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Kick-off your next adventure in Statesboro, Georgia! Discover the excitement of a live rodeo or sample one of the area’s 36 tantalizing and flavorful festivals. Visit our one-of-a-kind attractions, such as the Wildlife Education Center and get up close to a bald eagle or a 14-foot-long Burmese python. Step back in time over 78 million years at the Georgia Southern Museum, home to the 26-foot-long Mosasaur, the marine equivalent of Tyrannosaurus rex. Be part of the show at the Averitt Center for the Arts or meet the colorful local personalities who create art, music, and theater. From opera and ballet to bluegrass and blues, our vibrant city celebrates the area’s culture and heritage. Pick up some local honey during your travels at the Main Street Farmers Market or dine at one of our many restaurants on fresh from the farm local flavors fuzed by an award winning chef. Foodie’s agree, here you can sample the best traditional Southern cuisine or raise your spirits at an award winning local winery or brewery. Everyone enjoys a good time. In Statesboro you’ll find good times and more. From performing arts to championship sporting events; from incredible dining to world class attractions, we let the good times roll. Your next adventure awaits you! Let the Statesboro Convention and Visitors Bureau help you plan your good time. Contact us at www.visitstatesboroga.com and be sure to use our mobile app when you’re on the go!
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The Georgia Southern University Performing Arts Center Straight from the stages of Broadway, Nashville, L.A. and around the world, performers open at the Performing Arts Center at Stateboro’s Georgia Southern University. Recognized as one of the largest and finest performing arts venues in Georgia, this 825-seat theater regularly welcomes audiences for classical music and rock legends, Broadway shows and comedy greats, musicals and dramas, ballet and bluegrass.
The Center for Art & Theatre Home of the Black Box Theatre, Betty Foy Sanders Georgia Artists Collection and Smith Callaway Banks Southern Folk Art Collection, Georgia Southern University’s Center for Art & Theatre is a breathtaking public venue for performances, art exhibitions and events. Every year, the Center for Art & Theatre offers a wide range of exciting exhibitions and performances for viewing by both the University and the community.
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The Averitt Center for the Arts An architectural gem in Statesboro’s charming downtown, the Averitt Center sparkles with art, theater, music and applause. It’s the hub of a regional arts community, bringing together visiting artists, performers and shows as well as drawing on a rich community of artists. For those seeking a visual arts experience, the Averitt offers alwayschanging exhibits in Main Gallery, Legends Gallery, Youth Gallery and Multi Purpose Studio. If you’re thinking performing arts, the Center’s Performance Series opens the curtain on an incredible variety of professional and local performances — dance, concerts, drama, comedy, or musicals. Feeling inspired yourself? The Averitt offers workshops and classes – including many one-day events for all ages.
Georgia Southern University Museum The best of the old – say, 78 million years old – meets with ever-new and changing exhibits at this exhibit-packed museum. In the Hall of Natural History, meet the Mosasaur, who roamed the earth in the Mesozoic Era, the Vogtle Whale, and 80 million years of natural history. Bring the children – there are lots of interactive exhibits. Now step into Gallery 2, where there’s always something new – special and national traveling exhibits. You might find the archeology of Camp Lawton, the recently discovered Civil War prisoner of war camp or an exploration of satellites and geochaching.
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Dining With endless options at over 170 restaurants, there are menus to suit everyone’s palate and pocketbook in Statesboro. Choose one of our local fine dining favorites that will tempt you with delectable delights or savor Southern comfort foods at an assortment of buffets. In the evening, there are a variety of venues that provide live music to enhance your dining experience.
Shopping
Fun
Did you know shopping is one of the top-rated travel activities? Then Statesboro is definitely a trip worth making. In our historic Downtown and dotted throughout the ‘Boro, you’ll find locally owned boutiques, specialty stores and antique markets. Drop in a trendy clothing shop, jeweler, bookstore or other tempting stops. And the national chains? You’ll find the bestknown names in our mall and shopping centers. 6
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Antiques and Uniques Looking for a treasure hunt? This is the place since folks have called Statesboro home for more than 200 years! Variety, quality, and value have made Statesboro’s Antique Alley a “must shop stop” for treasure hunters and dealers alike. Travel back in time while browsing the wares of over 20 antique malls and thrift stores sprinkled across the county.
