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Valdosta is the 10th largest city in the state of Georgia. It is located in Lowndes County, in the state's Plantation Midlands region. The population is about 50,000 people. Valdosta is one of the fastest growing cities in Georgia, where new buildings are always being built somewhere.

Valdosta City Hall

Get in

By car

Valdosta is located just off I-75, about 15-20 minutes from the Georgia-Florida border, roughly halfway between Atlanta, Georgia and Orlando, Florida. Valdosta can also be reached traveling on US 84, US 41, and US 221.

By plane

Valdosta Regional Airport (VLD). The only commercial carrier serving the airport is Delta, from/to Atlanta only.

By bus

Get around

Valdosta has a network of roads that is more or less structured. The major roads are I-75, US 41 (N Valdosta Rd./Inner Perimeter Rd.), US 41 Bus. (Ashley St.), US 84 (Hill Ave.), and Patterson St. Inner Perimeter Road is a bypass around Valdosta. Bemiss Rd. is the main route if you need to go to Moody Air Force Base. Although Valdosta is a medium-sized city, tourism is important, with thousands of visitors visiting the city every year.

Climate

Valdosta has a subtropical humid climate with mild winters, hot summers, and abundant rainfall. Please be aware that Valdosta often suffers from oppressive heat and humidity in the summer, due to the fact that rainfall is most abundant in the summer. In the summer, temperatures easily reach the mid-90s. When the temperature is accompanied by high humidity, the heat index can reach well over 105. If you're not accustomed to the heat, the best times to visit Valdosta is from late September to early May. Otherwise, wear sunscreen, and a hat. Bug spray is also necessary, as gnats can be a problem in the summer. Temperatures can reach 90 degrees as early as May, and as late as September.

Lowndes County Courthouse

See

Lowndes County Historical Museum - Carnegie Library
Dosta Playhouse

Do

Wild Adventures
  • Wild Adventures. Family-friendly theme park and zoo. 
  • Splash Island, Water park connected to Wild Adventures. A good place to go to cool off during the intensely hot summers.
  • Stone Creek golfcourse, 4300 Coleman Road North, ☏ +1 229 247-2527 ext 2. 
  • Kinderlou Forest Golf Club, 3374 US Highway 84 W, ☏ +1 229 219-2300. 
  • Morven Music Hall, +1 229 775-2181. Sa 5PM-11PM. Live music, dancing. No smoking, no alcohol.
  • Watkins Music Hall, Mt Zion Road near Rocky Ford Road, +1 229 242-2169. Sa 6PM-11PM. Live music.
  • Go to church.
  • Theatre Guild Valdosta. Community theater in Valdosta. TGV produces four shows per season, plus two childrens' show. Located in the 'Dosta Playhouse in downtown Valdosta. 
  • Grand Bay Wildlife Management Area. There are hiking trails, a 2,000-foot boardwalk and a 54-foot observation tower that overlooks open prairie and a heron rookery. Water lovers enjoy the canoe trail and boating through the Blackgum Swamp. 

Learn

Valdosta State University
  • Valdosta State University, 1500 N Patterson St, ☏ +1 229 333-5800, toll-free: +1-800-618-1878. There are over 10,000 students enrolled undergraduate and graduate programs. The school also offers retirement classes and other non-traditional classes that might serve an interested visitor. (updated Sep 2015)

Buy

  • Valdosta Mall, 1700 Norman Dr. (Exit 18), ☏ +1 229 242-0457. Shopping center anchored by Sears, JCPenney, and Belk department stores 
  • Downtown Valdosta, +1 229 259-3577
  • City Market, 3215A North Oak St Ext, ☏ +1 229 219-0007. Art gallery and shop 
  • Walmart, 340 Norman Dr, ☏ +1 229 249-8400. 24/7. 
  • Walmart, 3274 Inner Perimeter Rd, ☏ +1 229 253-0312. 24/7. 
  • Winn-Dixie, 4036 Bemiss Road (Exit 22; Take US 41 S to Inner Perimeter Rd., turn left, then turn left on Bemiss Rd.), ☏ +1 229 247-2775. 7AM-10PM. Groceries (updated Jul 2015)
  • Winn-Dixie, 3200 North Ashley St. (Exit 22 - S on US 41), ☏ +1 229 242-0917. 7AM-10PM. Groceries (updated Jul 2015)
  • Winn-Dixie, 1105 Madison Hwy. (Exit 16; E on US 84, S on Patterson St.), ☏ +1 229 242-0127. 8AM-10PM. Groceries (updated Jul 2015)
  • Publix, 3330 Inner Perimeter Rd. (Exit 22; S on US 41, turn left on Inner Perimeter Rd.), ☏ +1 229 671-9835. 7AM-10PM. Groceries (updated Jul 2015)
  • Publix, 1741 Gornto Rd. (Exit 18), ☏ +1 229 242-2409. 7AM-10PM. Groceries (updated Jul 2015)
  • Target, 1815 Norman Dr. (Exit 18), ☏ +1 229 242-0330. 8AM-10PM. Department store (like Walmart, but more upscale) (updated Jul 2015)
  • Kohl's, 1511 Baytree Rd. (Exit 18), ☏ +1 229 219-7321. 9AM-10PM. Apparel (updated Jul 2015)
  • Home Depot, 1825 Norman Dr. (Exit 18), ☏ +1 229 293-9008. 6AM-10PM. Hardware (updated Jul 2015)
  • Lowe's, 1106 N St. Augustine Rd. (Exit 18), ☏ +1 229 671-4721. 6AM-10PM. Hardware (updated Jul 2015)

