TravelpediaonlineIf you’re looking for the best things to do in Albany GA, you’re in luck! This beautiful and modern city, located in southwest Georgia, offers plenty of opportunities to experience the area’s natural beauty. From its numerous parks and gardens to its abundance of historical museums, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Plus, with a pleasant climate throughout the year, including cool and mild winters and warmer summers, Albany is the perfect vacation destination. Albany GA is renowned for its stunning natural scenery, making it one of Georgia’s most appealing locations.
Visitors can indulge in various outdoor activities such as golfing, camping, and other recreational pursuits. The city also boasts several museums and educational institutions that offer an insight into Albany GA’s rich history, providing children with a valuable learning experience. Additionally, there are numerous amusement parks where children can have a great time with fun-filled activities. Whether you’re planning a family trip or a holiday with your little ones, Albany GA is an excellent destination to consider. Be sure to visit some of the incredible attractions that this charming city has to offer to make your trip unforgettable.
Disclosure: Due to new safety regulations, some of the information regarding the attractions and sites listed below may have changed. For the most up-to-date information, please contact the location.
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Here are the best things to do in Albany GA:
1. Andersonville National Historic Site
One of the best things to do in Albany GA for history buffs is to visit the Andersonville National Historic Site. This location is where the Civil War-era prison, Camp Sumter, was situated and served as a detention center for captured soldiers. Over 40,000 Union soldiers were held at this site, and sadly, it’s estimated that 13,000 never returned home and were buried at the national cemetery on the premises.
Managed by the US National Park Service, Andersonville has evolved into the national monument and museum to US Prisoners of War. The museum exhibits a collection of artifacts and documents related to prisoners of war, including those of well-known figures such as author Kurt Vonnegut and Senator and Presidential Candidate John McCain. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore this fascinating historic site while in Albany GA!
2. Lake Chehaw
One of the best things to do in Albany GA is to visit Lake Chehaw, which despite being a man-made lake created for hydroelectric power, is still a top outdoor destination in the area. Boasting an area of over 550 hectares and situated at the confluence of the Flint River with the Muckalee and Kinchafoonee Creeks, this lake is a popular spot for fishing and boating.
Despite its age of around one hundred years, Lake Chehaw still remains one of Albany’s finest outdoor escapes. Even on the busiest of days, visitors can find a peaceful spot to relax at the covered picnic area by the dam or on the canoe trail. Conveniently located just north of downtown Albany, a visit to Lake Chehaw is one of the best things to do in the area.
3. Wild Adventures Theme Park
One of the best things to do in Albany GA is to visit Wild Adventures, a zoological theme park that offers a thrilling combination of eight roller coasters and other rides, a water park, a zoo, and a concert venue. Spread over 67 hectares, this park features a total of 34 rides that cater to both children and adults.
Among the top attractions are the Boomerang roller coaster with its multiple loop-the-loops that can be seen from a distance, and Swamp Thing, which takes adrenaline junkies over the park’s swampland where they can see the resident alligator, Twister. Wild Adventures is located in Clyattville, just off Interstate 75, near the state border with Florida and about 90 miles (1.5 hours) from Albany. It is definitely one of the best things to do in the area.
4. Confederate Memorial Park
One of the best things to do in Albany GA is to visit Confederate Memorial Park, a green space located across from Chehaw Park and zoo. This park features lush lawns and mature trees, as well as a stone monument dedicated to the soldiers of the Confederacy. The statue, which was relocated several times before being placed here in 2000, may be considered controversial due to the Confederacy’s use of slaves.
Nevertheless, it is an important part of Albany’s two centuries of history and has a moving dedication that reads “They Fought Not For Conquest, But For Liberty And Their Own Homes.” A visit to Confederate Memorial Park offers a chance to reflect on the complex history of the region and is one of the best things to do in the area.
5. The Bridge House
The Bridge House, also referred to as the Albany Welcome Center, is a historic building in Albany that predates the American Civil War. It was constructed in 1858 by Horace King, an African American architect who had been born into slavery and had recently purchased his freedom.
The building was situated beside a covered bridge that spanned the Flint River, which had been funded by Nelson Tift. During the Civil War, the basement was utilized as a place to butcher meat to feed confederate soldiers, while the second floor was adorned with intricate frescoes and at one point served as a meeting place for the Ku Klux Klan.
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6. Thronateeska Heritage Center
If you’re looking for the best things to do in Albany GA, a visit to the Thronateeska Heritage Center on Heritage Plaza is a must. Situated around the 1913 former Union Station rail depot, this complex of buildings is the city’s primary museums complex, offering a range of exhibits and experiences. Named after the Creek native American word for the Flint River, the complex includes a history museum, science museum, rail museum, and planetarium.
One of the top attractions at Thronateeska Heritage Center is the Wetherbee Planetarium, which features a state-of-the-art 40-inch full dome high-definition system – the first of its kind in the world. Meanwhile, the history museum provides a deep dive into Albany’s past with a variety of exhibits both inside and outside. The science museum covers everything from dinosaur skeletons to the latest 21st-century breakthroughs. And, if you’re a rail enthusiast, you won’t want to miss the impressive Locomotive 107 display – a steam engine that once traveled to and from the city on the rails.
7. Albany Museum of Art
One of the best things to do in Albany GA is to visit the Albany Museum of Art, which was established in 1964. It boasts six galleries, an interactive children’s gallery, and an auditorium. The museum’s permanent collection, featuring artworks from the 19th and 20th centuries, includes both American and European paintings, drawings, and sculptures.
Among its most famous exhibits are ten hand-colored silk screen prints by Andy Warhol and works by US impressionist artist Edward Henry Potthast. Additionally, the museum houses one of the most extensive collections of African tribal art in the region, which showcases masks, ceramics, and gold work from different parts of the continent.
