Better Explored

Discover Henry County, Georgia | Part 1

PHOTOS COURTESY OF VISIT HENRY COUNTY, GA

Just 30 minutes south of Atlanta, off I-75, lies the perfect destination that blends Southern charm, outdoor adventure, and unforgettable experiences. A little less than a five-hour car ride from Middle Tennessee or a quick flight from BNA, Henry County has quietly become one of the Southeast’s most welcoming destinations for travelers looking for that weekend getaway or family adventure. Whether you are searching for family-friendly entertainment or scenic escapes, discover these unforgettable experiences in Henry County.

Explore Southern Belle Farm

If you’re looking for a destination that combines family fun, fresh air, delicious treats, and authentic farm experiences, Southern Belle Farm in McDonough, Georgia, deserves a spot on your list. In 2006, Jake Carter, the 5th generation to live and farm this property, transformed the family farm into an agritourism destination by welcoming visitors for the fall season with a corn maze and farm activities. Today, the 330-acre farm invites visitors to experience life on a working farm, from seasonal crops and farm animals to delicious homemade treats. Combined with warm Southern hospitality, every visit offers a welcoming atmosphere where guests are treated like family.

One of the farm’s most popular draws is its U-pick experience, available almost year-round. Depending on the season, visitors can gather strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, peaches, muscadines, and vibrant fresh flowers straight from the fields. Fun for all ages!

As autumn approaches, the farm transforms into a festive harvest destination, celebrating fall with a pumpkin patch, a four-acre corn maze, pig races, and more than 20 outdoor attractions. Late November through mid-December, guests can enjoy a farmstead Christmas and partake in the Christmas in the Country celebrations. Visit with Santa for free, stop by Belle’s Animal Barn, and as always, pick up some of Mimi’s homemade cakes, donuts, and sweet treats.

Throughout the year, guests can enjoy a variety of attractions designed for all ages on the farm. Children can race pedal carts, ride the cow train, bounce on jumping pillows, explore Belle’s Animal Barn, and tackle the farm’s many outdoor activities. It’s the perfect place to let kids unplug and experience the joy of outdoor play. Make sure to pet Queenie the Highland cow and Oliver the Belted Galloway cow – they are super sweet.

No visit is complete without a stop at the Farm Market. Here, indulge in homemade ice cream, fresh-baked cobblers, jams, jellies, preserves, and seasonal produce harvested right from the farm. Whether you’re craving homemade ice cream (the peach is amazing) or picking up a jar of homemade preserves, the market is filled with Southern flavors you’ll want to take home.

1658 Turner Church Road, McDonough, Georgia 30252 | southernbellefarm.com

Visit Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary

For all the animal lovers out there, this is a must-visit! For 35 years, Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary has been the voice for abused, abandoned, neglected, exploited, or surrendered animals. Located in Locust Grove, Georgia, the 121-acre sanctuary is home to more than 100 species of animals ranging from domestic livestock to exotic animals such as tigers, monkeys, bears, foxes, parrots, and more.

With a mission to provide refuge and long-term care, guests quickly discover that Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary is unlike zoos. Rather than being kept in small enclosures, the animals live in spacious habitats, many of which span an acre, designed to mimic their natural environments — a rarity in captivity. Noah’s Ark primarily cares for animals born in captivity that need a permanent home, offering them a safe place to live out the rest of their lives.

Visitors can enjoy self-guided tours or takea Walk on the Wild Side Tour and experience the residents up close and personal. These private or semi-private guided tours are one-and-a-half hours long and take visitors into the habitats between the fences before the sanctuary opens to the public. This behind-the-scenes tour gives visitors an introduction to some of the favorite animal residents while sharing more about their histories, daily care, and how the sanctuary works to save animals with nowhere else to go. Guests can even observe keepers feeding the animals during the tour.

For families with children, Critter Day is for you! This monthly three-hour program occurs on the second Saturday of the month, from 9 a.m.to noon. Children aged 4 to 12 can join the Animal Care Team for a special guided tour. Pre-registration is required.

As you walk the sanctuary, check out Tortoise Bluff, which opened in October 2025. This half-acre habitat was built for 12 Sulcata tortoises in the sanctuary’s care. In addition, be sure to learn about BLT, also known as the bear, lion, and tiger family. Rescued as cubs from a drug dealer in Atlanta, the bonded three lived together as a family, never fighting until their deaths despite being apex predators. The unlikely trio proved we can all get along no matter where we come from and what we look like!

