main house tours run Tuesday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., for visitors 6 and older, and the grounds are open Tuesday through Sunday.

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:

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.