When you live in East Metro Atlanta, you don’t have to go far to enjoy historic places. There are many places that honor our history, educate us about the past, and provide sanctuary to reflect. As you visit them, you can walk and clear the mind, allowing thoughts for remembrance and reflection.
Here are a few things to do in the area:
Honor Veterans with a Visit to the Walk of Heroes
Walk of Heroes Veterans Memorial Park provides the perfect setting to commemorate those who are serving in our military or have served. The memorial is a visual and interactive display about the sacrifices made by the military veterans and their families during war times in the 20th Century and since then. The memorial is open daily, except on Wednesdays, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and is located in Black Shoals Park at 3001 Black Shoals Road in Conyers.
Take a Tour at Callanwolde
Just a short drive into Decatur, Callanwolde is a tradition known as Atlanta’s Designer Showroom and Christmas Destination. The 12.5-acre estate is beautifully landscaped with a magnificent Tudor Revival style mansion, lush gardens, and several outer buildings. The historic architectural estate is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a premier arts and cultural center. Open seven days a week starting at 9am, hours can vary based on private events. They are located at 980 Briarcliff Rd NE in Atlanta.
Do the Walking Tour Around Historic Madison
Voted one of the “Top 16 Most Picturesque Villages in the World” in 2012 by Budget Travel Magazine, Madison has some of the finest Antebellum homes in the region. Stop at the welcome center at 115 E Jefferson Street and pick up your Visitor Guide and map to take the Audio Walking Tour of the Historic District. On the tour, you can see Heritage Hall, Rogers House, Rose Cottage, and more.
Stroll Around the Grounds of the Monastery
The Monastery of the Holy Spirit has beautiful grounds to walk and take in the grounds. It is part of the Arabia Mountain Heritage Area that helps to preserve the area’s green spaces. Besides strolling around the peaceful grounds, the Monastery has a self-guided tour of the Monastic Museum at the Visitor Center. Here you can watch a video about the life of the monks. Then visit the café and gift shop. Start your holiday shopping by picking up some garden gifts, fruit cake, fudge, honey, and other goodies. The Monastery is located at 2625 Highway 212 SW in Conyers, Georgia 30094.
These are only a few of our local historic places. For more history and leisure, visit the historic districts in Monroe, Social Circle, Oxford and Covington, tour The Depot (now the Conyers Welcome Center), and drive along the Antebellum Trail from Athens to Madison. There is much to choose from to make a great day trip!
