This Georgia family adventure post is sponsored by Visit Valdosta. Our family received a hosted getaway to experience Valdosta. All opinions expressed are my own.
Looking for ideas for a Georgia family getaway? Want to visit a small, uncrowded Georgia city that’s big on southern charm and adventure? Valdosta may be the ideal Georgia family vacation spot for you.
Located in south Georgia along Interstate 75, Valdosta is an easy road trip from Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville or Atlanta. Floridians often pass right by it on a trip further north. Keep reading to learn why Valdosta is worth not just a stop but a long weekend stay.
Experience the Beauty of the Azalea City on a Georgia Family Getaway
Known as the Azalea City for the abundance of azalea bushes that brighten its streets with their vibrant flowers each spring, Valdosta also dazzles with dogwoods, crepe myrtles and palm trees that line its quaint streets.
As its gardens thrive, so does Valdosta’s historic downtown. During our Georgia family getaway to the Azalea City, we were delighted to find downtown Valdosta blooming with vibrant art, historic charm, southern hospitality and modern southern food.
Valdosta’s historic buildings, street art and decorated brick alleyways beckon you to explore and wander. Along the way you’ll find cute shops, craft coffee, laid-back local restaurants, interesting art galleries and fun hang-out spots.
No matter where you wander in downtown Valdosta, the atmosphere is friendly and inviting.
Best Things to Do in Valdosta on a Georgia Family Getaway
Wild Adventures – A theme park, water park and animal park all in one!
With thrilling rides and water slides, awe-inspiring animal encounters, and a gorgeous nature trail through a real Georgia swamp, Wild Adventures offers so many exciting experiences. Ranked as the top theme park attraction in Georgia by Tripadvisor, Wild Adventures features more than 40 family and thrill rides and hundreds of exotic animals.
Kid-Friendly Rides at Wild Adventures Valdosta
As we explored Wild Adventures theme park during our south Georgia family getaway, we were impressed to find lots of fun ride options suitable for younger kids. From kid-friendly coasters and spinning adventures to train, plane and car rides, Wild Adventures attractions are very family oriented.
Bigfoot has a special place in our family’s hearts so we were so stoked to discover that Wild Adventures has a roller coaster that pays tribute to the beloved stinky, swamp-dwelling skunk ape. Located alongside a real Georgia swamp, the Swamp Thing family coaster makes you feel like you’re swooping and soaring through the swamp’s cypress trees.
Nature Trail and Animal Experiences at Wild Adventures Valdosta
You can also take a walk through the swamp on the Wild Adventures Alapaha Trail. As the boardwalk nature trail winds through the cypress trees, it passes by a variety of native and exotic animal habitats from the American alligator and black bear to the two-toed sloth and fennec fox.
Other exciting Georgia animal experiences at Wild Adventures include a rope bridge that crosses a pond full of alligators and an up-close Gators Live show. Wild Adventures also offers a giraffe feeding opportunity and an exhilarating Tiger Tales show that highlights the amazing agility of tigers of India.
Splash Island Waterpark at Wild Adventures Valdosta
During the hot spring and summer months in south Georgia, the Polynesian-inspired Splash Island Waterpark at Wild Adventures is the place to be. Cool off in the 20,000 sq. ft. wave pool, relax on a tube in the winding lazy river or blast off down the water slides.
No matter what time of year you visit, there is also something new and exciting to experience at Wild Adventures. The south Georgia theme park hosts dozens of concerts and special events each year like its family-friendly fall event Great Pumpkin LumiNights and festive Wild Adventures Christmas.
Valdosta Wake Compound
Looking for more adventurous things to do in Valdosta? Check out Valdosta Wake Compound, a family-friendly cable park designed for both experienced and beginner riders. A 30-acre facility with custom developed ponds and a six-tower full-sized cable system, Valdosta Wake Compound offers wakeboarding and wake skating adventures for all skill levels.
During our Georgia family getaway, we visited Valdosta Wake Compound for its kid-friendly rookie wakeboard lessons. With the help of the park’s experienced instructors, our six-year-old crushed her first wakeboarding experience and our 10-year-old picked up some new skills.
Downtown Social Valdosta
If you’re looking for a Valdosta indoor activity during your Georgia family getaway, check out Downtown Social. Perfect for families, couples or groups of friends, Downtown Social offers a variety of fun experiences.
Try out boutique bowling, which features a mini ball and no need for shoe rentals, or practice your swing, pitch or kick in a sports suite. You can also play shuffleboard, darts or VR pinball.
This popular downtown Valdosta hang-out spot also serves food and has a full bar.
The Crescent Valdosta
If you enjoy visiting historic homes, don’t miss the Crescent when visiting Valdosta for a Georgia family getaway. Built in 1898 by United States Congressman William Stanley West, the striking southern mansion is named for its semi-circular two-story portico. Wrapping around the house, the portico features 13 columns representing the original 13 colonies.
