15 Best Things To Do In Covington, Georgia

If you’re tempted to think that little

Covington, Georgia

, looks like something out of a movie scene, it’s probably because it is. Sometimes called the Hollywood of the South, this small town 35 miles southeast of Atlanta has taken a star turn in more than 140 TV shows and films: It’s played Serenity, South Carolina, in

Netflix’s



Sweet Magnolias


and Mystic Falls, Virginia, in

The Vampire Diaries’

eight-season run. Feel-good movie

Remember the Titans

was partially shot here, as was

My Cousin Vinny.

And you can’t forget

The Dukes of Hazzard

.

But 200-year-old Covington’s true star power lies in its small-town spirit, which shines brightest on holidays, including the Fourth of July when the town lights up in a huge festival. And while the explosive show draws enthusiastic crowds for a day, it’s Covington’s quieter, less flashy charms that reel in folks for good.

C’est en tout cas ce qui est arrivé à une famille locale. « Nous sommes passés par Covington un dimanche en nous rendant au lac depuis Alpharetta », se souvient Kelley Johnston, qui vit à Covington depuis plus de dix ans. Elle et son mari ont vu une famille rentrer de l’église, ils ont acheté une maison et se sont installés à Covington peu de temps après.

There really is something for everyone here, and however you decide to spend your time in Covington, you will leave feeling like a local. Beth Ivey, who works in town but lives in nearby Jackson, says it best: « When you’re here, you think, ‘Okay, this might not be where I live or where I’m from, but for some reason, I feel like I’m home.’ »

Here’s how to spend a carefree vacation in Covington, Georgia.

Where To Eat

Enjoy An Afternoon Snack

« When we moved here, we didn’t know anybody but were immediately welcomed, » says resident Kelly Johnston about moving to Covington. « Our kids were brought into family homes. It’s something that you see on TV, like on

The Andy Griffith Show.

”

Adding to the local charm, Johnston opened downtown’s

Bread and Butter Bakery

in 2013; her son, Zac, joined the business in 2016. Stop by for an iced coffee pick-me-up. Or swing by Scoops for an afternoon sugar rush.

breadandbutter.coffee

, 1124 Monticello St. SW, Covington, GA 30014

scoopsicecream.com

, 1131 Church St., Covington, GA 30014

Order Eggs And Grits For Breakfast

If you’re looking for a true locals’ experience, kick off your trip to Covington with a stick-to-your-ribs breakfast at The Town House Café, a homey establishment just off the square that’s been in the same family for three generations.

thetownhousecafe.net

, 1145 Washington St., Covington, GA 30014

Pay Homage To The Vampire Diaries At Lunch

Grab a rooftop lunch at Mystic Grill, so named after the fictional eatery in

The Vampire Diaries.

On your way up, check out the restaurant’s wall of fame, which features photos of the grill’s well-known patrons.

mysticgrill.restaurant

, 1116 Clark St. SW, Covington, GA 30014

Relax For Dinner

Settle into a booth at City Pharmacy, shown above, (its name is a nod to its 70-year history as a drugstore) to end the day with

craft cocktails

and inspired plates like apricot hummus and blue corn-crusted trout.

citypharmacycov.com

, 1105 Church St., Covington, GA 30014

Where To Shop

Find The Perfect Gift For Friends And Family

Stop by The Soap Box to peruse handmade lotions and bath bombs, and head a block over to sample creatively infused balsamic vinegar at Town Square Olive Oil (

their bottles

make great host gifts).

thesoapboxcovington.com

, 1107 Church St., Covington, GA 30014

townsquareoliveoil.com

, 1130 Church St., Covington, GA 30014

Freshen Up At The Barbershop

Thumb through men’s clothing or schedule a fresh shave at The Dude Store and Barber Shop, owned by Andrew Dial.

facebook.com

, 1144 Monticello St. SW, Covington, GA 30014

What To Do

See Some Pretty, Old Houses

Grab a brochure from the town’s welcome center, and take a self-guided tour of the area’s beautiful historic homes, like the circa-1912 Lee-Porter House. Curb appeal abounds here. (Be mindful that these are private residences; enjoy the view from the sidewalk!)

