Americus Garden Inn

Bed & Breakfast

“where history meets romance…”

Insider's Guide to Jimmy Carter National Historic Site

We recommend that your visit to Plains Georgia starts at the Jimmy Carter Boyhood Farm in Archery.  The house has been restored to the way it was when Jimmy Carter lived there in the 1930's as a child.  There are wayside exhibits with audio stations where you can push a button and President Carter himself narrates your visit through his homestead.  It is a self-guided tour allowing you inside his home and all of the outbuildings.  When you visit the tenant house, it truly helps in the understanding of the differences between cultures living side by side on the same property.  The general store owned by Jimmy's father right on the railroad tracks exemplifies "shopping" in that era.  Depending on when you visit, there may be live demonstrations of farm activities from the past.  Guided walking tours are available on Saturdays and Sundays 11:30am and 3:00pm.  Most people take between 1 and 1.5 hours at this venue.  Admission is free.

Next, visit the Welcome Center/Museum located in the Plains High School where Jimmy Carter attended school grades 1 - high school graduation after 11th grade.  The exhibits take Mr. Carter's life from school days to the present.  There is a 25 minute film which chronicles Jimmy Carter's life.  You will also find the "Rosalynn Carter, First Lady from Plains, Georgia" exhibit in the museum.  Most people take between 1 and 1.5 hours at this venue.  Admission is free.  Jimmy Carter National Historic Site is located at 300 North Bond Street, Plains, Georgia 31780  Visitor Information (229) 824-4104

The third part of the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site is the Train Depot which served as the 1976 presidential campaign headquarters.  This is where political memorabilia can be viewed.  Most people take about 30 minutes at this venue.  Admission is free.

No trip to Plains, Georgia would be complete without visiting the downtown shops and eating at Mom's Kitchen.  For entertaining conversation make sure to check out The Plains Trading Post.  And you absolutely have to sample peanut ice cream at Plains Peanuts.

If your visit occurs on a weekend, you might be interested in attending an adult Sunday School class led by President Jimmy Carter at Maranatha Baptist Church which is located at 148 GA Hwy 45N, Plains, Georgia 31780.  Jimmy Carter teaches about 2 Sundays a month.  The Sunday School class begins at 10:00am and the doors to the Church open at 8:30am.  If you stay for the worship service at 11:00am, Jimmy and Rosalynn very generously make themselves available for a photo with you on your camera after the service.  The sanctuary holds about 300 people and on most Sundays, that is ample space for all in attendance.  You can stay with us at the Americus Garden Inn, eat breakfast at 8:00am and have plenty of time to get to the church.  The Secret Service does provide security for the Carters at the church and we strongly recommend that you arrive at the church by 9:15am - 9:30am.  (229) 824-7896

The Plains Peanut Festival occurs the last weekend in September celebrating Plains, Peanuts and a President.  Every year there is a folk play, a parade, book signings, a special SAM Shortline train ride, and a street dance.

The SAM Shortline Excursion Train regularly runs from Cordele through Americus to Plains.  Most people find that an entire day on the train is a little too long, and there is not enough time at each stop to take it all in.  We recommend the short ride from Americus to Plains and Archery on the days it is offered.  The train depot in Americus is located at the Global Village and Discovery Center offering another venue to enjoy on that day.

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