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Tourism
Destined to delight.
World-changing history plus plenty of wow appeal in recreation, shopping, dining and more.
A county featured on four different heritage trails plus the Georgia wine trail is quite naturally a destination popular with all kinds of visitors. Indeed, even a quick perusal of our attractions shows that all kinds of adventures are ready to be uncorked in Meriwether:
History: It’s no surprise that Franklin Roosevelt’s Little White House is Georgia’s most visited historic site, or that the Warm Springs complex of attractions has been selected as a “Readers Choice” site in Georgia Magazine four years in a row. The history here is monumental, and the site’s development gives visitors an up-close and exciting view. The entrance museum, equipped with a theatre, sets the stage with FDR’s Fireside Chats playing on a 1930’s radio (just the way Americans heard them at the time). Also available for inspection is FDR’s famous 1938 Ford convertible with hand controls. Touring the meticulously preserved Little White House and the nearby pools complex that nurtured a future president back to health—and helped that president lead the world—is an experience both intimate and inspiring.
Arts and antiques: In a county rich in history, it’s also no wonder that antiquing has become a passion, as treasure hunters comb our inviting shops and prize-packed antique malls. Hunters seeking contemporary treasures will find those, too, in Meriwether’s burgeoning art and gallery scene.
Outdoor fun: Visitors stream into Meriwether County year-round for outstanding recreation thanks to an array of outdoor assets, including multiple lakes, the Flint River, FDR State Park (Georgia’s largest state park), Nearby Callaway Gardens and the Warm Springs National Fish Hatchery. The scenery here is unforgettable and the menu of fun is diverse: camping, hiking, biking, hunting, golfing, fishing, trail riding and more. In addition to immense natural bounty, residents also enjoy a year-round calendar of league sports, while golf and clay shooting tournaments bring visitors from all over the region.
Festivals and events: Named a Top 20 Event by the Southeastern Tourism Association, Gay’s Cotton Pickin’ Days is a biannual spring-fall celebration of arts, antiques and agricultural heritage. Manchester’s Railroad Days is another seasonal highlight, while at Callaway Gardens annual events include the Azalea Festival, a water-ski and wakeboard tournament, and the Sky High Hot Air Balloon Festival and Fantasy In Lights. Callaway’s 4th of July fireworks celebrations draw crowds from across the U.S.
Fresh ideas in dining: When you speak about the flavor of life in Meriwether, any description must include the county’s marvelously unique cafes and locally owned restaurants. And if you like your food really fresh, several of the area’s working farms serve up a real treat, whether picking your own strawberries at Lone Oak Farms or sitting back and savoring the just-made peach ice cream at Carroll Farms.
SECTOR OPPORTUNITY: Leverage our expanding portfolio of tourism assets.
