TAKE A PIECE OF GEORGIA HOME WITH YOU On your way out of town, swing by Sweet Grass Cheese Shop for a to-go cheese board, including four Sweet Grass Dairy cheeses, two Blackberry Patch preserves, house B+B pickles, roasted Schermer pecans, and crackers. Their nationally acclaimed Green Hill (double-cream soft) and Thomasville Tomme (semi-soft farmhouse) cheeses both pair well with the open road. Thomasville: Roses & Rosés On your way to Valdosta, the “Azalea City,” via U.S. Route 84, Thomasville is a detour dedicated to a different flower. Georgia’s “Rose City,” a popular winter destination generously adorned with Victorian details, bursts brilliantly into bloom each April for the annual Rose Show & Festival – a Thomasville tradition for over 100 years. The roses can remain in bloom through July, so you’ll want to explore Thomasville Rose Garden no matter when you’re in town. For two diverse perspectives on Thomasville ’s fascinating history, pair tours of the Lapham-Patterson House and Jack Hadley Black History Museum . The former is a monument to the opulence and innovation of Gilded Age architecture and engineering; the latter is a thought-provoking journey through the lives of Thomasville’s Black history, from Buffalo Soldiers to Heisman Trophy winners and much more. Next, sample Thomasville’s finest local flavors. Start with the Saltwater Gypsy Rosé at Farmer’s Daughter Vineyard & Tasting Room , a three-generation family winery known for smooth, flavorful sips. Then, queue up for a meal at Jonah’s Fish & Grits , a local eatery known for its hush puppies and other from-scratch specialties. There’s often a wait for this popular spot, but you’ll stay busy scanning your surroundings for the 18 bronze quail statues that are hidden around town. You’ll wrap up your time in Thomasville with a bit of Southern-style retail therapy. If you visit only one shop here, make sure it’s SouthLife Supply Company . This heirloom outfitter crafts exquisite leather goods for astonishingly reasonable prices. Their signature croc-embossed cowhide pieces are enduring standouts, but – fun fact – they’re also happy to create a one-of-a-kind custom piece from your “personally harvested alligator hide.” EXPLOREGEORGIA.ORG 125 SWEET GRASS DAIRY, THOMASVILLE | EXPLORE GEORGIA
Official State Travel Guide 2026 Georgia Official State Travel Guide: Page 125
