Before Atlanta held the distinction, Milledgeville served as Georgia's state capitol for over 60 years. Like many southern towns, Milledgeville played host to Sherman and his troops during his famous March to the Sea.
Today, Milledgeville offers a simple, but pleasant downtown district. The Milledgeville Convention and Visitors Bureau is a great first stop. It offers excellent maps and is also the place to book a trolley tour. Trolley tours are one of the most popular things to do in Milledgeville, and also serve as a fun way to see the town's Federal, Greek and Victorian architecture and learn of its history without exhausting yourself. During the fall, a special haunted tour is available. Children absolutely love it!
Milledgeville offers a few sites that are popular with visitors. For those who admire literature, a visit to Andalusia, the family farm of Flannery O'Conner will be a delight. O'Conner wrote some of her best work here, and remained until her untimely death at age 39. Lockerly Arboretum is home to more than 6,000 species and cultivars plants. Although it more of a horticultural laboratory than a show place garden, it is open to the public and draws large crowds.
Nearby Lockerly Hall presents an impressive example of the wealth cotton brought to so many during the mid 1800's. The original Governor's Mansion, a National Historic Landmark, served eight of Georgia's Governors. This elegant and imposing building is open to the pubic, and is said to be one of the country's best examples of Greek Revival-style architecture.
Milledgeville's Sweetwater Festival is a cultural arts and music festival held in November of every year in the historic downtown area. The Festival features local art, a variety of musical talent, children's entertainment and an antique car show.
Milledgeville is located about 30 miles northeast of Macon, and about 60 miles southwest of Augusta at the intersection of US Highway 441 and State Highways 49 and 22.
