10 Best and Fun Things to Do in Valdosta GA (Georgia)

Things to Do in Valdosta GA, If you visit Valdosta in the spring, you won’t have to wonder how this lovely small Georgia city earned the moniker “Azalea City.” When these beautiful bushes bloom in March, the city is blanketed in a canopy of color, with their bright pink petals (plus shades of yellow and orange) brightening every corner of the city in freedom park.

Every year, the city celebrates this colorful display with its annual Azalea Festival at United States, which draws visitors from all over Georgia to see the blossoms and sample the warm Georgian hospitality that the South is known for.

It is not necessary to visit Valdosta in the spring to have a good time. This popular year-round Georgia travel destination has a variety of fantastic places to visit regardless of the season. From the city’s rich cultural heritage to its world-class entertainment, leisure, and dining opportunities, this university city has something for everyone at freedom park.

Read through our list of the top things to do in Valdosta, Georgia to learn more about the many tourist attractions in Georgia’s Azalea City.

List of 10 Things to Do in Valdosta GA Today

1. Take a stroll through downtown Valdosta.

Despite being incorporated only in 1860 – first as a town, then as a city – Valdosta can claim a large number of historically significant buildings, many of which date from the post-Civil War era around 1872. By far the most of these can be found in Downtown Valdosta, a vibrant pedestrian-friendly hub that continues to be the city’s most important shopping, dining, and entertainment district is a lowndes county historical society.

Parking is free and plentiful in municipal lots connected by pedestrian-only lanes to the 26-block stretch that comprises Downtown Valdosta. As a result, the area is pleasant and uncrowded, making it easy to explore on foot. It’s also full of surprises, with an abundance of boutique shops and galleries, great cafés and restaurants, and well-preserved buildings at valdosta mall.

The majestic Lowndes County Courthouse, set on a square in the city center, the old Post Office, and a number of attractive churches are among the downtown core’s most interesting architectural landmarks. On North Ashley Street, you’ll also notice the Dosta Playhouse, a superb and picture-perfect Art Deco theater and former cinema at valdosta georgia.

Are you thirsty after all that walking? GD Coffee Company, located a few blocks away on North Patterson Street, serves delicious avocado toast and cappuccino at South Georgia Pecan Company.

2. Drive to the Grand Bay Wildlife Management Area.

Grand Bay Wildlife Management Area, which is only 15 minutes away by car, is a fun nature excursion for people of all ages. This educational wildlife area, which covers a vast 13,000-acre swamp northeast of the city, features a variety of easy-to-traverse trails and boardwalks that allow visitors to get up close and personal with the park’s abundant flora and fauna.

Aside from stroller and wheelchair accessible boardwalks over the park’s wetland areas, a variety of trails lead directly into the park’s over 3,000 acres of hardwood and pine forests. There is plenty of free parking in the main lot adjacent to the Grand Bay Wetland Education Center, which also has restrooms and picnic areas at Peach State Summer Theatre.

Canoeing and kayaking (bring your own) are popular outdoor activities at South Georgia Motorsports Park, as are lake fishing and wildlife viewing. A word of caution: the park is located off the main highway on a long, unpaved road, so drive slowly to avoid potholes and bumps.

Valdosta, Georgia 4649 Knight Academy Road #4641.

3. Visit The Crescent, Georgia’s Most Beautiful Mansion.

After you’ve had your fill of Valdosta’s historic downtown, head up North Patterson Street to see The Crescent, which has been described as one of Georgia’s most beautiful 19th-century homes fun things.

This beautiful mansion, just a 10-minute walk north of the city center, was built in 1898 for former U.S. Senator William Stanley West. It ended up in the caring hands of The Garden Center of Valdosta after becoming derelict and narrowly avoiding demolition. The exterior of the building is simply stunning, with 13 massive columns, one for each of the original founding colonies.

There are self-guided tours available, which include not only the building’s well-preserved interior with its ornate reception hall, but also its extensive gardens. Its small chapel and octagon-shaped schoolhouse are also notable features. On-site parking is available and is free at suites valdosta.

904 North Patterson Street, Valdosta, Georgia

4. Have a Wild Adventures Theme Park Adventure

Wild Adventures Theme Park, located just five miles from Downtown Valadosta in Clyattville, is ideal for both young and old alike. This sprawling attraction spans 170 acres of fun, with everything from thrilling roller coasters and waterslides to a zoo area filled with exotic animals at Southern Georgia.

Wild Adventures, which began as a petting zoo in 1996, has grown exponentially over the years, with new rides and activities added on a regular basis to increase the fun factor. Today, six roller coasters and numerous other rides are available, as well as a popular water park and Discovery Outpost, a section for younger children thing.

Those looking to make a day of it can take advantage of the concession stands on-site, which serve light meals, snacks, and refreshments.

