Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Americus, Georgia

Situated in central Georgia close to the Alabama border, Americus serves as the county seat for Sumter County.

Despite its population of fewer than 20,000 residents, the city is recognized for its significant history and exquisite antebellum and Victorian architecture.

Referred to as the ‘metropolis of Southwest Georgia,’ this small city is notable for several historical milestones, including the establishment of the state’s first electric streetcar system and the site of Charles Lindbergh’s initial solo flight.

Rich in history and intrigue, here are the 15 premier experiences to enjoy in and around Americus, Georgia.

1. Americus Historic District

The significance of Americus was formally acknowledged on a national level in 1976, when the central area’s streets were added to the National Register of Historic Places as the Americus Historic District.

This area showcases a variety of architectural styles, ranging from Classic Revival to Romanesque, providing a delightful environment for exploration.

Among its landmarks, the Windsor Hotel, constructed in 1892 and designed in the Queen Anne style with a corner turret, stands out. This landmark has hosted notable figures, including Vice President Thomas Marshall and Franklin D. Roosevelt during his tenure as Governor of New York.

Additionally, in 1961, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Martin Luther King Jr. was briefly incarcerated at the local county jail during the Civil Rights Movement.

2. SAM Shortline Excursion Train

A charming route to explore beyond Americus is aboard the vintage cars of the SAM Shortline Excursion Train.

Based in Cordele, approximately 30 miles to the east, this historic train makes regular trips to Americus and other noteworthy locations.

The vintage carriages, dating back to the late 1940s, provide an authentic travel experience reflective of a bygone era when rail was the primary mode of intercity transport.

Key stops along the SAM Shortline include Plains, the hometown of former President Jimmy Carter, as well as Leslie, renowned for its Rural Telephone Museum.

3. Lindbergh Memorial

Though it may appear as little more than a well-maintained field today, aviation enthusiasts should nonetheless pay tribute to Charles Lindbergh’s accomplishments at the site in Americus where he undertook his first solo flight in 1923.

Located at Souther Field—one of the earliest airfields in the US, currently functioning as Jimmy Carter Regional Airport—the striking statue serves to commemorate Lindbergh’s audacity.

Prior to navigating an aircraft, Lindbergh showcased his adventurous spirit by engaging in parachuting and wing walking. He later accomplished the historic feat of making the first non-stop transatlantic flight, mere four years after mastering flying in Americus.

4. Rylander Theater

The Rylander Theater is a historical gem from a different era in Americus. While the exterior exhibits a relatively modest neoclassical design, its interior has been meticulously restored to showcase its former art deco magnificence.

Initially launched as a vaudeville venue, the theater offered a variety of performances including music, dance, and comedy.

A visit to the Rylander reveals why this performance space has thrived for over a century. The sumptuous red velvet curtains adorned with gold brocade mark merely the beginning of its allure.

Transitioning from its vaudeville origins, today, the theater features performances that highlight its rare original 1928 Moller Theater Pipe Organ, along with various dramas and musicals.

5. Jimmy Carter National Historic Site

This historic site located in nearby Plains was established to preserve and protect various buildings associated with the life and political career of President Jimmy Carter.

The site includes several key structures, such as Carter’s family residence, his childhood school, and the railroad depot which served as his campaign headquarters during the victorious 1976 presidential election.

Upon returning to Plains after his presidency in 1981, Carter dedicated his efforts to combat poverty, an endeavor that earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. The prestigious medal is on display at Plains High School, which functions now as a museum and visitor center.

Plains is situated approximately 10 miles west of Americus.

6. Koinonia Farm

Located a similar distance south of downtown Americus lies Koinonia Farm. Deriving its name from an ancient Greek term meaning ‘fellowship,’ the farm was established as a multiracial settlement in 1942, predating the end of segregation in the South.

Throughout the Civil Rights Movement, the farm faced boycotts and threats of violence from white supremacists, garnering national attention and ensuring its survival as a functioning enterprise to this day.

Koinonia Farm inspired the Habitat for Humanity charity and the off-Broadway musical “The Cotton Patch Bible,” making a visit to a truly humbling experience, often filled with the inviting aroma of baked goods.

7. Wolf Creek Plantation

An alternative farming model is exemplified at Wolf Creek Plantation, one of Georgia’s expanding number of vineyards.

Visitors are invited to explore the significant vine plantings, which are growing to encompass twenty acres once occupied by golfing holes and bunkers.

The onsite fermentation tanks are also open for viewing, showcasing the transformation of ten grape varieties into finished wine products.

