Once a major railway center for Georgia-grown cotton, peaches, and other staples, Locust Grove, Georgia has transformed over the decades to become a popular hub for shopping, train-watching, outdoor recreation, and more.
The city’s close proximity to Downtown Atlanta makes it a convenient destination for girls’ trips, family vacations, and fun weekend getaways.
Make the most of your Locust Grove visit with the following suggestions.
Where to Eat
- Black Rose Café & Bar – Black Rose is home to a different kind of dining experience. Not only do they offer true authentic Mexican cuisine in downtown Locust Grove, they also serve brunch, traditional breakfast, beer and cocktails, and an extensive menu of delicious coffees. It’s a one-stop-shop for everything you may be craving no matter the time of day. Not only is the menu amazing, the atmosphere will make you want to never leave!
- Gabino’s Mexican Grill – At Gabino’s Mexican Grill in Locust Grove, visitors can sample authentic Mexican and Southwest-style dishes from an expansive menu. Discover the comfortable and stylish atmosphere while you chow down on one of the many mouthwatering options including appetizers, combinations plates, specialty dinners, lunch specials, and don’t forget dessert! Their recipes are authentic and time-tested. You can always trust that the ingredients are fresh! Come for lunch or dinner and enjoy a handcrafted margarita or other specialty mixed drinks from their full bar.
- Lovin’ Oven Pizzeria – Located in Downtown Locust Grove, Lovin’ Oven offers a unique dining experience. Have you ever wondered what it looks like to make a handcrafted pizza? Well, when you dine at Lovin’ Oven, you can sit back and sip a craft beer while you watch the experts toss your pie! Or watch the trains pass across the street from the comfortable patio seating.Try a sandwich, pasta dish, beer and wine, dessert or, of course, a pizza. Their dough and sauce are prepared daily and cooked to a New-York style perfection. And don’t forget to check their events calendar on their website for some fun upcoming events!
- Southern Fusion Dining – With their rebrand launch in 2019, Heaven Café officially became Southern Fusion Dining. Located in Locust Grove, this modern restaurant elevates the dining experience with unique and delicious Southern fusion dishes. Everything is made fresh and prepared to order, for breakfast, lunch or dinner (available on Friday night only).
- Crumbles – Looking for something to satisfy your sweet tooth? Well, look no further. Crumbles started 10 years ago as a small, home-based custom cookie operation. However, owner Nicole Silva quickly gained acclaim for her talents and earned a spot on the 2015 edition of ABC’s The Great Holiday Baking Show. Soon after reaching the show’s final round, she opened the storefront in Locust Grove, where the bakery remains a popular destination for a variety of delectable, sweet snacks. She later went on to win Food Network’s Christmas Cookie Challenge in 2017.From beautifully designed cookies to an array of cupcake, whoopie pie, and cake flavors, Crumbles is the perfect spot to stop after a day of sightseeing to enjoy a sweet treat.
Shopping
- Tanger Outlets – Located in Locust Grove, locals and visitors can discover a world of savings on the nation’s leading brands and designer labels at Tanger Outlets. From names like Columbia Sportswear, Michael Kors, Brooks Brothers, Coach, Under Armour, Ann Taylor, Children’s Place, J.Crew, and much more, you can find everything you are looking for in one place. Keep an eye on their website for upcoming events and brand-specific promotions only available at Tanger!
- Planters Walk – If you love to browse antiques and vintage goods, come explore over 10,000 square feet of options in Locust Grove. Planters Walk Antique Mall offers more than 40 booths featuring furniture, home décor, hardware, jewelry collectables and more.At this one-of-a-kind shopping experience, you can receive all your needs from antiques to modern styles in one place. Find the perfect addition to your home or a gift for a loved one. No matter your taste, you’re sure to find something you can’t leave without!
- Cavendar’s Horsetown – If you ride horses, you know the importance of quality clothing, riding supplies and accessories. Cavendar’s Horsetown in Locust Grove has a variety of brands to choose from, but all provide quality goods from pants, boots and hats, to riding accessories, saddles, tack, horse care, and more!
- Birdsong Books – Birdsong Books is your beloved neighborhood bookstore in Locust Grove. Whether you’re looking for new or old reads, Birdsong Books will have what you need. They specialize in new & used books in just about every genre you could think of! They also sell charming gifts, offer classes and book clubs, and host regular community events with the goal of bringing the community together. Birdsong Books gets used books brought in daily, so the inventory is always changing. As if that wasn’t enough of an excuse to come back often, the comfortable couches and chairs spread out throughout the store welcome readers to stay for a while.
Things to Do
- Noah’s Ark – Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary is a nonprofit educational sanctuary located in Locust Grove that is currently home to abused, neglected and surrendered animals. This 250-acre sanctuary provides a beautiful, park-like setting families can enjoy as they embark on a $5 self-guided tour or $100 behind-the-scenes guided tour.Noah’s Ark offers a gift shop, playground, and picnic area for guests to use while they visit the park and its fascinating inhabitants. Guests can even rent space for birthday parties, business meetings, family get-togethers, and more!
- Honeycomb Cottage – Henry County residents and visitors can treat themselves to a day of pampering and relaxation with a stop at The HoneyComb Cottage in Locust Grove. With a variety of services that will relax and replenish, it’s the perfect spot for some much-needed self-care.Services include the exclusive Honey Facial, as well as microdermabrasion facials, aqua/hydra facials, radio frequency facials, microcurrent facials, massage therapy, sauna detox, face and body waxing, teeth whitening, lash application, lash and brow tinting, microblading, and even more!
- Locust Grove Train Watching Platform – Located just steps away from downtown Locust Grove shops and restaurants, you can visit the new train watching platform and watch the 40-plus trains that come through Locust Grove daily. It’s a fun, relaxing activity for kids and adults who love trains! You may even get a conductor to blow their horn for you.
- Cubihatcha Outdoor Education Center – Are you into the outdoors? Cubihatcha Outdoor Education Center in Locust Grove is a must-see location while you’re in Henry County. In 1999, this area was designated as a wetland enhancement and protection corridor to help maintain the local wildlife habitat. Today, almost 1,000 acres of land are included in the center, featuring bottomland, hardwood and forested wetlands and uplands.In addition to the multiple walking trails of differing difficulty levels, guests of the center will find many more activities to enjoy. The trails and wetlands provide a wonderful opportunity for bird-watching. In addition, a trip to the apiary offers a look into the importance of bees as part of the ecosystem. Visitors can even schedule a tour led by an on-site naturalist to get further insight on the park and the species that call it home.
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A well-planned trip is the best trip. There’s always something fun happening in Locust Grove. Be sure to follow Locust Grove Main Street’s Facebook page for upcoming concerts and events.
When your fun-filled day exploring Locust Grove has come to an end, you’ll need a cozy place to rest your head. Explore the city’s lodging options here.