Many interesting sights and attractions are just off the exits of this highway that leads to the 77th International Convention in Perry, Georgia, this March.
By Lazelle Jones
February 2007
Not even the Georgia Department of Transportation knows exactly how many vehicles travel up and down Interstate 75 each year between the Georgia-Florida border and metropolitan Atlanta. But it’s an endless stream that includes snowbirds migrating south and north, and families throughout the year making their way to and from the famous amusement parks in the Sunshine State. For FMCA members, Georgia’s portion of Interstate 75 holds a special significance. In March, Perry, Georgia, will once again host an FMCA convention, so the I-75 off-ramps to Perry will see more motorhomes than usual.
If you’ll be arriving from the north to attend the winter convention, why not drive down and inspect these attractions? And if you’re driving up to Perry from the south, the following stops should convince you not to go straight through.
Within the last several years the exit numbers on I-75 have been changed so that they now correspond with the number of miles each exit is from the Georgia-Florida border. The exit numbers noted below are current and reflect actual signage. The first attraction listed is a mere 18 miles from the Florida state line. Of course, the attractions described below are certainly not the only places to stop along the interstate, so feel free to begin searching for more.
Exit 18: Wild Adventures Theme Park, Valdosta
Under the same creative management that revitalized Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven, Florida, Wild Adventures Theme Park presents more than 500 animals, plus attractions and rides. Visitors choose from among 59 rides, including water rides and roller coasters. In addition, the park’s concert lineup throughout 2007 will include the biggest names in country, rock, and Christian music.
Wild Adventures is a serious zoo as well, and as such offers animal shows, feedings, and educational talks. It is open year-round, and hours vary by the season. Info: www.wildadventures.net; (800) 808-0872, (229) 219-7080.
Exit 62: Flint RiverQuarium, Albany
Take exit 62 and travel west on U.S. 82. The drive to Albany takes approximately 35 minutes. Parking is available for motorhomes.
The Flint RiverQuarium has as its centerpiece a 175,000-gallon blue-hole spring (this region of Georgia is known for its blue-hole springs). Open to the outdoors, the RiverQuarium can be viewed outside from above, or inside from below. Because it’s open to the environment, it is influenced by the elements, which means that things inside the RiverQuarium are always changing. Wildlife in this blue-hole environment include striped bass, gar, catfish, Atlantic sturgeon, turtles, alligators, and a 90-pound snapping turtle called Buster.
The Flint River begins below Atlanta and, after it joins other rivers, empties into the Gulf of Mexico. These exhibits highlight all of the plants and wildlife found along the Flint River, including both freshwater and saltwater exhibits. A hatchery, hands-on exhibits, and weekend dive shows augment visitors’ experience. In addition, the Imagination Theater uses a huge screen on which to show movies with historical or nature themes.
The RiverQuarium is open year-round, and admission is charged separately for the museum and theater; combination tickets also are available. Info: www.flintriverquarium.com; (877) GO-FLINT (463-5468).
Exit 63B: Georgia Agrirama, Tifton
Located immediately adjacent to I-75 off of exit 62, the Agrirama is an attraction that you can spend a couple of hours or an entire day exploring. Or, perhaps stay the night, for a campground is now located on the premises.
This living history museum focuses on Georgia history from 1870 to 1910 and includes a full working town along with a main street and a complete industrial site (sawmill, blacksmith shop, turpentine pit). All displays are hosted by docents who explain in detail the life and times these exhibits depict. The Victorian home itself will take at least 30 minutes to tour. There are also two farms to visit: a traditional farm (cooking done over an open fireplace) and a progressive farm that displays the new technologies that began to emerge in the late 1800s, such as metal cookstoves and farm implements. The Agrirama represents a very typical community from this time period in what is called the Georgia wiregrass region.
Motorhome parking is available, and the campground has 42 full-hookup sites, including 50-amp shore power. Info: www.agrirama.com; (800) 767-1875; (229) 386-3344.
Exit 82: Blue & Gray Museum, Fitzgerald
Take exit 82 and travel east on State Route 107 for approximately 20 miles to reach Fitzgerald.
This is an unusual town, in that it was founded 30 years after the Civil War by ex-Union soldiers in what was once the deep Confederate South. Just like folks today, many of the original settlers came from the North, seeking a warmer climate. Others came looking for farmland while trying to avoid a drought that was occurring out west.
The presentation at the Blue & Gray Museum begins with a short video that quickly introduces you to the exhibits. The museum is stuffed with artifacts and items from the original founding families (dating from 1895 to the early 1900s) as well as Civil War relics. New exhibits are continuously being presented, such as the ever-popular quilting exhibits.
