Nestled in the verdant heart of Georgia is the unassuming city of Forsyth, with its colorful history and welcoming community.
This locality is situated east of Atlanta, making it a quick escape from busy days and the noisy urban environment.
You’ll find many manmade attractions in the city proper, such as antique stores, local establishments offering Southern cuisine, and art shops.
And don’t forget the many historic buildings and structures littering the city, most of which are found at the Forsyth Commercial Historic District.
Past the city proper are several natural destinations that make for the perfect outdoor adventure.
So if you’re planning for a laid-back vacation, take a chance and choose this charming city!
Here are the 20 best things to do in Forsyth, GA:
Deborah McCague / Shutterstock.com
As mentioned, the Forsyth Commercial Historic District is where you’d see most of the old buildings in Forsyth.
One of the most prominent ones is the magnificent Monroe County Courthouse, occupying an entire city block at the heart of downtown.
Its beauty is unmistakable and hard to miss, with red brick and white trimmings in Victorian architecture.
Michael Rivera, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Since it was built in 1896, it has stayed true to its purpose as the place where justice is carried out.
But it has also emerged as a tourist attraction thanks to its beauty.
You’re welcome to tour the interiors of the courthouses and see the beautiful designs pressed into the ceilings.
The courtroom itself is just as impressive, with a regal layout and polished hardwood gleaming as the sunlight passes through the windows.
Hannah Henderson / Shutterstock.com
East of the city proper is Forsyth’s most expansive green space, the scenic Rum Creek Wildlife Management Area.
This 5,884-acre property is an adventurer’s haven, offering plenty of activities that will excite every visitor.
Chief of these is hunting, made possible by the many waterfowl and raptors who call the area home.
Be sure to have a hunting license and stay within the designated hunting grounds to avoid legal issues.
If hunting is not your thing, there are still plenty of other outdoor activities to do.
These include hiking, picnicking, sightseeing, and birdwatching.
You can also head to Lake Juliette, the main water feature that creates the area’s borders.
While not entirely owned by Forsyth, the vast Lake Juliette is still the main water recreation destination for city residents.
This vast body of water covers 3,600 acres and is actually a reservoir that helps power the Georgia Power Plant Scherer.
To access it, you can head to Rum Creek Wildlife Management Area and find one of the boat ramps or launches.
While on the lake, you can go boating, swimming, and fishing.
Some freshwater species you can try catching include various types of bass, channel catfish, sunfish, and yellow perch.
Kayaks, canoes, and other nonpowered watercraft are preferred.
But if you’re bringing a boat, be sure that its motor is less than 25 hp.
Michael Rivera, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The magnificent Rose Theater is the only live community theater here, so it’s become the hotspot for performance art in the city.
And it’s located downtown, so you won’t have problems locating and accessing it.
Here, the local theater company The Backlot Players hold entertaining shows a couple of times a year.
They’ve been around since 1994, producing many types of shows like theater plays, musicals, and children’s plays.
So check out their upcoming events for this season and schedule your itinerary around the show dates.
Aside from these live events, they also host movie screenings as well as concerts.
So even if you don’t catch one of the theater plays, you might still be able to watch something great!
The magnificent Forsyth Golf Club serves as a public country club of sorts in the city, filled with many other attractions for families.
Of course, the most prominent one is the 18-hole course golf course, with three different sets of tees with varying difficulties.
So whether you’re a beginner or a professional, you’ll have a fun time playing on the course.
Book a tee time during your visit and have fun all afternoon holing your balls!
Aside from this sporting facility, the area houses the City of Forsyth Skate Park, complete with ramps, rails, and other features.
So don’t be surprised to see lots of youth and young adults visiting the park: most of them want a fun afternoon shredding at the park.
Many might miss the Monroe County Museum as they explore Forsyth thanks to its unassuming facade, but this destination is very much worth the stop.
Just look out for the dark red house on the corner of Johnston Street and Railroad Avenue.
Since the city is the county seat, it houses the main museum detailing the area’s extensive history.
You’ll discover intriguing exhibits and collections of artifacts from Monroe County’s bygone days, like Civil War items and a print stand by a famous writer.
But the most significant artifacts here are the genealogy records of the whole county, covering families from the earliest days of the town.
Don’t forget to check out the cotton gin, which was used to process the cash crop harvested from past plantations that littered the area.
