Top 15 Must-Experience Activities in McDonough, GA

The city of McDonough, Georgia is located approximately 30 minutes south of Atlanta, which serves as the state capital.

Although it has a permanent population of fewer than 9,000 residents, McDonough is nonetheless the county seat of Henry County.

Founded in 1823 around a traditional town square as European-Americans gradually moved westward, McDonough’s town square remains a focal point of the city.

Today, McDonough serves as an excellent base for exploring the rich history of the region while offering a wide array of outdoor activities.

Below are the 15 most notable attractions in McDonough, Georgia.

1. McDonough Historic District

The historic district of McDonough spans over 80 acres at the city’s center and features buildings that date back to the city’s inception.

A notable site is the Henry County Courthouse and historic jail, which is situated on the northern side of the town square.

Constructed primarily of red brick, this structure boasts a white clocktower that rises prominently above the square. It was completed in 1897 and is designed in the Romanesque Revival architectural style.

Other significant buildings within the district include an art deco Standard Oil petrol station, which now serves as a tourist information center, and the grand Palace Theatre, currently known as the Clay Plaza Building.

2. Heritage Park Veterans Museum

Though compact, the Heritage Park Veterans Museum is meticulously curated, residing within a striking red barn. Inside, it features an impressive collection of military artifacts.

Some items date back over a century to the United States’ involvement in World War I, with exhibits extending to contemporary military engagements.

The museum accommodates several vehicles from the 1910s, along with various uniforms, equipment, and example ration boxes.

Staffed by veterans, the museum is located opposite the city’s Wall of Honor, which consists of a 25-meter-long granite installation showcasing iconic scenes from historical military events.

3. Shanes Hot Shots Paintball and Airsoft

This family-friendly facility is among the largest and most technologically advanced in the southeastern United States.

Equipped with everything needed from guns to safety gear, visitors can engage in exhilarating paintball activities in a purpose-built environment with friends or family.

Alternatively, guests may opt for airsoft, which employs replica weapons to fire small plastic pellets.

Metropolis has an indoor arena dedicated to this burgeoning sport, providing gameplay similar to paintball but without the associated mess and discomfort of the projectiles. It operates on a trust system.

4. Ghost Tours

Interestingly, it appears that the spirits of McDonough are as intrigued by the living as we are by them. Visitors can discover the city’s eerie history by participating in one of several ghost tours available in downtown McDonough.

These lantern-led walking tours last approximately 90 minutes, encompassing various sites, including the town square, restaurants, and shops with reported ghost sightings.

Among these locations was a mortuary following the Camp Creek Train Wreck disaster, while another site is so infamous for its hauntings that it has featured on multiple paranormal TV shows and has garnered national attention.

5. Southern Belle Farm

Located just a short drive from Atlanta, Southern Belle Farm immerses visitors in the vibrant agricultural lifestyle of the surrounding rural communities.

Covering over 130 acres, this operational farm provides insights into the intricacies of managing a successful agricultural enterprise.

Visitors can explore a dairy barn exhibition, participate in hayride tours, and interact with the farm’s endearing animals.

Additionally, seasonal activities include fruit picking in spring and summer, transitioning to a pumpkin patch in the lead-up to Halloween each October.

6. Martin Luther King Sr Heritage Trail

The Atlanta metropolitan area holds significant ties to the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, much of which drew inspiration from the notable church pastor Martin Luther King Jr.

Data indicates that the quest for equal rights was initiated a generation earlier by Martin Luther King Sr. Born and raised in nearby Stockbridge, his legacy is honored by a heritage trail that runs through the city.

Key stops along this trail include the Floyd Chapel Baptist Church, where King Sr. worshipped and delivered his initial sermon following ordination.

Additionally, a commemorative plaque on City Hall outlines the King’s family’s impact, located just 15 minutes north of McDonough in Stockbridge.

7. Hood Street Arts Center

Unquestionably, the Hood Street Arts Center serves as the cultural epicenter of McDonough. This center emerged from a collaborative effort of various community arts organizations and occupies an expansive 1,800-square-meter facility.

Originally constructed in the 1930s as a hosiery mill, it now supports the Henry Players theatre group, a ballet school, and a well-lit art gallery.

Furthermore, both the McDonough Arts Council and Henry Arts Alliance regularly host events, rendering the city an attractive destination for art and culture enthusiasts.