Those intrigued by these offerings are encouraged to sample the latest selections in the vineyard’s tasting room, located five miles west of Americus.

8. Rural Telephone Museum

This unusual attraction in nearby Leslie is considered one of the largest telephone museums globally.

Primarily the creation of Tommy C Smith, who has dedicated himself to this endeavor, the museum was established in 1995 and has developed a devoted following.

Housed in a cotton mill from the turn of the twentieth century, the museum boasts around 2,000 items related to the telephone industry.

These artifacts trace the evolution of telecommunications, starting from the 1880s, and encompass the extensive history of a technology that has fundamentally transformed the world.

Leslie is approximately 12 miles southeast of Americus.

9. Georgia Veterans State Park

Georgia Veterans State Park is located along the eastern shoreline of Lake Blackshear, a long and slender reservoir approximately 30 minutes from Americus, separating the city from Cordele.

The park offers dual reasons for a visit. First, it provides an opportunity to enjoy and immerse oneself in an unspoiled part of Georgia’s woodlands, which is home to a diverse array of species.

Complementing this experience are the beautiful waters of Lake Blackshear, encompassing over 8,000 acres, which is nearly eight times larger than the park itself.

Additionally, the park features a museum showcasing substantial military equipment and artifacts tracing back to the American Revolutionary War.

10. Andersonville National Historic Site

This site, located 13 miles north of Americus, could aptly be referred to as Camp Sumter. It served as a prison camp for Union soldiers captured during the American Civil War for over a year.

Overcrowded to four times its capacity, nearly 13,000 of the 45,000 prisoners held there perished, resulting in the execution of the camp commander for war crimes after the conclusion of the conflict.

Those who lost their lives under its harsh conditions are interred in the National Cemetery, where their stories are chronicled in the onsite museum.

The museum also recounts the experiences of all American prisoners of war, including notable figures like Senator John McCain, who endured torture at the hands of North Vietnamese forces during his 5.5 years of captivity.

11. Thirteenth Colony Distillery

Georgia’s inaugural craft distillery, Thirteenth Colony Distillery was born from a casual conversation among four friends in Americus.

Utilizing water sourced from Georgia’s largest and deepest natural aquifer, filtered over many years through limestone and dolomite, the purity of the distilling process is well ensured.

In addition, each spirit is produced in small batches, reflecting a commitment to handcrafted quality.

The distillery offers a range of products, including various types of whiskey—bourbon, rye, and corn whiskey—as well as limited quantities of vodka and gin.

12. Billy Carter Service Station & Museum

Georgia features various peculiar attractions, and the Billy Carter Service Station & Museum, which opened in 2008, is certainly among them.

The brother of former President Jimmy Carter, Billy, amassed an impressive array of memorabilia from his brother’s presidency.

The museum’s display cases, shelves, and uniquely arranged drawers are stocked with documents detailing the tumultuous life of this member of the Carter family.

Similar to the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site, the service station is situated in Plains.

13. Windsor Hotel Tours

In addition to providing guest accommodations within its 53 rooms, the Windsor Hotel in downtown Americus also offers guided tours of its historic facility.

These tours grant access to areas of the hotel typically not open to the public, with guides enriching the experience through intriguing stories covering the hotel’s lengthy history.

Tour participants who are unable to experience a stay in one of the artistically decorated rooms can still admire the hotel’s stunning interiors.

Chandeliers that hang from the lobby ceilings have remained in place since their initial installation in the 1890s, while some artifacts date back even further, to before the Civil War.

14. Pasaquan

Covering an impressive seven acres, Pasaquan stands out as one of Georgia’s distinctive locations. It is located about 30 miles north-west of Americus near the town of Buena Vista.

The creative vision of folk artist Eddie Owens Martin, known as Saint EOM, this site features six primary structures redesigned to reflect Martin’s exceptional artistic style.

This includes a farmhouse dating back to 1885, surrounded by four acres of masonry painted in vibrant colors and designs inspired by cultural influences from around the world.

15. Providence Canyon State Park

Often referred to as the Little Grand Canyon, Providence Canyon State Park presents a striking alternative to the national monument.

Recognized as a natural wonder and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Georgia, the park boasts more diverse attractions beyond its breathtaking canyon views. These include an abandoned homestead that features rusting vehicles from the 1950s.

Another captivating feature is the Providence Methodist Church, and the canyon floor, which can descend up to 150 feet below the surrounding cliffs, offers an excellent starting point for hikes of any duration.

The park entrance is located approximately 45 miles west of Americus.