Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Hinesville, GA

The relaxed and inviting city of Hinesville is situated in southeast Georgia’s Liberty County.

In close proximity to the state’s Atlantic Ocean shoreline, it was established in 1838 and named in honor of a local senator, Charles Hines.

Incorporated as a city in 1912, Hinesville is recognized as one of the rapidly growing urban centers in the southeastern United States, suggesting that it offers appealing features.

Although a specific business website deemed Hinesville the most tedious city in Georgia, this narrow perspective neglects the rich cultural and natural attractions within Hinesville and its vicinity.

This article aims to highlight the 15 top activities and attractions in and around Hinesville, Georgia.

1. Old Liberty County Jail

If not for the metal bars visible through the windows, one might mistake the Old Liberty County Jail for a charming family residence.

This red-brick structure, built in 1892, served as the Liberty County Jail for over 80 years, longer than any other correctional facility in the region.

The ground floor comprised a large communal area, colloquially known as a drunk tank, intended to house individuals affected by excessive alcohol consumption. It also featured two cells.

On the upper level, an additional two cells are available for viewing during a short self-guided tour.

2. Bryant Commons Park

Bryant Commons Park is a well-designed urban park situated in downtown Hinesville, encompassing just over 60 acres.

Accommodating a variety of activities, the park was once the estate of former senator Glenn E. Bryant.

Amenities include a children’s playground, a sizable pond nourished by picturesque streams, and a designated dog park complete with agility equipment.

Additionally, the park hosts the Veteran’s Memorial Walk, also referred to as the Warrior’s Walk, a beautifully adorned section of the park featuring American flags, originally created to honor those who served in World War II.

3. Hinesville Area Arts Council Gallery

The gallery, administered by the Hinesville Area Arts Council, serves a dual purpose within the community.

Firstly, its walls—both interior and exterior—provide a venue for the artistic expressions of local creators. Secondly, it offers public art classes for those seeking to cultivate their artistic skills.

Each month, a different local artist is showcased in a dedicated exhibition, while classes are available for participants of all ages and skill levels.

Art forms represented in the gallery range from landscape photography to traditional American quilts.

4. Savannah

Founded in 1733 along the river sharing its name, Savannah has been a significant location in US history, playing crucial roles during both the American War of Independence and the American Civil War.

As one of the largest cities in the state, Savannah far exceeds Hinesville in terms of size. Its downtown area is characterized by cobblestone streets and historic structures, which largely adhere to the original city layout, collectively forming one of the most extensive National Historic Landmark Districts in the United States.

Noteworthy structures in Savannah include the Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences and the Georgia State Railway Museum.

Savannah lies less than an hour’s drive from Hinesville.

5. Hinesville Farmers Market

Typically, the finest farmers markets are located in genuine agricultural regions, and Georgia undoubtedly qualifies.

While the availability of locally-grown vegetables such as French beans, tomatoes, and squashes may not appeal to short-term visitors, it is essential to savor Georgia’s renowned fruits.

Furthermore, the Hinesville farmers market features a diverse selection of jams, jellies, and pickles, which can be taken home, should one resist the aromatic allure of freshly baked bread and pastries.

An enjoyable ambiance is created by live musical performances, especially once the local barbecue ribs hit the grill.

6. Third Infantry Division Museum

Located within the military complex of Fort Stewart, just north of Hinesville, the Third Infantry Division Museum is managed by the US military but is accessible to the public.

Spanning approximately 4,000 square meters of exhibition space, this is a substantial museum. Its permanent displays include interactive exhibits highlighting the evolution of Fort Stewart from the earlier Camp Stewart.

Other exhibits feature full-sized tanks and weaponry—both historical and contemporary—as well as a growing aviation gallery.

7. ITPA National Telephone Museum

An alternative attraction in central Hinesville is the ITPA National Telephone Museum.

Originally established in the nation’s capital, Washington D.C., the museum relocated to its current location in the early 2000s.

It now occupies the building within Bryant Commons Park, which is particularly appropriate as Glenn E Bryant played a pivotal role in the state’s telecommunication sector for many years.

The museum chronicles the history of the telephone from its inception to today’s smartphones, with exhibits featuring some of the first commercial telephones sold.

Overall, the museum serves as an insightful reminder of humanity’s rapid technological advancements.

