Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Douglasville, GA

For those attempting to locate it on a map, Douglasville is situated directly west of Atlanta, approximately 16 miles from the city center.

Established in 1874, in the aftermath of the American Civil War, the city quickly emerged as the county seat of Douglas County, featuring a central downtown area that has retained much of its Victorian architecture.

This area is still a vibrant shopping district today, brimming with inviting bars and eateries that showcase southern hospitality.

Not far from the city, one can experience the natural splendor of various protected regions, while the vibrant lights of Atlanta also draw visitors.

Here are the 15 remarkable activities to enjoy in and around Douglasville, Georgia.

1. Douglas County Museum of History and Art

A comprehensive introduction to the offerings of Douglasville can be found at the Douglas County Museum of History and Art.

Housed within the mid-twentieth century former courthouse building, it is recognized on the US National Register of Historic Places as a rare representative of the ‘international style’ in architecture.

Inside, patrons will discover a collection of exhibits and displays that articulate everything from the arrival of the initial European settlers to often overlooked African-American narratives.

Additionally, one can explore memorabilia related to the history of Coca-Cola, which originated in nearby Atlanta, alongside artefacts that reflect the medical and agricultural heritage of the region.

2. Downtown Douglasville

Downtown Douglasville has been deemed significant enough to be included in the National Register of Historic Places.

It serves as a prime illustration of a turn-of-the-century southern railroad town, with the railway still running through its center. Most of its structures consist of single or double-storey brick buildings dating back to the city’s founding in the late 1800s.

Primarily Victorian in style and age, these buildings are positioned directly on the sidewalks of downtown, showcasing a range of architectural detailing from the neogothic favored by the Victorians to Queen Anne and Italianate styles.

3. Douglas County Butterfly Trail

This nature trail originated from an idea proposed by former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, the spouse of US President Jimmy Carter, who currently resides in his hometown of Plains, Georgia.

Launched in 2016, the trail was designed to create feeding and resting areas for the North American monarch butterfly, which undertakes extensive migrations across the country from Mexico and Florida to the Canadian border.

Consequently, each garden along the trail is cultivated with warm and hot weather flowers to attract and support these magnificent insects.

There are ten distinct locations throughout Douglasville that collectively form the county butterfly trail, including the Woodie Fite Senior Centre across from the Douglas County Courthouse and Deer Lick Park.

4. Douglas County Cultural Arts Council

The Douglas County Cultural Arts Council is also featured as a site on the butterfly trail; however, that is not the sole reason for a visit.

The council manages a vibrant calendar of high-quality art and cultural events suitable for audiences of all ages throughout the year.

Regular programming includes monthly art exhibitions, literary signings, and musical performances among a myriad of other events and classes.

It is situated in the charming Roberts-Mozley House, constructed in 1901 and once home to three city mayors and a senator before becoming the council’s permanent establishment.

5. Sweetwater Creek State Park

Sweetwater Creek State Park, spanning ten square kilometers, is located just five miles east of Douglasville.

Featuring a large lake and meandering stream, the park comprises 14 kilometers of dedicated walking trails winding through the woods. These paths lead to the remnants of the New Manchester Manufacturing Company building, a mill destroyed during the American Civil War.

Scattered throughout the park are 11 picnic shelters where visitors can unwind, and facilities for kayak rentals are available to experience the lake’s splendor.

At the award-winning visitor center, guests can also explore a museum detailing the area’s natural history and the various species one might encounter while enjoying the park’s offerings.

6. Douglas County Film Trail

This self-guided film trail showcases various sites in Douglasville and Douglas County that have served as settings for films and television shows.

Partly due to several studios operating nearby, the area has been featured in over 700 different productions, including the cult television series Stranger Things.

Additionally, observant visitors may recognize scenes from the Hunger Games trilogy and The Walking Dead.

There are 11 highlighted sites marked with DC Film Trail signs, including Sweetwater Creek State Park and numerous additional locations listed among the best experiences in Douglasville, enabling you to maximize your exploration of this charming city.

7. Containment Haunted House

Recognized as one of the premier haunted attractions in the United States, having been awarded this distinction twice in consecutive years, Containment Haunted House is essential for enthusiasts of horror entertainment.

This live-action experience features intricately costumed and makeup-enhanced performers, along with cutting-edge special effects, interactive puppets, and numerous surprises designed to keep your adrenaline high.

Each visit offers a unique experience, and inside you will surely be amazed that this house was constructed from 26 converted shipping containers.

