Traditions Highway 15: Oconee County

Welcome to Oconee County! With its beautiful downtown area, plenty of places to shop, unique restaurants to grab a bite, and a dash of history mixed in, there is something for everyone to enjoy in our Northernmost Highway 15 location.

Begin your visit at the Welcome Center on Founders Blvd at the William Daniel House, where friendly staff will help plan your day. You will most likely get recommended the downtown self-guided walking tour. If you can, please take the guided tour! This tour will give you the history of downtown Watkinsville and the homes and businesses that inhabit it.

For lunch, head to the Traveling Hobo Café on Greensboro Highway, known for its unique American dishes. Try their Bo Chaser Burger, featuring glazed donuts as buns, or stop next door at Kiki’s Bake Shop for a sweet treat. For a sportsbar atmosphere, visit Classic City Eats, and try their news-worthy chicken tenders “served with a classic city vibe.”

After lunch, explore the Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation (OCAF) on School Street. This vibrant arts center hosts local, regional, and national art exhibitions. Check their website, ocaf.com, for current exhibitions and classes.

If you have horse lovers in your group, visit Classic City Clydesdales in Bishop. This unique experience lets you interact with majestic Clydesdales on a trail ride and farm tour. While in Bishop, explore Antique Row, where you'll find charming shops filled with vintage treasures.

Before returning to town, stop at Farm 441 on Macon Highway for locally sourced produce and homemade treats, like their famous peach ice cream. Another must-visit is Hadden Estate at DGD Farms, a picturesque blueberry farm where you can pick your own fruit and enjoy delicious blueberry ice cream. The estate also serves as a stunning wedding venue and a winery!

We can’t forget to tell you about one more special activity in Oconee County! Do you know Oconee Joe? Chances are you don’t, but you want to! Kayak down the Oconee River with the mysterious Oconee Joe as your guide to learn about the stories the running river must tell. According to Visit Oconee, “What we can tell you is that he graces our river daily with his historical knowledge and ecology expertise offering guided half-day and over-night kayak excursions to visitors and locals. All sections of the Oconee River are available for tours with 70 miles of waterway to choose from.” A must-do along Traditions Highway if you ask us! More information can be found at www.visitoconee.com or by contacting the Welcome Center.

As you travel from Oconee to Greensboro, if you catch it just right, you’ll round the corner and be greeted with a blanket of golden sunflowers as far as the eyes can see. It’s okay to stop at the gravel bank and take in their beauty, but the main attraction here is hidden among the flowers. As you can see, the Watkinsville area and Oconee County is jam-packed with things to do for the whole family. Make plans now to visit the northern part of Traditions Highway!