Accommodations Imagine not worrying about parking, traffic or trying to find a great restaurant for dinner when you get to your destination. You have envisioned the laidback, serene atmosphere of lodging in Statesboro. Whether you’re traveling for business, looking for a hotel with an awardwinning restaurant or just want a clean, comfortable room to rest your head, you will find just the right place in Statesboro. From small town inns, to historical B&Bs and national chains, we have it ALL!
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‹ The Clubhouse The Clubhouse offers the most fun you or a group can have in one place. With 24 bowling lanes including 4 luxury lanes in a private suite, full arcade, mini-bowling, laser tag arena and Ballocity, the greatest playground you’ll find for kids for miles around. Then if you want to take a step outside, head over to Hackers Golf Park which has an 18-hole mini golf course, golf range, and batting cages. Then when you’re hungry, head over to Spikes Sports Grill for a quick snack or a tasty meal. Spend your whole day there or keep coming back for the fun! 8
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Free Spirit Pottery
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Make your own one-of-a-kind memory in downtown Statesboro. Free Spirit Pottery is a paint-your-own ceramics studio where children and adults can choose from a huge selection of prefired bisque shapes, which will be glazed and kiln fired. You can choose from dozens of colors and types of paint for your own original design.
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Georgia Southern University Athletics The Eagles soar in every sport. Football, basketball, baseball – there’s nothing like the excitement of a collegiate sporting event. You and your family can cheer on the Eagles in any season!
Splash in the Boro Family Waterpark Is it any wonder people from all over dive into Statesboro for Splash’s 768,000 gallons of fun? Let’s start with boogie boarding on the Dual Flow Rider, the only one in Georgia. Then swim on over to the 5-lane mat racers and three waterslides. The little splashers love the Play Pool. And who doesn’t love to go with the flow on the Lazy River? Stay all day – there are two concessions stands, a gift shop and plenty of picnicking in Mill Creek Regional Park where Splash is located.
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Georgia Southern University Wildlife Education Center and the Lamar Q Ball, Jr. Raptor Center Watch the eagles take flight or get up close and personal with raptors, reptiles, amphibians, waterfowl and mammals. Check the schedule of daily programs, too, from herpetology to flights by birds of prey. With more than 17 acres featuring diverse habitats and species, an amphitheater and an indoor classroom, along with overnight camping, get ready to take a walk on the wild side! 1.800.568.3301
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Mill Creek Regional Park Ready to play? This is your place. Mill Creek Regional Park is 155 acres of fun for team sports, family fun and outdoor pleasure. The sports fields? State-of-the-art and unmatched in the Southeast. The activity areas? Playgrounds and a walking trail, picnic areas and plenty of wide open spaces. Tennis anyone? Enjoy playing on any of the 10 lighted courts and browse the Pro-Shop for the latest apparel and tennis accessories.
Blackwater Preserve Unleash the adventurer inside of you at Blackwater Preserve. Located only 6 miles from Statesboro, you can be on the water in just minutes! This 420-acre preserve is perfect for wildlife exploration and camping with numerous pathways or you can blaze a trail of your own. Canoes and kayaks are available onsite and fishermen will find a variety of fish including warmouth, largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish and crappie on the 200-acre cypress water impoundment. 10
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Geocaching Geocaching is today’s favorite scavenger hunt! This adventure takes you on an outdoor exploration to places you might not think to visit. Small objects, often including a log book and pen or pencil are hidden in containers or “caches” in over 70 places in Bulloch County! Geocachers use handheld GPS units to locate these areas. The challenge often lies in driving, walking, hiking, or climbing to actually reach the cache. It’s a great way to see the sites in and around Statesboro.
S&S Greenway Jog, bike or run on the S & S Greenway. This nature trail traces the route of the former Savannah & Statesboro Railway, which first began in 1897. Enjoy the first completed mile and return to explore the remaining seven miles which will reach from Statesboro to Brooklet, GA when completed.
Blind Willie McTell Trail
Garden of the Coastal Plain
Who was Blind Willie and why does he have trail in Statesboro? Ever hear the Allman Brothers Band song “Statesboro Blues”? Willie is the blues great who wrote it. His namesake trail, though, is anything but blue. You’ll ramble or cycle through a mile – and 7,415 square yards — of architecturally designed park, quirky art, and cobra lighting throughout that connects the Georgia Southern University campus to Downtown Statesboro. Bike racks, picnic tables and quirky art benches invite you to stop and enjoy lunch or the beautiful day.
