Winter woes and blustery blues have you down? We have just the thing to put a spring in your step and something yummy in your tummy. From farmer’s markets and U-pick farms to artsy days and downtown nights, these seven outdoor activities are curiously suited for springtime sunshine.
Beloved by locals and travelers alike, Senoia Farmer’s Market is the perfect place to stroll in the sunshine. Enjoy a mimosa while you treat yourself to a scrumptious array of artisanal baked goods, honey, jams and jellies. As you wander through the aisles of local artisans, craftsmen, florists, farmers and food producers, you’ll find everything you need to fill your fridge and your heart. Once you’ve stuffed your tote to the brim, stick around to delight in a variety of family-friendly activities, including live music performances and local food trucks.
Nestled in downtown Newnan, the Monthly Market Day showcases an assortment of handmade, homemade and homegrown products created by local artisans, artists and farmers. Featuring more than 50 unique booths with new vendors and curiously crafted items each month, you’re sure to find something special every time you visit. Market favorites include locally grown produce, honey, jams and jellies, salsa, pottery, art, children’s clothing, hand-woven baskets, leather products, fresh baked goods, handcrafted furniture, birdhouses, wood-art, fiber-art, wreaths, floral design and much more!
Just around the courthouse is Pickin’ on the Square, occurring in concert with Monthly Market Days. Lean back on the lawn or put a spring in your step as you savor the acoustic songs of local musicians.
Senoia comes alive after five! Head down to Main Street to paint the town red and ring in the weekend. Local vendor booths line Senoia’s charming Southern streets while the air is energized with live music. Foodies will delight in a plethora of food trucks, and shoppers will enjoy the boutiques, antique stores and gift shops while sipping on wine or enjoying a cold beer. Many of the shops and restaurants in the downtown area stay open late, offering special deals and discounts so that your night out doesn’t break the bank.
Get inspired in downtown Newnan at the semi-annual Spring Art Walk. With more than 25 locations showcasing the works of more than 40 of Newnan’s finest artists, the downtown sidewalks are sure to be filled with unexpected talent. Local businesses will extend their hours during the art walk to host store-front exhibits full of captivating pieces available for purchase. Art styles and mediums include oil on canvas, engraving, pottery, photography, jewelry-making, fiber arts, performing arts and acrylics.
Start your weekend off at 180 Degree Farm, a non-profit farm that provides cancer patients with organically grown food and a therapeutic environment. Their assortment of organic produce, eggs, yogurt, meats and more is open to all and will have your pantry well-stocked. Proceeds from their harvest store aid in the fight against cancer, so you’ll be eating good, feeling good and doing good. Once you’ve checked everything off your grocery list, be sure to wander over to the 180 Degree Flower Farm for a beautiful bouquet to deck out your dining table.
Feeling peckish? Fill your basket at Beak and Berry Farm, a U-pick farm where fresh, pesticide-free berries grow plentiful. Little ones and adults will delight in harvesting strawberries or blueberries in the springtime sunshine. Planning to bake? You’ll need some eggs and sugar before you can turn your crop into confections. Pay a visit to the happy hens for farm-fresh eggs and then buzz by the bees for some raw honey right from the hive. Seasonal vegetables are also available for purchase year-round.
This veteran- and family-owned pesticide-free U-pick farm is bountiful in fruit and veggies worth filling your basket to the brim. If that wasn’t sweet enough, what really makes Whitley Farms special are their canning, pickling or jam-making classes. Each class provides the necessary tools, ingredients and step-by-step instructions to turn your harvest into a homemade jar of heaven. And of course, you’ll get to bring your goodies home with you! This one is too good to keep to yourself, so spread the love and bring a friend, your family or make a date out of it. Pickin’ is perfect for children of all ages, but classes are better suited for big kids and adults.
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]]>Fresh air and open space to enjoy the ride are what cyclists long for—and they increasingly are finding these options along the Chatt Valley. Known as Georgia’s cycling destination, the region covers a handful of counties and offers opportunities for road cycling, mountain biking, and even gravel cycling. With scenic routes throughout Carroll, Fulton, Harris, Troup, Muscogee, and Coweta counties, the region offers a great way to explore our state’s natural beauty on two wheels.
