CITY SPOTLIGHT:

Your guide to Valdosta, Georgia

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Know Before You Go: About Valdosta

Peanut, soybean and tobacco are a plenty here. Find out what else you need to know before you go to Valdosta.

The city of Valdosta is a charming place, only 20 miles away from the Florida border. It’s an agricultural mecca of the south and was a major distributor and producer of cotton during the 1800s. Nowadays, it continues to produce the crop as well as peanut, soybean and tobacco. Valdosta is also the home of the Moody Air Force Base and is the county seat of Lowndes County. Read on for more on this magical south-central Georgia peach!

A Warm Welcome

Valdosta's summers are hot and humid. From June through September, bring the umbrellas but leave the jackets at home. Temperatures usually average in the high 80s to low 90s, with nights about 20 degrees cooler; June and July average between 7 and 8 inches of rainfall. For something completely different, come in April or October. High temperatures stay in the upper 70s to low 80s, lows are in the 50s, and rain seldom exceeds 3 inches per month. Bring sweaters and light jackets for outdoor evenings from November through March, but don't expect to see any snow.

Making a Splash

From the time Valdosta warms up in April until it starts to cool down in fall, Splash Island is the place to beat the heat. Take a family plunge down the five-story Hakini Rapids waterslide or blast each other with water cannons at Polynesian Adventure. Bring your little ones to Sea Turtle Cove to enjoy fountains of all sizes and shapes. This is the perfect water attraction for toddlers and infants. Enjoy picnic areas, playgrounds, athletic fields and more at one of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority parks. For a rainy day, the Lowndes County Historical Society and Museum has two floors devoted to local history, including Valdosta's link to legendary gunfighter Doc Holliday and two Civil War collections.

Getting to Valdosta

Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport has multiple flight options available. From here, board a flight to the Valdosta Regional Airport and rent a car or take a taxi into town. If you're driving, Interstate 75 passes through Valdosta on its north-south route from Michigan to Florida. Interstate 10—traveling east and west—connects to Interstate 75 at Lake City, Florida. Keep in mind, Valdosta doesn’t have a public transit system.

Valdosta on the Job

Valdosta's industries reflect its agricultural and transportation past. The city's major employers include the South Georgia Pecan Company with four plants, each handling different pecan-processing jobs. Archer Daniel Midland helps round out the agriculture sector with its local processing plant that turns soybeans and cotton seeds into vegetable oils, animal-feeding ingredients and fibers. Forest-industry giant Langdale Company also calls Valdosta home, as do Lowe's and Home Depot which both have headquarters here.

Ready to travel? Find hotels in Valdosta.

Things to Do in Valdosta

Tree-lined sidewalks, inviting green spaces and great Southern food make Valdosta a great place to visit. Plan your trip with these tips.