Sometimes you don’t need a long road trip to feel like you’ve escaped. Just an hour and a half north of Jacksonville is Valdosta, Georgia — a sweet little town that turned out to be the perfect family getaway for us. My husband and I packed up our girls (ages 8 and 3) and headed up for the weekend, and we were surprised at how much Valdosta has to offer families. (And the kids are both already begging to go back, which is a great sign in my book!)
Where We Stayed
We checked into the Holiday Inn Valdosta Conference Center and stayed in a family suite. If you’ve ever tried to squeeze four people into a standard hotel room, you know what a difference that extra space makes! The girls immediately claimed their bed (a trundle bed and a pullout sofa bed), and my husband and I loved having space to spread out without stepping over toys and tiny shoes. Any hotel with a separate door to the bedroom is a win for me, and a kitchenette is a must when traveling with kids! The hotel also has a great pool and restaurant with a breakfast buffet that was a hit with all four of us.
Where We Ate
Food always feels like half the adventure when traveling with kids, and Valdosta has some great family-friendly options:
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Fancy Girl Farms: Such a fun dinner spot! The farm setting was peaceful, and the girls loved running around outside before we sat down to eat (even in the rain). It felt like one of those hidden gems you’d never expect to find on a quick weekend trip. The farm-to-table comfort food hit the spot, and the serving sizes were generous. You can pick fresh flowers at their flower field, take photos among the scenic garden, get a treat from the coffee and ice cream shop, and explore their garden boutique and market.
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Jessie’s Restaurant: Apparently, this is one of the town’s go-to restaurants for breakfast, and I get why. Pancakes for the kids served on a frisbee, plenty of options and mimosas for Mom and Dad, a chalkboard table for the kids to color on, and friendly service. Everyone left happy (and full).
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GUD Coffee: This charming coffee spot was perfect for a mid-morning pick-me-up while we wandered the shops and enjoyed the sights of beautiful downtown. I’m still dreaming of that Brown Butter Latte.
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The Nook Nutrition: We grabbed protein shakes and teas here, which was nice after a busy day. Bonus: The girls thought their protein shakes were “fancy milkshakes,” which made us all happy (and the fact they they actually drank the whole thing). The decor is so fun, and it took the girls less than 60 seconds to find the basket of kid toys to play with while we waited for our drinks. Petitioning for one of these to open in Jax!
What We Did
Our weekend was packed with fun, and there was something for everyone!
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Recoil Trampoline Park: A huge hit with both girls! This was our first stop when we got to town, which was a nice break from the off-and-on rain and heat. The trampoline park offers several different bounce options, including a toddler zone, obstacle course, and rock climbing wall. We had laser tag all to ourselves for a round, which was so much fun! The arcade is, according to my kids, “the best arcade ever with the best prizes,” and I’d tend to agree. Between the arcade games, activities, and VR game, we could have spend hours there! In fact, we went back again on our way out of town because we all had so much fun.
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Wild Adventures & Splash Island Water Park: This was hands-down the highlight of our trip and could honestly be its own vacation! Wild Adventures is part theme park, part water park (during season), part zoo — and perfect for families with kids of different ages. My 8-year-old was brave enough to try some of the bigger rides, while my 3-year-old rode every ride she was tall enough for at least three times each. So much to offer, but I think my favorite parts are the cleanliness of the park and the short wait times!
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Rides & Attractions: There are thrill rides for the older kids and adults (my 8-year-old could ride just about everything for reference), plus plenty of smaller rides and kid-friendly attractions my 3-year-old could enjoy without feeling left out. I actually mic’ed her up for her first roller coaster ride, and the video is my favorite thing ever!
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Splash Island Water Park: When we do amusement parks, we go hard. We stayed until the park closed, then headed to Splash Island (which is included with admission to Wild Adventures) to cool off and have even more fun. The slides were a huge hit for my 8-year-old, while my 3-year-old loved the shallow play areas, the kid zone with smaller slides, and the lazy river. I really appreciated that there were options for all ages — it made the day so much easier to navigate.
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Animals & Encounters: One of the coolest parts about Wild Adventures is the animals scattered throughout the park. We saw everything from giraffes to exotic birds. The girls’ favorite part was getting the chance to feed the animals — you can purchase feeding packages for giraffes, goats, and even birds. It was such a memorable moment for them (and for me, since giraffes are my favorite animal!).
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Dining Passes: Another thing that made the day smoother was the dining pass option. You can purchase an all-day dining pass that lets you grab a meal or snack at different spots around the park during your visit. With kids, this was a lifesaver — no meltdowns from waiting too long for food, and it felt like a good value since everyone could grab what they wanted throughout the day. (You can even grab a cold beer or wine slush from one of the restaurants, which is a nice break for the parents!)
By the end of our visit, both girls were happily exhausted (which, let’s be real, is the best sign of a successful family day). Wild Adventures + Splash Island easily filled a full day for us, and honestly, we could have come back for a second day and still not done it all
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Exploring Downtown: We strolled, shopped, and checked out local spots — one of our favorite things to do when visiting new places. Downtown Valdosta has so many charming shops and boutiques, and beautiful scenery to take in and enjoy.
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Local Events: Before you go, check out VisitValdosta.com for the event calendar. We lucked out and got to see Blippi and Meekah at The Rainwater during a special event. My girls were starstruck, and it made the trip extra special. If you’re looking for fall travel or planning ahead for the holidays, Halloween and fall festival-style activities are plentiful, and they do Christmas right. Downtown Valdosta turns into what I can only describe as a real-life Hallmark movie, and Wild Adventures is also so much fun during the holidays!
Why Valdosta Works for Families
For us, Valdosta was the perfect mix — close to home, easy to get around, and packed with family-friendly activities. Whether you’re looking for a quick road trip, a new place to explore with the kids, or even just a change of scenery, Valdosta is definitely worth adding to your family’s weekend getaway list. If you’re looking for town charm, you’ve found it!
Mom Tips for Visiting Valdosta
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Check the Wild Adventures schedule before you go. Some rides and shows run seasonally, and the park hours change depending on the season, so you’ll want to be prepared ahead of time. They also have a Summer Concert Series with a really great lineup!
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Pack swimsuits and towels if you’re visiting Splash Island (and maybe a change of clothes for the drive home). We like to wear sneakers to the park and bring flip-flops for the water park.
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Bring snacks for downtown exploring and the trampoline park — because hungry kids are never fun. And lots of water!
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Make dinner reservations if you’re visiting Fancy Girl Farms; it’s a popular spot. And be sure to schedule in time to explore and grab ice cream!
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Remember to peek at the Visit Valdosta events calendar before you plan your trip. You never know when a fun family event (like Blippi!) will pop up.
Safe travels, and have so much fun!
