Americus
Around Americus
Photo: Eoghanacht · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Georgia · 33k people
Americus
Where the peanut fields meet a warm Southern welcome.
Red clay crimsonPeanut goldFarmland brown
Welcome to Americus, where history and small-town charm meet. Whether you're here for the peanuts, the presidents, or just passing through, you'll find a friendly square and a slower pace. Come sit a spell and share what you love about this corner of Georgia.
Clubs for Americus
No clubs for Americus yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Americus. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Americus. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Jimmy Carter National Historical Park Birthplace and boyhood home of the 39th president, in Plains.
- Andersonville National Historic Site Civil War prison and POW museum.
- Windsor Hotel Victorian-era hotel in downtown Americus.
- Rylander Theatre Restored 1920s movie palace hosting live performances.
- Georgia Southwestern State University Public university with events and sports.
- Habitat for Humanity Global Village and Discovery Center Interactive exhibits about Habitat's work.
- Outdoors Fish and boat on Lake Blackshear
- Outdoors Hike the trails at Andersonville National Historic Site
- With kids Visit the Global Village and Discovery Center
- With kids Catch a show at the Rylander Theatre
- Evenings Live music at the Rylander Theatre
- Evenings Bar hopping on the historic square
- Locals love Barbecue joints
- Locals love Antique shops
Through the year
- Plains Peanut Festival September Celebrates the region's peanut heritage with food, music, and crafts.
- Sumter County Fair October Classic county fair with rides, livestock shows, and local food.
- Andersonville Historic Fair October Civil War-era living history and crafts in the historic site.
- Americus Arts and Crafts Festival October Local artists and makers gather on the downtown square.
- Christmas in Historic Americus December Holiday lights, carriage rides, and seasonal events downtown.
Hot, humid summers and mild winters. Best time to be out is spring and fall. Best: Spring and fall are ideal for being outside.
Getaways
- Cordele Lake Blackshear fishing and the Georgia Watermelon Festival.
- Albany Chehaw Park and the Flint RiverQuarium.
- Warner Robins Museum of Aviation and aerospace history.
- Columbus Whitewater rafting on the Chattahoochee River.
Local flavour
Rooting for Atlanta Falcons (NFL), Atlanta Braves (MLB), Atlanta Hawks (NBA), Atlanta United FC (MLS), Georgia Bulldogs (NCAA Division I)
Eat and drink
- Boiled peanuts A classic roadside snack in the peanut belt.
- Pecan pie Made with local pecans.
- Southern barbecue Pulled pork and smoked ribs with regional sauces.
- Sweet tea The quintessential Southern drink.
- Grits A breakfast staple, often served with shrimp or cheese.
Where people go
- Historic town squares With courthouses and antebellum architecture.
- Peanut and pecan farms Rolling fields that define the landscape.
- Jimmy Carter National Historical Park In Plains, honoring the 39th president.
- Andersonville National Historic Site A Civil War prison and national cemetery.
- Small-town main streets With local diners and family-owned shops.
Heritage and traditions
This region is proud of its small-town Southern heritage, peanut farming legacy, and as the home of President Jimmy Carter and Habitat for Humanity.
This time of year in Americus
- Fall peanut harvest September-October September-October, fields are harvested and roadside stands appear.
- Sumter County Fair October Traditional fair with rides, livestock, and local exhibits.
- Andersonville Historic Fair October Re-enactments and crafts at the historic site.
Say it like a local: “fixin' to” — about to
Festivals
- Plains Peanut Festival September Celebrates the peanut harvest with food, music, and crafts.
- Sumter County Fair October Traditional fair with rides, livestock, and local exhibits.
- Andersonville Historic Fair October Re-enactments and crafts at the historic site.
- Americus Arts and Crafts Festival Spring (April) Local artisans display and sell handmade goods.
- Christmas in Historic Americus December Historic downtown decorated with lights and carriage rides.
- Rylander Theatre Performance Series Year-round Local and touring shows at the historic theater.
Landmarks with a story
- Jimmy Carter National Historical Park Includes Carter's boyhood farm and the Plains train depot.
- Andersonville National Historic Site Civil War prison and cemetery, now a memorial.
- Windsor Hotel Victorian-era hotel in downtown Americus.
- Rylander Theatre 1920s venue restored for performances.
- Georgia Southwestern State University Public college with historic campus.
- Habitat for Humanity Global Village and Discovery Center Showcases the organization's global work.
Food traditions
- Boiled peanuts Peanuts boiled in brine, a roadside snack from local farms.
- Pecan pie Made with locally grown pecans, a holiday staple.
- Southern barbecue Slow-smoked pork with vinegar-based sauce, often at community gatherings.
- Sweet tea Iced tea sweetened with sugar, served at every meal.
- Grits Ground corn porridge, a breakfast favorite.
Music and arts
- Southern gospel Religious music traditions with local choirs.
- Country music Common at local venues and festivals.
- Bluegrass String band music with local roots.
- Community theater at Rylander Local productions and touring shows.
A little history
- 1832 Americus founded as county seat
- 1864-1865 Andersonville prison operated
- 1892 Windsor Hotel opened
- 1976 Habitat for Humanity founded
- 1977-1981 Jimmy Carter served as President
- Game day High school football
- Game day Georgia Southwestern basketball
- Outdoors Fishing on Lake Blackshear
- Outdoors Hunting (deer, turkey)
- With kids Visit Carter's boyhood farm
- With kids Explore the Global Village and Discovery Center
Southern American English with a gentle drawl, often using 'y'all' and 'fixin' to.' Locals speak warmly and slowly, with a strong sense of politeness and hospitality.
Only here
- Jimmy Carter's peanut farm (part of the park)
- Habitat for Humanity's global headquarters
- Andersonville National Historic Site
- Koinonia Farm (Christian community)
New here? A few tips
- Expect hot, humid summers; stay hydrated.
- Try boiled peanuts from roadside stands.
- Visit Plains to see Carter's history.
- Learn to say 'y'all' and be friendly.
- Drive carefully on rural roads.
Make this page better
Know a place, a festival, a word locals use, or something here that's wrong? Suggest it; someone at Popchat checks every one.
Sign in and join a club here to suggest.
Nearby
Every areaCordeleGeorgiaWhere every day is a slice of summerAlbanyGeorgiaWhere the Flint River winds through pecan groves.HawkinsvilleGeorgiaThe friendly heart of Georgia's farm countryWarner RobinsGeorgiaPeaches, pecans, and the hum of the flight line.ColumbusGeorgiaWhere the river meets the red clay.EufaulaAlabamaWhere the lake meets Southern grace.ThomastonGeorgiaWhere the red clay meets the Flint River.TiftonGeorgiaWhere the fields are green and the welcome is warmer.
Americus, GA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.