Plains

Home to President Jimmy Carter, Plains is a peaceful, countryside town two-and-a-half hours south of Atlanta.

History buffs will appreciate the Jimmy Carter National Historic Park. Start at Plains High School, the visitor center, where he and his wife Rosalynn graduated. At the Boyhood Farm, see where the president grew up helping his father grow corn, cotton, peanuts and sugar cane. The Plains Train Depot is the oldest building in Plains (constructed in 1888) and served as Carter’s campaign headquarters.

Take a selfie with the goofy Smiling Peanut while snacking on a bag of peanut brittle from Plain Peanuts. Jet down Main Street to Buffalo Cafe at the Old Bank for a savory pulled-pork sandwich.

Take a day trip to Leslie to see the Georgia Rural Telephone Museum, which houses the largest collection of antique telephones and telephone memorabilia in the world. Also worth the drive is Andersonville National Historic Site, a Civil War prison for Union troops.

Outdoor enthusiasts will love picnicking at Providence Canyon State Park, often referred to as Georgia’s “Little Grand Canyon.” The sherbet-orange and pale-pink walls are incredible geologic finds and make it a must-see.

End your trip with a stay at The Plains Historic Inn, where seven rooms were built by President Carter himself.