Discover Fort Valley

In Fort Valley, impressive camellia gardens meet historic buildings and a strong peach-growing tradition. For travelers who enjoy combining nature, culture, and local highlights, there are many different things to discover here, from a major camellia exhibition and collections to historic architecture and annual festivals. Which of these aspects interests you most may also shape your choice of vacation rental.

Camellias and Garden Culture

Massee Lane Gardens features a nine-acre camellia collection. The gardens also include the Abendroth Japanese Garden. The visitor center regularly shows a slideshow about camellias and the development of the gardens, allowing you to combine your visit with an insight into the history of the site. Professionally guided tours are available for groups of ten or more by appointment. If you would like to include a tour in your travel plans, take the group size and the need to schedule an appointment into account.

The Festival of Camellias takes place annually at Massee Lane Gardens. It is a special event for visitors who want to experience Fort Valley’s garden culture. The annual Georgia Peach Festival also offers a glimpse into the area’s peach-growing tradition: it takes place in Fort Valley and Byron. The two festivals have different focuses—camellias in the gardens and peaches at the town festival—and can guide your travel plans depending on your interests.

Historic Buildings and Collections

Fort Valley’s architectural and local history can also be explored at specific sites. The Benjamin S. Anderson House houses Fort Valley State University’s Heritage Museum and is also the oldest building on its campus. Those interested in history and collections can combine a museum visit with a look at a notable campus building. The Biggs Collection features historic furnishings from 1860 to 1900.

The original passenger train station building in Fort Valley is still standing. The Everett Square District, one of the city’s two notable historic districts, is also part of its historic streetscape. The Troutman House was built around 1855 and is an example of Greek Revival architecture. These sites offer different ways to explore Fort Valley’s past: a train station building, a historic district, and a house with a clearly identifiable architectural style.

The Austin Theatre opened in January 1917 and is a cultural and commercial venue in Fort Valley. If you are interested in the history of a theater, you can make its long past a focus alongside the houses and collections. Fort Valley State University also offers personal campus tours led by student ambassadors. This gives visitors two different perspectives: the historic building in a museum setting and a guided look at the campus.

Peaches, Regional Cuisine, and Golf

Peaches also feature prominently in Fort Valley’s culinary offerings. At Lane Southern Orchards’ Roadside Market just outside the city, fresh peaches are available during the season and pecans year-round. The PeachTree Café at Lane Southern Orchards serves home-cooked meals. If you want to make regional produce and food a focus of your trip, you can explore these offerings as a distinct part of your visit. The “World's Largest Peach Cobbler,” prepared annually on the first Saturday of the Peach Festival in Fort Valley, is also one of the city’s special peach traditions.

For a different kind of leisure activity, Pine Needles Country Club has a 9-hole golf course. Choose your vacation rental to suit the experiences that matter most to you, and use Fort Valley as a starting point for your own discoveries.

If you’d like to explore the surrounding area, you can also find Byron here.

For the broader travel overview: Peach County.