Local destinations on a dime
Being a tourist in your hometown is a great way to learn and share with friends and visitors the unique destinations that are in your own backyard. And visiting doesn’t have to break the bank. In fact, Houston County and Peach County are home to some world-class attractions you can take your family to this summer that cost less than $5, or are even free.
For example, explore Georgia’s underwater habitats from mountain streams to black water swamps at the Go Fish Education Center located adjacent to the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry. There you will enjoy a state-of-the-art fish hatchery, an interactive fishing and boat simulator, a nature trail and live aquatic exhibits, including alligators. Kids are invited to catch fish in the stocked pond and get “Reel Tips” on how and where to fish. The center is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday for an entry fee of $3 for children ages 3-12 (children 2 and younger are free); $4 for seniors 65 and older; and $5 for adults. More information is available at www.gofisheducationcenter.com or by calling 478-988-7187.
For only $2 per person, Lane Southern Orchards offers a packing line tour of their state-of-the-art facility during the peach season (May-August). Visitors can watch the peaches come in from the field and go through the sizing and cleaning process before the famous Georgia fruit is shipped to grocery stores all the over country. The farm includes 3,000 acres of peach orchards, 3,000 acres of pecan orchards and a 6-acre strawberry patch. It is located just five minutes west of Interstate 75 at Exit 142. Complete details, including farm tours, are available by visiting LaneSouthernOrchards.com or by calling 1-800-27PEACH.
Did you know that the headquarters for the American Camelia Society is right here in Middle Georgia at Massee Lane Gardens, which is distinguished as a Garden of Excellence? For a $5 entry fee, visitors meander along brick pathways in a self-guided tour through one of the world’s finest camellia collections. Camellia Days run from September to March, but there is year-round color in the garden with native azaleas, Lady Banksias, day lilies, hydrangeas, roses and much more blooming seasonally.
Included with the admission fee is entry to the Annabelle Lundy Fetterman Educational Museum, which houses the world’s largest public display of Boehm porcelains.
The works of other major porcelain artists are also on display in the Stevens-Taylor Gallery.
Massee Lane Gardens is located 5.5 miles south of Fort Valley on State Road 49. Learn more by visiting www.americancamellias.org, ask@americancamellias.org or by calling 877-422-6355 or 478-967-2358.
The Museum of Aviation in Warner Robins remains a favorite destination for aviation buffs because it is free to the public while being often described as a Smithsonian quality destination. A stroll through the museum’s collection of 85 aircraft, missiles, cockpits and award-winning exhibits is guaranteed to take a least of couple of hours and provides great photo opportunities next to the airplanes. Notable exhibits of interest include World War II, the Tuskegee Airmen, the Korean War and the Emmy-winning movie “Papa Said We Should Never Forget.” The Museum of Aviation is open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and is located on Ga. 247 at Russell Parkway. To learn more about the buildings, exhibits and the many fun educational opportunities available for children in grades pre-K-12 visit www.museumofaviation.org.
Marsha Priest Buzzell is the executive director of the Warner Robins Convention & Visitors Bureau and may be contacted at 478-922-5100 or cvb@wrga.gov.
This story was originally published April 26, 2016 at 6:00 PM with the headline "Local destinations on a dime."