12 Charming Small Towns in Georgia

Atlanta and Savannah are worth their hype, but don't overlook the tiny towns of the Peach State. From mountain adventures and coastal views to harvest festivals, fall foliage, and sometimes even a subtly European feel, Georgia's charming small towns offer so much to discover. Wander away from the beaten path to relax on the driftwood-speckled beaches of Jekyll Island, explore the natural attractions of Pine Mountain, or immerse yourself in the German atmosphere of Helen. Here are a dozen of the best small towns in Georgia — each with a population under 15,000 — to visit.

Darien

Many have been captivated by Savannah's charms, but about an hour south, this quiet coastal town has an allure all of its own. Darien was founded in 1736, a few years after Georgia became a colony and long before it became a state. Visit Fort King George State Historic Site, which dates back even further to 1721 when it belonged to the British Empire. Today, Darien immerses its visitors in Gullah-Geechee culture and offers picturesque views along the Altamaha River — not to mention great seafood, golfing, and pristine nature.

Senoia

Looking for something totally different from Georgia's typical tourist spots? Head to Senoia, famous for being a filming location for the hit TV show The Walking Dead. This small community went from a ghost town to a popular destination thanks to this claim to fame. Now visitors can take a Walking Dead-themed tour featuring familiar sites from fictional Woodbury and the Alexandria Safe Zone. Whether you're a fan of the show or not, you'll find plenty to do and see along Senoia's thriving Main Street, which is dotted with shops and restaurants.

Dahlonega

If you love wineries, antique shopping, quaint downtowns, and mountain scenery, Dahlonega is the place for you. Visitors can also explore hundreds of years of history here — the town was the site of the first major gold rush in the U.S. in the 1820s. You can learn more at the Dahlonega Gold Museum or opt for an outdoor adventure in the Chattahoochee National Forest, which is great for hiking, trout fishing, mountain biking, and chasing waterfalls. If you're more into liquid gold, check out the vineyards along the Dahlonega Wine Trail.

Jekyll Island

Visiting Jekyll Island is like stepping into another world, where time moves slower and nature reigns supreme. The small beach destination is one of the Golden Isles located on the southeast coast of Georgia, just north of the Florida-Georgia border. It has more history packed into its 5,500 acres than you'd expect. In fact, this quiet barrier island once attracted Gilded Age nobility like the Rockefellers, Goodyears, and Vanderbilts, who loved escaping to Jekyll Island's 10 miles of shoreline in the winter.

Madison

It's no secret that people head to Georgia for a hearty dose of the great outdoors. This historic small town in Georgia's Lake Country, between Atlanta and Augusta, is the best base camp for activities in Hard Labor Creek State Park, Oconee National Forest, or Scull Shoals Experimental Forest. When you aren't hiking or getting out on nearby Oconee Lake, explore the boutiques, restaurants, and many spas in town.

Blue Ridge

While the scenic mountain town of Blue Ridge has a population of under 2,000, its abundance of restaurants, breweries, shops, and art galleries provide the perks of a much bigger destination. Nearby Chattahoochee National Forest is a major draw of the area, but don't miss taking a four-hour train ride on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, which winds through forests, between the Appalachian foothills, and along the Toccoa River in vintage rail cars. Blue Ridge is also a popular spot for leaf-peeping in the fall.

Vidalia

For a unique Georgia adventure, head to the small town of Vidalia. Go in the spring if you want to enjoy the town's biggest event of the year, the Vidalia Onion Festival. The four-day celebration includes eating and recipe contests, a carnival, concerts, onion runs, and more. Visit the year-round Vidalia Onion Museum to learn more about the local impact of this humble vegetable. You can also get active on the Altamaha River or explore the tiny nearby town of Santa Claus for holiday cheer no matter the season — or to mail this year's Christmas cards with the coolest stamp in the mail pile.

Tallulah Falls

Only about 200 people reside in Tallulah Falls, the gateway to Tallulah Gorge State Park, but the breathtaking scenery makes it more than worth a visit. Here, you'll find the two-mile, 1,000-foot-deep Tallulah Gorge — and, unsurprisingly, some seriously impressive waterfalls. Tallulah Falls is a hiker's paradise, but kayakers love it, too, thanks to the Tallulah River winding through the bottom of the gorge. Cross the 80-foot-high suspension bridge, if you dare, and learn more about this Victorian town at the park's Jane Hurt Yarn Interpretive Center.

Pine Mountain

Tucked away in western Georgia near the Alabama border, Pine Mountain is famous for being frequented by Franklin D. Roosevelt. It's also known for the nearby Callaway Gardens, which has a scenic lake, a butterfly house, bird exhibits, a golf course, and 2,500 acres of beautiful natural gardens. Hike the ​​Pine Mountain Trail in F.D. Roosevelt State Park, and visit the 32nd U.S. president's Little White House for the full Pine Mountain experience.

Helen

For a taste of Germany in the heart of northern Georgia, head to Helen, which spans just over two square miles. Aside from the plethora of nearby activities — think vineyard tastings, hiking Unicoi State Park and Chattahoochee National Forest, and tubing down the Chattahoochee River — visitors can delight in the town's Bavarian-style buildings, cobblestone paths, beer gardens, polka bands, and hearty German cuisine. Go for Oktoberfest or around the holidays to see Helen at its most festive.

Covington

Covington is an old-timey town of roughly 14,000 people on the outskirts of Atlanta. Film and TV buffs might even recognize it from The Vampire Diaries or The Dukes of Hazzard. It's appeared in well over 100 shows and movies. Visitors can tour the most famous landmarks with Main Street Trolleys and search for Hollywood Walk of Fame-esque stars as they wander the historic downtown area.

St. Simons

Another of Georgia's Golden Isles, separated from Jekyll Island only by the St. Simons Sound, this small town has beaches, a main drag dotted with cute boutiques, seafood restaurants, and souvenir shops, and a picturesque lighthouse overlooking its fishing pier. Spend your morning soaking up the sunshine at East Beach, then delve into the local history at Fort Frederica National Monument, and end the day with sangria and live music at the waterfront Coastal Kitchen.