Georgia Veterans SP and SAM Shortline

You can buy tickets online and board the train right in the park. The train makes several stops. The first stop, Americus about 1 1/2 hour stop. The next stop is Plains, a short stop 1/2 hour or so then onto the Carter Farm for about another hour then back to plains for another 1/2 hour then returning to the park. We've made the trip 3 times over the years and enjoyed each trip.

Most of the sights as within a easy drive. However, you may want the experience of the train. Plains, GA really has nothing to it and I wonder how we ever elected a President from there. Not a political comment, just that Plains is is very small.

The train ride is something the schools around here take as part of field trips fairly regularly. They can get up and move around some to see what is outside. choose one of the trips that stops for a while. The one that stops is Americus is just across the street from Habitat for Humanity's global village. Neat walk through of homes throughout the world... what people have and what Habitat does to provide better housing. Really will make you aware of how blessed we are.

Stop in Plains is downtown, Jimmy Carters campaign headquarters and several stores are what is within walking distance (also a park). If the train goes all the way to Archer, you can see the Carter boyhood Farm. That would probably be more interesting to kids than campaign headquarters. There is the house, garden, barn and other outbuildings as most farms in the 30's had. My Dad wouldn't ever go out there, he said he lived it, except that they didn't have electricity as early.

State park has plenty of places for kids to run. Some weekends they have remote control plane "fly-ins". Amazing to watch the things those planes can do. Some of the campsites are waterfront, others are water view. There is a third section in the woods across from the lake, but I usually try to stay nearer the lake.

Not sure when you are coming, but park is usually VERY full during summer. Many people from nearby go to be at the lake all weekend. I have spent many weekend over there, so kids could be on lake all day, especially when they were younger. I live about 30 miles away so it's an easy trip, especially when I want to get away at the last minute.

Take a babysitter, and check out who-ever is singing in the bar/club at the Lodge. They frequently have some pretty good local talent.

Thanks for the comments. We don't have trouble keeping our children well-behaved for the train ride. And yes, it is expensive, but its just something we will consider as we get closer. We get a small discount as members of Friends of GA State Parks. No problems with gators. We live in FL and any gator less than about 7' is fun to play with ;-)

We stayed there many years ago. From what I remember it was pretty decent. I remember they had a sign no swimming because of gators! While there we visited Andersonville,The Confederate Naval Museum and the Infantry Museum at Ft Benning. All very worthwhile if you're into history.

We volunteered in that camp ground some years ago. From what I remember, the train was pretty expensive.

It is very much suitable for children. However, it is not kid themed, like a Disney experience, so make sure they have things to occupy them.