Sufficient parking is available for three to four motorhomes; in addition, a new campground at nearby Ellis T. Paulk Park has full hookups. The museum is open year-round, and closed on Mondays. Info: www.fitzgeraldga.org/blue&graymuseum.htm; (800) 386-4642; (229) 426-5033. Call (229) 426-5050 for information about the campground at Paulk Park.
Exit 101: Georgia Rural Telephone Museum, Leslie
Take exit 101 and travel approximately 20 minutes west of I-75 on U.S. 280 to see one of the best collections of telecommunications technology in the world (1876 to present). This museum has approximately 1,500 phones, including some of the rarest of equipment, such as a liquid transmitter that dates back to the 1880s.
Housed in a renovated 1920s cotton warehouse, the displays also include a model of Alexander Graham Bell’s workshop, an old telephone truck, antique clocks and furnishings, and an exhibit of antique automobiles.
The museum is open Monday through Friday. Info: (229) 874-4786.
Exit 101: Sam Shortline Excursion Train, Cordele
Travel five minutes off I-75 via exit 101 to Cordele, where you can board a vintage 1949 railroad passenger train. The Sam Shortline Excursion Train is great for sight-seeing in this area, for it takes you to popular spots such as Americus, Cordele, Leslie, Plains, and Archery, where President Jimmy Carter grew up. You can decide where you want to get off and, if it should be in the town of Americus, a trolley system will transport you quickly to the historic downtown area. Fortunately for Perry convention-goers, the Americus Adventure excursion starts up again for the season on Fridays in March beginning on the 16th. And the Archery Explorer trip, which includes stops in Plains, Americus, and Archery, also is offered on Saturdays in March. Check the Web site for the complete schedule. Info: www.samshortline.com; (877) GA-RAILS (427-2457).
Exit 135: Kauffman’s Farmarket, Montezuma
From Perry exit number 135, turn west on State Route 224 and travel to the town of Montezuma. (The town also can be reached from exits 127 or 122, depending on which is more convenient for your itinerary.) You will be in Mennonite country, about 25 minutes from Perry. In the 1950s, Mr. Kauffman started a farmers market here, specializing in freshly grown strawberries and tomatoes. Next he added a deli in a giant silo, where he sold sandwiches made with freshly baked bread. Today Kauffman’s Farmarket is open most of the year, selling whatever is grown locally (depending upon the season) and operating a restaurant out of a silo, which is billed as the world’s tallest kitchen. It is located at 1305 Mennonite Church Road. Info: www.kauffmanfarmarket.com; (478) 472-8833.
Exit 165 to Interstate 16 East, exit 2: Historic Macon
Once you’re in historic Macon, you can use the downtown trolley system to take one of three historic tours. The ticket lasts a year, so you can visit as many times within the year as you want. With such a long list of interesting sights in this town, you will want to take the Around Town tour several times, for a single stop is not nearly long enough to enjoy everything. This year-long ticket is especially nice for snowbirds who pass through Macon on I-75 twice a year, for they can conveniently use it during their travels north and south.
Three tour packages are available: the Historic In-Town Tour; the Historic Downtown Tour; and the Historic Macon Combination Tour, which includes the attractions found in the other two. Included is a stop at the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, which displays memorabilia from Little Richard, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Ray Charles, and the other musical geniuses who have their roots in Georgia. Other attractions include the Tubman African American Museum and the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame. Not to mention cherry blossoms. Right around March (and FMCA convention time) Macon holds a popular festival in their honor; this year the Cherry Blossom Festival takes place March 16 through 25. Info: www.maconga.org; (800) 768-3401. Festival info: www.cherryblossom.com.
Exit 186: The Fried Green Tomatoes town, Juliette
From this exit, turn east to reach this former lumber town. Juliette was practically empty when it was rediscovered and revitalized by Hollywood to film the 1991 movie Fried Green Tomatoes. Today McCrakin Street is bustling, especially on the weekends, with visitors who are ready to dine on some fried green tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café.
Not far from town is Jarrell Plantation State Historic Site, a museum and park. On the grounds you will see 20 historic buildings plus machinery that spans the period from the mid-19th century to the mid-20th century. In this bucolic setting you will enjoy the special folk-life demonstrations presented, such as woodstove cooking, weaving, spinning, and blacksmithing.
The plantation is open Tuesday through Sunday (closed Mondays). The Whistle Stop Cafe also is closed Mondays; hours are 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday and Sunday, and 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Info: www.juliettega.com.