Magnolia Highway
US Route 19 . . . Atlanta to St. Petersburg
Tired of the I-75 traffic jams? Hop off I-75 and take a relaxing drive down US Highway 19. Discover quaint towns, historic sites, delicious food and exciting shopping opportunities.
Interstate 75 is the primary corridor from South Florida through the Midwest to its ultimate destination in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The interstate is both a blessing and a curse to those who use it. Travelers zoom by at break neck speed along its route. However, anyone who travels the interstate will tell you it is not always smooth sailing. Traffic jams, wrecks and construction delays are not uncommon. There is also a feeling that once you travel along any of these super highways, you never get a chance to see the land you are traveling through or experience the flavor of that particular region.
For over forty years the communities in both Florida and Georgia along Hwy 19 have awaited the construction of a four lane divided highway to link these two large metropolitan areas.
The advantage for travelers is not just to have a four lane alternative to the interstate. By using the parallel route, visitors can see a part of both Florida and Georgia that is often missed. The slower pace will take travelers through some of Georgia’s most interesting historic sites and the Big Bend area of Florida where many natural attractions abound.
Sights you won’t see on I-75:
Thomaston, Georgia– Auchumpkee Creek Covered Bridge
Americus, Georgia– Historic Rylander Theatre (c. 1921)
Windsor Hotel (c. 1892)
Habitat for Humanity International Headquarters
Habitat’s Global Village and Discovery Center
Andersonville, Georgia— Andersonville National Historic Site and the
National POW Museum
Civil War Village of Andersonville
The Drummer Boy Museum
Plains, Georgia — Jimmy Carter National Historic Site
Albany, Georgia – Flint Riverquarium
Thomasville, Georgia – The City of Roses
Monticello, Florida – Jefferson County Watermelon Festival
Crystal River, Florida – The Home of the Manatee
St. Petersburg, Florida – Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Where to dine on US 19:
Blackbeard’s – Albany, Georgia
Blackbeard’s is a combination full service BBQ and seafood restaurant
Lenny’s Restaurant – Clearwater, Florida
Lenny’s is a Clearwater tradition and landmark since 1958. Stop in and fill up on the “The Best Breakfast in Clearwater” complete with Redneck Benedict.
The Piggie Park – Thomaston, Georgia
An old-style drive-in. Try their famous BBQ hamburger.
Where to stay on US 19:
Historic Windsor Hotel – Americus, Georgia
Features 53 period style guest rooms and round tower suites.
The Plains Inn – Plains, Georgia
Seven Period Rooms from the 1920’s to the 1980’s and 1 Presidential Suite. Relax on the balcony and enjoy a peaceful experience.
1884 Paxton House Inn – Thomasville, Georgia
Relax in a magnificently restored Victorian mansion, carriage house, pool house or garden cottage located in Thomasville’s premier Historic District.
1872 John Denham House Bed & Breakfast – Monticello, Florida
This elegant mansion is a thirteen room house with eight fireplaces, period antiques, original paint colors and a cupola on top to view the town.
Plantation Golf Resort and Spa – Crystal River, Florida
This 232 acre resort is perfect for a family vacation offering a variety of activities for the entire family, including golfing, fishing, swimming with the manatees and boating.
Steinhatchee Landing Resort – Steinhatchee, Florida
Nestled among moss-draped oaks and towering pines, Steinhatchee Landing Resort – offers a natural Florida paradise unlike any other.
RV Parks along the Magnolia Highway :
Brickyard Plantation and RV Park – Americus, Georgia
City of Roses RV Park – Thomasville, Georgia
Sugar Mill RV Park – Ochlocknee, Georgia
For more information visit www.magnoliahighway.com.
See Ya There! 
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