After falling into disrepair by the 1940s, the Crescent mansion was saved from demolition in 1951 by a passionate trio of women who were members of the Valdosta Garden Club. Today, the Crescent is lovingly maintained by six garden clubs of Valdosta.
Garden club members offer tours of the grand southern mansion, gardens, chapel and other buildings Wednesday – Friday from 1 – 4 p.m. Tour admission is $5 per person. Children under 12 can join the tour free of charge.
During our visit to the Crescent, Southern Lily Garden Club members made the tour very interactive and fun for our elementary-aged kids. At the beginning of the tour, one of the guides challenged the kids to find the one room among the mansion’s 23 that did not have a fireplace. Of course, my adventure seekers were up to the challenge!
Grand Bay Wildlife Management Area
Want more nature in your Georgia family getaway? Explore Valdosta’s Grand Bay Wildlife Management Area. It encompasses thousands of acres of pine and hardwood forest and cypress/gum wetlands.
Keep it family-friendly with a half-mile walk on a boardwalk through south Georgia swamplands. Climb the 54-foot observation tower for a birds-eye view of the swamp and forest.
Family-Friendly Places to Stay in Valdosta
Book and Table Inn
The family-owned Book and Table Inn is a wonderful place to stay in Valdosta that brings the comforts of home to your south Georgia family getaway. Owners Jamie and Sarah take pride in providing cozy and inviting accommodations in the heart of downtown Valdosta.
The Book and Table Inn offers rooms and apartments at four different locations, all within two blocks of each other. We stayed in one of the Book and Table Inn’s 2-bedroom apartments located in The Cranford building, a revitalized vintage building nationally recognized for its historic preservation.
The apartment was beautifully decorated to enhance the historic charm and well-equipped to ensure a comfortable stay. Our kids were excited to find the apartment even had a chess table and bedside sound machine.
A short walk through a brick alleyway lined with greenery and intriguing local artwork took us to Valdosta’s main street shops and restaurants.
Where to Eat in Valdosta: Family-Friendly Valdosta Restaurants
Craft Coffee and Toast: Gūd Coffee
Offering a big city coffee shop atmosphere with small town hospitality, Gūd Coffee is a craft coffee shop located in the heart of downtown Valdosta.
In addition to handcrafted coffee and tea, Gūd Coffee serves smoothies, toasts, bagels, sandwiches and salads. I highly recommend the Peanut Butter Parfait Toast – it’s topped with bananas, strawberries & granola, and drizzled with Greek yogurt and honey.
Homestyle Breakfast: Jessie’s Restaurant and Catering
During our south Georgia family getaway, we visited Jessie’s Restaurant and Catering for a hearty breakfast. It was a great way to fuel up for a day of adventure at Wild Adventures Theme Park.
A quaint café in downtown Valdosta, Jessie’s serves breakfast favorites likes eggs, pancakes and waffles, plus sandwiches, salads and more. Putting a fun spin on plateware, Jessie’s serves kids’ meals on a frisbee that kids get to take home.
Modern Southern Cuisine in Valdosta: 306 North
Dinner at 306 North in Valdosta’s downtown district introduced us to sophisticated southern flavors in a polished casual setting. Dishes feature locally-sourced ingredients, including fresh produce, cheeses and farm-raised meats.
We especially enjoyed sharing appetizers during our south Georgia family getaway. 306 North offered some unique, creative starters. The chef’s selection cheese plate and smoked duck & blueberry stilton bruschetta were great choices.
Southern Home Cooking: Raisin’ Cane Country Store and Café
A cute country store offering unique gifts, southern farmhouse décor, local honey, south Georgia pecans and other specialty foods, Raisin’ Cane is a great place to stop for souvenirs on a south Georgia family getaway.
Visit during lunch on a weekday for a plate full of southern homestyle favorites like fried chicken, greens and casseroles.
If you visit Valdosta in November, make sure to visit Raisin’ Cane for u-pick satsuma mandarins!
Italian Food in Valdosta: Mom and Dad’s Italian Restaurant
Craving good, authentic Italian food while in south Georgia? A true multi-generational Italian family restaurant, Mom and Dad’s Italian Restaurant in Valdosta offers traditional Italian cuisine in a family-friendly setting.
The menu features a variety of handmade pasta dishes, along with eggplant, seafood and meat entrees. Make sure to save room for delicious Italian desserts made from scratch like tiramisu and gelato.
Ice Cream: Kreamkles Rolled Ice Cream
If you’re in the mood for a sweet treat while strolling around downtown Valdosta, stop into Kreamkles for unique, rolled ice cream. Kids will love choosing their toppings and watching as fresh cream gets turned into spirals of sweet ice cream right before their eyes.
Florida Family Getaway Destinations
Want more ideas for family getaway destinations? Check out our favorite Florida adventures.
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