Guide To A Weekend Getaway In Thomson, GA

Only a short drive from Athens, Atlanta, and Augusta, Thomson, GA is a fantastic weekend getaway. Whether you come for the incredible outdoor opportunities, local food scene, or area's history, Thomson is a slice of Southern Heaven.

The Thomson Depot

Where To Stay

There are quite a few hotels to choose from in Thomson. Your stay at the Hampton Inn & Suites, Comfort Inn & Suites, and Econo Lodge include free continental breakfast and Wi-Fi.  

Are you interested in camping? Thomson is the perfect place for it! There are three campgrounds on Clarks Hill Lake in town. The Big Hart Campground has water/electric hook-up sites plus non-hook-up sites, picnic areas and a large picnic shelter with 30 amp electrical service, swimming beach, playground, boat ramp, and dock. Raysville Campground offers 55 electric sites, each equipped with water/electric hook-ups, two shower/restroom facilities, a boat ramp, and dock. This campground is on Georgia's Little River part of Clarks Hill Lake. The McDuffie Public Fishing Area Campground has both tent and full-hookup RV campsites, restrooms, bathhouses, covered picnic pavilion with tables and grills, concrete boat ramps, 13 ponds stocked with fish, a hatchery, and education center. 

Thomson also has a few Airbnb options, including the charming lil Cottage at Usry House, in the heart of downtown Thomson.

Head over to Visit Thomson's website for more information and to book your stay.

What To Do

Perhaps the biggest draw in Thomson, GA is Clarks Hill Lake. Also known as Lake Strom Thurmond, this reservoir (on the border between Georgia and South Carolina) provides a plethora of water opportunities. Enjoy boating, swimming, fishing, and kayaking on the lake or hiking, biking, hunting, and bird watching along the banks. For more in-depth information, read 10 Things To Do At Clarks Hill Lake. 

Shopping is another popular activity in Thomson. Local stores offer everything from antiques to boutiques and art to jewelry. Click here to view the complete Thomson Shopping Guide. 

Interested in history? Take a self-guided history tour through Thomson to check out all of the town's historical sites. You will see the home of Georgia's Populist Party co-founder (Hickory Hill), visit the oldest stone residence in Georgia (Rock House), and learn about the lost colony of Wrightsboro (McDuffie Museum) on your tour. 

Document your time in Thomson on Instagram by posting a picture of one of the painted Stella guitar replicas scattered throughout town, known as McTell's 12 String Strut. Use #VisitThomsonGA to be featured on Thomson's Instagram. 

Need help picking out what to do while you are in town? Here are 9 Things To Do In Thomson.

Where To Eat

You can find just about every kind of cuisine in Thomson--American, Barbecue, Italian, Mexican, Pizza, Seafood, and all of your Southern favorites.

Deep South Cheese and Grill is unique restaurant offering poutine served a variety of ways. Visiting Thomson when your favorite football, basketball, baseball, or hockey team is playing? Catch the game while eating at Hogie Joe's Sports Grill. You can even enjoy New York style pizza at Fernanda's Grill & Pizzeria. 

Chain restaurant fans will be happy, as there is a Chick-fil-A, Zaxby's, and Waffle House (a Georgia staple!) in Thomson, too.

For more information about Thomson's food scene, check out these 8 Great Eats In Thomson!

When To Visit

Thomson has a lot of fun community events, so be sure to look at Thomson's Event Calendar when planning your trip. Shopping at the local lavender farm on Fridays, live music, workshops, paint classes, and yoga retreats are just some of Thomson's special events.

Visit Thomson the first Saturday in May for the Blind Willie McTell Music Festival, celebrating roots music and the blues, or the first Saturday in November for the Belle Meade Hunt Opening, an unforgettable McDuffie County tradition. 

On the Historic Pews and Pulipts Ramble, take a scenic bus tour through rural east Georgia once in the Spring and again in the Fall, visiting five churches that are gone but not forgotten.

Guide To Thomson, Georgia

As you can see, Thomson is a small town with a lot to offer. Whether you visit with your whole family, significant other, or girlfriends, you are sure to have a great weekend getaway in Thomson, GA.

Need more help planning your Thomson vacation? Stop by the Thomson-McDuffie County Convention & Visitors Bureau in the heart of downtown Thomson (149 Main Street).

Taylor Pittman Hardy of Wherever I May Roam Blog wrote this article.