Waynesboro lays claim to being the "Bird Dog Capital of the World." For nearly 120 years, Waynesboro has been home to the Georgia Field Trials– a bird dog competition.
Waynesboro played a significant role during the Civil War. After General Sherman captured Atlanta on November 15, 1864, he began his infamous "March to the Sea" heading towards Savannah. The Battle of Waynesboro was fought on December 4, 1864, towards the end of that march. Union calvary forces under Brig. Gen. Judson Kilpatrick defeated Confederate cavalry led by Maj. Gen. Joseph Wheeler, opening the way for William T. Sherman's armies to capture the port of Savannah which they did on December 21, 1864.
The Waynesboro Ice Plant opened in 1905 when many cities began to make their own ice instead of importing it from up North by rail. It remained in operation until the early 1970's. By 2000, the Waynesboro Ice Plant had fallen into disrepair and was crumbling away. The city planned to demolish it but when the bids to do so were all too high it was not torn down. Instead, in 2005, the one hundred year old building became the recipient of a Department of Transportation Enhancement Act Grant.
Today, after undergoing a $1.1 million renovation, the 7,000 square foot building not only houses the Offices of Planning and Development for the City of Waynesboro but serves as a museum, meeting space, and trailhead for Waynesboro's Greenway Trail. Visitors to the Ice Plant will find some of the original equipment on display, including the diesel generator that provided power for ice making and generated electricity for streetlights. Included in the displays are vintage photos tracing the plants' history and significance.
Tour the Waynesboro Ice Plant
The cemetery is located at the corner of 6th Street and Jones Avenue. It is surrounded by a wall made with domestic brick. Isaiah Carter, born circa 1751 and died 1817, gave the land for the cemetery to be created. There are 196 grave markers here that are readable but many more that are not. A total of 49 Confederate soldiers are buried here. Confederate Memorial Day services are held here each year in April.
Visit the Confederate Memorial Cemetery
The City of Waynesboro celebrated the long awaited opening of the Greenway Trail on Saturday, December 4, 2010. Planning for the four-mile exercise loop began in 2004 as a Georgia Department of Transportation Enhancement Project. The Waynesboro Ice Plant serves as the trailhead. The trail links downtown to the library, recreation and school facilities and several neighborhoods. The scenic portion of the trail begins behind the old TG&Y building and comes out behind the Burke County Middle School. The trail is open to the public, including residents on bicycles, scooters, skateboards and other non-motorized modes of transportation.
Walk the Greenway Trail
Yuchi Wildlife Management Area is a 7,800-acre property located in Burke County. This property offers hunting opportunities for deer, turkey and small game.
Yuchi Wildlife Management Area
Byne Blueberry Farms is one of the oldest organic blueberry farms in the United States. They provide a unique line of organic blueberry products like blueberry powder, blueberry syrup, and chocolate covered blueberries.
Visit Byne Blueberry Farms
630 N. Liberty St in Waynesboro
Great place to grab lunch, make sure you try the sweet potato fries!
602 W. 6th St in Waynesboro
Camino Real Mexican
118 W. 6th St in Waynesboro
Laid back, has a patio
El Toro
1008 N. Liberty St in Waynesboro
Nice spot for a date night
112 E. 13th St in Waynesboro
A quaint old house to restaurant conversion on a side street. No frills BBQ with generous portions.
2 locations in Augusta
Gourmet burgers using locally sourced beef and produce supporting local farms
Seasonal farm to table menu
Try the porkchop you won’t regret it!
Southern kitchen and oyster bar
Restaurant inside a wine market, upscale seasonal menu with most items cooked over an open wood flame hearth
Great spot for a date night
Mayor's Fishing Hole - 1916 Lock and Dam Rd, Augusta, GA
Savannah River Lock & Dam - Minutes away from Phinizy Swamp. Hidden in the back woods behind Augusta's domestic airport.
Waynesboro Pond - located downtown Waynesboro near 6th St and Liberty St.