Valdosta, Ga., located midway between Atlanta and Orlando, Fla., on I-75, is the state’s 10th largest city. It has the charm of a small southern town combined with the conveniences of a large city. Nicknamed ⿿Winnersville,” in honor of the winningest high school football team in the nation, simply saying Valdosta is ⿿unique⿿ is an understatement. Here are 10 reasons why this city is ⿿winner⿿ of 
a destination for a long weekend trip.
10. Located 10 miles northeast of Valdosta, Moody Air Force Base, is home to the 347th Rescue Wing. Established in the early 1940s, this is the only Combat Search and Rescue Wing in the Air Force. Tours of the facility are available by appointment.
9. Lake Park, about 14 miles south of Valdosta and on Florida⿿s border is filled with perhaps the largest concentration of outlet stores in Georgia. If you are not into shopping on your vacation, Lake Park also has various outdoor activities. If you like to fish, Paradise Island Fish Camp offers over 400-acres to cast a reel.
Located within Valdosta⿿s city limits is the town of Remerton. Formerly a mill town, today the historic Mill Village is made of restored mill houses transformed into shops and boutiques.
Eleven miles north is Hahira best known for being the ⿿home of the honey bee⿿ and its honey production. It is worth a trip back in the fall for the annual Honey Bee Festival.
8. Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge, located in Lanier County, about 20 miles east from Valdosta, has 1000 acres of open water that is prime for fishing. Banks Lake is also home to a wide variety of reptiles and birds. 
While you are in the area, take a hike, literally, at the nearby Robert Simpson Nature Trail.
7. About 12 miles from Banks Lake is Grand Bay Wildlife Management Area. The 1,350 acres is actually a part of 13,000-acre wetlands, second to the size of the Okefenokee Swamp in Folkston, Ga. Grand Bay is a prime spot for bird watching during the winter and spring. During the summer, you can enjoy fishing, canoeing, hiking, and camping.
6. Historic Downtown Valdosta is one of the four historic districts listed on the National Register of Historic Districts. It was also one of the first cities to participate in the national Main Street revitalization program. Filled with historical churches and homes, you⿿ll also find quaint specialty shops and local eateries lining the streets. Look for the Lowndes County Courthouse, said to be one of the state⿿s most elaborate courthouses.
5. If you are exploring on your own, be sure not to miss The Crescent considered the city⿿s most recognizable landmark. This massive house is noted for the 13 columns, said the represent the 13 original American colonies. Today, it is the Garden⿿s Club Garden Center, with a variety of test gardens. The Lowndes County Historical Museum built in the 1900s with a partial grant from Andrew Carnegie began as a library. Currently, it is the site of the Lowndes County Historical So
ciety, and houses historic memorabilia.
4. From the exhibits at Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts to the plays performed at The ‘Dosta Playhouse, Valdosta is filled with a number of cultural opportunities that appeal to all ages.
3. Valdosta has a number of public parks for everyone in your family to enjoy the outdoors. Whether you are in the mood for a quick picnic, or want the young ones to work off some their energy on the playground, the city offers nine different parks.
2. Referring to itself as the ⿿most attractive campus⿿ in the state, Valdosta State University is noted for its natural scenery. Take a stroll along the Jewel Whitehead Camellia Trail. Believed to be the only such trail on a university campus in the nation, you can see over 1,100 varieties of the flower. Walking the campus is a great to begin your day, or wind down your evening.
1. You can’t go to Valdosta one of the top 50 theme parks in the U.S. ⿿ Wild Adventures Theme Park. What used to be farmland is now the top park in the South when it comes to rides. The ⿿adventure⿿ part can be found within the over 100 rides, including nine roller coasters, such as the Cheetah, the big
gest roller coaster at the park with heart-stopping drops; and the Hangman, a suspended, looping coaster. The ⿿wild⿿ part is covered by the over 500 wild animals you can see either by taking a ride on the Safari Train, or a stroll through the Swamp.
And who doesn⿿t like to get wet? When you are at Wild Adventure, be sure to take a dunk in Splash Island Water Park. This water oasis features a 20,000-gallon wave pool, a lazy river, tube and body slides, and one of the largest interactive waterplay areas in the country.
End your visit to Wild Adventures and to Valdosta by enjoying a concert at the All-Star Amphitheater.
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