The agricultural region is home to some of Georgia’s finest
AMERICUS, GEORGIA—AUGUST 2024—Americus lies in the heart of Georgia’s rich agricultural region. Not only does this vibrant farming community provide the country with vital crops of peanuts, pecans, peaches and other products but it offers a unique opportunity for visitors to enjoy local foods, trademark Southern hospitality and special events geared around Americus’s rich agricultural heritage.
Spirited trails
When we say spirits, we’re talking those that require fermentation. Americus is home to one distillery and the Wolf Creek Plantation Winery.
Thirteenth Colony Distilleries (305 North Dudley Street, 229-924-3310) pays homage to Georgia becoming the 13th colony of America, producing aged and casked Southern bourbon and rye whiskeys and a barrel-aged gin which made its debut this year. South Georgia’s heat cycles allow for expansion and contraction in the barrels stored within the 44,000-square-foot facility, delivering a high-quality product. Thirteenth Colony is open for tastings Tuesdays through Saturdays and tours Thursdays through Saturdays and upon request.
Wolf Creek Plantation (113 West Lamar Street, Americus, 229-942-0091) grows its grapes and produces its wine just outside the city limits, but visitors may conveniently taste their wares at the tasting room in the Windsor Hotel in the heart of downtown. The tasting room is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Mondays through Wednesdays, and 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Thursdays through Saturdays.
Ah nuts!
Horne Pecan Company (103 North Jackson Street, 229-380-0823 ) also uses the base of the Windsor Hotel to allow customers to sample its delicious pecans. But it’s also a coffee shop so grab a pecan-flavored cup of joe while you’re there. Koinonia Farm (1324 Georgia Highway 49 South, 229-924-0391) sells a variety of Georgia pecans and peanuts, including peanut and pecan brittle and pecan pie.
On September 28, neighboring Plains, the town famous for its peanuts and peanut farmer President Jimmy Carter, will host its Plains Peanut Festival with an 11 a.m. Main Street Parade, food vendors and a street dance. Educational exhibits will be on display to accentuate the importance of agriculture in Sumter County.
Pour a cup
Americus is lucky to be the home of Cafe Campesino (508 West Forsyth Street, 229-924-2468), Georgia’s first and only 100 percent organic and fair-trade specialty coffee roaster. Visitors may enjoy their coffee at Sweet Georgia Bakery Café (134 West Lamar Street, 229-380-0439) but soon Café Campesino will open its rehabilitated, 5,000-square-foot facility and café in Americus’s old Trailways and Greyhound bus station.
Lenny’s Farmers Market
From 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday from May through November, you’ll discover a host of fresh Georgia produce and meats at Lenny’s Farmers Market (110 North Hampton Street,). The market is named for Leonard “Lenny” J. Waitsman, a downtown business owner and Americus City Council member who started the market. Look for locally produced items such as peaches, peanuts and farm fresh eggs but also baked goods, jams and jellies, arts and crafts, flowers and plants. The annual autumnal-themed “Fall at the Market” will be October 12.
Where to stay in Americus
The 1892 Victorian Windsor Hotel (125 West Lamar Street, 229-924-1555) in the heart of downtown Americus makes for the perfect base camp while visiting the city. The elegant landmark hotel with crystal chandeliers and marble floors features 53 guest rooms and two restaurants, Southern elegance at Rosemary & Thyme Restaurant and pub fare on the veranda at Floyd’s Pub. You can even stay in one of the towers in a specialty suite such as the Carter Presidential Suite, named for President Jimmy Carter.