Local Attractions with pictures, links, and a Calendar of Events below

You may be pleasantly surprised to see just how many attractions we have in our area. In fact Sumter County is the only county in the USA with two National Historic Sites.

Carter Boyhood Farm In the small town of Plains located just 9 miles west of Americus you will find the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site This site is the home town of the 39th President of the USA and now also includes the recently opened Carter Boyhood Home located in Archery, just 2 miles from Plains.

And you won't want to miss the Plains Peanut Festival. This annual festival is held the last weekend in September and people flock from all over the world just to participate in this event. The festival begins on Friday with a folk Play. On Saturday events begin with a 1 mile fun run and a 5-K road race. Last year one of our guests took third place in the 5-K road race and is seen here accepting his trophy from President Carter. After the races there is a downtown parade and then all-day activities and educational exhibits including lots of peanut information of course! On Sunday be sure to attend Sunday School with Jimmy Carter at the Maranatha Baptist Church. Then after lunch you can join in the fun at the Plains high school where you can watch the annual softball game between the Secret Service and Plains High School Alumni.

The Former President & Mrs. Carter still live in Plains, in the only home they have ever owned and on many Sundays you can attend the Bible Study Class that Jimmy Carter teaches at the Maranatha Baptist Church. If you stay for the worship service, after the class, you will have the opportunity to have your photograph taken with the former President and Mrs. Carter.

In Andersonville, which is 9 miles north east of Americus, we have the Andersonville National Historic Site and museum. This is the site of the infamous civil war prison camp officially known at Camp Sumter. This prison was one of the largest of the many Confederate military prisons established during the Civil War. In 1998 the National Prisoner of War Museum was opened and the National Historic Site became the only park in the National Park System to serve as a memorial to all the men and women of this country who have suffered captivity. Their story is one of sacrifice and courage and this museum will bring that story to you in films, pictures and exhibits. Also located on this site is the Andersonville National Cemetery. The Cemetery was established on July 26, 1865, to provide a permanent place of honor for those who died in military service of our country. The initial interments, beginning in February 1864, were those who died in Camp Sumter. Today the cemetery contains more than 18,000 interments. Andersonville Village is located across the road from the museum and this is the venue for the biannual Andersonville Historic Fair, held on the last weekend of May and the first weekend of October every year. The fair features re-enactments, craftsmen, music, food and lots of fun. The town has a small visitor center, the Drummer Boy Civil War Museum, several antique stores and a blacksmiths.

For the more energetic we have good hiking at Providence Canyon, Georgia's little Grand Canyon. Here you will find two trails a 3 mile hiking trail and a 7 mile backcountry trail. Visitors to the park are always amazed at the breathtaking colors of the Canyon. The rare Plum leaf Azalea and other wildflowers, as well as the pink, orange, red and purple hues of the soft canyon soil, make a beautiful natural painting at this unique park. It is not necessary to hike down the Canyon to enjoy the views. Some of the best views can be enjoyed from the rim.

Anyone for Golf? Then you will love Americus as we have four excellent golf courses all within 5 to 25 minutes driving distance. Closest to the inn we have the Southwestern Golf and Conference Center which is open 7 days a week and offers 18 holes of golf. Also close by is Wolf Creek, Brickyard Plantation and Georgia Veterans Memorial Golf Course. Brickyard Plantation is open 7 days a week and offers 9, 18 and 27 holes and is the most reasonable of the four courses. The Georgia Veterans Memorial Golf Course is a Denis Griffith-designed 18-hole course with a four star rating from Golf Digest and is also open 7 days a week.

Ready for a walk? Then why not try one of the three historic year round City Volkswalks or Volksmarches in Sumter county, one each in Americus, Plains and Andersonville. You can start the Americus walk from right outside our door. Want to learn more about Volkssport click here.

In to flights of fancy? Then why not visit Americus for Hodges Hobbies the home of the B29 bomber and Bell X-1

For cultural entertainment we have the newly restored Historic Rylander Theatre, which offers frequent live theatre, film and organ recitals. We also have a local theater group, the Sumter Players, who present up to six production a year at the Rylander Theatre.

Americus is also home to Habitat for Humanity International and on May 30 2003 they opened Phase I of their Global Village and Discovery Center. The GV and DC showcases a dream. The dream of Habitat's founders, Millard and Linda Fuller, to eliminate sub-standard housing throughout the world. There are displays of model Habitat houses and exhibits of urban and rural poverty. In addition there are interactive features such as brick making.

Also located on the outskirts of Americus you will find Koinonia a Christian farming community, founded in 1942 by Clarence Jordan. This community embraces a peaceful coexistence, with justice and respect for all. Koinonia is often referred to as the birthplace of Habitat and is the subject of a documentary "Briars in the Cotton Patch" which was directed and produced by Faith Fuller, Millard and Linda Fuller's daughter. This excellent documentary is included in our video library and is available for sale at either Koinonia or Habitat.

There is a beautiful, historic cemetery located in Americus The Oak Grove Cemetery. The cemetery was originally opened in 1856 and is the final resting place of many of Georgia's historic figures, from state chief justices and an 1865 candidate for governor to soldiers from the Native American, Mexican and Civil wars. In 2001, the city of Americus partnered with the Sumter Historic Trust and the Town Committee of the Colonial Dames to help restore the site and make it a more inviting place for visitors. In April 2004 it received an award for Excellence in Rehabilitation from The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation.

If you are looking for some living history then why not step back in time at 1850 Westville a living history museum which depicts life as it was in rural Georgia in the 1850's. Westville has over thirty authentically furnished pre-civil war buildings, where you can watch basket making, shoe making and furniture making.

Are you ready to take flight? Well come on down to Southerfeld Airport where Charles Lindbergh purchased his first plane and made his first solo flight right here in Americus in May 1923. A monument commemorating this historic event has been erected at the airport. For more information please visit the Charles Lindbergh site.

Need to make a call? Then take a trip to Leslie where you can see one of the world's largest collection of telephones and telephone memorabilia at the Georgia Rural Telephone Museum.

Want to do some shopping? Then why not visit some of the shops along the tree lined streets of our beautiful award winning downtown "City of Excellence". Here you will find antique and collectible shops, art and art supplies, fine clothing stores and our amazing Maze with a little bit of everything including a coffee shop. Americus is also renowned for having one of the largest historic residential districts in Southwest Georgia and many of our visitors enjoy the driving or walking tour of our historic neighborhood. Once a year Americus opens up several of its private residences for a Christmas tour of homes. This event is sponsored by the Sumter Historic Trust and is normally held the second Saturday of December.

Americus also has an excursion train the SAM Shortline train. The train runs from Cordele to Plains, stopping in Georgia Veterans State Park, Leslie-De Soto, Americus, Plains and will terminate at the Carter Boyhood farm just outside of Plains. You will be able to join the train at any of its stops and a round trip from Americus to Plains would make a great 1/2 day trip. The train is currently operating on Fridays and Saturdays and usually two Mondays and one Thursday each month. The Thursday trip is a round trip starting in Americus. The schedule is subject to change and can be checked on the SAM Shortline website.