By SHERRI SMITH BROWN

Georgia > West Central Georgia > Crisp County > Cordele

Plains Depot is one of the stops on the SAM Shortline Excursion Train between Cordele and Archery.

I remember my first and one of my few train rides – from Indianapolis to Shelbyville, Indiana. I was only about seven years old, and I don’t recollect why I took the trip, only that it was exciting and that I can still see myself on that old, leather-seated train. These days, there are fewer and fewer opportunities to experience the romance and excitement of old time train travel. But the Southwest Georgia Excursion Train, known as SAM Shortline, is a great way to do just that.

The rebirth of passenger trains on the old SAM mainline gives passengers the chance to roll across Crisp and Sumter counties, stopping at towns that have contributed much to Georgia and the nation’s history. The Historic District of Cordele, Watermelon Capital of the World, where the trip begins at the old depot. Georgia Veterans Memorial State Park, one of Georgia’s most visited state parks with Lake Blackshear and the Visitor’s Center Military Museum. The town of Leslie, where the Georgia Rural Telephone Museum is located in a restored cotton warehouse. Americus, home to Habitat for Humanity’s new Global Village, the 1892 Windsor Hotel & Spa, and the 1921 Rylander Theatre. Plains, home of President Jimmy Carter and part of the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site; and the town of Archery, just a few miles away, the site of President Carter’s boyhood home. The National POW Museum and Andersonville National Historic Site are just 11 miles northeast of Americus and 21 miles north of Leslie. (more…)

By SHERRI SMITH BROWN

Georgia > Northwest Georgia Mountains > Fannin County > Blue Ridge

Join the fun on a trip through the Northwest Georgia Mountains on the narrow gauge Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. 

Railroads played a significant role in the development of the Northwest Georgia Mountains between the 1800s and the early 1900s. They saved an ailing mining industry, contributed to the growth of small towns as resort communities, made it possible to log the last remaining virgin timber in the area, and eventually, determined the routes of local roads.

Today, just for fun, you can travel the route that was originally built as the narrow-gauge Marietta & North Georgia Railroad in the 1880s. Tucked into the charming mountain village of Blue Ridge, Georgia, in the lush Chattahoochee National Forest, the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway takes you on the trip of a lifetime. The area is known as the “antique capital” of Georgia with friendly folks and an old-time atmosphere.

The regular 4-hour, 26-mile round trip in vintage climate-controlled or open-air railcars is a scenic smorgasbord, including one hour winding along the course of the beautiful Toccoa River. (more…)

By SHERRI SMITH BROWN

First stop for kids at Zoo Atlanta is Flamingo Plaza, where the long-legged birds show off their wading skills and beautiful pink plumage.

From the awesomeness of elephants and gorillas to the antics of panda bears and lemurs, there is nothing like a trip to Zoo Atlanta with kids. Just last week, I made my first trip in a good number of years with Brianna and her kindergarten class—twenty kids, who excitedly spent a couple of hours seeing as many of the zoo’s 1,300 mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians as possible!

Zoo Atlanta, which celebrated its 120th birthday this past March, is pleasant, clean and has lots of shady areas so that you can enjoy it even on Atlanta’s hotter days. Once you leave Flamingo Plaza, you can visit the African Plains with zebras, giraffes and lions; the African Rain Forest, where monkeys swing from tree to tree; and the Asian Forest, where orangutans, otters and tigers reside. Exotic birds, kangaroos and a petting zoo can be found in the KIDZone as well as the zoo train, carousel and a rock climber wall. Although not my favorite, my group of children went wild in the World of Reptiles building. Besides all that, you’ll find plenty of things to climb, places to eat, and great photo-ops at Zoo Atlanta. (more…)