Looking for fun things to do in Newnan, Georgia? You’ve come to the right place!
Newnan is a city located in Georgia, southwest of Atlanta. It was founded in 1828 and is known for its well-preserved antebellum architecture.
It is a safe place to live and has many attractions, such as the Atlanta Botanical Garden and Sweetwater Creek State Park.
These locations are perfect for enjoying nature and spending time outdoors. Additionally, visitors can explore many restaurants and shops in Newnan.
In addition, Newnan has several cultural and natural attractions, including museums, parks, and historic sites.
Newnan is a charming Southern town with plenty to offer visitors; here are the 15 best things to do in Newnan, Georgia.
Things to Do In Newnan
1. Downtown Newnan
The downtown district of Newnan features many neighborhood businesses and eateries and is also a very educational walk. Many of the downtown buildings are dated from 1928 when the city was founded.
The style of the buildings is Greek Revival. One of the buildings has a tall clock tower; this historical clock was initially wound by hand.
Here you will also find the first Carnegie Library in Georgia. One section of stores on East Broad Road clearly shows how the town was arranged when it was segregated.
Visiting Downtown Newnan is one of the best things to do in Newnan, GA.
2. Mcritchie – Hollis Museum
Another beautiful Greek Revival building in Newnan houses the story of the town’s residents during the Great Depression and during the Second World War.
In some of the rooms, you will see the furniture of the Hollis family from the 1920s. You will also see their kitchen and bathroom (which were combined into one room.)
One of the loveliest features is the majestic winding stairway. From the windows upstairs, you can see the beautiful backyard and garden.
3. Brown’S Mill Battlefield Site
Although the houses in Newnan were not burned or destroyed during the Civil War, the War did impact some of its woodlands.
This battle site celebrates one of the Confederacy’s victories over the Union soldiers in 1864. Walking or biking on the trail here, you can learn about the battle fought on this site and have an enjoyable nature walk near a tranquil pond.
4. Senoia Area Historical Society Museum
One of the top things to do in Newnan, GA, is to explore the Senoia Area Historical Society Museum. This building is located a short distance from Newnan. The museum is found in a lovely country home that was once used as the town bank.
The rooms are full of dark hardwood furniture from the early 1870s, as well as exhibits telling about the history of the area. The dining room is the oldest room in the home, and it shows the original windows used by the bank tellers.
As a salute to more recent history, there is a display dedicated to the runners who were carrying the Olympic torch, who passed through the town during the torch run of the Atlanta Olympics in 1996.
5. Oak Hill Cemetery
History buffs will want to visit this cemetery. The cemetery opened in 1833 and now holds more than 12,000 graves.
Two of Georgia’s past governors have been buried here. In addition, it has many graves of Revolutionary War soldiers and 270 graves of Confederate soldiers from the Civil War.
Many of these soldiers did not die in battle but died in Atlanta – of disease or infection. During the War, Atlanta hosted a large hospital. The cemetery remains a place of final rest for soldiers of all wars since it also holds graves of veterans of the Korean and Vietnam wars.
6. Dunaway Gardens
This terraced garden is only five miles outside the city and is worth the trip. There are five separate terraces where you can see an abundance of blooms.
You can also see some fantastic waterfalls, hanging gardens, and goldfish swimming in the pond. There are sculptures to see throughout the gardens. Around one of the flowered corners, you will see a small granite hill called Little Stone Mountain. Add this stop to your list of things to do in Newnan, GA.
7. Parks In Newnan
Chattahoochee Bend State Park This park is a few miles west of Newnan. The park is on the shore of the Chattahoochee River. It is one of Georgia’s largest state parks.
There are 10 miles of hiking trails here and extensive trails for mountain biking. You can enjoy some ice cream at their gift shop during your trip.
Greenville Street Park
This downtown park is a frequent gathering place for the town’s citizens. In the entrance path of the park, there are 25 Greek columns. They lead to a spectacular fountain and a picnic area.
There are two great sculptures here. One is called Flight Lesson. The second is called Lady of the House. It is famed because the sculpture’s lady holds a clapboard above her head.
This is symbolic of the unique place Newnan plays in the area; just as no two pieces of clapboard are alike, yet all are needed to form a building, Newnan played its own unique part in the area’s history.
If you are looking for a place to have an enjoyable time with your family or friends, do add this park to your bucket list of things to do in Newnan.
8. Coweta County African American Heritage Museum And Research Center
Although it is small, this museum holds vital information about the life of African American people in this area, back to the 1830s.
