5 Places to Check Out If Youâre New to Valdosta
Sep 03, 2019
We all know moving to a new place can be scary. You donât know anyone, you canât find your way around town, and you have no clue where to spend your free time. Here are five places you should definitely visit if youâre new to the Azalea City (or even if youâre not)!
1. Wild Adventures
I know, I knowâŠthis one is obvious, but Wild Adventures offers more than just roller coasters. You can get up close and personal with wild animals at the Safari Petting Zoo, explore their giant birdhouse, and even feed giraffes! If nightlife is more your thing, they host concerts from some big names that might surprise you. Past guests include Weird Al, Skillet, and The Backstreet Boys, just to name a few. Some areas of the park might look familiar to you because they were featured in the hit movie Zombieland, which filmed some pivotal scenes at the park back in 2009!
2. Valdosta Wake Compound
On the way to Wild Adventures, youâll drive right by our wakeboarding compound. Perfect for newbies or experienced wakeboarders alike, itâs the best place in town to catch some air and splash around. More of a land-lover? Try the skatepark! There are spots to camp for the night as well, if youâre too worn out at the end of the day to make the trek home.
3. Downtown Valdosta
Full of restaurants and shops, historical Downtown Valdosta has undergone quite a resurgence over the last several years. You can find anything to suit your taste, from thrift stores to fine dining, even a tattoo shop! With the gorgeous courthouse at its center, Downtown plays host to many events including farmerâs markets, food trucks, art walks, and parades.
4. Grand Bay Wildlife Management
Looking to spend a quiet afternoon outdoors? Head to the picturesque Grand Bay WMA to get away from the noise of everyday life. Stroll down the boardwalk and enjoy the sounds of nature, where youâll surely spot some local wildlife (including an alligator or two!). The 54-foot tall observation tower offers incredible views of the surrounding swampland and nature preserve.
5. Reed Bingham State Park
While not technically in Valdosta, Reed Bingham is well worth the 30-minute drive north to Adel. The park offers trails for hiking and biking, a huge lake for kayaking and swimming, as well as plenty of areas to camp, fish, and picnic. They even have a mini-golf course, plus they offer boat and kayak rentals if you donât have your own! If youâre into animal-watching, Reed Bingham is home to gopher tortoises, alligators, and indigo snakes.
