The Southwest Georgia Train Tour

In southern Georgia, the land below Atlanta and north of the Florida line is a pine tree filled wilderness dotted with small towns and rural farms. The rolling hills blend into flatlands until the meet the Okefenokee Swamp located near the Florida border. Southern Georgia is filled with scenic wonders and historical places. The best way to tour the area is by rail. That Southwest Georgia Train Tour offers day trips to visit historical small towns of the region and vistas of farmland and forests in between. Leaving out of Cordele, Georgia the train makes a run seven to eight hours long. The price of a ticket is $32.95 for adults and $15.95 for children under twelve. The cost is considered cheap compared to other day trips offered by competing train tours.

They train only runs on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, in Saturdays. They train tour offers breakfast to early comers but in case you are a late riser, you can get a cup of coffee or other snacks at the local café, which is across the street from the depot. The train leaves promptly at 9:30 a.m., and if you miss the train, there are no refunds. Leaving from Cordele, the train will visit Georgia Veterans State Park, the town of Leslie, Americus, Archery, and end at the birthplace of former President Jimmy Carter, Plains, Georgia. The train stops for about five minutes in each town allowing passengers to board and debark the train. If you wish to tour one of the towns, let the staff of the train know and they'll make arrangements to pick you up on the way back. Most attractions are within walking distance of the depot, but some require transportation. That Train Company does not provide transportation to the attractions but some of the attractions provide will provide shuttle service.

Southern Georgia is hot in the summer time so wear cool clothes and casual walking shoes. The train staff asks that you do not wear sandals or flip-flops without a strap attached. The passenger cars are vintage, so there are many metal outcroppings that can grab your shoe or tear loose clothing. The train allows for you to bring on picnic baskets or coolers as long as they can fit underneath the passenger seats. There are small cafés or country style kitchens around where you can grab a bite to eat as you enjoy your tour.

The main attraction of the Southwest Georgia Train Tour is the home and birthplace of Jimmy Carter. Here in Plains, Georgia, you can tour the birthplace of Jimmy Carter and even visit his Brother Billy's gas station. Peanuts are the local crop in this part of the nation and you can find vendors in about every stop. If you wish to stay overnight in Plains, just let the train staff know when and they'll make arrangements to pick you up at the next scheduled stop. Southern hospitality abounds among the train staff and they will be happy to accommodate any itinerary you wish to present them.

To tour southern Georgia by car along highways 82 or 84 is an adventure of itself, but to travel this part of the state by rail is an adventure that few have tried and one that you won't forget.