This is a fantastic state welcome center and should be a must stop for those traveling through this area. It was so wonderful it almost earned a five star review, but will later explain why I had to make a deduction.
When crossing from South Carolina into Georgia on I -20W you will see the sign within a half mile, or so for the combo Georgia Welcome Center/Rest Area. This stop accommodates cars, campers and tractor trailers. Cars in the front and everyone else to the back. The center appears new, but is actually a recent renovation that they painstaking seemed to think of everything that a road warrior could want.
When pulling up to the building you will get a clue as to why I believe this welcome center earns so much praise. It's exterior is all brick, very modern and large! A walk through the doors confirms my suspicion of just how spacious the interior is with an atrium. Beautiful brick floors, wooden rocking chairs and tons of visitor info are a real welcome sight to travelers.
As you walk in the front door bench seating for a screening of a state film greets you. If one wishes to learn more about the state this is a great way to do so if time allows, it's only around 8-10 minutes.
In the center there is a huge display in a glass case. "Flavor of Georgia Winery 2014" it has some neat items like a copper kettle and wine barrel along with other items of interest.
Also in the center broken down down by region of the state are different brochures attractively displayed. To the right are restrooms and a lot of them. Two Men's, two Women's and two family rooms that are incredibly CLEAN!!! A restroom attendant controls them every hour they are open.
A decent size vending area is across from the facilities and inside which is a bonus. A couple of the machines were either out of the drinks I wanted, or not working on the day of my visit. There is also an ATM located in this area too.
The center's counter where you can get personal attention from staff is in the back left. The two women working the counter the day that I visited were super and I loved talking with them about the state. They are knowledgeable about the state and road directions. If they do not know they will look it up as they did for me. They gave my son a GA state pin for his shirt too. There is also a children's activity area in the back
The outside area has small shelters to eat and looks very picturesque with sidewalks and lamp post. Of course this area is pet friendly too. There are garbage cans around, but unfortunately trash was observed around this area. It always shocks me when people throw trash around thinking someone else will pick it up.
The parking lot is very large and can take in a lot of travelers on any given day. The main area where vehicular parking is had a lot of debris on the ground which is why I deducted a star from my review. They have an attendant inside, but unsure who keeps track of the outside. If it's the same person than they need to patrol the grounds more often. A solution to this problem is more trash cans, they have them by the building, but none in the long island area where cars park.
I would not hesitate for a moment stopping right back here on a return trip. They have all the amenities that a traveler could possibly want in spades. I recommend state welcome centers to anyone on the road. This one earns the distinction of almost being perfect in my book, if they can stay on top of the debris. I hope someone follows up with a review this Summer that upgrades it to a full five stars... YES it's that good. read more