Michael Rivera, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Craving a bit of homey Southern cuisine while in Forsyth?
Check out the many restaurants downtown!
There are many dining establishments scattered in various parts of the city, but the highest concentration is in the historic district.
Next to the Monroe County Courthouse is the Grits Cafe, offering savory Southern staples like salads, sandwiches, and their signature “Grits” onion soup.
At Jonah’s On Johnston, you can order delicious pizzas and calzones and enjoy them on their street-side patio.
To satisfy your sweet tooth, head over to Scoops for tasty ice cream and other sweet treats!
It’s perfect for the hot summer days of central Georgia.
If you want to feel the thrill of pulling the trigger and hitting a target, then visit the exciting Meadows Clays Sports.
It’s located southeast of the city proper, so you’ll need to drive a bit to reach it.
But the destination is well worth the trip since you can enjoy many types of shooting sports while in the 400-acre woodland.
There are specific sections for various activities, and you can visit each during your stay.
You’ll find one for sporting clays, another for traps and skeets, and more for other types of shooting events.
Test your accuracy by hitting the flying targets as they soar through the air, shattering into a thousand pieces as they’re shot by the slug.
If you plan ahead, you can catch the tournaments held at the facility, bringing together the best in the region for contests of speed and precision.
KOA Journey is one of the biggest camping ground chains in the US, so there must be a reason why they’d choose Forsyth as one of their locations.
Isolated as it may seem, the city is actually the perfect midway point for all the major regional attractions on this side of Georgia, including a few state parks, historic Macon, and bustling Atlanta.
So if you plan on exploring beyond Forsyth, this place can serve as your base.
The location is an attraction in itself, with vast grounds and many camping sites for both RVs and tents.
If you’re feeling more luxurious, the attraction also has a few cabins offering more modern comforts.
There are also many amenities to enjoy, such as a playground for kids, fishing areas, and a mini-golf course.
In December 2013, CoTique, a black woman-owned and veteran-owned business opened as a consignment shop.
They began as CoTique Consign and Boutique, selling a mixture of new and slightly used products.
In 2016, they switched to completely brand-new boutique products and stopped selling used things.
They formally renamed it CoTique Boutique, and the business has grown into a boutique that offers a variety of products for women and girls.
Girls’ sizes range from baby to size 14, while women’s size varies from small through 3XL.
Shoes, handbags, and presents are all available, in addition to items for girls and women.
CoTique Boutique is available Monday through Saturday from 12 pm to 6 pm and is situated on the Square in Forsyth, Georgia.
Your one-stop shop for all of your medical spa services and more is Magnolia’s Medical Spa.
Lying south of Metro Atlanta, Magnolia’s Med Spa is a comprehensive spa offering a luxurious selection of therapies that will calm the mind, heal the spirit, and leave skin glowing with brightness.
The most cutting-edge and thorough procedures, goods, and services are provided to you in this serene and pleasant sanctuary.
In addition to being stylists, their highly skilled service providers take an aesthetic approach while dealing with each customer.
Enjoy wonderful treatments, including facials, body sculpting, tanning, waxing, and more.
To match your budget, they can modify their services and goods for you.
Swing by and take a peek at their two lovely event rooms.
Since its beginnings, Fox City Brewing Company has enchanted its customers.
Fox City Brewing Company is a local business that offers excellent beer, delectable food, and a genuine sense of community in Forsyth’s historic center.
They feel there’s nowhere better to slow down and enjoy the atmosphere with a delicious beer!
Their house beer, Bloody Bob, is named for Bob, their illustrious brewmaster.
The Bloody Bob welcomes your senses with a remarkable flavor.
It is malty, nice, and smooth and runs a rich copper crimson.
Fox City Brewing Company is proud of its tasty dishes, much like its beer.
Expect a fantastic eating experience with neighborhood flair with Fox City Brewing Company!
The Rose Theater in Forsyth, Georgia, is home to the non-profit community theater The Backlot Players, Inc.
Since 1994, they have been giving Monroe County and the neighboring areas high-caliber theatrical shows.
Their goals are to provide top-notch live entertainment, discover and promote local talent, instruct children and adults in all facets of theater, and connect and recruit volunteers to improve the community.
Movies, live entertainment, and even nationally recognized recording artists are shown at Backlot Players, Inc.
Furthermore, the Backlot Players have a long history of providing the community with top-notch kid plays.
