In a year where everything feels upside down, right the ship with an energetic girlfriend’s getaway to a unique Georgia destination where the SAM Shortline Excursion Train is the real showstopper
AMERICUS, GEORGIA–NOVEMBER 2020–No matter if you fly in or drive in, you’ll want to take the train. The SAM Shortline Excursion Train that is. The one with fun stops, ganders of the Peach State’s gorgeous countryside and, with today’s pandemic protocols, more space to enjoy the experience. Gather up the girls for a visit to west-central Georgia, convenient to I-75, three hours south of Atlanta and only two hours north of I-10. It’s a great southbound stopover, but also a lovely destination all by itself…Americus delivers on hospitality and good ole Southern charm.
A successful gal pal trip usually has a few common denominators: fun and different experiences, good digs and affordability. Americus offers all of that and more, so planning is a breeze, and no one has to break the bank to have the best of times when traveling. Let’s get going!
Check in and check it out!
Plan to stay at the pride of Americus, when it comes to accommodations anyway—the historic Best Western Plus Windsor Hotel located in downtown Americus on real estate taking up almost an entire city block. Dating back to 1892, the Windsor was built with the purpose of attracting winter visitors from the north and offered 100 rooms in a five-story Victorian beauty. It was a stunning masterpiece with balconies and the loveliest three-story open atrium lobby area. A couple of closures, multi-million-dollar renovations and a new flagship later, the beautiful, award-winning property sports 53 guest rooms including six suites, two Tower suites, the Bridal Suite and the Carter Presidential Suite.
Today, guests can expect a wide range of business services, a chic wedding venue, dining in the scrumptious on-site Rosemary & Thyme Restaurant, as well as late evening juleps in Floyd’s Pub or savoring a sip in the Wolf Creek Plantation tasting room, located on the bottom floor of the Windsor Hotel. All of this PLUS the fairytale ambiance presented at the Windsor. Such a delightful place to call home base for a weekend getaway.
All aboard for gal pal fun
The SAM Shortline Excursion Train is a great way to travel through these parts riding in air-conditioned, 1949 vintage train cars. What a great glimpse of yesteryear paired with the best of today’s South visiting sweet towns brimming with attractions, shopping and eateries. Determined to put safety first, you can expect to see only 50 percent passenger occupancy, staggered seating, extra sanitation and mandatory mask-wearing for staff.
When choosing your tickets, consider each option carefully to get the most bang for your buck and find what fits the needs of your group. Coach Class is basic service, but in climate-controlled, comfortable coach cars complete with padded bench-style seats. Deluxe Seating (Americus Car) includes a comped beverage and snack mix as well as a couple of extra car features like carpeting, ceiling fans, tables and chairs. Move up another notch to Premium Service (J.P. Henderson) and enjoy a lovely, restored car, lunch, soft drinks and snacks throughout the day. The most prestigious of classes is Chairman’s Class (Dearing) where you’ll be aboard the 1925 Pullman car—the Dearing. Restored to its former glory, you have access to the open platform as well as lunch, snacks and beverages. Only adults 16 and older may utilize this car and class of service. (Please note that on both the Dearing and J.P. Henderson, seats are assigned and this service is not offered every day, so you’ll want to call ahead for dates and times available.)
What to see and do
Trains do not stop in every town every day and your day of travel will dictate the route, so look over the options carefully and maximize the potential for your interests. After choosing your tickets and routes, the work is done and it’s time to play!
Of course, exploring the sites in Americus will be easy to navigate if you’re staying at the Windsor. Americus “must sees” include your lodging partner where history is the very fiber of the hotel’s existence, the Andersonville National Cemetery and National Prisoner of War Museum, as well as popular attractions and venues like Providence Canyon State Park also known as Georgia’s little Grand Canyon. Visit downtown boutiques and shops, ideal for finding the perfect souvenir to commemorate the trip.
If your route includes a stop in Leslie, check out the Rural Telephone Museum located in a beautifully restored cotton warehouse alongside antiques, switchboards, classic cars and more. The small Peach State town of Plains was put on the map by President Jimmy Carter and touring his campaign museum is possible here. Be sure and swing by Plain Peanuts for some peanut butter ice cream and grab a bag of peanuts from a local vendor for a take-home, edible souvenir. Additionally, Jimmy Carter’s boyhood farm may be explored with a stop in Archery, and in fact the train stops only steps from his old front porch.
There are also holiday-themed train events that are sure to be amazing. With hot chocolate, cookies and a visit from Ole Saint Nick himself, it’s bound to get even Scrooge in the holiday spirit.
When the dust settles and the last mint julep is sipped, you’ll be filled with memories of good times with good pals and the yearning to do it all over again. You can find more information at VisitAmericusGA.com and plan a special trip with your circle of friends.