LOCATE IT: Middle Georgia

Middle Georgia: The Heart of Georgia’s Trails, Gardens, & Lake Activities

Stretching from Macon, the Cherry Blossom Capital of the World, in the southwest to Athens, the Classic
City, in the northeast, Middle Georgia intrigues visitors with three state parks, flowing rivers,
sparkling lakes, country roads for cyclists, and lots of wildlife.

In the Macon area, hike the 11-mile Ocmulgee Heritage Trail along the Ocmulgee River, explore ancient Indian mounds at Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, and boat, fish, and water ski on Lake Tobesofkee. You can also rent a kayak or canoe in Macon to paddle down the Ocmulgee. Just northwest of Macon, hike the Red-Cockaded Woodpecker Trail through the 35,000-acre Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge;with luck, you may catch a glimpse of this endangered bird.

A little south of Macon, Fort Valley introduces you to the peach industry through a small bus tour of Georgia peach and pecan orchards at Lane Packing, the state’s largest peach grower. Or walk among acres of grasslands, ponds, roses, camellias, and azaleas at Fort Valley’s Massee Lane Gardens.

Enjoy Perry’s network of trails and parks or come for one of the area’s signature events, the Dogwood Festival or the Georgia National Fair. Stop at Brannen Outfitters to pick up the outdoor gear you’ll need to hunt and fish in this area. Play a round of golf at Warner Robins’ International City Golf Club or take a walk on the Wellston Trail. Stroll through Milledgeville’s Lockerly Arboretum and its exhibit of 100 bonsai trees. See the bobcats, bison and farm animals, a woodland garden, and enjoy hike-bike-horse trails at Dauset Trails Nature Center in Jackson. Nearby, camp and swim at America’s first state park, Indian Springs, which pays homage to Chief William

McIntosh and Georgia’s Creek Indians.

In addition to Indian Springs, parks in the area include Hard Labor Creek State Park in Rutledge, which provides one of the state’s best golf values; and High Falls State Park in Jackson, where you can enjoy the scenic waterfall on the Towaliga River, hike to the ruins of a bygone grist mill, then camp, picnic, and canoe.

Discover Big Haynes Creek Nature Center, a protected 173-acre wildlife preserve within Conyers’ Georgia International Horse Park, just a few miles outside of Atlanta. Minutes from the Horse Park is Black Shoals Park, a 650-acres reservoir and recreational facility offering fishing, canoeing, boating, picnicking, and hiking. Or enjoy public fishing, hiking, biking, and interpretive programs at the 6,400-acre Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center near Covington and at the Georgia Wildlife Federation/Alcovy Conservation Center’s 115 acres along the Alcovy River, surrounded by native plant gardens.

Outside the cities, much of Middle Georgia is rural farmland filled with peach orchards, berry patches and farm stands. Stop and fill a basket while you’re in the area.

With all there is to see and do, it’s no wonder visitors stop to smell the flowers, or hike through Middle Georgia’s beauty.

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Middle Georgia - Locations

Galleria Mall Stadium Cinemas

Historic Heartland
2922 Watson Blvd.
Warner Robins, GA 31093
478-971-1010

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Garden Club of Georgia

Historic Heartland
2450 S. Milledge Ave.
Athens, GA 30606
706-227-5369

Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame

Historic Heartland
GA Hwy. 247 & Russell Pkwy.
Warner Robins, GA 31093
478-329-4729

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Georgia Bob’s Cane River Vineyard

Historic Heartland
144 Cane River Dr.
Byron, GA 31008
478-257-6570

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Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter

Historic Heartland
401 Larry Walker Pkwy.
Perry, GA 31069
478-987-3247

Georgia Sports Hall of Fame

Historic Heartland
301 Cherry St.
Macon, GA 31201
478-752-1585

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Georgia Watersports

Historic Heartland
3016 N. Columbia St.
Milledgeville, GA 31061
478-454-0084

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GMC Community Garden & Golden Pond Trail

Historic Heartland
801 Duke Ave.
Warner Robins, GA 31093
478-329-4729

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Go Fish Education Center

Historic Heartland
1255 Perry Pkwy.
Perry, GA 31069
478-988-7187

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Gold Cup Bowling Center

Historic Heartland
1041 Russell Pkwy.
Warner Robins, GA 31088
478-922-3054

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Goodness Grows

Historic Heartland
332 Elberton Rd.
Lexington, GA 30648
706-743-5055

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Grand Opera House

Historic Heartland
651 Mulberry St.
Macon, GA 31201
478-301-5460

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Great Waters Golf Course at Reynolds Plantation

Historic Heartland
112 Plantation Dr.
Eatonton, GA 31024
706-485-0235

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Greenbriar Creek Tree Farm

Historic Heartland
1540 Old Bishop Rd.
Bishop, GA 30621
706-769-4231

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Hard Labor Creek State Park

Historic Heartland
5 Hard Labor Creek Rd.
Rutledge, GA 30663
706-557-3001

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Hay House

Historic Heartland
934 Georgia Ave.
Macon, GA 31201
478-742-8155

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Healy Point Country Club

Historic Heartland
293 River North Blvd.
Macon, GA 31211
478-743-1495

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Heritage Hall

Historic Heartland
277 S. Main St.
Madison, GA 30650
706-342-9627

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Heritage Oaks Park

Historic Heartland
Sam Nunn Boulevard and Highway 341
Perry, GA 31069
478-988-2860

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Herman C. Michael Park

Historic Heartland
1051 Elder Rd.
Bishop, Athens, Watkinsville, Bogart, Winterville 30621
706-769-3965

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Historic Barnett Shoals

Historic Heartland
1350 Old Barnett Shoals Rd.
Athens, GA 30605
706-614-8928

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Historic Douglass Theatre

Historic Heartland
355 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
Macon, GA 31201
478-742-2000

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Honey Creek Golf Club

Historic Heartland
635 Clubhouse Dr. SE
Conyers, GA 30094
770-483-6343

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Horticulture Trial Garden

Historic Heartland
1111 Plant Sciences Bldg. UGA Campus
Athens, GA 30602-0001
706-542-2471

Houston Lake Country Club

Historic Heartland
100 Champions Way
Perry, GA 31069
478-218-5253

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Houston Lakes Stadium Cinemas

Historic Heartland
1121 GA 96
Warner Robins, GA 31088
478-988-4104

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Indian Springs State Park

Historic Heartland
678 Lake Clark Rd.
Flovilla, GA 30216
770-504-2277

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Ingleside Village Shopping & Arts District

Historic Heartland
Ingleside Ave.
Macon, GA 31204
478-743-3401

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International City Golf Club

Historic Heartland
72 Play Golf Dr.
Warner Robins, GA 31088
478-322-0276

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Interstate RV Center and Campground

Historic Heartland
305 Chapman Rd.
Byron, GA 31008
478-956-5511

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Featured Attractions