Locate It: Byron

While visiting Byron, you can take a walk through the small historic downtown district. Grab your lunch to go and head across the tracks to Jailhouse Park, where you can peacefully enjoy your meal at one of the picnic tables or throw out a blanket in the shade and grab a good book. Jailhouse Park is on Jailhouse Alley, where you will find the original Byron Jail. It’s a one-room building, much like the jail of Andy Griffith’s time in Mayberry.

After lunch, head over to North Peach Park for a calm afternoon walk or a little playtime with the kiddos… there’s even a splash pad during the summer months! North Peach Park houses multiple ball fields for the Peach County Recreation Department, as well as approximately two miles of beautiful, paved walking trails. There’s also plenty of grass to kick up a quick game of soccer or flag football, throw a frisbee, or take a nap under the beautiful Georgia skies. Each year during the second weekend in June, North Peach Park becomes the home for the Georgia Peach Festival. This annual festival signifies that Peach Season is in full swing. Come out and enjoy the food, fun and live music, and don’t miss the grand finale—fireworks.

Byron is also home to Big Peach Antique Mall, where you could spend most of a day exploring the area’s varied history. They have a collection of antiques that anyone can appreciate, and many may want to take a piece of that history back home with them. Middle Georgia Raceway, currently not an operational facility, sits just outside the Byron city limits and once held some of the most significant races in NASCAR history, with Richard Petty being the winner of the inaugural race, The Speedy Morelock 200. There was even an underground moonshine still discovered just under Turn 3. This location hosted the 2nd Annual Atlanta International Pop Festival, held July 3-5, 1970. Head over to Hwy 41 and have a look at the bronze historical marker explaining the significance of this location. While there, grab a bucket of balls for the driving range and see if you can drive a golf ball across Turns 1 & 2.

Byron is a small, quiet little town, full of Southern hospitality and some great Georgia history. Make plans to stop at Exit 149 on I-75 during your next trip through Middle Georgia. Swing into the Byron Welcome Center for maps and other area information, and always remember… Everything’s Sweeter in Byron!!