Guido Gardens Nature Trip

Locals will tell you that “Everything’s Better in Metter,” and visitors to this southeast Georgia town will soon find family attractions and points of interest along with a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Start at Metter’s most famous attraction, Guido Gardens, which is free and open daily for tours. The garden is always open, so you can enjoy its peaceful setting whenever you like. Nature is highlighted here by waterfalls and gazebos, and a 24-hour chapel encourages quiet reflection. You can also reserve the chapel and gardens for small weddings. At Christmas, Guido Gardens hosts “Nights of Lights,” an annual display that starts on Thanksgiving. The display (also free) is perfect for families who want to get into the holiday spirit. Downtown Metter is home to historic buildings, including a welcome center that’s housed in a 1928 lumber mill commissary, a domed courthouse, and a 1902 restored train depot. Take the self-guided walking tours of turn-of-the-century homes and then break from your sightseeing at Metter’s shady central park (bring a homemade milkshake from a Metter soda fountain with you). You might want to wind up your trip with a few holes of golf at the Willow Lake Country Club. Spend the night at one of Metter’s RV parks or affordable motels like the Holiday Inn Express.