712 LG Griffin Road, Locust Grove, GA 30248 | noahs-ark.org

*Always Check the Website’s Top Banner to Verify Daily Updates on Hours and Availability.

Traverse Panola Mountain State Park

Peace, solitude, and great views! For nature lovers seeking fresh air and natural beauty, Panola Mountain State Park offers scenic views, walking trails, and lakeside activities. Located in Stockbridge, Georgia, the park is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering biking, hiking, archery (equipment provided), geocaching, and fishing, set within the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area, one of only three National Heritage Areas in the state.

Accessible from Highway 155, this area of the park is home to the nature center, which has a meeting room and gift shop, hiking trails, picnic shelters, and a playground. This wooded area helps preserve the mountain’s unique ecosystem while also providing visitors with opportunities to learn about the area’s natural environment.

The park offers nine miles of trails — seven miles of paved paths and two miles of natural surfaces. Alexander Lake is located within the park. The perfect spot to enjoy catch-and-release fishing and non-motorized boating, such as kayaking and canoeing, but swimming is prohibited. Visitors can also enjoy a picnic lunch at one of the four shelters, and the pavilion is available for rent, making this the perfect spot for family reunions and group outings. Reservations are required for both.

At the heart of the park is Panola Mountain, a remarkable 100-acre granite outcrop that was never quarried, preserving it as a conservation area. Travel up the mountain on a ranger-led hike to learn about this monadnock’s unique ecosystem and take in the view of the Atlanta skyline. This granite formation is one of only three of its kind in Georgia. It is a designated National Natural Landmark.Reservations are required for ranger-led hikes and are the only way to access Granite Mountain. Pets are not allowed in this conservation area, however, leashed dogs are allowed on the other trails.

2620 Highway 155 SW, Stockbridge, GA 30281 | gastateparks.org/PanolaMountain.

Experience the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation and Flying Museum

For the thrill seeker or the history buff, this is the ultimate experience! Feel the exhilaration of flight in a Vietnam-era Bell UH-1 Iroquois helicopter, aka the Huey, as military veterans guide you through the skies. The roar of the rotors, the vibration as you lift off, and the wind rushing past your face as you soar above the terrain make for a truly unforgettable experience.

With the sides wide open, there’s nothing between you and the view but a safety harness and open air. As the helicopter banks and climbs, the power is felt as you ride inside a piece of living history. But don’t worry, the helicopter has basically been rebuilt, is well-maintained, and completely safe! What makes this Huey experience even more meaningful is the connection to its history and legacy. The Huey was nicknamed the workhorse. During the Vietnam War, it earned this name for its ability to perform many roles on the battlefield. The Hueys saved many lives during the war by quickly getting medics to the wounded, earning the term “Golden Hour care in the field.”

Take the time during your visit to peruse the hangar, listen to the veterans’ stories, and imagine what it would be like flying one during a combat mission, being shot at. And if you have the opportunity, say “Thank you for your service!”

The Army Aviation Heritage Foundation is a non-profit, mostly volunteer-run organization that acquires and restores Cobra and Huey helicopters and honors the men and women who have served in the U.S. Military and Army Aviation, our “Sky Soldiers.”

506 Speedway Blvd., Hampton, GA 30228 armyav.org | armyav.org

View Historic Floyd Chapel Baptist Church

We would be remiss if we didn’t take a moment to recognize Henry County as the birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King, Sr. He was born on December 19, 1897, in Stockbridge, Georgia, and was the eldest son of James and Delia King. In Stockbridge, he attended school three to five months a year at the Stockbridge Colored School and, during his childhood, worshipped with his mother at Floyd Chapel Baptist Church.

As one of Henry County’s most historically significant landmarks, Floyd Chapel Baptist Church has long served as a place of faith and was a safe haven for Black residents of Stockbridge. Relocated to its current site in 1878, the church building standing today was constructed in 1949. The church also holds a special connection to the King family, as Martin Luther King Sr. was ordained at Floyd Chapel and delivered his first sermon there before later succeeding Rev. A.D. Williams as pastor of Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church.

The Floyd Chapel Baptist Church, still active today, serves as an important link between Henry County and the broader story of the Civil Rights Movement. In 2015, the City of Stockbridge dedicated the M.L. King Sr. Heritage Trail (formerly North Berry Street), and a historical marker was placed in front of the church to commemorate his legacy. Visitors can also stop by the nearby Stockbridge City Hall to view a commemorative plaque acknowledging the King family legacy.