Coweta County is a valuable part of the Chattahoochee Valley Cycling experience for good reason. Just 45 minutes from downtown Atlanta and 30 minutes from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Newnan and other Coweta towns have become destinations for anyone who wants to ride for enjoyment or participate in a cycling event. Cyclists who travel through Coweta on the Chatt Valley will appreciate light traffic, rich scenery to admire, and even a friendly face or two to share the ride.
Bike Coweta, a hub for the local cycling community, advocates for Coweta being a cycling destination and must-see portion of Chatt Valley network. Chair Chris Doane points out that although development continues to trickle in, Coweta offers a slower-paced environment that cyclists relish, especially on long-distance rides.
VeloCity, a century ride benefiting Atlanta’s Grady Hospital, “spends a lot of the day in Coweta,” Doane points out. Another ride, the Tour of Coweta, has beckoned cyclists from more than 10 different states.
Because the trails travel from south Fulton all the way to Columbus, the counties work together to encourage more bike activity. “We have worked with other counties’ marketing organizations, and we have all taken on cycling activities as a draw for tourism,” says Doane.
Mountain bikers, too, will enjoy exploring Coweta’s portion of the Chatt Valley. Opportunities for mountain biking include trails at Brown’s Mill Battlefield, and in total there are 14 different mountain bike trail sites, according to Doane. “Brown’s Mill is about six and a half miles, and together, the trails probably offer between 150 and 200 miles of mountain biking trails in Chatt Valley,” he says.
Additionally, Bike Coweta’s Rock & Road Festival—held the same weekend as the Tour of Coweta—includes mountain bike races at Brown’s Mill Battlefield. Meanwhile, the Junior Rippers mountain bike team, for ages 6 to 12, has drawn a young and fervent crowd each season according to Brent Snodgrass, operations manager for Coweta County Parks & Recreation.
“It’s a fun program,” says Snodgrass. “We’ve had this one kid from Sandy Springs who has been in the program since the beginning. I would say almost half the kids in the program are from outside of the county.”
“It’s really bike-friendly here in Coweta; there are tons of places to ride,” agrees Parks Avery, a lifelong cyclist and Newnan resident. “I biked 30 miles this morning, and it was just beautiful. The birds and horses all look at you. Plus, it’s great exercise.”
By: Denise K. James (Atlanta Magazine Custom Media)
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]]>When it comes to music, Coweta has it covered. From jazz and acoustic to rhythm and blues, there’s something playing almost every week in a variety of locations around the county, including parks, auditoriums, brewpubs, and restaurants.
Greenville Street Park, located within walking distance of Newnan’s historic downtown district, is one of the area’s most popular music venues. The two-acre urban oasis features a terraced lawn area, a covered pavilion, and a stage that serves as a small amphitheater. It’s home to Jazz in the Park, a regular summer series sponsored by the Newnan Cultural Arts Commission, as well as Summer NewnaNights, a series of family-friendly music and entertainment events sponsored by Main Street Newnan.
For an indoor experience, head to the historic Wadsworth Auditorium, also located in downtown Newnan. Its lineup of concerts sponsored by the Newnan Cultural Arts Commission range from classical to Big Band. Occasionally, musicals are performed here as well.
The Donald W. Nixon Centre for Performing and Visual Arts, a modern 48,000-square-foot facility anchored by a 1,000-seat theater, hosts several concerts and musical productions each year. The local Masterworks Chorale regularly performs here; and the Centre Strings Orchestra, a volunteer student-community orchestra based at the Nixon Centre, holds concerts at the venue each May and December.
Although stage plays are the primary focus at the Newnan Theatre Company, musicals are sometimes performed here. Past productions include Bye Bye Birdie, Godspell, The Sound of Music, and 9 to 5 the Musical.