8. Champ’s Clock Shop and Museum

This family-operated establishment has been a vital element of Douglasville’s community since its inception in 1967. Over the years, it has transformed into more than just a retail outlet for clocks and timepieces.

Housing one of the largest private clock collections globally, the shop boasts Earth’s largest operational cuckoo clock, standing at four meters high and featuring a full-scale decorative stag’s head.

The tower also includes a mechanism built in London, England, in 1865. However, be warned: spending merely five minutes examining each object in the collection will necessitate a three-day commitment to fully appreciate this one attraction.

9. Basket Creek Cemetery

Basket Creek Cemetery is another fascinating destination in Douglasville, intertwining multiple histories with a hint of the macabre.

Periodically since the initial burials in the 1880s, the congregation of Basket Creek Baptist Church has convened to clear overgrowth from the cemetery grounds.

Each grave continues to feature a pointed mound, a custom rooted in the traditions of the region’s Native American and African-American populations, particularly those tracing their heritage to West Africa, where this practice is prevalent.

The cemetery also holds the graves of approximately twenty Civil War soldiers, located within the separate Chapman Family plot on its premises.

10. Pine Mountain Gold Museum

Situated in nearby Villa Rica, just 16 km from Douglasville, this museum stands as the sole establishment in Georgia located on the exact site where gold was discovered during the gold rush of the late 1800s.

Additionally, it contains one of the few authentic gold stamping mills dating back to the nineteenth century.

Commencing in a 450 square meter exhibition area, visitors can explore the remnants of the original gold mines where the precious resource was extracted.

Patrons can also experience the Pine Mountain scenic railroad, which traverses close to 11 hectares of parkland.

11. Clinton Nature Preserve

While visiting Villa Rica, it is advisable to explore Clinton Nature Preserve. This area is more than seven times larger than the park surrounding Pine Mountain Gold Museum and features a blend of woodlands, grassy fields, and serene ponds.

Within this diverse ecosystem stands Carnes Cabin, a structure that predates the Civil War. Constructed in 1828 from wooden planks, the cabin is recognized as one of the oldest buildings in the metropolitan Atlanta area.

A five-kilometer loop walking trail encompasses the park’s principal attractions, making it an excellent location for both exploration and relaxation.

12. Delta Flight Museum

Approximately 30 minutes by road from Douglasville, located on the northern periphery of Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, lies the Delta Flight Museum.

Occupying two massive hangars built in the 1940s, this museum is dedicated to the past century of aviation, during which Delta Airlines has played a principal role in the evolution of air travel.

In addition to vintage posters and memorabilia, the extensive hangar space allows the museum to showcase several historically significant aircraft.

Among the displayed aircraft is a six-seater, one of Delta’s earliest airplanes, contrasting sharply with the large 767-200 that was the airline’s flagship aircraft throughout the mid-20th century.

13. L&R Alpaca Haven Farm

The charming alpaca, a llama-like animal indigenous to South America, captivates many visitors at L&R Alpaca Haven Farm, allowing for close encounters with these fascinating creatures, which resemble a mix of a pet dog and a camel.

The farm offers regular guided tours, and its store features an array of products related to alpacas as well as other local goods from this part of Georgia.

Visitors can learn the proper terminology for a baby alpaca (known as a cria) and discover why the wool of these animals is highly prized while enjoying time alongside these endearing beings.

14. Six Flags Over Georgia Amusement Park

Traveling northeast from Douglasville for approximately 12 kilometers, visitors will encounter the attractions of the expansive 120-hectare Six Flags Over Georgia amusement park located in Austell.

The park features 11 roller coasters, including the highly acclaimed Mind Bender and Goliath, both recognized by enthusiasts and experts alike.

Now also including Hurricane Harbor, a three-hectare water park, the facility showcases rides themed after DC and Marvel comic book heroes, such as Batman, Daredevil, and Superman: Ultimate Flight.

Notably, the latter was the first Bolliger & Mabillard flying coaster constructed in the United States.

15. High Museum of Art

Commonly referred to as the High, the High Museum of Art is situated in Atlanta’s Midtown district. As a component of the Woodruff Arts Center, it was established in 1905 and houses one of the most distinguished permanent collections of art in the United States.

The collection features over 17,000 individual pieces of art from diverse genres, including African tribal carvings and twentieth-century American folk art.

Comprising three separate buildings that total 29,000 square meters, the interior is bathed in natural light, fostering an ideal atmosphere for appreciating works by renowned artists such as John Singer Sargent, Claude Monet, and Auguste Rodin.