Valdosta, Georgia 3766 Old Clyattville Road

5. Lowndes County Courthouse No. 5

The Lowndes County Courthouse, widely regarded as one of the most beautiful administrative structures in South Georgia, if not the entire state, dominates the public square in the heart of Valdosta at splash island.

This grand three-story building was built in 1905 and features an elaborate portico, four tall Corinthian columns roller coaster, a large central dome (along with four smaller corner domes on each corner of the building), and elegant double staircases leading up to its main entrance best place.

Because of its central location, the courthouse has served as a backdrop for a variety of events in Valdosta, including free concerts and cook-offs held on its lawns in warmer weather at country club.

On the grounds, there are several interesting monuments, including one commemorating those who died during the Civil War and another commemorating the events of 9/11.

100 South Oak Street, Valdosta, Georgia

6. Take a Tour of Valdosta State University

Valdosta State University (aka VSU, or Valdosta State) is a must-see when visiting the area, with roots dating back to the turn of the twentieth century. It’s a lovely park-like best place campus to walk around, with plenty of green space and impressive academic buildings, some of which date back to the university’s founding in 1906 memorial day.

An organized tour is a great way to explore the campus. These free guided tours include a presentation from a staff member followed by a walking tour of the main campus. Those taking a tour can park in a designated area is a great place.

Those who want to venture out on their own should follow the university’s walking trail system. The Whitehead Camellia Trail is one of the best options. This one-of-a-kind campus trail is named after the 1,100 or so camellias that line the half-mile route. It was established in 1944 and is a delightful walk, especially between fall and spring when the long-blooming camellias are at their peak restored treasures.

Another option is to take the VSU Scenic Route, which has a map on the university’s website. This nearly 1.5-mile-long fitness loop encompasses many of the university’s best features and can be completed at a leisurely pace. On your walk, you should also visit the campus’s outdoor art collection. Six fascinating and photogenic works are included in this growing collection.

1413 North Patterson Street, Valdosta, Georgia

7. Participate in Valdosta’s Annual Azalea Festival

Valdosta is very proud of its reputation as Georgia’s “Azalea City.” What began in 1925 as a celebration of the numerous azaleas planted around town by an enthusiast has grown into a two-day celebration of the city’s rich and diverse culture as well as the colorful flowering bush at thrill rides.

Valdosta’s Annual Azalea Festival, now in its 20th year, is one of Georgia’s top social and cultural events, heralding the end of winter and the arrival of spring in mid-March. A two-day arts and craft show, a five-kilometer running race, six stages with live music, and plenty of fun are among the events. In total, over 200 vendors from across the state set up shop in designated areas of the city’s many parks.

Other attractions include a KidZone with inflatable attractions, a petting zoo, and a climbing wall, as well as birds of prey demonstrations, pet shows, and classic cars and motorcycles.

8. Attend a Play at Dosta Playhouse

The Dosta Playhouse, located on North Ashley Street in Downtown Valdosta, is difficult to miss in New York. This beautifully restored Art Deco building is not only taller than its neighbors, but it is also beautifully decorated. It was designed with a nod to classic cars and cruise ships of the era, with a bright red central pillar flanked by green borders, glass bricks, and porthole windows.

It was originally built in 1941 as a single-screen movie theater and is very photogenic. The Dosta Playhouse, which was fully restored in the 1990s after years of neglect, is now home to Theatre Guild Valdosta (TGV), a community theater group that stages six productions a year: four for adults and two for children lake park.

122 North Ashley Street, Valdosta, Southern Georgia

9. Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts is number nine.

For those interested in art, a visit to the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts is time well spent. It was founded in 1903 and houses a mix of permanent and temporary exhibits in its seven bright galleries; approximately 30 unique exhibits are held here each year.

Among the permanent collections at the center are 600 works of East African art and 30 or so examples of antique European Fine Porcelain. The structure is also used for functions and a variety of events, and it includes a gift shop where you can buy works by local artisans.

There are a variety of enjoyable workshops and programs available, including culinary arts. On request, free guided tours are available.

527 North Patterson Street, Valdosta, Southern Georgia

10. Barber-Pittman House No. 10

The Barber-Pittman House, built in 1915 by local architect Lloyd Barton Greer, has been meticulously preserved. It was built for one of the first Coca-Cola bottlers and reflects the wealth and opulence attained by early adopters of the brand’s massive marketing power. It now houses the city’s Chamber of Commerce.

The building was later bequeathed to the city by the same family and now stands as a fine example of Southern Nee-classicism, which was popular among the upper echelons of society at the time. The building is open for public tours during the week and is well worth a visit (admission is free for tourist attractions).

Valdosta, Georgia (416 N Ashley Street)

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