For a more laid-back experience, The Alamo features bands and acoustic musicians every weekend and is a favorite scene of Newnan residents and visitors alike. Often referred to simply as ‘The Mo,’ the downtown movie theater turned music venue has hosted hundreds of local and regional performers as well as such widely recognized musicians as Chubby Checker, Kool & The Gang, and Sugarland. Also on the menu are burgers, pizza, and wings, as well as curated drink specials and craft beers.
Another casual Newnan venue is the Abide Brewing Company. It features a rotating lineup of musicians, along with food trucks and specialty brews in a family-friendly atmosphere. The brewery’s annual Rockin’ Newnan Bash highlights a variety of local artists, all playing original music.
At The Bays, the casual dining and entertainment extension of popular downtown Newnan restaurant The Cellar, Wednesdays are devoted to jazz and Thursdays to acoustic. Bands play every weekend. Guests also can enjoy a chef-driven menu, a large bar, and two patios.
A few miles away, Senoia Alive After Five features a downtown summer concert series along with vendors, food trucks, and kids’ activities. Also popular is PorchFest Senoia, a neighborhood celebration where porches and yards become the stages for local and regional bands. The Senoia Downtown Development Authority sponsors both events.
The Coweta County Fairgrounds & Conference Center showcases a variety of talented musicians, particularly during fair week, when acts range from classic rock and reggae to Southern gospel and blues. In 2021, country star Alan Jackson, a Newnan native, performed a sold-out concert to raise money for tornado relief.
By: Fran Worrall (Atlanta Magazine Custom Media)
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]]>Senoia comes alive every Saturday at this popular market. Farmers sell seasonal fruits and veggies, while local artisans set up shop with everything from jewelry to homemade soap to hot sauce. Be sure to visit when live bands are on the schedule.
With a copper dome rising 100 feet above street level, this 1904 Classic Revival building towers above Newnan’s town square, but it also has some dark history: It held the famous 1948 Murder in Coweta County trial—subject of several podcasts and a movie.
Discover the magic of transforming simple, high-quality ingredients into unforgettable experiences. At Brown St. Bodega, you’ll find expertly crafted coffee, a curated selection of wines, wholesome meals, and delectable desserts. Whether you’re dining in or picking up provisions to cook at home, this is where everyday food becomes extraordinary.
Designed to look like a French bistro, this upscale Senoia dining spot has a menu full of tempting plates, but the crispy Eggs Dijon is a crowd pleaser. Pair the savory appetizer with a Paris-themed cocktail on the front or back patio.
Stop by this unique highway attraction in Turin to see an assortment of Barbies and Kens posed in different arrangements often based on current events. Steve and Linda Quick have kept locals and roadtrippers entertained with the whimsical displays since their first during the 2006 Winter Olympics.
One of the oldest restaurants in Newnan, this beloved spot serves up plenty of crave-worthy dishes, including the Redneck Burger topped with bacon and their famous fried green tomatoes, but the fried pickles with ranch are a tried-and-true staple.
Built in 1896, this Victorian-era mansion has been the center of paranormal activity in Grantville for decades. Among the sightings are a ghost named Mary and a spectral cat. Today, you can book a stay in one of the inn’s rooms through Airbnb and experience the haunted vibe for yourself.
Nearly everything is made inhouse at this Newnan ice cream shop, and flavors frequently rotate based on the season. Fresh peach and blueberry lemon lavender are popular in summer, while white chocolate peppermint and gingersnap cheesecake are winter winners.
The 2,910-acre Chattahoochee Bend State Park is one of the largest state parks in Georgia and provides an ideal spot for kayaking. After a day of paddling, rent a nearby cottage or campsite to relax amid the forest’s natural beauty.
Nicknamed the “City of Homes,” Newnan has six districts listed on the National Historic Registry. Be sure to check out 167 LaGrange Street, one of the oldest standing homes in the city built circa 1828, as well as 155 Greenville Street, which has been featured in many shows and movies.
By: Emma Hunt (Atlanta Magazine Custom Media)
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