Eat

  • Sonny's BBQ, 1701 Norman Dr (Exit 18; Across the street from Valdosta Mall), ☏ +1 229 241-8090. 10:45AM-9:35PM Sun-Thurs; 10:45AM-10:05PM Fri & Sat. Part of the chain located in the Southeast US. 
  • Red Lobster, 1179 N Saint Augustine Rd (Exit 18), ☏ +1 229 244-7587. 11AM-10PM Sun-Thurs; 11AM-11PM Fri & Sat. Seafood 
  • Applebee's, 1301 N Saint Augustine Rd (Exit 18), ☏ +1 229 241-9933. 11AM-12AM Sun, 11AM-1AM Mon-Thurs, 11AM-2AM Fri & Sat. American 
  • Cracker Barrel, 1195 N Saint Augustine Rd, ☏ +1 229 244-5258. 6AM-10PM Sun-Thurs, 6AM-11PM Fri & Sat. Comfort food 
  • International House of Pancakes (IHOP), 1821 West Hill Ave (Exit 16), ☏ +1 229 249-8444. 24/7. Breakfast 
  • Outback Steakhouse, 1824 Club House Dr (Exit 18), ☏ +1 229 242-4329. Mon-Thu: 4PM-10PM, Fri: 4PM-11PM, Sat: 11AM-11PM, Sun: 11AM-9PM. 
  • The Bistro, 132 North Ashley St (Exit 16, Take US 84 E, turn left on Ashley St.), ☏ +1 229 253-1253. 5PM-11PM. 
  • Mori Japanese Steakhouse, 1709 Norman Dr, ☏ +1 229 244-5299. 
  • Smok'n Pig, 4228 N Valdosta Rd, ☏ +1 229 245-8227. Sun-Thurs 1100-2200, Fri & Sat 1100-2230. BBQ 
  • Ole Times Country Buffet, 1193 N St. Augustine Rd (Exit 18), ☏ +1 229 253-1600. 10:30AM-9PM. Southern food buffet 
  • Masato Japanese Steakhouse, 1337 Baytree Rd (Exit 18), ☏ +1 229 242-4667. Japanese 
  • Barberitos, 1337 Baytree Rd (Exit 18), ☏ +1 229-244-4804. Mexican-American 
  • Aligatou Japanese Steakhouse and Seafood, 1922 W Hill Ave (Exit 16), ☏ +1 229 244-4784. Japanese 
  • Ichiban Japanese Steakhouse, 2913 N Ashley St (Exit 22, Take US 41 S, bear left on Ashley St.), ☏ +1 229 249-9010. Japanese 
  • Olive Garden, 1315 N. St. Augustine Rd (Turn left at the first traffic light when entering from I-75 (Exit 18)), ☏ +1 229 244-9990. 11AM-10PM Sun-Thu; 11AM-11PM Fri & Sat. Italian $. 
  • Mellow Mushroom, 1526 Baytree Rd (Exit 18), ☏ +1 229 333-1891. 11:00-22:00 Sun-Thurs; 11:00-23:00 Fri & Sat. Pizza $. (updated Jul 2015)
  • Applebee's, 3254 Inner Perimeter Rd. (Exit 22, Take US 41 S & turn left on Inner Perimeter Rd.), ☏ +1 229 257-0003. 11AM-12AM Sun, 11AM-1AM Mon-Thurs, 11AM-2AM Fri & Sat. American (updated Jul 2015)
  • Bleu Cafe, 125 N. Patterson St (Exit 16, Take US 84 E, turn left on Ashley St., turn left on Central Ave., turn left on N. Patterson St.), ☏ +1 229 244-2248. American (updated Jul 2015)
  • 306 North, 306 N Patterson St. (Exit 16, Take US 84 E, turn left on Ashley St., turn left on Magnolia St., turn left on Patterson St.), ☏ +1 229-249-5333. 11AM-2PM & 5PM-9PM. Upscale (updated Jul 2015)
  • Giulio's Greek & Italian Restaurant, 105 E. Ann St. (Exit 22, Take US 41 S, bear right on Patterson St., turn left on Ann. St.), ☏ +1 229 333-0929. 5PM-10PM. (updated Jul 2015)
  • Mom and Dad's, 4143 N. Valdosta Rd. (Exit 22, Take US 41 S), ☏ +1 229 333-0848. 5PM-10PM. Italian (updated Jul 2015)

Drink

Sleep

Connect

  • The local area code is 229 and is not required for local calls.

Stay safe

Travel in Valdosta is relatively safe, as it is a medium-sized city, but like all cities regardless of their sizes, there will be crime in certain areas so use common sense no matter what.

Cope

Radio stations

  • WQPW 95.7 the Mix - Pop music
  • WAFT Radio 101.1 - Christian music
  • WXHT Hot 102.7 - Pop music
  • WGLF 104.1 - Classic rock

Go next

Routes through Valdosta
Macon ← Hahira ←  N  S  → Lake Park → Gainesville
Macon ← Hahira ←  N  S  → Lake Park → Lake City
Dothan ← Thomasville ←  W  E  → Waycross → Savannah


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