Guide to Tifton
Plan to take a break from your drive on I-75 with a delightful stop in Tifton, Georgia, where you'll find plenty of things to do, places to stay, great restaurants and events.
Set in the heart of Georgia’s agricultural community, Tifton is at the crossroads of multiple highways and byways and is a roughly 3-hour drive from Atlanta. Nicknamed “The Friendly City,” it was settled in 1872 at a railroad junction. Much of the downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s also home to Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC).
Things to Do
Georgia Museum of Agriculture
Visit the historic locations around Tifton to learn more about this rural community. The Georgia Museum of Agriculture is made up of 95 acres with more than 30 structures from a 19th century farm that have been restored and preserved. Costumed docents present the history and activities and crafts.
Fulwood Park
Fulwood Park was established in 1916 and is a 28-acre city park named for an early local settler named CW Fulwood. Inside, you’ll find a playground, picnic pavilions, sports fields, and the Syd Blackmarr Stage, which hosts events and concerts.
The Market at Rutland Farms
One of the area’s best farms is The Market at Rutland Farms, which has blueberries, blackberries, peaches, squash, and many other produce items. Visitors can tour the fields on a “field trip” and pick their own items or shop for them in the store. There’s even a petting zoo and other seasonal attractions.
Tift Theatre
The Art Deco-inspired Tift Theatre first opened in 1937 and has been carefully renovated to its former glory. It features a Carrara glass facade, neon lights, and more than 600 seats that host everything from Broadway shows to concerts to movies.
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Places to Stay
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Tifton
The La Quinta Inn & Suites is right off of I-75 in Tifton and near several restaurants. It offers pillow-top mattresses, "Bright Side" breakfast, a fitness center, a business center, and guest laundry.
SpringHill Suites Tifton
Set amid eateries off I-75 in Tifton, SpringHill Suites is 2 miles from the Georgia Museum of Agriculture and Historic Village, and 3 miles from Fulwood Park. Breakfast and parking are complimentary, and rooms feature amenities like free Wi-Fi, minifridges, and microwaves. Other amenities include an outdoor pool, a bar, and a fitness center.
Comfort Inn & Suites
Rest your head at Tifton’s accommodation options. The Comfort Inn & Suites is located near ABAC and its Agrirama museum as well as other local attractions. Amenities include a free hot breakfast daily, free high speed WiFi, an outdoor pool, exercise room, microwaves and coffee makers.
Holiday Inn Express
Take advantage of the highway-adjacent location of the Holiday Inn Express, which has meeting space for corporate guests, as well as free WiFi and a 24-hour business center. Other amenities include the 24-hour fitness center, indoor pool and hot breakfast bar.
Fairfield Inn & Suites
Enjoy the Fairfield Inn & Suites for its smoke-free rooms, free high-speed Internet, free hot breakfast, fitness center and the outdoor pool.
Hilton Garden Inn
The AAA three-diamond rated Hilton Garden Inn is the most-awarded hotel in Tifton with more than 100 guest rooms, including 10 suites, all equipped with flat-screen televisions, refrigerators, coffee makers and WiFi. There’s also an in-house restaurant with room service, 24-hour business center, fitness center and pool.
Country Inn & Suites
Visitors also can enjoy the free breakfast and heated outdoor pool at Country Inn & Suites, along with complimentary coffee and cookies, free WiFi, fitness center, microwaves and refrigerators. Some rooms are also pet-friendly!
Hampton Inn & Suites
Hampton Inn & Suites has its free hot breakfast, 24-hour business center, fitness center and outdoor pool. Rooms come equipped with lap desks, flat-screen televisions, microwaves and refrigerators.
Campgrounds
If you’re traveling with your RV, the Tifton Overnight RV is a top-of-the-line facility that is pet-friendly. Located just steps away from a variety of dining options and within half a mile of Walmart Supercenter, Tifton Overnight RV is fully automated with gated access, full hook-ups, pull-through sites, and fast Wi-Fi. I-75 RV Park is another option.
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Where to Eat
Chow down at Tifton's best eateries.
Fresco Italiano
Downtown Tifton's premier Italian restaurant, Fresco Italiano offers a calm and cool environment, a varied drink menu, live music, and amazing cuisine.
Taco Loco Mexican Grill
For authentic Mexican food made from scratch with fresh ingredients, visit Taco Loco Mexican Grill. The family-owned restaurant features a breezy covered patio, creative cocktails and margaritas, and a varied menu featuring traditional favorites with a creative twist.
Mi-Lady Bakery
Mi-Lady Bakery was named one of the 100 Plates that Locals Love in 2015 for its grilled chicken Hawaiian sandwich, but that’s not the only menu highlight. They also serve house-made baked goods like doughnuts, cakes and pies, along with yeast roll breakfast sandwiches and salads.
Casual restaurants
For a casual meal, head to Charles Seafood for, what else? Seafood. Shrimp, grouper, and soft-shell crab are favorites, along with hushpuppies. The prices are fair, and the portions are large!
Japanese cuisine is the draw at Asahi Express, which has hibachi steak, teriyaki chicken, and other items. Saigon Kitchen is the place to go for Asian-fusion cuisine.
Shady Lane is an old-school drive-in that has been in operation for 45 years. Eat in your car or walk up to the counter for chili dogs and other classic American dishes. Another Tifton highlight is Pit Stop BBQ, which has pit barbecue along with steaks and soups.
The Lamplighter Pub
The Pub, previously The Lamplighter Pub, is a beloved local watering hole that has a menu that includes pizza as well as soups, salads, sandwiches and craft beer.
Chicago Pizza & Pasta
Chicago Pizza & Pasta has served up big city slices since 1974 as well as wings and sandwiches. Choose your own toppings or enjoy one of their selections.
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Events
Rhythm & Ribs BBQ Festival
Plan your visit around the Rhythm & Ribs BBQ Festival in March, one of Tifton’s biggest events. Dozens of barbecue vendors come together for a competition and to serve their pork dishes. There are also live bands, craft vendors, a kids area, and demonstrations.
La Fiesta del Pueblo
La Fiesta del Pueblo brings the taste, sound, history, culture, and traditions of Latin American countries to south Georgia each fall. This free festival in Fulwood Park features live music, performances, food, and more.
Arts Affair
Arts Affair is a free, two-day festival held in downtown Tifton every fall. Enjoy art exhibits, an Artist Market, children’s Arts Circus, Author’s Row, food trucks, art demonstrations, a Sweet Taste of Tifton, and live performances throughout the day.