discovercovingtonga.com

, 2146 Conyers St. SE, Covington, GA 30014

Get Outside

Explore Cricket Frog Trail, an old railbed-turned pathway that meanders for 4 miles through town and extends about another 11 miles into the county. Test your luck fishing at Turner Lake Park, or catch a free concert with the family at Legion Field.

newtontrails.org

, 1166 Elm St. NE, Covington, Georgia 30014

co.newton.ga.us

, 6185 Turner Lake Rd. NW, Covington, GA 30014

cityofcovington.org

, 3173 Mill St. NE, Covington, GA 30014

Visit Covington Square

Covington has a


The Andy Griffith Show

feel

. Nowhere will you find this Mayberry-reminiscent sense of community more apparent than on Covington Square, a gathering spot that acts as the town’s front porch. Anchored in one corner by the Historic Newton County Courthouse and in another by Johnston’s bakery, the heart of downtown is home to a variety of restaurants and shops, plus a small green that’s primed for sitting and watching the world go by. It’s the kind of place that feels familiar from the moment you arrive, and it’s easy to while away the hours here.

discovercovingtonga.com

, 1124 Clark St. SW, Covington, GA 30014

Take The Trolley

Board Main Street Trolleys’ red rig for a two-hour tour of the town’s film and TV locations, including recognizable spots from

The Dukes of Hazzard

and

In the Heat of the Night

. There are five different tour options, depending on your favorite film.

mainstreettrolleys.com

Look For Ghosts

If a daytime tour of filming sites isn’t doing it for you, then sign up for a Covington Ghost Tour. This 2.5-hour walking tour will take you past some of the town’s most haunted locales, as well as a few filming locations, too.

covingtonghosttours.com

, 1105 Washington St. SW, Covington, GA 30014

Celebrate Independence Day In The Town Square

The town marks

July 4

in Rockwellian fashion, with homes dressed in tricolor bunting and the annual Independence in the Park festival bringing everyone together on Covington Square for live music and old-fashioned family fun. « It’s just the way that you think it should be, if you’ve ever watched a movie about a small town at the Fourth of July, » says Kelley Johnston, who’s called Covington home for 13 years. People drive in from miles around for the highlight of the day’s celebrations: an awe-inspiring display of around 1,200 sparkling fireworks.

discovercovingtonga.com

, 2101 Washington St. SW, Covington, GA 30014

Embrace Your Vampire Diaries Obsession

If you have strong opinions on whether Damon or Stefan was better for Elena, then you should take the Vampire Stalkers Mystic Falls Tour. Your guide will take you all over town to filming locations for

The Vampire Diaries

,

The Originals

, and

Legacies

, including the Lockwood Mansion. The group also runs the TV & Movie Museum, which features memorabilia from various shows filmed in Covington.

mysticfallstours.com

, 1102 Monticello St. SW, Covington, GA 30014

Test Your Mettle In An Escape Room

One of Covington’s most iconic spots is the clock tower in the town square. The Clock Tower Escape Room, though not technically in the actual clock tower, plays on that mystique with its themed activities. Here, you can dive into the storylines of shows like

The Vampire Diaries

and

Stranger Things

.

clocktowerescaperoom.com

, 1106 Monticello St. SW, Covington, Georgia 30014

Spend Time On A Farm

Make the short drive to Mitcham Farm to pick some blackberries, strawberries, lavender, blueberries, sunflowers, zinnias, or pumpkins, depending on the time of year. Then peruse their selection of more

Georgia-grown goods

.

mitchamfarm.com

, 829 W. Macedonia Church Rd., Oxford, Georgia 30054

Where To Stay

Book A Stay At The Twelve Oaks

Built in 1836, this historic house has changed ownership and names over the years. Now an inn, the quaint hotel has TV- and film-themed rooms across three stories.

thetwelveoaks.com

, 2176 Monticello St. SW., Covington, GA. 30014

Reserve A Vacation Home

You can also rent a cabin, condo, or cottage near downtown with Mystic Falls Vacation Homes. The company has eight properties—all available on AirBnB—you can select from.

facebook.com

, 5192 N. Dearing St. NE, Covington GA 30014