Sometimes the best travel discoveries are hiding just beyond the destinations we think we already know.

Just south of Atlanta, Henry County, Georgia, offers a refreshing mix of adventure, history, food, nature and small-town Southern charm. During my recent visit, I quickly discovered that this is a destination where you can spend the morning behind the wheel, the afternoon among rescued animals and the evening watching hot-air balloons light up the sky.

If you're looking for a getaway that offers something a little different, here are a few reasons Henry County deserves a place on your travel list.

Top Things to Do in Henry County

Experience the New EchoPark Speedway

Motorsports fans and anyone looking for an adrenaline rush should make EchoPark Speedway a priority.

EchoPark Speedway 

Formerly known as Atlanta Motor Speedway, the legendary venue has recently undergone a major renovation and an exciting name change. Its famed 1.54-mile track has been re-profiled, making the newly minted EchoPark Speedway unlike any other mile-and-a-half track.

But the racing is only part of the experience. The track's improvements are designed to enhance the fan and racing experience, while a growing calendar of year-round events makes EchoPark Speedway a destination beyond race weekends.

During my visit, I got a behind-the-scenes look at the Speedway before returning later for something considerably more thrilling: the Bobby Ore Stunt Driving Experience.

Put Your Driving Skills to the Test

Ever wondered what it takes to drive like a Hollywood stunt professional? Bobby Ore Motorsports lets visitors find out.

Bobby Ore Motorsports

 

The two-hour experience combines instruction on car dynamics and precision driving with hands-on time behind the wheel. After learning the theory, you're put to the test.

It's equal parts educational, exhilarating, unforgettable, and definitely not your average driving experience.

Take Flight in a Huey

At the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation and Flying Museum, history literally takes flight.

Army Aviation Heritage Foundation and Flying Museum

 

The nonprofit, mostly volunteer-run organization restores historic Cobra and Huey helicopters while providing educational programs, demonstrations, flyovers, and rides. Visitors can even take flight in a Vietnam-era Bell UH-1 Iroquois, better known as the Huey, flown by military veterans.

Army Aviation Heritage Foundation and Flying Museum

 

Even if you don't take a ride, the free hangar tour offers an opportunity to get up close to these remarkable aircraft and hear the stories behind them.

Look Up at the Atlanta Balloon Festival

Henry County knows how to put on a show in the sky.

Held at EchoPark Speedway, the Atlanta Balloon Festival combines hot-air balloons with live music, a monster kite show, balloon glow and a laser show. The highlight for me was seeing the colorful balloons illuminated against the evening sky and having the opportunity to take a tethered ride in an actual hot-air balloon.

Atlanta Balloon Festival

 

 

It's the kind of experience that makes for great photos and even better memories.

Get Wild at Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary

For animal lovers, Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary is a must.

The Locust Grove sanctuary provides a home for abused, abandoned, neglected, and surrendered animals, from domestic livestock to exotic animals including tigers, monkeys, and bears.

Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary

 

The 1.5-hour "Walk on the Wild Side" guided tour offers a behind-the-scenes look at the sanctuary and introduces visitors to some of its more than 900 residents. It's an experience that is both entertaining and educational and a meaningful reminder of the importance of animal rescue.

Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary

 

Make Something at Makers on Main

In Hampton, Makers on Main offers a chance to slow down and get creative. During a candle-making class, I created my own candle while learning more about the shop's commitment to organic products, sustainability, and holistic well-being.

Makers On Main

 

It's the perfect type of hands-on experience to take home as a souvenir because you actually made it yourself.

Come Hungry: Where to Eat in Henry County

One of the biggest surprises of my Henry County visit was just how much personality exists in its food scene.

For a memorable meal, Stockbridge Lakes Bed & Breakfast offers dinner by the lake in a peaceful setting. For breakfast, SDK's Café & Coffee brings a taste of New York to McDonough with bagels flown in multiple times a week from a New York bakery.

Stockbridge Lakes Bed & Breakfast

Pizza lovers should make a stop at 15th Street Pizza & Pub, a family-owned restaurant serving pizza, wings, salads, sandwiches and an extensive beer and craft beverage selection.

At Sweet Auburn Barbecue, Texas-style barbecue meets Asian-inspired flavors in a trendy indoor-outdoor setting. For a distinctly Southern start to the day, Southern Fusion Dining in Locust Grove serves Southern meals and its famously decadent Colossal Cinnamon Rolls.

Sweet Auburn Barbecue

 

And don't leave Stockbridge without visiting Green Front Café. Originally opened in the 1940s, the historic restaurant has been lovingly restored and now serves soul food with a taste of Jamaica. Its history is just as compelling as its menu.

Green Front Café

 

Why Henry County Should Be Your Next Getaway

What makes Henry County especially appealing is its variety.

You can experience motorsports and aviation, explore nature and wildlife, discover local history, enjoy live entertainment, and eat exceptionally well all without having to travel from one end of Georgia to the other.

For Houston Style Magazine readers, Henry County also offers something particularly appealing: a destination with experiences that feel authentic rather than overly manufactured.

There is history here. There are family-owned restaurants, local entrepreneurs, outdoor adventures, and communities that have preserved their stories while continuing to grow. And because Henry County sits just south of Atlanta, it's easy to pair with a larger Atlanta vacation or make it the focus of its own weekend escape.

Go Explore Henry County

My time in Henry County reminded me that you don't always have to travel far to find something new.

Whether you're chasing the thrill of a racetrack, looking for a meaningful connection with animals, searching for your next great meal or simply ready to see a different side of Georgia, Henry County delivers.

So the next time you're planning a Georgia getaway, don't just pass through Henry County.

Stop. Explore. Eat. Experience.

Henry County is waiting to be #BetterExplored.