8. Heritage Park Historic Village

In addition to its Veterans Museum, Heritage Park features a historic village that transports visitors back to the early days of McDonough.

This village showcases a settler’s log cabin from 1827, a two-room schoolhouse, Henry County’s inaugural library building, and a blacksmith’s workshop among its main attractions.

Railroad enthusiasts will also be delighted to find a steam locomotive from 1934 alongside a replica passenger depot.

Set within the park’s beautifully landscaped grounds, visitors can enjoy amenities such as a children’s playground, benches, and picnic tables.

9. Stone Mountain Park

As the most frequented attraction in Georgia, Stone Mountain is not part of a mountain range but stands as a solitary granite mound, located 45 km north of McDonough.

This mountain features a base circumference of eight kilometers, ultimately rising to an elevation of 250 meters, or just over 500 meters above sea level.

The hiking trails leading to the summit offer visitors breathtaking vistas, while the Skyride cable car provides another means to reach the peak.

However, Stone Mountain is perhaps best known for housing the largest bas-relief carving globally, depicting three significant leaders of the Confederate South.

10. Camera Museum and Escape Room

Situated just a short distance from McDonough’s historical center, the Camera Museum houses an extensive collection of vintage and antique cameras.

The museum features approximately 1,200 cameras, accessories, and other related items, including photographs and historical advertisements.

This extensive collection chronicles the evolution of photography, from its inception in the 1830s to the digital advancements of the last century and a half.

As night falls, the space transforms into a large escape room, offering three distinct themes for those who enjoy challenges.

11. Clayton County International Park

Located approximately 30 minutes northwest of McDonough, Clayton County International Park exemplifies the enduring benefits that can arise from hosting significant sporting events such as the Olympic Games.

There is no doubt that the local communities surrounding the park have reaped considerable advantages from its presence.

Originally established as the venue for the beach volleyball events during the 1996 Atlanta Games, the park still features a beach alongside sports fields, biking trails, and spots where anglers can cast their lines into the lake.

For families visiting, the giant water slides are likely to be a highlight, while swimming in the lake offers a refreshing alternative.

12. C.O. Polk Interactive Museum

This museum located in downtown McDonough emphasizes modern technology as a means to explore two centuries of local history.

Integrating physical artifacts with online interfaces, the museum’s diverse range of displays traces back to before the city’s founding, when the region was the territory of the Creek Indian Nation.

The narrative progresses into the early years of McDonough, blending illustrations of the town square with artifacts from historic buildings.

It further examines significant figures from the city’s past and the industries that contributed to its development.

Importantly, the museum delves into major historical events, including the Civil War, and explains why McDonough is occasionally referred to as the Geranium City.

13. World of Coca-Cola

Just 30 minutes north of McDonough, Atlanta is home to some of the world’s most iconic brands, with Coca-Cola—established in the city in 1886—standing out among them.

The World of Coca-Cola offers an engaging narrative detailing the evolution of this globally recognized beverage from its modest origins to its contemporary status.

This vast complex encompasses an impressive 81,000 square feet and is located just blocks away from where John Pemberton first created the formula.

It features a 4D movie experience that takes attendees through the history of the secret formula and presents the opportunity to sample 60 varieties of Coke available worldwide.

14. Nash Farm Battlefield

Located on the western edge of Henry County, Nash Farm Battlefield spans 80 acres.

This site was active in 1864 as Confederate forces engaged in military actions to repel Union troops during the Civil War.

It served as one of the campsites for troops under Confederate General Lee’s command and hosted significant infantry battles that culminated in the conclusion of the Battle of Atlanta.

Visitors can utilize historical markers placed throughout the area to embark on self-guided tours covering events such as Kilpatrick’s Raid.

Nash Farm Battlefield is situated near the town of Hampton, approximately 20 minutes from McDonough.

15. RE-taking History Tour

For those seeking a more localized experience concerning the area’s history, the RE-taking History Tour of downtown McDonough is highly recommended.

This tour focuses on the historic square and the surrounding streets, encouraging participants to locate 15 unique markers embedded within the city’s sidewalks.

The tour is designed to allow visitors to recreate historic photographs, comparing them to their original counterparts. This engaging approach provides a fascinating juxtaposition of the past and present, showcasing what has transformed and what remains unchanged.