Valdosta

Valdosta is the 10th largest city in the state of Georgia. It is located in Lowndes County, in the state's Plantation Midlands region. The population is about 50,000 people. Valdosta is one of the fastest growing cities in Georgia, where new buildings are always being built somewhere. == Get in == === By car === Valdosta is located just off I-75, about 15-20 minutes from the Georgia-Florida border, roughly halfway between Atlanta, Georgia and Orlando, Florida. Valdosta can also be reached traveling on US 84, US 41, and US 221. === By plane === 1 Valdosta Regional Airport (VLD IATA). The only commercial carrier serving the airport is Delta, from/to Atlanta only. === By bus === Greyhound. Stop is located at 200 N Oak St. == Get around == Valdosta has a network of roads that is more or less structured. The major roads are I-75, US 41 (N Valdosta Rd./Inner Perimeter Rd.), US 41 Bus. (Ashley St.), US 84 (Hill Ave.), and Patterson St. Inner Perimeter Road is a bypass around Valdosta. Bemiss Rd. is the main route if you need to go to Moody Air Force Base. Although Valdosta is a medium-sized city, tourism is important, with thousands of visitors visiting the city every year. == Climate == Valdosta has a subtropical humid climate with mild winters, hot summers, and abundant rainfall. Please be aware that Valdosta often suffers from oppressive heat and humidity in the summer, due to the fact that rainfall is most abundant in the summer. In the summer, temperatures easily reach the mid-90s F. When the temperature is accompanied by high humidity, the heat index can reach well over 105 °F (41 °C). If you're not accustomed to the heat, the best times to visit Valdosta is from late September to early May. Otherwise, wear sunscreen, and a hat. Bug spray is also necessary, as gnats can be a problem in the summer. Temperatures can reach 90 °F (32 °C) as early as May, and as late as September. == See == 1 Lowndes County Historical Museum, 305 West Central Ave, ☏ +1 229 247-4780. M-F 10AM-5PM, Sa 10AM-2PM. Displays the heritage of Valdosta and Lowndes County. Maintained by the Historical Society of Lowndes County. Free. (updated Mar 2023) 2 'Dosta Playhouse, 122 N. Ashley St, ☏ +1 229 247-8243. Featuring various performances throughout the year by Theatre Guild Valdosta. 3 Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts, 527 North Patterson St, ☏ +1 229 247-2787. Tuesday - Thursday 10AM-6PM, Friday & Saturday 10AM-4PM. Features four galleries with rotating exhibits along with a permanent gallery featuring East African art. (updated Mar 2023) Valdosta State University Fine Arts Gallery, ☏ +1 229 333-2149. Valdosta State University Theatre, +1 229 333-2149. Productions featured September through May. 4 The Crescent at Valdosta Garden Center, 904 North Patterson St (Corner of Gordon St), ☏ +1 229-244-6747. Monday-Friday 2PM-5PM. Historic home. == Do == 1 Wild Adventures, 3766 Old Clyattville Rd, ☏ +1 229-219-7080. Family-friendly theme park and zoo. (updated May 2021) Splash Island, Water park connected to Wild Adventures. A good place to go to cool off during the intensely hot summers. Stone Creek Golf Club, 4553 Greenway Dr, ☏ +1 229 247-2527 ext 2. Kinderlou Forest Golf Club, 4005 Bear Lake Rd, ☏ +1 229 219-2300. Go to church. 2 First Presbyterian Church, 313 N Patterson St. Historic church, placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1967 and has a Georgia Historical Marker outside. Trinity Presbyterian Church. West End Presbyterian Church Mount Zion A.M.E. Church Theatre Guild Valdosta. Community theater in Valdosta. TGV produces four shows per season, plus two children's show. Located in the 'Dosta Playhouse in downtown Valdosta. Grand Bay Wildlife Management Area, 4649 Knight Academy Rd #4641, ☏ +1 229 426-5267. M-Th and Sa 9AM-5PM, Su Noon-7PM. There are hiking trails, a 2,000-foot boardwalk and a 54-foot observation