Move Over Savannah! This Charming Revamped Town Is Georgia’s Surprise Destination

Have major destinations lost their luster this summer?

We at Travel Off Path have covered numerous midsize markets beginning to overpower the household names we’ve all grown to love.

Jetting off to Spain? Seville was crowned Europe’s top city over Barcelona.

Hoping to hit the jackpot in Atlantic City? Actually, it’s Asbury Park that’s New Jersey’s summer hotspot.

Heck, even Florida is losing folks to the white-sand shores of Mississippi.

And now it appears to be Savannah’s turn.

Local Tallahassee news station WTXL was found to be cheating on their home state as if they’re on a Coldplay “kiss cam”, providing an insightful smooch…err…scoop… on a charming Georgia town just across the Florida-Georgia line.

While Savannah is certainly one of America’s most aesthetically captivating cities, the up-and-coming town of Thomasville is seeing a rise in its own right. As one local business owner, Debra Smith, enthusiastically puts it, “I think right now it’s exploding”, reflecting the sudden surge of Thomasville tourism.

Adding, “It’s exploding because people want to find something to do. They want to get out of the big cities. They want to find out. They want to have that hometown feel…”

Welcome To The “City Of Roses”

Adopting the name of the “City of Roses”, Portland might have something to say about that…but since they hold an annual Rose Festival each spring, the moniker seems to track.

With Tallahassee, Florida, the closest major city, you likely wouldn’t have spotted Thomasville on a map as it’s seemingly in the middle of nowhere, away from any notable Georgia getaway.

But, it’s indeed the state’s next big thing as millions of dollars have been poured into a much-needed glow-up to put this hidden gem firmly in the spotlight.

While hordes of tourists flock to Savannah and even more pass through Atlanta, there are not many other instantly recognizable places in the “Peach State”.

Beyond the diabetes-inducing peach cobblers and front porch sweet tea sippin’, there’s perhaps no better state that oozes quintessential Southern charm better, one of many reasons why more travelers have scoped out Thomasville as a vacation that feels like home.

Thomasville’s Glow-Up: Business Is Booming In Revamped Downtown

Last year alone, downtown Thomasville received over $6 million of public and private funding, resulting in new businesses, fun events, and more that have made this little-known town more attractive.

Though it’s important to point out Thomasville doesn’t want to stain its charismatic streets with modern eyesores — preserving its charm is at the top of the priorities list.

For example, you won’t find many chains taking customers away from small business owners, though Whataburger is the exception, right?

You can easily find comfort food eateries, such as top-rated Jonah’s Fish & Grits and community staple Market Diner Restaurant.

Thomasville is an unexpected foodie paradise. Not to keep stealing Debra Smith’s words, but she’s right in saying, There’s no repeat of anything downtown. So you have one of everything, and the ones that we have are the best of the best.”

Whether it be seafood, old-timey diners, cheese shops, bakeries, or cozy cafes to fuel your day, there’s no shortage of options to please your tastebuds.

Overall, downtown is a must-visit. You’ll find a mix of classic heritage and off-the-wall attractions, such as The Big Oak, a staggering 300-year-old tree perfect for a photo-op, the Lapham-Patterson House, a well-preserved Victorian mansion offering insightful tours, and numerous lush, green parks nearby.

Getting Here & Where To Stay

Neither Tallahassee or Thomasville may have been on your radar, but be prepared to double dip both.

Since Thomasville lies closer to the Florida border than Atlanta or Savannah, flying into Florida’s underrated capital is your best bet to get here in a jiffy as this small airport serves major hubs like Dallas, Charlotte, and Miami.

While restaurant chains are lacking, give hotels a hall pass with Courtyard Thomasville Downtown. It’s undeniably the most conveniently located hotel in town, with all of downtown’s charming streets at your doorstep.

Though if you’re up for a stay in a historic bed & breakfast, Thomasville Bed and Breakfast holds an impressive 4.8 Google rating, where one recent guest raved, “This bed and breakfast is a gorgeous home. Breakfast was delicious and our bed was really comfortable. Just a few blocks to the beautiful city of Thomasville.”