Milledgeville
Around Milledgeville
Photo: Stephen Matthew Milligan · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Georgia · 43k people
Milledgeville
“Antebellum Capital”, “The Prettiest Little City in the South”
Where Georgia's history still lives
Georgia Red ClayPine Forest Green
Welcome to Milledgeville, where the old capital's history meets the laid-back lake life. Whether you're here for the antebellum architecture or a day on Lake Sinclair, you'll find a friendly community ready to share its stories. Come on in, grab some sweet tea, and make yourself at home.
Clubs for Milledgeville
No clubs for Milledgeville yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Milledgeville. 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
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Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Milledgeville. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Georgia's Old State Capitol Greek Revival building that served as the seat of government until 1868
- Old Governor's Mansion Restored 1838 mansion with period furnishings and guided tours
- Historic Antebellum District Tree-lined streets with dozens of pre–Civil War homes
- Lake Sinclair 19,000-acre reservoir popular for boating, fishing, and lakeside living
- Oconee River Scenic river with paddling routes and fishing spots
- Downtown Milledgeville Brick streets, local shops, and the historic county courthouse
- Outdoors Boating and fishing on Lake Sinclair
- Outdoors Kayaking on the Oconee River
- With kids Swimming at Lake Sinclair beaches
- With kids Visiting the Old Governor's Mansion
- Evenings Live music at downtown bars
- Evenings Trivia nights at local pubs
- Locals love Lakefront spots
- Locals love Historic home tours
Through the year
- Milledgeville-Baldwin County Fair September Carnival rides, livestock shows, and local food in September
- Lake Sinclair Fishing Tournaments Spring–Summer Regular bass and crappie tournaments, spring through summer
- Downtown First Fridays Monthly Live music, art pop-ups, and late-night shopping on the first Friday monthly
- Milledgeville Christmas Parade December Holiday floats and community bands through downtown in December
- Georgia College Fine Arts Series Academic year Concerts, plays, and gallery openings on campus during the school year
Humid subtropical with hot, muggy summers and mild winters. The best time to be out is spring or fall, when the weather is comfortable and the landscape is lush. Best: Spring and fall are the sweet spots—mild days and cool nights.
Talk like a local
- “The 'Ville”
- Milledgeville itself
- “GC”
- Georgia College & State University
- “the lake”
- Lake Sinclair
- “the river”
- The Oconee River
Getaways
- Macon Music history, the Ocmulgee Mounds, and a lively downtown
- Athens College-town energy, live music, and the State Botanical Garden
- Augusta Riverwalk, the Augusta Museum of History, and golf heritage
- Warner Robins Museum of Aviation and family-friendly air shows
Local flavour
Rooting for Atlanta Falcons (NFL), Atlanta Braves (MLB), Atlanta Hawks (NBA), Atlanta United (MLS), Atlanta Dream (WNBA), Georgia Bulldogs (NCAA Division I)
Eat and drink
- Fried chicken Southern staple, often served with biscuits and gravy.
- Sweet tea Iced tea heavily sweetened, a regional classic.
- Peach cobbler
- Grits Creamy ground corn, breakfast side or main.
Where people go
- Historic Antebellum District
- Georgia's Old State Capitol A landmark from when Milledgeville served as the state capital.
- Lake Sinclair A large reservoir popular for boating, fishing, and lakeside living.
- Oconee River Flows through the area, offering paddling and scenic views.
- Downtown Milledgeville Quaint shops, cafes, and a classic Southern square.
Heritage and traditions
Milledgeville is proud of its storied past as Georgia's antebellum capital, its beautifully preserved historic district, and its literary legacy as the home of Flannery O'Connor.
This time of year in Milledgeville
- Fall Fall High school football games and leaf-peeping.
- Sacred Harp Singing spring and fall Traditional shape-note singing gatherings in local churches.
Say it like a local: “fixin' to” — about to
Festivals
- Milledgeville Pilgrimage April Antebellum home and garden tours in the historic district.
- Flannery O'Connor Literary Festival May Author talks and events at Andalusia Farm and Georgia College.
- Sacred Harp Singing spring and fall Traditional shape-note singing gatherings in local churches.
- Juneteenth Celebration June Community celebration of African American freedom in Milledgeville and Sparta.
- Candlelight Tour of Homes December Evening tours of historic homes decorated for Christmas.
Landmarks with a story
- Andalusia Farm Home of author Flannery O'Connor, preserved as a museum.
- Central State Hospital Georgia's first state mental hospital, with a large historic campus.
- Old Baldwin County Courthouse Greek Revival courthouse in the town square.
- St. Stephen's Episcopal Church Historic church dating to the 1840s.
- First Presbyterian Church Antebellum church with a notable congregation.
- Sparta Historic District Antebellum homes and churches in Hancock County.
Food traditions
- Boiled peanuts A roadside snack of peanuts boiled in salt water, a Southern staple.
- Georgia barbecue Slow-cooked pulled pork with a vinegar-pepper sauce, often served with Brunswick stew.
- Pimento cheese A spread of cheese, pimentos, and mayo, on crackers or sandwiches.
- Collard greens on New Year's Cooked with ham hocks, eaten for good luck.
- Fried catfish Catfish from the Oconee, fried and served with hushpuppies.
Music and arts
- Sacred Harp singing Shape-note singing tradition with deep roots in the region.
- Southern Gothic literature Literary tradition exemplified by Flannery O'Connor.
- Georgia College arts programs Visual and performing arts at the university.
- Folk art and quilting Traditional crafts in the surrounding rural areas.
A little history
- 1804 Milledgeville becomes the capital of Georgia.
- 1864 Sherman's troops occupy the city, sparing many historic homes.
- 1842 Central State Hospital founded as the state's first mental hospital.
- 1889 Georgia Normal & Industrial College (now GCSU) founded.
- 1951-1964 Flannery O'Connor lives at Andalusia and writes her major works.
- Game day Georgia College Bobcats games
- Game day Friday night lights
- Outdoors Boating on Lake Sinclair
- Outdoors Fishing in the Oconee
- With kids Visiting Andalusia Farm
- With kids Seeing the Old Capitol
Locals speak with a classic Southern accent, with phrases like 'y'all' and 'fixin' to.' The town's name is pronounced 'MILL-ij-ville,' and the Oconee River is 'oh-KOH-nee.'
Only here
- Georgia's Old Capital
- Andalusia Farm
- Central State Hospital
- The Old Governor's Mansion
New here? A few tips
- Learn to pronounce Milledgeville as 'MILL-ij-ville'.
- Be prepared for hot, humid summers; stay hydrated.
- Explore the historic district and take a tour of the Old Governor's Mansion.
- Try the local barbecue and boiled peanuts.
- Get to know Lake Sinclair for boating and fishing.
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Milledgeville, 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.