Grateful to the assistance of its devoted members, volunteers, and customers, the theater has recently undergone some significant upgrades.
For nearly 25 years, Forsyth’s greatest Mexican restaurant has been El Tejado.
They have a wide selection of Mexican food, including shrimp tacos, enchiladas, burritos, tacos, shrimp cocktails, and more!
Sample their house specialties, desserts, or vegetarian selections for those following a particular diet.
On request, jalapenos are added to all nachos.
They also sell drinks, so browse over their bar for alcoholic beverages.
El Tejado Mexican Restaurant provides wonderful food at some of Forsyth’s most competitive pricing.
Authentic Mexican cuisine is available seven days a week to enjoy with family or friends.
After your adventures in Forsyth, why not check out these other destinations just a few minutes away?
Georges_Creations / Shutterstock.com
Up north in Jackson lies the majestic High Falls State Park, named from the cascading waterfalls—the largest one in the middle of Georgia.
It’s just 17 minutes away from Forsyth, so you can quickly drive to it if you have spare time.
The waterfalls are not a single feature but a series of shallow cliffs where the waters of Towaliga River tumble and foam.
Jeffery L Willis / Shutterstock.com
The result is a beautiful view complemented by the trees on either side of the river.
If you want to stay for a bit longer, there are campsites, boat rentals, and other modern amenities that make for a comfortable stay at the park.
You can also visit the ghost town of High Falls, which was once a bustling community that got abandoned after being bypassed by the railroad.
Nature’s Charm / Shutterstock.com
Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com
In nearby Macon, the streets turn white and pink during spring as the whole community celebrates the Macon Cherry Blossom Festival.
This event is akin to the famous sights in Japan, with blooming cherry trees lining the streets and parks.
Since the city is just 25 minutes from Forsyth, you can quickly drive to it if you’re around during the last week of March.
Wendy Moore Photography / Shutterstock.com
Aside from viewing the magical trees, you can join the many events taking place during the festival.
These include live music concerts, arts and crafts, food events—all staying true to the cherry blossom theme.
It’s the closest thing to visiting Japan during spring!
Wendy Moore Photography / Shutterstock.com
EWY Media / Shutterstock.com
The expansive Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park is another Macon attraction known for the Native American earthworks.
It’s also only 27 minutes away from Forsyth, so history buffs can easily drive to the destination.
The park houses and protects cultural structures and artifacts created by Native Americans in the Southeastern Woodlands.
EWY Media / Shutterstock.com
Here, you’ll find elevated earth mounds, an archeological museum, and an earth lodge containing a fireplace, wooden supports, and some modern fittings.
At the museum, you’ll find more artifacts and information that will give you a deeper understanding of the cultures that existed during the early days.
Joseph Creamer / Shutterstock.com
Dsdugan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
When Native American societies ruled this side of the US, they found a spring thought to have healing properties.
It was eventually acquired by the state, which turned the area into a resort town in the 19th century.
Residents and vacationers continued to use the springs during these times, but the place was never recognized as a state park until 1927.
muffinn from Worcester, UK, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
That’s why, in some sense, Indian Springs State Park is the oldest state park in the country — becoming one even before the designation was created.
History aside, this place is one of the favorite attractions in Central Georgia, thanks to its pristine scenery.
And, of course, who wouldn’t want a taste of the supposed healing waters?
So visit it during your trip to Forsyth, as it’s only 21 minutes away.
Dsdugan, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Judy Gallagher, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The vast Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge is one of the defining attractions in the state, covering an area of more than 35,000 acres.
Its primary headquarters is in Hillsboro, but some trailheads are very close to Forsyth—just less than 20 minutes away.
The wildlife refuge is primarily composed of upland forests, with other habitats like wetlands and prairies in some sections.
Judy Gallagher, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
These serve as home to many native and endangered species, such as beavers, woodpeckers, raptors, migratory birds, and omnivore mammals.
To get a chance to see them, explore the trails that wind their way across valleys, small rivers, and ridges.
There are also a few camping locations where you can stay if you want to spend more days on the refuge.
Judy Gallagher, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Forsyth stands in a place where many of Central Georgia’s regional attractions are all accessible.
But this doesn’t mean that the city has no offerings.
There are plenty of manmade and natural attractions to see and experience.
So whether you’re an intrepid adventurer, history buff, or wildlife lover, you’ll have a great time in this charming city.
Discover the world.
© All rights reserved.