tower that overlooks open prairie and a heron rookery. Water lovers enjoy the canoe trail and boating through the Blackgum Swamp. == Learn == 1 Valdosta State University, 1500 N Patterson St, ☏ +1 229 333-5800, toll-free: +1-800-618-1878. There are over 10,000 students enrolled undergraduate and graduate programs. The school also offers retirement classes and other non-traditional classes that might serve an interested visitor. (updated Sep 2025) == Buy == 1 Valdosta Mall, 1700 Norman Dr (Exit 18), ☏ +1 229 242-0457. Shopping center anchored by Sears, JCPenney, and Belk department stores. Downtown Valdosta, 150 Ashley St, ☏ +1 229 259-3577. Every second Saturday of the month is Makers' Market, featuring artisans' works. There are other city events like First Friday encouraging people to shop locally downtown. City Market, 3215A North Oak St Ext, ☏ +1 229 219-0007. Art gallery and shop == Eat == Sonny's BBQ, 1701 Norman Dr (Exit 18; Across the street from Valdosta Mall), ☏ +1 229 241-8090. Su-Th 10:45AM-9:35PM, F Sa 10:45AM-10:05PM. Part of the chain located in the Southeast US. The Bistro, 132 North Ashley St (Exit 16, Take US 84 E, turn left on Ashley St.), ☏ +1 229 253-1253. 5PM-11PM. Mori Japanese Steakhouse, 1709 Norman Dr, ☏ +1 229 244-5299. Smok'n Pig, 4228 N Valdosta Rd, ☏ +1 229 245-8227. Su-Th 11AM-10PM, F Sa 11AM-10:30PM. BBQ Ole Times Country Buffet, 1193 N St. Augustine Rd (Exit 18), ☏ +1 229 253-1600. 10:30AM-9PM. Southern food buffet Masato Japanese Steakhouse, 1337 Baytree Rd (Exit 18), ☏ +1 229 242-4667. Japanese Mellow Mushroom, 1526 Baytree Rd (Exit 18), ☏ +1 229 333-1891. Su-Th 11AM-10PM, F Sa 11AM-11PM. Pizza (updated Jul 2015) 306 North, 306 N Patterson St. (Exit 16, Take US 84 E, turn left on Ashley St., turn left on Magnolia St., turn left on Patterson St.), ☏ +1 229-249-5333. 11AM-2PM & 5PM-9PM. Upscale (updated Jul 2015) Giulio's Greek & Italian Restaurant, 105 E. Ann St. (Exit 22, Take US 41 S, bear right on Patterson St., turn left on Ann. St.), ☏ +1 229 333-0929. 5PM-10PM. (updated Jul 2015) Mom and Dad's, 4143 N. Valdosta Rd. (Exit 22, Take US 41 S), ☏ +1 229 333-0848. 5PM-10PM. Italian (updated Jul 2015) == Drink == 1 The Wooden Nickel Pub, 3269 Inner Perimeter Rd. (Exit 22, Take US 41 S, turn left on Inner Perimeter Rd.), ☏ +1 229 247-7750. 11AM-11PM. == Sleep == Courtyard by Marriott, 1564 Baytree Rd (Exit 18), toll-free: +1-800-321-2211. Days Inn, 1827 West Hill Ave (Exit 16), toll-free: +1-800-329-7466. Drury Inn, 1327 N St. Augustine Rd (Exit 18), toll-free: +1-800-378-7946. Built in 2013. An Olive Garden and Fazoli's (fast food Italian-style restaurant) are very close. Econo Lodge, 3022 James Rd (Exit 18), ☏ +1 229 671-1511. Wingate by Wyndham Valdosta/Moody, 1800 Club House Dr (Exit 18), ☏ +1-229-247-7755. Quality Inn At the Mall, 1705 Gornto Rd (At Valdosta Mall on Exit 18), ☏ +1 229 244-8800. Sleep Inn & Suites, 3026 James Rd (Exit 18), ☏ +1 229 671-1111. Hampton Inn & Suites, 2 Meeting Place Dr (Exit 16; next to the James H. Rainwater Conference Center), ☏ +1 229 241-1234. Best Western Plus Valdosta Hotel & Suites, 4025 Northlake Drive (Exit 22), ☏ +1 229 241-9221. (updated Jul 2015) == Connect == The local area code is 229 and is not required for local calls. == Stay safe == Travel in Valdosta is relatively safe, as it is a medium-sized city, but like all cities regardless of their sizes, there will be crime in certain areas so use common sense no matter what. == Cope == === Radio stations === WQPW 95.7 the Mix - Pop music WAFT Radio 101.1 - Christian music WXHT Hot 102.7 - Pop music WGLF 104.1 - Classic rock == Go next == Hahira, Georgia. (About 20 minutes North) Homerville, Georgia. (About 45 minutes Northeast) Lake Park, Georgia. (About 20 minutes South) Statenville, Georgia. (About 20 minutes Southeast) Monticello, Florida. (About 1 hours Southwest) Quitman, Georgia. (About 20 minutes West)