If you have a few days to spend in Atlanta, you’re probably thinking of heading north from the airport to see the Georgia Aquarium, visit the World of Coca-Cola Museum, sample some well-known restaurants and go shopping in Buckhead.
But what if you headed south instead?
As an Atlanta native myself, I never knew there was so much going on just 25 minutes south of Hartsfield-Jackson. But Henry County is home to Huey helicopter rides, exotic animals, delectable southern food, and a better hike than Stone Mountain.
Truly Atlanta’s best-kept secret, here are 7 unmissable stops in Henry County, Georgia.
Where to Stay
Ever wish you could’ve grown up in the South? With all of its beauty, butter and endless hospitality?
Well, a stay at Stockbridge Lakes Bed & Breakfast offers the next best thing. Owned and operated by a lovely couple named Anita and Marvin Johnson, Stockbridge Lakes offers several rooms and a cottage starting at $169/night. That’s a great value, considering it includes a southern breakfast for two.
You can also enjoy a superb onsite dinner by the private lake, a massage in the massage suite, or just chat with fellow guests in the hospitality area.
As a southern boy myself, I’d give our homemade dinner a 5/5. Healthy, hearty and made with love.
You’ll want to eat up, too, since tomorrow you’re in for quite an adventure.
1. Army Aviation Heritage Foundation and Flying Museum
Located next door to EchoPark Speedway (also on this list), the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation and Flying Museum gives you a chance to connect with Vietnam War veterans, learn about our country’s combat aircraft – and fly in a Huey.
That’s right; for about $115 you can book a spot in an actual Huey helicopter that saw combat during the Vietnam War. You can see its “helicopter CARFAX” here. The one we flew saw 1,655 combat hours and got shot up multiple times, but has thankfully been patched up since.
The Huey ride may be the single most memorable thing I’ve ever done on a group trip. More memorable than crawling through a cave in Wisconsin or jogging atop The Great Wall. And yes; the doors stay wide open throughout the ~20-minute ride.
If you only have time for one activity in Henry County, make it a Huey ride. The proceeds benefit a 501(c)3, and you’ll never watch “Apocalypse Now” the same way again.
The adrenaline of the Huey ride will surely leave you famished, so it’s time to swing by Sweet Auburn.
2. Sweet Auburn Barbecue
After their humble food truck couldn’t keep up with demand, sibling owners Howard and Anita Hsu decided to give a permanent home to their Asian/BBQ cuisine.
The menu for Sweet Auburn Barbecue features mouthwatering hybrid dishes like pimento cheese wontons, brisket egg rolls and pulled pork fried rice. The “Southern Seoul” BBQ sandwich features soy ginger marinated flank steak, carrots, sriracha and more. Really, there’s not a bad bite on the menu. So if you like Asian and/or BBQ, it’s an essential stop.
3. EchoPark Speedway – Track Tour
EchoPark (formerly known as Atlanta Motor Speedway) is a bonafide NASCAR track located just 30 minutes south of the Atlanta airport. The track hosts events nearly every day, from the annual Balloon Festival to Bobby Ore’s Stunt Driving School.
But even on an off day, you can book a $15 “track tour” which includes a behind-the-scenes look at a fancy box suite, a cruise along the track, and a chance to climb the track itself.
I say “climb” because the banks of a NASCAR track are a precarious 33 degrees steep. You’ll need good balance, strong thighs and hiking shoes to make it to the top. But if you and your friends make it, you’ll be rewarded with the selfie of a lifetime.
3. Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary
Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary provides a safe home for abused, abandoned, neglected or surrendered animals. They’re given a steady diet, plenty of space to roam around and tons of overdue love and attention.
From a visitor’s perspective, Noah’s Ark is like a big outdoor zoo. You’ll pay a $5 entry fee per person and follow a paved trail visiting goats, grizzly bears, lions, tigers, birds, monkeys, foxes and more along the way.
But aside from being cheaper and less crowded, my friends and I noticed one crucial difference between Noah’s Ark and a traditional zoo; the animals seem way happier and more trusting of humans, so they cozy up to you instead of hiding.
That enables you to take photos like this:
And this:
Granted, you’ll need to book the semi-private tour ($65 per person) to get this close, as there’s a regular fence and a feeding fence (pictured above). But it’s well-worth it since you’ll get a guide to tell you all about the animals’ history and personalities – and the warm and fuzzies knowing you supported an animal in need.
5. Green Front Cafe
Widely considered to be the first restaurant in Stockbridge, the Green Front Cafe hosted both black and white families under one roof from the 1940s through the early 2000s. The restaurant closed with the passing of Carrie Mae and sat vacant for 10 years – until father-daughter duo Diane and Malana Miller purchased and rebuilt it.
“My husband thought I was crazy because I had zero restaurant experience – but I had a vision, and I knew I had to do it!” says Diane.
The rebuilt cafe features southern essentials like fried chicken and fish, cornbread, mashed potatoes, pork chops and even a special Philly Cheesesteak recipe. You can also find Jamaican fare like oxtail and jerk chicken.
Prices are quite reasonable for the quality (a protein plus two sides is ~$15) and portions are generous, so nobody leaves hungry.
Once you’ve had your last bite of Philly Cheesesteak or fried chikcen, you can fend off a food coma by heading to Panola Mountain State Park.
6. Panola Mountain State Park
Like Stone Mountain to the northeast, Panola Mountain is a giant hunk of granite that you can hike for a stunning view of the Atlanta skyline. The key difference is that Panola Mountain is a) less crowded and b) unquarried, meaning it’s lush with trees and greenery.
The hike to the summit is also pretty short. You can get there in under 20 minutes, so you can take a picnic basket for date night – or bring the whole family so the kids can wear themselves out.
For a complete list of activities including guided hikes, biking and archery, visit gastateparks.org/PanolaMountain.
7. SDK’s Cafe and Coffee
On your last morning in Henry County, why not enjoy an authentic New York bagel?
I asked the owners of SDK’s Cafe and Coffee how they were able to capture that authentic New York bagel taste, and they said “Well, it’s simple: they are New York bagels.”
The owners literally fly them in and somehow preserve them (they wouldn’t tell me how), and as a result, you and I get to enjoy a 100% real and delicious New York bagel without having to fly through JFK.
Hopefully I’ve made a compelling case to head south from Hartsfield-Jackson when you’re visiting Atlanta. From Huey flights to foul-mouthed Macaws, there’s tons to enjoy in Henry County.
– Photos and text by Chris Butsch, Staff writer