Located in west-central Georgia, convenient to I-75, three hours south of Atlanta and just two hours north of I-10, Americus and Sumter County offer family friendly fun for all ages, making the area a must visit destination this fall. As the weather starts to cool, visitors can’t get enough of those stunning west Georgia golden sunsets, cool breezes and harvest season. Celebrate all fall has to offer with wine tastings, train rides, beloved annual events and more in Americus.
Unique experiences
Fall means harvest season and the perfect time to explore the beauty and sample the fruit of Wolf Creek Plantation, Sumter County’s first and only winery. Specializing in muscadine wine, Wolf Creek produces nine wines total ranging from sweet to dry and all of which are produced using locally grown fruit. Experience some of the vineyard’s most popular wines with a tasting at the Vineyard Tasting Room. Guests to the tasting room are invited to sample wines by the glass and wine slushies while shopping wine accessories and more. In addition to the Vineyard Tasting Room, visitors to the plantation will also enjoy the picturesque scenery of rolling vineyards and an inviting porch perfect for wine sipping. Tasting room hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursday and Friday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday. Wolf Creek Plantation also hosts special events throughout the year and is available for weddings. Wolf Creek Plantation, 207 Wolf Creek Drive, Americus, Georgia 31719; 229-942-0091
Train lovers will delight in the SAM Shortline Train. All aboard! Passengers will board historic air-conditioned railroad cars departing from various locations depending on the tour. With themed excursions every weekend this fall, passengers will have the opportunity to see some of the area’s best sites while being entertained. Choose from themes such as the Presidential Flyer excursion, the Wine and Cheese Train, a Music Festival Train and more. For a full list of upcoming excursions including kid-friendly and holiday-themed train rides, click here. Tickets must be purchased in advance. SAM Shortline Train, 2459 US-280, Cordele, Georgia 31015, 229-276-0755
Celebrate festival season
Americus is known for one-of-a-kind events many of which take place in the fall. Don’t miss Taste of Sumter, one of Americus’s largest events. Festival goers will enjoy live entertainment, local restaurants and food vendors along Jackson Street and lots of family friendly fun. Taste of Sumter is an annual event held on the last Thursday of September.
Celebrate peanut harvest season in nearby Plains at the beloved Plains Peanut Festival. Fun for all ages, the Plains Peanut Festival offers a plethora of activities from a parade, road race, fun run and kiddie rides to peanut exhibits, all day entertainment, arts and crafts, food vendors, SAM Shortline train rides and more! Visitors and locals alike love this annual event as it celebrates one the area’s most plentiful crops.
Make time to shop
Make some time to shop! Visitors and locals alike enjoy shopping Americus’s downtown district. Browse antiques, gifts, home décor and locally made specialty items at The Maze. From local brands to one-of-a-kind art and furniture, shoppers are sure to find something they can’t live without at The Maze. The Maze, 131 West Forsyth Street, Americus, Georgia 31709; 229-928-9688
Take in the season’s latest trends at The Kinnebrew Co. Established in 1947, this hometown shop offers a wide variety of apparel for men and women, footwear, gifts and accessories. Pop in and pick up a gift for your gal pal or treat yourself. The Kinnebrew Co., 208 West Lamar Street, Americus, Georgia 31709; 229-924-8888
Peruse classic treasures at Fox & Fowler, located inside the Historic Best Western Plus Windsor Hotel. From specialty home décor items and seasonal gifts to children’s books, gifts and more, there’s so much to see (and purchase!) inside this local favorite. They also offer online shopping. Fox & Fowler, 109 North Jackson Street, Americus, Georgia 31709; 229-596-1100
Satisfy your palate
There’s no shortage of great places to dine in Americus. Afterall, small, locally owned dining establishments are Americus’ specialty. Kick-start the day at Café Campesino, Georgia’s first and only 100% fair trade, organic specialty coffee company. Founded in 1998, Café Campesino is a cooperative importer, roaster, wholesaler distributor and online retailer all in one. Located in the heart of Americus, just nine miles from Plains, patrons can stop in for a cup of joe and browse the many varieties available in the shop. Café Campesino, 725 Millard Fuller Blvd., Americus, Georgia 31709; 229-924-2468
Known for their “always fresh” menu items, Little Brother’s Bistro is just the spot for lunch. From homemade pimento cheese sandwiches and refreshing wraps to muffulettas, salads, soups and paninis, there’s no way to go wrong with anything on the menu. After lunch, head to Sweet Georgia Bakery and Café for homemade, crave-worthy Southern delicacies. Think buttermilk pie, devil’s food cake, peach tarts and more. Little Brother’s Bistro, 123 West Lamar Street, Americus, Georgia 31709; 229-410-9827; Sweet Georgia Bakery and Café, 134 West Lamar Street, Americus, Georgia 31709, 229-380-0439
Indulge in Victorian elegance for dinner at Rosemary & Thyme. Located inside the Historic Best Western Plus Windsor Hotel, in the heart of downtown Americus, Rosemary & Thyme celebrates the Victorian era from top to bottom. The original tile floor, wrought-iron footed tables and furnishings reflecting the Victorian period create quite an elegant ambiance. Diners delight in a flavorful modern American menu featuring the freshest ingredients and seasonal favorites. Rosemary & Thyme, 125 West Lamar Street, Americus, Georgia 31709; 229-924-1555
Memorable accommodations
Whether you are headed to the area for a long weekend or just passing through, Americus and the surrounding area is home to many great lodging options. Visitors love the Presidential ties to Plains Historic Inn & Antiques Mall. Former President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter have joined their hometown in developing a historic inn and antiques mall, located on Main Street in Plains, Georgia. They now invite guests to step back in time and enjoy the accommodations of one of seven period suites, authentically furnished from the 1920s to 1980s. Every room has a history lesson. Plains Historic Inn & Antiques, 106 Main Street, Plains, Georgia, 31780; 229-824-4517
Located in the heart of downtown Americus, the Historic Best Western Plus Windsor Hotel was built in 1892, to attract winter visitors from the north. The Windsor was a 100 room, five story Victorian masterpiece architecturally designed with a tower and turret, balconies, and a three-story open atrium lobby. The hotel occupies nearly an entire city block and was the site of numerous balls and celebrations over many decades and after nearly 80 years in operation, the hotel closed its doors in 1972. In 1991, the hotel re-opened after a $6.5 million dollar renovation. Historic Best Western Plus Windsor Hotel, 125 West Lamar Street, Americus, Georgia, 31709; 229-924-1555
History buffs will love the Americus Garden Inn. This historic bed and breakfast was built before the Civil War in 1847 and is situated on Rees Park within Americus’s beautiful residential historic district and among many fine homes of the Victorian era. The Americus Garden Inn Bed and Breakfast offers 7 spacious comfortable air-conditioned rooms, in-room private baths and several guest amenities. Americus Garden Inn, 504 Rees Park, Americus, Georgia, 31709; 229-931-0122
For more on Americus and Sumter County, visit VisitAmericusGA.com/welcome-to-americus.
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