Love is in the air—with the most romantic day of the year falling in February. And Valentine’s Day, February 14, can mean more than dinner for two, flowers and chocolates. It also can mean a time to create special memories away—and some Georgia destinations within a short drive of metropolitan Atlanta make getting to that destination for doing exactly that a bit easier.
One particular example is Albany in southwest Georgia, roughly a 3-hour drive from Atlanta, where you’ll find quiet and seclusion at Merry Acres Inn. But you’ll also just be minutes away from dining and attractions when you’re ready to venture out. The 110-room boutique-style hotel serves up a bed-and-breakfast-type feel for visitors.
The property features rooms for two and four guests and a presidential suite for eight, plus a cottage that sleeps four, with rooms that include refrigerators and microwaves. Buffet-style breakfast is available on-site, and a complimentary shuttle takes guests to signature restaurants of the Stewbos group, to include Harvest Moon, The Catch Seafood Room & Oyster Bar and Osteria Italian Restaurant.
In addition to dining, you’ll want to make time to visit the Ray Charles Plaza on Front Street. There, you’ll find a rotating life-size sculpture of the legendary soul singer seated at a baby grand piano with his beloved melodies continuously playing.
From the plaza, just feet away, you may take in a bit of nature with a romantic stroll within the 6-acre River Front Park along the Flint River. History awaits at the Bridge House—also on Front Street—which was built by famed Black architect and engineer Horace King, who was born into slavery. Built in 1858, the building today serves as home to the Albany Welcome Center.
And there’s even more history to absorb at the Albany Civil Rights Institute, which shares the story of the city of Albany during the Civil Rights Movement through photographs, oral histories, artifacts, educational exhibits and more.
If you and your partner appreciate aquatic life, plan for a few hours at the Flint RiverQuarium, which brings you up close and personal with creatures and fish native to South Georgia. The aquarium features interactive exhibits that allow you to experience the unique ecosystems of the Flint River watershed and includes an aviary offering of birds indigenous to the Flint River basin.
End your stay on a sweet note, with a visit to Mark's Melon Patch to pick your own strawberries to take home. The roadside fruit stand is located just outside of Albany near Sasser, Georgia, and also includes hundreds of items for purchase—from jams to preserves to nuts and candies.
Melt some chocolate and turn those strawberries into a special treat for you and your honey as you celebrate each other—and love.
For more information, visit
Merryacres.com
Albanycivilrightsinstitute.org
Marksmelonpatch.com
Stewbos.com
Flintriverquarium.com
Visitalbanyga.com
Check out these dining options:
Blackbeard’s
Albany Fish Company
The Flint
Pearly’s Famous Country Cooking
The Bread House & Granary