It’s a lush garden, it’s a historical site, it’s a cultural heritage center. The Garden of the Coastal Plain is an 11-acre site centered on an early 20th century farmstead that’s lush with beautiful azaleas, camellias, native plants and endangered species. You can watch history in bloom through a restored historic farmhouse, barn and the Oak Grove one-room schoolhouse filled with authentic relics of long-ago life in the Southeastern Coastal Plain. The garden also hosts dozens of events year-round, from the Whirligig Festival to Wine, Moonlight and Magnolias, so check their website calendar.
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The Jumping Place Have you always wanted to touch the clouds? You can do that right here in Statesboro! The Jumping Place is a skydiving facility that offers Tandem, Student, and experienced jumper skydiving with a 100% safety record. On your skydive you will witness breathtaking views of Statesboro, Georgia Southern and surrounding areas. Feel like you’re soaring with the Eagles!
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The Main Street Statesboro Farmers Market New York has one. Dallas has one. Seattle has one. And well ahead of cities nationwide, Statesboro has one. We’re talking about farmers markets – the tasty centerpiece in the growing farm-to-table movement. Thousands (yes, thousands) make their way to ours on Saturdays, April through November, for fresh, locally grown produce, including conventionally grown and organic products. There’s also meat, dairy, eggs, baked goods, honey and jams, and crafts. And leave room in your shopping bag for fun. You’ll find live music, cooking demos, a wellness tent, children’s activities and more.
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resh Fun Freeman’s Mill
Experience the only operating grits mill in southeast Georgia right here in Statesboro! Freeman’s Mill grinds locally grown corn into grits and corn meal using 100+ year old granite mills. They also mill wheat and other grains on site. You can tour the mill or take a break on the front porch surrounded by southern yellow pines and oaks. Tours by reservation.
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Hunter Cattle Company
This family-owned and managed farm believes in the health benefits of Grassfed Beef, Pastured Pork, Free-Range Chickens, and Free-Range Eggs. They are committed to providing the healthiest, best tasting beef, pork, poultry, and eggs for your breakfast, lunch, and dinner plate. Visit MooMa’s Farm Store to purchase their award winning meats and other local, organic products from surrounding farms or book a weekend in a Barn Loft for an authentic farm experience. 12
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Rhythm & Brews When the sun sets, Statesboro shines. From happy hours to live entertainment there’s always something happening. Statesboro is home to many live music venues so you are sure to find a sound that suits you! Pull up a chair, order a beverage and relax in the home of the original Statesboro Blues.
Van Gogh’s Brewery Pairing hand crafted beers brewed on site with stone oven pizza, Van Gogh’s is Stateboro’s place to find fresh beer and a gourmet experience. Van Gogh’s creates a variety of year-round and seasonal beers, including their signature brew, Statesboro Blue, whose name pays homage to its founding town. Whether you are a Statesboro native or passing through, you’ll love the warm and welcoming atmosphere ideal for creating only the best of memories.
Meinhardt Vineyards and Winery Whether you want to see the winemaker’s art or just enjoy a glass and the view, Meinhardt Vineyards is a vintage experience. Nestled in the countryside just beyond the city limits, it bottles scenic views, sunsets, and award-winning wines. Take a tour, enjoy a free tasting, and cheers! Mark your calendar for their annual Grape Stomp and Muscadine Festival, too, where you can crush grapes yourself and see how muscadine wine is made.
Eagle Creek Brewing Company Craft beer displays the creativity and passion of its makers and Eagle Creek Brewing Company is no exception. Located in beautiful downtown Statesboro, it’s a full production brewery that will be offering tours and tastings to the public. Visit their website for tour information. 1.800.568.3301
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Visit
Festivals
Statesboro
Hunter Cattle Hayride
February
Splashy’s Egg Dive & Family
Wedding Walk Expo & Fashion Show in Downtown Statesboro The Wedding Walk is Statesboro’s premier wedding vendor expo and fashion show, bringing local business together to help make brides-to-be have the wedding they have always dreamed of.