It is also called the Caswell House. There are plenty of artifacts here, so you can learn how the people lived during that time. Next door to the home, there is a cemetery called Farmers Cemetery, which some belief is the largest cemetery exclusively for African American people.
There are some reports the house may be haunted, as some visitors report seeing a ghost named Ruby, who enjoys playing with visiting children.
9. Children Connect Museum
Learning can be fun for kids at this museum. They have a room of creative toys like LEGOs and KNEX, fossil building, and other models; a pre-K room for toddler exploration and crafts.
It includes a pretend kitchen, bank, grocery store, and factory. Kids will be challenged to use their imaginations to build whatever strikes their fancy. They can also explore some vintage toys. This makes it one of the fun things to do in Newnan, GA.
10. The Little White House
The house got its name because President Franklin D Roosevelt often visited here while in office and conducted much presidential business from its rooms.
Roosevelt built this home on top of Pine Mountain back when he was governor of New York. It was his vacation home for many years. This home is where Roosevelt passed away in 1945.
The home is preserved exactly as it was on the day he died. It holds many of his personal items, including his favorite chair.
11. Barbie Beach
A visit to Barbie Beach is one of the quirkiest things to do in Newnan, GA. Whether you are a collector of Barbie dolls or just a fan of off-the-wall tourist attractions, you will enjoy the exhibit here.
Barbie Beach is a quirky roadside attraction located around 7 miles from Newnan on the road to Senoia. This beach made of entirely nude barbie dolls is sure to charm anyone who visits.
On the beach of this site, you will find a collection of nude Barbie dolls/ They are formed into an “action” theme, starring the dolls.
The producers of the show “Walking Dead” found out about the exhibit and donated some zombie dolls, and since then, the zombie dolls and Barbies have interacted together. The scene is changed regularly, so you should visit often.
12. Banning Mills
Banning Mills is a must-visit for those who love the outdoors. Located 10 miles northwest of Newnan and is definitely worth the visit.
You can also enjoy the lovely scenery by riding on horseback, renting a kayak, ziplining, and enjoying a leisurely ride on the river.
There is also a day spa, where their professional staff will pamper you with a massage or other body treatments.
13. Delta Flight Museum
One of the top things to do in Newnan, GA, is to take a tour of this museum. It is located near Atlanta, a short trip from Newnan, depicting the first 100 years of Delta Airlines.
You can see two old hangars that lie near the main Atlanta airport. There are exhibits here that date back to 1931, including a six-seat plane that served as that airline’s first plane.
Later in their history, they used a 767 plane called the Spirit of Delta. They used that plane until 2004.
14. Georgia Aquarium
When you are visiting the flight museum, take a few minutes to go into the city and see this beautiful aquarium.
It is one of the world’s largest aquariums and one of the few that offers a whale shark tank visit. Visitors will also enjoy seeing the manta rays, a white beluga whale, and some sea lions.
The aquarium shows a full range of environments where sea creatures live, including tropical corals, to the coldest water creatures in the world. Be sure to add the place to your bucket list of fun things to do in Newnan with kids.
15. Urban Air Trampoline Adventure Park
Bring the whole family or have a birthday party at this place where kids of all ages can enjoy themselves.
You can enjoy jumping on a trampoline, rock climbing, dodgeball, the LEGO room, virtual reality experiences, basketball, an adventure climbing course, or a sky-riding course.
Have a great time and enjoy some snacks and drinks at the snack bar. Of course, they have pizza as well as other delicious treats.
Where to eat in Newnan?
There are many places to choose from when you want to have a meal in Newnan. You can find anything from fast food to five-star restaurants. Some of the more popular places are:
Abide Brewing Company
This was the first brewery in Newnan. It specializes in craft beers. It is a small building established by three city residents. They offer a full range of local and European beers.
Knife and Stone
An upscale restaurant with locally-sourced produce, steaks, and seafood. They also offer beer and wine.
La Parilla Restaurant
If you enjoy Tex-Mex fare, this family-owned restaurant should suit you well. Choose from familiar favorites like tacos and quesadillas, their fiesta salad, or spicy seafood. The atmosphere is casual, but the food is expertly prepared.
Eat Thai
If you are looking for take-out Thai food, look no further. You can get some tapas or try their signature pad thai noodles. They also serve soups, fried rice, and curry.
Planning your Trip to Newnan
There are many things to do in Newnan, Georgia. You can enjoy the outdoors, visit interesting museums, or eat delicious food. Whatever your interests, you are sure to find something to do in this city.
Start planning your trip today, and come see all that Newnan has to offer!
