There’s a treasure trove of antiques and collectibles in the heart of Georgia, along Georgia’s Antiques Trail.

History endures in this region of central Georgia: Gen. William T. Sherman plowed through here toward Savannah in 1864. He left a lot of scorched earth as he intended, but he did leave some magnificent architecture behind, as well as a lingering dedication to precious objects from the past.

Start the trail around Athens, which, as the home of the University of Georgia, exemplifies the easy pace of an antebellum college town. Here, eclectic shops and beautiful galleries rub elbows with a hot and hip live music scene. Just down the road, Watkinsville’s historic architecture and antiques shops share top billing with a thriving artists colony. While you’re in town, catch one of the Concerts on the Lawn or a Shakespeare on the Lawn performances at Ashford Manor Bed and Breakfast.

Madison survived Sherman’s march – and today is touted as Travel Holiday magazine’s “No. 1 Small Town in America” with antiques shops, antebellum mansions and a much-loved holiday tour of homes. Stay at the Southern Cross Guest Ranch, a B&B with horseback-riding packages for guests and day trippers.
While shopping at Macon’s antiques stores, consider the historical Around Town tour of three magnificent historic homes. You’ll see a range of antebellum styles—and you may pick up some decorating ideas for your purchases!

The southern end of the antiques trail dips into peach country, where you can enjoy ice cream in an old-fashioned front-porch rocker at Lane Southern Orchards in Fort Valley or wind your way through more than 150 booths at the Big Peach Antiques Mall in Byron – look for the giant peach landmark.

Hollywood has taken note of Georgia’s heartland: “Fried Green Tomatoes” was filmed in Juliette; Eatonton was seen in “My Cousin Vinny” and “Coward of the County”; and Covington stood in as the fictional town of Sparta on the TV series “In Heat of the Night.”

The antiques trail has even more small towns to explore – about two dozen in all. When you experience the friendliness of central Georgia, you’ll return soon for both the antiques and the hospitality.