8. Flint RiverQuarium
If you’re looking for the best things to do in Albany GA, make sure to check out the RiverQuarium. This impressive 5,000 square metre aquarium is situated on the banks of the Flint River and offers a fascinating glimpse into the river’s ecosystem, which spans over 340 miles from its source to the sea.
The RiverQuarium is home to around 100 different species, and its largest tank is a 6.5 metre deep open-air tank that holds over 600,000 litres of water, showcasing a diverse range of lifeforms found in the river. Apart from the aquarium tanks, the RiverQuarium features exhibits that explore the Flint River’s cave systems, an alligator enclosure, and an aviary that houses birds from the region.
9. Riverfront Greenway Trail
If you want to experience the river firsthand, Albany’s Riverfront Greenway Trail is a great option. This wide paved path stretches for 3 miles along the Flint River from Riverfront Park in downtown Albany to Cox Landing Boat Ramp. While the trail can get busy with walkers, joggers, and cyclists, it remains a unique and enjoyable experience.
The route is well-marked with distance markers every half mile and features several benches and observation decks, especially around the Oxford Environmental Park, located about halfway along the trail as you head north from the center of Albany.
10. Civil Rights Institute
One of the best things to do in Albany GA is to visit the Albany Civil Rights Institute. Housed in the historic Old Mt Zion Baptist Church, which dates back to 1906, this museum utilizes a range of objects, documents, and personal accounts to shed light on the struggle for civil rights in the state.
Through the use of evocative exhibits such as a recreated bus station with separate waiting rooms for different races, the institute highlights the ongoing fight against racial segregation. Additionally, the museum delves into issues like voter disfranchisement, which continues to be a contentious issue, as well as nonviolent protests and economic boycotts.
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11. Zoo at Chehaw Park
Another one of the best things to do in Albany GA is to visit the Zoo at Chehaw Park. While the Flint RiverQuarium focuses on local species, this zoo serves as a living encyclopedia of global species, with many of them facing extinction or endangered. Visitors can take part in the African Veldt Ride, which travels through the zoo’s largest enclosure, where seven different African species roam in natural herds. With over 70 species on display, including black rhinos and cheetahs, the zoo offers a wide range of attractions. Additionally, visitors can explore a cypress swamp, a typical feature of Georgia’s southwestern regions.
12. Ray Charles Plaza
Ray Charles Plaza is situated on the left bank of the Flint River in a prime location, easily accessible from both downtown and the Riverfront Greenway Trail. The plaza features a life-sized sculpture of the iconic musician playing a baby grand piano in his signature style, making it a popular attraction.
The sculpture itself is mounted on a rotating base, with water flowing into a reflective pool below. Surrounding the pool, visitors will find benches designed to resemble the black and white keys of a piano keyboard. Born in Albany in September 1930, Ray Charles was a pioneer of soul music and even wrote the official state song, “Georgia on My Mind.”
13. Jimmy Carter National Historic Site
When it comes to the best things to do in Albany GA, a must-visit destination is the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site situated in Plains, a short drive of under an hour to the northwest of Albany. This site is a wonderful preservation of several buildings that are associated with the 39th President of the United States, including his house, school, and a rail depot that served as his campaign headquarters during his triumphant 1976 election.
What makes this attraction even more exceptional is that Jimmy Carter and his wife returned to their hometown of Plains after their tenure at the White House in 1981 and still live there. At present, the Plains High School has been converted into the museum and visitor center for the site, which showcases various exhibits, including the Nobel Peace Prize medal awarded to the President in 2002 for his tireless work in negotiating peace and alleviating poverty.
14. Old St Teresa Church
One of the best things to do in Albany is to visit the downtown district and take in the historic Old St Teresa Church, a modest red brick structure that holds the distinction of being the oldest church building in the city and the oldest Catholic Church still in operation for masses across the entire state. This church dates back to 1859 and was constructed on a plot of land that was generously gifted to the church by Albany’s founder, Nelson Tift, two decades after the city was established.
What makes Old St Teresa Church even more intriguing is that the bricks used in its construction were handmade by slaves from the neighboring town of Newton. During the American Civil War, the church was utilized as a field hospital for confederate soldiers, even before its interior was completed. Whether you’re a history buff or simply want to appreciate the rich heritage of the area, Old St Teresa Church is a must-see attraction in Albany.
15. Radium Springs
Located on the southeastern fringes of Albany and just a 10-minute drive or five miles from the downtown area, Radium Springs is recognized as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Georgia. This impressive attraction is home to the largest natural spring in the state, with water that takes on a stunning deep blue hue and contains traces of naturally-occurring radium – the radioactive element famously discovered by Marie Curie in 1898.
Every minute, the spring releases an astonishing 265,000 liters of water, which flows into the Flint River. Visitors to Radium Springs can also explore nearby attractions such as the Radium Springs Country Club and Golf Course, which features holes that were designed by the renowned architect, John Law Kerr, way back in 1927. With its unique natural beauty and added amenities, Radium Springs is a must-visit destination for anyone exploring Albany and its environs.
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Final Thoughts
Albany GA is a hidden gem in southwest Georgia, offering an array of exciting activities and attractions for visitors to enjoy. From the city’s stunning parks and gardens to its numerous historical museums, Albany GA provides something for everyone to explore and discover. With a mild climate throughout the year, it’s the perfect vacation destination for those seeking outdoor adventures and fun-filled activities.
Children can also benefit from the educational experiences offered by the city’s museums and institutions, making it a great family-friendly location. So, if you’re looking for the best things to do in Albany GA, be sure to add this charming city to your travel bucket list and experience all it has to offer. You won’t be disappointed!
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