8. Sapelo Island

Georgia’s Atlantic coastline boasts numerous treasures, one of which is the barrier island of Sapelo. Primarily consisting of a wildlife refuge, it is home to Hogs Hammock, the last known community of Gullah African-Americans.

Furthermore, the island is believed by some to have housed the first European settlement in the United States, although this Spanish settlement lasted only from 1526 to 1527.

Activities on the island range from scuba diving in Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary to exploring the historic Reynold’s Mansion and its pristine beaches.

Access to the island is available from Hinesville via the ferry departing from the Sapelo Island visitor center, located approximately 65 kilometers (about one hour) from Hinesville.

9. St Catherine’s Island

Further along the Atlantic coast lies St Catherine’s Island, one of four barrier islands that comprise the Golden Isles.

Spanning over 5,500 acres, the island is a sanctuary for various wildlife species, and much of the interior is restricted to visitors, except for outreach activities. Additionally, the island has been designated a National Historic Landmark.

Nonetheless, residents of Hinesville can appreciate the island’s beautiful beaches, which remain accessible year-round, and its coastline is an enchanting area for boating excursions.

St Catherine’s Island is roughly equidistant from Hinesville as Sapelo Island.

10. Cherokee Rose Golf Course

Established in 1971, the Cherokee Rose Golf Course is a semi-private facility that welcomes the public to enjoy its 18-hole course.

With three sets of tees, the course accommodates golfers of all skill levels. Local members played a key role in designing this course.

For those knowledgeable about golf, Cherokee Rose boasts a USGA rating of 69.4, measuring just over 6,100 yards (5,578 meters).

11. Historic Baptismal Trail

Located in Riceboro, less than thirty minutes from Hinesville, the historic baptismal trail serves to preserve a significant site for the Gullah community.

Between 1840 and 1940, this location served as a welcoming place for newcomers to their faith.

Presently, the natural woodlands provide visitors with a boardwalk, resting benches, and picnic tables to enjoy a homemade meal.

Interpretive signage highlights important historic sites along the 500-meter trail while providing insights into the local habitats and wildlife.

12. Flemington Driving Tour

Located ten kilometers from Hinesville, the nearby town of Flemington features its historic landmarks showcased not through a walking trail but via a driving tour.

This approach allows the small community to present its most significant and appealing sites, as well as the earlier settlement of Gravel Hill.

Key sites on the tour include the whitewashed facade of the Presbyterian Church, constructed in a traditional clapboard style common in the southern United States. The columns reflect the popular Greek Revival architectural movement and invite worshippers inside.

Additional landmarks along the route include the graceful porches of the Trask House, along with ten other historical residences and businesses.

13. Sunbury Cemetery

Situated approximately 20 kilometers from Hinesville, the town of Midway once served as a significant river port for the nearby city of Savannah.

As a result, its Sunbury Cemetery is the final resting place for some of the earliest settlers to the area.

The cemetery comprises 34 historic graves, with the oldest dating back to 1788 and the most recent to 1911.

It is also likely that unmarked graves belong to those who perished during the fight for independence achieved in 1776.

14. Cay Creek Wetlands Interpretive Centre

Also located in Midway, the Cay Creek Wetlands Interpretive Centre serves as the gateway to an expansive natural environment characterized by freshwater and tidal wetlands.

The specially constructed boardwalks guide visitors across the marshy terrain, where grasses coexist with trees such as oaks and cypress.

These hardwood species share space with more tropical vegetation, including palms and palmettos, creating a unique ecosystem for various birds, reptiles, insects, and mammals.

After exploring the wetlands from ground level, visitors can gain a bird’s-eye view from an observation tower that rises 4.5 meters above the landscape.

15. Seabrook Village

On the route towards the coast beyond Midway, approximately a 30-minute drive from Hinesville, visitors can discover Seabrook Village.

Not an ordinary modern American village, Seabrook is an award-winning living history museum. Its 40-acre site consists of eight buildings from the turn of the century.

At the mill, guests can reflect on the labor involved in manually milling flour from cereal grains.

Other structures illustrate the daily challenges of maintaining cleanliness and education during this era of American history.

The costumed personnel enhance the experience, while authentic artifacts display everything a family might have utilized, from furnishings to cooking utensils.