Less than 20 minutes north of the Florida border, Valdosta holds the dubious honor of being the last stop in Georgia for sunshine-hungry travelers heading south for summer vacation. The city has long since grown used to the throngs of tourists, though, expanding its lineup of attractions, shopping and restaurants to meet the demand for entertainment. And that means it should be much more than a stop-off on your drive. Take a day to explore some of what this southern town has to offer.
Spend the Morning at Wild Adventures
Start off at Wild Adventures, a theme park that combines roller coasters, animals and a water park into one.
It’s far and away Valdosta’s most popular attraction and plenty busy during summer weekends. Get there when they open to beat the crowds and enjoy shorter wait times. Animal exhibits are scattered throughout the park: lions, capybara, monkeys.
Eat Empanadas in the Afternoon
Depending on your group, you may want to play longer at Wild Adventures, but if you just have one day in the city, head out in the afternoon to see the rest of Valdosta.
For a late lunch, try Empanadas & More. The Latin fusion restaurant opened in 2013 and serves arepas, chorizo, yuca, plantains and a host of South American favorites at a brightly colored cafe in an otherwise unassuming strip mall. Of course, their specialty is the empanada, stuffed with chicken, cheese, beef or any combination of the above. The food tastes incredibly fresh, worth savoring the layers of spices and contrasting textures.
It’s all good, but their crisp empanadas are the stars. Order at least two.
“Normally, in our culture, empanadas are a snack. Here, it’s an entree,” said owner Alberto Sanchez. “We are not fancy people, but we make sure that what you get at the table is the best.”
The affordable and filling lunch combos bring in mostly locals and the occasional out-of-towner lucky enough to find this hidden gem.
After your meal, stroll the romantic grounds of “The Crescent,” a neoclassical home built in 1898, now on the National Register of Historic Places. The building gets its name from the curved front porch punctuated with 13 columns, one for each of the original colonies, and it’s the most notable landmark in the city. Anyone can visit, free of charge, for a self-guided tour of the interior, with period furniture, between 2 and 5 p.m. weekdays.
To round out your afternoon, head downtown. Valdosta’s Central Avenue strip is pleasantly walkable and filled with boutiques and emporiums perfect for casual window shopping or serious bargain hunting. While you’re there, stop into the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts. Exhibits include everything from African masks, musical instruments and totems to European antiques and fine porcelain.
Escape in the Evening
The day isn’t over yet. Keep the energy going at Epic Escape Rooms. The family-run venue offers six themed adventures where you and your group can try to escape from a locked room with puzzles that will guide you to freedom. Ask for clues if you need extra help, but look sharp; there’s more then one twist in the game. For a highly unusual room, take on The Mad Hatter. You’ll have to outsmart the a trickster villain who won’t let you leave Wonderland.
Whether you make it out in an hour or come close, you’ll be surprised how much fun you have trying — so much so that you’ll be probably still be talking about your adventure, and the rest of your Valdosta day, as head to your next destination, wherever that may be.