March
Civil War Heritage Day at the Georgia Southern Museum Relive a time of our past during Civil War Heritage Day at Sweetheart Circle and the Georgia Southern Museum. Festivities include demonstrations, reenactments, and discussions. Spring Festival & Plant Sale at the Garden of the Coastal Plain at Georgia Southern University Get spring fever and head over to the Garden for their annual Spring Festival. This is fun for the whole family and includes crafts, children’s scavenger hunt, music, and much more. Feed the Mosasaur at the Georgia Southern Museum This event is a benefit for the Georgia Southern Museum and includes a night of fabulous fun with demonstrations, delicious food and drink, and dancing.
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Boro Join Splashy at Splash in the Boro under the dome for an egg hunt in the pool! There will be games, water safety tips, prizes and much more!
April Kiwanis Rodeo at the
Swing into Spring at Mill Creek Regional Park Cheer on your team, get ready to scream, and ‘Swing into Spring’! The night includes music, interactive games, a parade of teams, first pitches and fireworks!
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Fun Fest at Splash in the
Kiwanis-Ogeechee Fairgrounds Hedrick Rodeo Company plans to bring two days of family fun and excitement along with a herd of world champion bulls and broncos to produce an International Professional Rodeo Association (IPRA)-sanctioned rodeo. Wine, Moonlight & Magnolias at the Garden of the Coastal Plain at Georgia Southern University Mingle under the stars, embrace natural beauty and dine with fine wines at the annual Wine, Moonlight & Magnolias benefit. Relay for Life Bulloch County at the KiwanisOgeechee Fairgrounds Join Bulloch County each year as they take a fight against cancer at the Kiwanis-Ogeechee Fair Grounds. Georgia Southern University also hosts a Relay for Life event on campus. It’s a great time for celebration, remembrance and overall family fun.
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Statesboro Film Festival at the Averitt Center for the Arts Laugh, cry, gasp! Get ready to be treated to a variety of debut short films made by local film makers. Vote for your favorites online! Georgia Southern Symphony Pops Concert at the Garden of the Coastal Plain at Georgia Southern University Enjoy performances by the Georgia Southern Music Department while enjoying the serenity of the historic garden. Spring into Statesboro in Downtown Statesboro Kick off Spring by enjoying this Kids Arts & Crafts Festival. Bring the children downtown for live entertainment, fun games and food. Take them on a Dinosaur Dig or let them enjoy the Bubble Art or Bounce House! ArtsFest at Sweetheart Circle at Georgia Southern University Georgia Southern University invites you to beautiful Sweetheart circle for a day of art, music, dance and delicious food! With over 25 different art studios where the featured artist is you, this day plans to be full of family fun!
May Bulloch Bass Club Youth Fishing Tournament at Mill Creek Regional Park Grab your pole, bring your bait, and get ready for some family fun at the annual BassMaster’s Fishing Rodeo! Winners of best
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catch receive trophies and prizes. Children who catch a tagged fish also win cash! Memorial Day Program at the Averitt Center for the Arts Hosted by The American Legion Dexter Allen Post 90, the Memorial Day Program includes words of remembrance, military songs, and a commemoration of names of Bulloch County veterans who lost their lives during war. Southern Cruisers Auto Show at the Kiwanis Ogeechee Fairgrounds Come see classic and restored rides from Corvettes and Camaros to Mercedes and Mustangs! The Southern Cruisers is a charitable organization providing financial and spiritual support to needy families with seriously ill children in the area.
July Firecracker Fest & July 4th Celebration at Mill Creek Regional Park Celebrate our nation’s independence with the family at Mill Creek Park. There’s plenty to do including games, contest, live music and spectacular fireworks. Christmas in July at Splash in the Boro at Splash in the Boro Come beat the heat and celebrate with a little Christmas cheer at Splash in the Boro’s Christmas in July.
Festivals August Grillin’ in the Grove at Ogeechee Technical College Watch as teams compete for “Best Griller”, enjoy delicious food each competitor serves, and dance the day away with live entertainment. Brooklet Peanut Festival in Brooklet, GA Festivities include the annual parade, beauty pageant contest, a 5K run, numerous vendors, live entertainment and a slow tractor race. Don’t miss out!
