Whether it’s for a trip or finding a new home, it’s important to find a good community.
WorldAtlas says its list of the seven nicest small towns in Georgia “isn’t a syrupy ode to ‘small-town charm.’ It’s a ledger of living artifacts.” Here are which ones they highlighted and what WorldAtlas had to say about them:
Blue Ridge
“Blue Ridge is one of the only places in the state where you can board a historic train, buy fine art, and sample locally grown wine, all within walking distance….Blue Ridge is also home to one of the oldest trout hatcheries in the Southeast and sits near the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail….Visitors often begin with a ride on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, which runs vintage railcars along the Toccoa River to McCaysville. From there, it’s common to walk to Harvest on Main, a local restaurant known for sourcing meat and vegetables from surrounding farms….Just outside of town, Mercier Orchards operates a large market, bakery, and cidery.”
Dahlonega
“Dahlonega is the site of the first major U.S. gold rush, predating California by two decades…. The University of North Georgia’s main campus is located here, and its military program is one of the oldest in the country. Dahlonega also sits at the intersection of multiple wine trails and is part of the federally recognized Dahlonega Plateau AVA. One of the central stops is the Dahlonega Gold Museum, located in the 1836 courthouse on the town square. For food, Shenanigans offers pub-style meals in a historic house just off the main drag. A short drive from downtown, Cane Creek Falls can be accessed via Camp Glisson.”
Madison
“It has the state’s largest collection of antebellum homes outside Savannah….Its residential streets are laid out in a grid that predates the Civil War and includes intact carriage houses, working gas lamps, and restored slave quarters used as outbuildings or museums. Tourists often start at Heritage Hall, a Greek Revival home open for guided tours that include records of original occupants and enslaved workers. Town 220, located beside the James Madison Inn, serves dishes made from locally sourced ingredients and houses a private wine locker program. The Madison-Morgan Cultural Center, located in a Romanesque revival schoolhouse, functions as both a regional museum and a performing arts venue.”
Senoia
“Senoia operates as both a working town and an active film set. Since 2011, it has served as a primary location for ‘The Walking Dead,’ with entire blocks restored or reconstructed….The town has adapted to this dual identity without becoming a theme park….The Georgia Tour Company offers behind-the-scenes walking tours that include alleyways, rooftops, and filming interiors, all sanctioned by AMC and the city. For food, Bistro Hilary serves French-inspired dishes in a renovated 1890s storefront….Visitors looking for green space use Marimac Lakes Park, which includes a stocked lake, walking trail, and ADA-accessible fishing piers.”
Thomasville
“Thomasville was once known as the “Winter Resort of the South,” a title it earned in the late 1800s when wealthy Northerners traveled there by rail to escape cold weather. Unlike other resort towns, Thomasville attracted year-round residents who built permanent homes, resulting in a street grid lined with large estates, carriage houses, and longleaf pine stands….The Jack Hadley Black History Museum contains nearly 5,000 items related to Thomas County’s African American history….Sweet Grass Dairy Cheese Shop serves house-made cheeses sourced from its own Thomasville creamery….The Thomasville History Center occupies a seven-acre campus that includes the restored 1870 Smith Homestead and an 1896 bowling alley.”
St. Marys
“The city’s street layout still follows the 1787 Spanish land grant pattern, and its waterfront contains remnants of naval and commercial boatyards active through the 20th century. Submariners stationed at nearby Kings Bay Naval Base often retire in town, and many operate small businesses. The town also holds one of the oldest continuously operating hotels in the state, the Riverview Hotel, established in 1916….The St. Mary’s Submarine Museum features Cold War-era naval equipment and a working periscope….Howard Gilman Memorial Park is used by locals for small concerts, weddings, and festivals, and includes a walking pier built over the St. Mary’s River.”
Tybee Island
“Tybee Island operates as both a barrier island and an incorporated city….It also maintains one of the state’s oldest continually used lighthouses, first constructed in 1736 and rebuilt in 1867….The Tybee Island Light Station and Museum allows visitors to climb 178 steps and includes exhibits on Civil War coastal defense. The Crab Shack, built over a former fish camp, serves a low-country boil at outdoor tables placed over salt marshes….For open space, Jaycee Park includes ball fields, a butterfly garden, and access to a public trail network that runs behind residential neighborhoods.”
Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for Gannett/USA Today. Find him on X and Instagram @miguelegoas and email at mlegoas@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: WorldAtlas’ nicest small towns in Georgia in 2025. See the friendliest