Thomasville Favorites
Downtown Thomasville
Some of our favorite shops are The Gift Shop, Firefly, Relish, Ally B, and Onward Reserve. The most famous and quintessentially Thomasville store is Kevin's. Some of our favorite lunch restaurants are George & Louie's and The Scoop. Local favorites for dinner are Jonah's Fish & Grits and Sweet Grass Dairy. For an upscale dinner, Chop House on the Bricks and St. James are excellent. For local coffee, Emma's favorite is Pasco Coffee Bar in the back of Relish. You can find local beer at Hubs & Hops. For cocktails, we love the Lounge at Liam's and 1861 Distillery. The link below has all the information you could ever need about everything in Downtown Thomasville. The Visitors Center at the corner of Jackson and Crawford Streets is also a great place to start your exploration.
The Big Oak
Thomasville's oldest and most cherished natural landmark is The Big Oak. This massive Southern Live Oak grew from a tiny acorn beginning around 1685 and is one of the original members of the Live Oak Society. Now more than 440 years old, it has a limb span of over 155 feet and a trunk circumference of over 28 feet! President Eisenhower was so impressed with the Big Oak that he personally photographed it during one of his frequent visits to Thomasville.
Pebble Hill Plantation
Thomasville sits squarely in quail country and hundreds of private hunting plantations preserve the land and ecosystem of the "Red Hills Region." In the 1900s, many northern visitors constructed these "plantations" to enjoy the region's climate, relaxed way of life, and ample sporting opportunity. Notable visitors to the region include President Eisenhower, President McKinley, the Duke of Windsor (Edward VIII), Jackie Kennedy, Babe Ruth, and many other modern day visitors who like to keep a low profile. One of these 20th century sporting "plantations" is open to the public today. Pebble Hill Plantation is the #1 tourist attraction in our area. A grounds ticket offers formal gardens, sweeping live oaks, grand architecture, and friendly horses. A house tour offers an art gallery and intricately designed interiors. There are 16 bedrooms, 19 bathrooms, and 24 fireplaces.
Thomasville Rose Garden
Thomasville is Georgia's Rose City, and you'll find thousands of bushes planted in public areas throughout town. While you just missed the annual Rose Show & Festival, a cherished tradition for more than a century, you can still visit the Thomasville Rose Garden. The City of Thomasville maintains a stunning variety of more than 1,500 rose bushes that are in full bloom from April – July. Visitors to the garden will find charming gazebos to relax and take in the dazzling sight and sweet aroma of Thomasville's favorite flower. The garden is adjacent to Cherokee Lake Park.
Historic Homes
One of our favorite walks in Thomasville is along Dawson Street or Remington Avenue. Start near the Courtyard and walk down to the Thomasville History Center for about a 1.5 mile loop. You'll pass some of our favorite houses in town. The Seixas House (403 N. Dawson) is Thomasville's oldest, built in 1835. The Lapham-Patterson House (626 N. Dawson) is Thomasville's most iconic home, and it is open for tours. The link below contains the entire Thomasville Walking Tour and details about the beautiful homes on this stretch of Dawson and Hansell Streets.
Taste of Thomasville Food Tour
Recently named the Second Best Food Tour in the United States, this experience takes you through the heart of our historic downtown, sampling dishes from some of the most beloved restaurants and hidden gems. Each tour is guided by a local expert who shares the rich history, vibrant culture, and culinary traditions that make Thomasville unique. On the tour, you'll try Jonah's, Sweetgrass, George & Louie's, Moonspin, Grassroots, and Sweet Cacao. Throughout the 3 hour experience, which often sells out, you will learn why Thomasville is home to the #2 Small Town Culinary Scene in the South.
Gulf Coast Beaches
If you'd like to make the most of your Memorial Day Weekend, Thomasville isn't far from the white sands of the Gulf Coast. Thomasville is just over 50 miles from the coast, but the most popular nearby beaches are St. George Island (120 miles) and Mexico Beach (127 miles). The beaches of 30A are less than 150 miles away.
All About Thomasville
Is this your first visit to Thomasville? We've gathered some fun facts about this community and its history. Click the link to learn more about Thomasville's Resort Era, its most famous visitors, and the history of our two venues: Thomasville First Methodist Church and Glen Arven Country Club.