September Stomp the Grapes Festival at Meinhardt Vineyards & Winery Get ready to stomp, squish and squeeze in grape barrels at Meinhardt’s Stomp the Grapes Festival. Family friendly activities for all! Taste of Downtown in Downtown Statesboro Sample a variety of local restaurants all in one location. Live entertainment is provided on the courthouse lawn to accent this tasteful experience. Farm Heritage Day Festival at Hunter Cattle Company Hunter Cattle Company is committed to preserving the history of farming and homesteading through educational experiences and that’s what Farm Heritage Day is all about. See demonstrations ranging from blacksmithing to soap making. There’s fun, food and live music for the whole family to enjoy! Willow Hill Heritage Festival Located at the historic Willow Hill School, this festival celebrates the school’s historical and educational impact on the community. Festivities include family entertainment and games as well as tours, exhibits and genealogy workshops.
October GreenFest in Downtown Statesboro Join us for this community sustainability celebration with green exhibits and vendors as well as workshops for how to save green while living green. There’s live music and sustainable fun for the kids, and great information and sustainable solutions for the whole family. This event is hosted by Georgia Southern University’s Center for Sustainability and sponsored by Gulfstream. Rhythm & Brews at the Garden of the Coastal Plain at Georgia Southern University Rhythm & Brews is a beer tasting event that feeds the spirit and fills the soul. Enjoy a night of assorted beers, delicious food, and musical blast of Blues, Funk, and Rock and Roll. Kiwanis-Ogeechee Fair at the Kiwanis-Ogeechee Fair Grounds The Kiwanis Club would like to invite you to a party that they celebrate every year! With a kickoff at the Downtown Parade, the Kiwanis-Ogeechee Fair promises six days of fun, excitement, and good food. Trick or Treat at Mill Creek at Mill Creek Regional Park Bring the whole family and participate in the Halloween costume contest, trick or treat at the numerous candy stops, or stop by the haunted Splash in the Boro next door. Scare in the Boro at Splash in the Boro Statesboro’s premier water park turns from Splash in the Boro to “Scare to the Boro” in the month of October as it opens up as a haunted waterpark. Come take a walk down the haunted lazy river… if you dare! Scare on the Square in Downtown Statesboro Get your scare on at Scare on the Square! There’s costume contests, hay rides, and Halloween activities for the whole family.
Turpentine Festival in Portal, GA This festival celebrates the history of turpentine at the historic E. C. Carter turpentine still, located in Portal, Georgia. There’s plenty to do including games, food, and live entertainment!
November The Write Place in Statesboro, GA This literary festival includes author readings, writer workshops, coffee house readings for aspiring authors, and more! Georgia Southern University Homecoming at Georgia Southern University’s Paulson Stadium This is a great week to be an Eagle! Enjoy a week-long observance with a variety of events, reunions, social gatherings, and a parade of floats leading up to the big homecoming football game. Shopping by Lantern Light in Downtown Statesboro This year, kick off the holiday season with our traditional “Shopping by Lantern Light” event held in beautiful historic Downtown Statesboro. Here, shoppers have the chance to purchase locally-grown foods and handmade crafts and gifts perfect for holiday gatherings.
thousands of lights twinkling and over a 100 displays to be seen! Over 65,000 visitors enjoy this Christmas extravaganza annually. Downtown Holiday Celebration in Downtown Statesboro Downtown’s Holiday Celebration fills Mainstreet with holiday cheer from the smell of delicious foods, holiday-inspired arts and crafts, the sound of seasonal symphonies, and a visit from the big man, Santa. The festivities continue with the Chili Town Cookoff and the Run the Boro 5k. Wildlife Winterfest at Georgia Southern Wildlife Center Don’t miss the experience to see animals from all over the world, be in a live audience magic show, and get up close and personal with animals found in the South East. Enjoy holiday music and a visit from Santa Claus! Choral & Singers Christmas Performance by the Georgia Southern Music Department at First United Methodist Church Get in the spirit with traditional holiday songs sung like you’ve never heard before.
GSU International Festival at Mill Creek Regional Park Celebrating diversity and international cultures, Georgia Southern invites you to a Global Village, “It’s a Small World”, international food and bazaar vendors, and international performances on the World Stage.
December TMT Farms Christmas Light Wonderland at 16658 Old River Rd, Statesboro, GA 30461 Light up the night with TMT Farms as they celebrate the holidays with their spectacular light wonderland. Drive through a mile of holiday scenes with
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Bulloch Bass Fishing Tournament
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