Maxeys GeorgiaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Maxeys, Georgia.
1. Iron Horse
ICONIC PUBLIC ART INSTALLATION
Iron Horse is a popular landmark and public art installation in Maxeys that draws visitors from around the region. The sculpture stands as a testament to the area's artistic heritage and has become one of the most photographed spots in the town. Visitors often stop to take pictures and enjoy the surrounding landscape while visiting this unique attraction.
2. Durhamtown Offroad Resort
ADVENTURE SPORTS COMPLEX
Durhamtown Offroad Resort offers an exciting outdoor experience for motorsport enthusiasts near Maxeys. The resort features extensive trails, tracks, and courses for dirt bikes, ATVs, and various off-road vehicles. Visitors can enjoy camping facilities, equipment rentals, and organized events throughout the year.
3. Elder Mill Covered Bridge
HISTORIC WOODEN BRIDGE
Elder Mill Covered Bridge is a picturesque historic covered bridge located near Maxeys in Oconee County. Built in 1897, this wooden bridge spans Rose Creek and represents one of the few remaining covered bridges in Georgia. The bridge and surrounding area make for excellent photography opportunities and peaceful nature walks.
4. Oconee Brewing Company
LOCAL CRAFT BEER
Oconee Brewing Company offers visitors a taste of locally crafted beers in a renovated historic building near Maxeys. The brewery features a taproom with rotating seasonal brews and regular food truck visits for a complete experience. Guests can enjoy brewery tours, special events, and a relaxed atmosphere with indoor and outdoor seating options.
5. Highgate Estate & Gardens
ELEGANT WEDDING VENUE
Highgate Estate & Gardens serves as a premier event venue showcasing beautiful landscaped grounds near Maxeys. The estate features stunning gardens, elegant architecture, and versatile spaces for weddings and special events. Visitors admire the meticulous attention to detail in both the grounds and the historic buildings on the property.
6. A.J. Gillen Department Store Building
HISTORIC COMMERCIAL ARCHITECTURE
The A.J. Gillen Department Store Building stands as a testament to Maxeys' commercial history with its distinctive Victorian architecture. This historic structure, though currently vacant, has been recognized by the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation as a Place in Peril worthy of preservation. The building represents an important piece of the town's heritage and potential for future revitalization.
7. Historic Masonic Lodge Site
LOST LOCAL LANDMARK
The Historic Masonic Lodge site marks where a significant community building once stood in Maxeys before being lost to fire in January 2021. The general store and lodge combination served as an important gathering place for local residents for generations. Though no longer standing, the site remains an important part of local history and community memory.
8. Watson Mill Bridge State Park
SCENIC OUTDOOR RECREATION
Watson Mill Bridge State Park features one of the longest covered bridges in Georgia, spanning 229 feet across the South Fork River near Maxeys. The park offers camping, hiking trails, horseback riding, and picturesque picnic areas along the river. Visitors can enjoy fishing, swimming in designated areas, and exploring the historic covered bridge that dates back to 1885.
9. Crawford Long Museum
MEDICAL HISTORY LANDMARK
The Crawford Long Museum celebrates the life and achievements of Dr. Crawford W. Long, who first used ether as an anesthetic during surgery in 1842. The museum displays medical artifacts, personal items, and exhibits that chronicle the development of anesthesia and its impact on medical practice. Visitors gain insight into this revolutionary medical breakthrough and its significance in healthcare history.
10. Eagle Tavern Museum
HISTORIC STAGECOACH INN
Eagle Tavern Museum preserves a rare surviving stagecoach stop from the early 19th century near Maxeys. The tavern, built around 1801, served travelers along the stagecoach route from Augusta to Athens with food, lodging, and community gathering spaces. Today, visitors can tour the restored building to experience travel and hospitality from Georgia's early days.
11. The Yesterday Cafe
FAMOUS SOUTHERN COMFORT FOOD
The Yesterday Cafe draws visitors from across the region for its renowned buttermilk pie and classic Southern cuisine. The charming restaurant occupies a historic building in nearby Greensboro and has been featured in films and travel publications. Diners enjoy homestyle cooking in a nostalgic atmosphere that celebrates local traditions and flavors.
12. Goodman Museum
LOCAL HISTORY COLLECTION
The Goodman Museum houses an impressive collection of artifacts telling the story of Oglethorpe County's development and heritage near Maxeys. The museum features exhibits on Native American history, early settlers, agricultural practices, and significant local events. Visitors can explore multiple rooms of displays that bring the region's rich past to life through photographs, tools, clothing, and household items.
13. Washington Historical Museum
RICH REGIONAL HERITAGE
The Washington Historical Museum showcases the area's colonial, revolutionary, and civil war history in a beautifully preserved historic building. The museum features an extensive collection of artifacts, documents, and photographs spanning over 200 years of local history. Visitors particularly enjoy the exhibits on Robert Toombs, the Confederate States Secretary of State who lived in Washington.
14. Firefly Trail
SCENIC RAIL-TRAIL PATH
The Firefly Trail is a developing rail-trail that will eventually connect Athens to Union Point, passing near Maxeys along its 39-mile route. The trail follows the historic Georgia Railroad Athens Branch, offering walkers, runners, and cyclists a scenic path through rural Georgia landscapes. Completed sections already provide recreational opportunities and showcase the natural beauty of the region.
15. Boutier Winery
LOCAL VINEYARD EXPERIENCE
Boutier Winery offers wine tastings and vineyard tours in a picturesque setting near Maxeys. The family-owned establishment produces a variety of award-winning wines from both estate-grown and regional grapes. Visitors can enjoy seasonal events, live music, and wine education in the tasting room or on the outdoor patio overlooking the vineyards.