While Savannah may be the state’s largest city, Thomasville, Georgia is a small town that still manages to attract visitors from all over. This small town’s people welcome visitors as if they’ve known them forever, and you’ll find the pace of life here much slower than in most cities. This is a great place to enjoy nature, history, and the local food scene. There are several museums to explore and over 100 shops and restaurants to enjoy. Just make sure to call ahead to find out if the places you wish to visit are open during your visit.
You can sample the local cuisine at Jonah’s Shrimp and Grits, a family-run barbecue joint with great southern food. Its homemade barbecue is well-known for its delicious Brunswick stew. While in town, you can also try a wide variety of Southern staples at the famous Jonah’s Fish and Grits. Try the classic donuts or a delicious apple fritter and cinnamon twist at this family-owned restaurant.
If you are looking for something a little more luxurious, you can try a bed and breakfast. The Thomasville Big Oak is a local landmark that’s over 340 years old. This oak tree is located near downtown, at Monroe and Crawford Streets. The bartenders are Cicerone certified, and handpick popular craft beers and wine. Whether you want to sample Georgia wine or relax in a luxurious room, you’ll be sure to find something you’ll enjoy at one of these inns.
Pebble Hill Plantation is another historic attraction worth exploring. This 3,000-acre property was once a rice and cotton plantation. In 1886, an industrialist from Cleveland bought the estate and turned it into a shooting plantation. The historic plantation is now a popular place to visit for family fun. Despite its old age, the historic estate has recently acquired 4669 pieces of artifacts and antiques, including paintings, posters, and books from the Black Achievers.
The history of Thomasville is intertwined with its tourism industry. The city’s plantation heritage has been linked to its success as an antebellum agricultural center. It grew from a population of three hundred and fifty to nearly a hundred thousand in the early 1800s. The plantations were the primary source of labor, and it wasn’t unusual for whites to work as yeomen, too. During the Civil War, the plantation owners opted to sell their land when property values plummeted.
The Black History Museum is another worthwhile stop for tourists. The museum opened in 1972 and has thousands of artifacts on display. It also includes seven historic buildings that include a log cabin, an 1870 bowling alley, and a courthouse built in 1892. The museum is open from dawn to dusk. Another notable landmark is the Lapham-Patterson House, which is a Victorian gem. It is a former black school and contains more than four thousand artifacts.
Many Victorian-style homes were built in Thomasville. Many people chose to live in Thomasville as a winter retreat. This led to the building of dozens of homes. The Lapham-Patterson House, designed by Tudor Rommerdal, is an amazing example of this style. The interior of the house features a cantilevered balcony, intricate details, and stunning stained-glass windows. It is a must-see for any tourist to Thomasville.