Between Atlanta And Macon Is Georgia's Underrated Retreat With A Charming Downtown And Southern Eats

Of the many towns that lie off Interstate 75 between Atlanta and Macon, the most underrated might be Griffin — a small city of under 24,000 whose charming downtown is full of turn-of-the-century architecture, colorful murals, and great restaurants. Located 31 miles from Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and 53 miles from Macon, this former railroad and cotton town is a laid-back Southern retreat, whether you have a whole weekend to spend there or just an afternoon. As its most famous son, Doc Holliday, says in the movie "Tombstone," Griffin's your huckleberry.

Despite Griffin's charm, you've likely never heard of it. It doesn't make Tripadvisor's list of the best day trips from Atlanta and rarely shows up on state tourism guides or lists of the state's "must-see cities." Of course, that only means this hidden gem will be less crowded when you do visit. Its historic downtown and Southern food offerings make Griffin a good stop on any Georgia road trip — or even a destination to seek out on its own.

With shops, restaurants, historic buildings, and monthly special events, Griffin's downtown is a quaint old-style city center with 19th-century roots and 21st-century amenities. Bedecked with murals and easily walkable at about eight square blocks, the Griffin Commercial Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988, and today is full of shops, vintage antique stores, and unique history.

If you're interested in Griffin's past, your first stop should be the Griffin Spalding Museum. You can learn all about Doc Holliday here, as well as the city's close relationship to the cotton industry. Griffin also celebrates the legend of Doc Holliday at the annual Doc Holliday Festival every September on the weekend after Labor Day. The nearby Griffin Opera House is a restored theater from the late 1800s that retains its 19th-century charm; it's a popular venue for live music and comedy shows today. The second weekend of every month sees the town's 2nd Saturday series, a free festival that sees a rotating monthly theme along with live music. Past themes have included "Chili Crawl," "Brunch Madness," and "Brushtrokes & Brews," so expect to chow down before you boogie down. And if you want to visit downtown Griffin, it makes sense to actually stay downtown; the Historic Griffin Hotel sits in a restored building from 1910, and with 4.6 stars on Google, it's a charming alternative to Atlanta's stylish boutique hotels.

Though Griffin may not be considered one of America's best "antique capitals," this historic town has its fair share of antique stores. Fortunately, many of them are under the same roof, right downtown. Located inside an old textile mill, the Broad Street Mill is a collection of independent antiques dealers and artisans. Its dealers include Sweet Southern Salvage Antiques & Boutique, which specializes in vintage home goods and boutique clothes and jewelry, and The Auction Block Antique Mall, with vendors selling classic furniture and original iron art.

If all that shopping and exploring makes you hungry, don't worry: Georgia is known for its Southern food, and Griffin keeps that tradition alive. Whether you're looking for barbecue, golden fried goodness, classic soul food, or even refined tea parties, if it's Southern, you can find it in Griffin.

The Corner Cafe, a downtown hot spot that's one of the top-ranked Griffin restaurants on Tripadvisor, is a local favorite. Its diverse menu features all kinds of diner food, but for the true Southern experience, try the country fried steak or grilled pork chops— and cap it all off with a slice of cake from the display case. Bank Street Cafe has a 4.3 rating on Tripadvisor and a menu offering Southern favorites like pimento cheese, with multiple reviews singling out the pimento cheese eggroll appetizer as a must-eat. Gritz Family Restaurant serves up classic Southern food like collard greens, hash brown casserole, fried catfish, and cube steaks with gravy for breakfast and lunch, with a 4.2 rating on Yelp.

When you think of Southern food, of course, you immediately think of barbecue. McGhin's Southern Pit Bar-B-Que has been serving the Griffin area for over 40 years and ranks among the top restaurants in town on Tripadvisor. Its menu includes all the best barbecue classics — chopped pork, brisket, and chicken, either in buns or on a plate; baby back ribs; and Brunswick stew, baked beans, slaw, and cornbread on the side. And if you prefer a classier meal that won't leave you covered in sauce, The Emerald Chandelier hosts a Southern spin on afternoon tea inside the antique-filled 1870 Poplar House with a myriad of tea experiences and menus to choose from, as well as private rooms for your own events.