10 Best Things to Do in Thomasville, GA

By VI Staff on July 26, 2020 - Updated

Jackie DeBusk/stock.adobe.com

The city of Thomasville, Georgia is often referred to as the state’s “Rose City” and is a destination in itself. Visitors can take a walk along the city’s historic brick streets and explore downtown Thomasville, once known as “the Winter Resort of the South." History can be found around nearly every corner in the city, from the centuries old Big Oak to the Lapham-Patterson House to the sprawling Pebble Hill Plantation, along with multiple history museums. The historic downtown district is also home to over 100 independent restaurants and shops. CDC information for travelers. Hours/availability may have changed.

1.Pebble Hill Plantation

The Pebble Hill Plantation welcomes visitors to explore the expansive grounds and “remember Southern hospitality” on a very grand scale. Guests can tour the neoclassical style 1936 mansion with its world-class sporting art collection, antique furniture, and elegant interior. The gorgeous grounds include several early twentieth-century gardens and Southern landscaping. The Pebble Hill Plantation itself dates back to the year 1826 when it was a working farm. In 1896, the 3,000-acre estate became a shooting plantation after being bought by Howard Melville Hanna, a Clevelan industrialist. Today, the plantation is a popular excursion for both adults and family fun.

1251 US-319 S, Thomasville, GA 31792, Phone: 229-226-2344

2.Thomasville's Historic Big Oak

Thomasville's Historic Big Oak has stood for many years as one of the city’s show spots, as well as one of the area’s wonders of benevolent nature. The historic landmark was even once visited by President Eisenhower, who was impressed by the massive oak and photographed the tree himself. The “Big Oak” is one of the largest Southern Live Oaks in existence on the east side of the Mississippi River, stretching 68 feet high with a circumference of over 26 feet and a limb span of more than 165 feet. The Big Oak is located in the Elizabeth Ireland Poe Park.

124 E Monroe St, Thomasville, GA 31792, Phone: 229-236-0053

3.Lapham-Patterson House

Built back in 1884, the Lapham-Patterson House in Thomasville, Georgia serves as a monument to the craftsmanship, creative engineering, and imagination of the Victorian Era. The features of the historic home are excellent examples of the skill and quality of the time period, including the cantilevered balcony, walk-through stairway and the double-flue chimney, long-leaf pine floors, oriental-style porch decorations, and fishscale shingles. Lapham-Patterson House was designated in 1975 as a National Historic Landmark because of its impressive architectural significance. Tours are offered on Fridays from 1:00pm until 5:00pm and on Saturdays from 10:00am until 5:00pm.

626 N Dawson St, Thomasville, GA 31792, Phone: 229-226-7664

4.Thomasville History Center

Established in 1952, the Thomasville History Center was created to share the history of the local area with both residents and tourists alike, with a museum opened in 1972 inside the historic Flowers-Roberts House. The collections housed at the Thomasville History Center have grown over the years to now include over five hundred thousand archival materials and artifacts, as well as eight historic buildings. Visitors are welcome to explore the grounds of the museum, watch a short film, and take a self-guided tour of the many exhibits at the History Center, along with guided tours offered at 11:00am and 2:00pm.

725 N Dawson St, Thomasville, GA 31792, Phone: 229-226-7664

5.Jack Hadley Black History Museum

The Jack Hadley Black History Museum in the city of Thomasville, Georgia was established as a way to educate people about the culture and history of African Americans on both a local and national level. The museum is named for James “Jack” Hadley, an African American historian who preserved more than 4,600 African American artifacts with a focus on the First Black Achievers of Thomasville, as well as national and state achievers, commemorating their accomplishments and lives. The museum is open Tuesday to Friday from 10:00am until 5:00pm and on Saturdays from 11:00am until 4:00pm.

214 Alexander St, Thomasville, GA 31792, Phone: 229-226-5029

6.Birdsong Nature Center

The Birdsong Nature Center encompasses more than 560 acres of swampland, ponds, hardwood and pine forest, old field, and wildflower meadow, as well as a sanctuary for an array of birds and other kinds of wildlife. Birdsong includes a Butterfly Garden full of colorful butterflies from April to November, the screened Listening Place pavilion that overlooks the Big Bay Swamp, a dozen miles of nature trails for exploration and casual hiking, and the Bird Window offering an intimate and extraordinary bird viewing experience looking out over the surrounding pool and gardens that attract more than 100 species.

2106 N Meridian Rd, Thomasville, GA 31792, Phone: 229-377-4408

7.The Ritz Amphitheater

The Ritz Amphitheater and Park is tucked away within the heart of Thomasville’s historic district known as “The Bottom.” The more than 44,600-acre green space features a state-of-the-art stage, surrounded by several eateries and unique retail shops. The grounds of the Ritz Amphitheater features benches, picnic tables, drinking fountains, a “bike fix-it” station, and restrooms. Dogs are also allowed on the property and there are even dog bag stations available. The Ritz Amphitheater hosts a variety of small festivals, concerts, and special events put on by the city throughout the year, including the First Friday Sip & Stroll event series.

131 S Stevens St, Thomasville, GA 31792, Phone: 229-227-7020

8.Grassroots Coffee

Grassroots Coffee Company in Thomasville, Georgia is passionate about all things coffee and has a commitment to provide customers with the very best coffee they’ve ever had. The Grassroots Coffee is roasted in-house only in small batches in order to ensure optimal flavor and freshness. In addition to its variety of delicious coffee brews, the Grassroots coffee shop also offers a good assortment of items for both breakfast and lunch, which include made-from-scratch salads, savory soups, and weekly specials. The space was designed to provide an escape from busy daily life and a place for people to relax and visit with others.

118 S Broad St, Thomasville, GA 31792, Phone: 229-226-3388

9.Chop House on the Bricks

The Chop House on the Bricks is situated in the middle of Thomasville’s historic downtown district. With owner and Chef Matt Hagel at the helm, this family-owned and operated restaurant offers a menu that combines “New South culinary flair” with steakhouse tradition, featuring farm-to-table locally sourced ingredients, freshly caught Gulf seafood, and dry-aged steaks. Food options here are paired well with a carefully curated wine list, as well as a variety of craft cocktails and selection of craft beer. The Chop House on the Bricks is open for dinner Tuesday to Saturday from 5:00pm until 9:30pm.

123 N Broad St, Thomasville, GA 31792, Phone: 229-236-2467

10.Fallin's Real Pit Bar-B-Q

Fallin's Real Pit Bar-B-Q is a local family-owned and operated barbecue joint in the city of Thomasville, Georgia. The restaurant specializes in home-style fare and takes a huge amount of pride in the barbecue they serve, as well as the fact that nothing is served “from a can.” The eatery is well known for its made-from-scratch Brunswick stew and its famous Porkita sandwich made with freshly baked garlic bread. Fallin's Real Pit Bar-B-Q is open Monday to Saturday for both lunch and dinner from 11:00am until 9:00pm and on Sundays for lunch from 11:00am until 3:00pm.

2614 E Pinetree Blvd, Thomasville, GA 31792, Phone: 229-236-4000