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FARM TOURS | GOLF | QUAIL PRESERVES | RIVER EXCURSIONS | YAMASSEE BICYCLE TRAIL
PECAN ORCHARD PLANTATION
We have reasons for all four seasons! Custom-tailored outdoor excursions… made especially for you and your group! The Vidalia Area Convention and Visitors Bureau specializes in custom-tailored outdoor adventures, any season of the year. Call (912) 538. TOUR or email us at vacvb@bellsouth.net for complete trip packages ranging from golf and bicycling, to paddling along our beautiful rivers and even hunting and fishing on acres of picturesque land. Learn more about our agriventures® by clicking on the links above.
We have thousands of acres of terrain begging to be explored… regardless of your definition of camping! Our packages include day trips with accommodations at local hotels, as well as overnight trips for those true to camping out under the stars.
Enjoy a personally tailored quail hunt (when in season), complete with expert guides and top-notch bird dogs. Or, perhaps you'd prefer a day or two paddling along the Oconee, Ohoopee, or Altamaha River — with or without an expert guide. We can get you and your family outfitted for a truly memorable eco-adventure.
Call the Vidalia Area CVB at (912) 538-TOUR and see what kind of outdoor adventure you and your family can experience.
FARM TOURS
As all farms offering tours are working farms, you must schedule tours in advance with the Vidalia Area CVB by calling (912) 538-8687 or emailing the executive director at vacvb@bellsouth.net. The farms listed below will give you a taste of what you can expect to experience. Most farm tours are available during the April harvesting season.
We can accommodate group sizes just like our Vidalias — small, medium and jumbo — and can easily custom-tailor an itinerary for you and your group. Call (912) 538-8687 or email vacvb@bellsouth.net to make these arrangements.
UGA VIDALIA® ONION AND VEGETABLE RESEARCH CENTER• LYONS
Ever wonder what makes a Vidalia® onion… a Vidalia? Take an agriventure through the UGA Research Center and learn! Seasonal scheduled tours of the University of Georgia Vidalia® Onion and Vegetable Research Center are available from late April through mid-June.
For information call Randy at(912) 565. 7822
VIDALIA ONION FACTORY AND GIFTS (STANLEY FARMS PACKING SHED)• VIDALIA
Pulled… dried… clipped…processed… labeled and shipped…Stop by the Vidalia Onion Factory (and gift shop) to get a peek at how it all happens behind the scenes and before the Vidalias hit the super market shelves. Scheduled tours of the packing shed are available from late April through mid-June, but the Vidalia Onion Factory and Gifts is open Monday through Saturday, 8:30am-5:30pm. (You may ask for a tour, as their time permits.) For information call the Onion Factory at 912.526.3466, www.vidaliaonion.com or call the Vidalia Area CVB at 912.538.8687.
Buckhorn Creek Ranch, The most Natural way to View Exotic Animals
"Hand feed the Deer!" Rustic 250 acre exotic animal farm located in Vidalia GA features several species of deer, wild boar, miniature horses, a camel, a llama, and much more. Mule-drawn wagon tours conducted daily for groups or individuals, with group rates available. Great for birthday parties and church outings. Call 912-583-2737 for reservations, or visit BuckhornCreekRanch.net for more information and photos.
There is more to the Vidalia Area then just the Vidalia Onion! Buckhorn Creek Ranch is a rustic and unpretrntious wildlife park teeming with exotic animals; a unique Georgia Travel destination located just next door to Vidalia in historic Montgomery County.
The ranch is free of commercialization. Visitors are always terated like family members rather than tourists. But, make no mistake, Buckhorn Creek Ranch is a serious wildlife preserve baosting over 250 acres of very unusal wildlife.
Enjoy personalized tours and a homey atmosphere, which makes it seem like you are visiting Vidalia Area relitives for the weekend.
Patrons always report a deep sense of comraderie and ease that makes their visit more satisfying. If you are looking for a natural, wildlife focused outing that is fun and educational, look no further than Buckhorn Creek Ranch.
Because this is a working farm, please call ahead for reservations at 583.2737 or via email at admin@buckhorncreekranch.net or by calling the Vidalia Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at 912.538.TOUR or via email at vacvb@bellsouth.net.
PECAN ORCHARD PLANTATION • ALSTON, LONG POND COMMUNITY
Get a taste of what farm life is like at the Pecan Orchard Plantation, recently visited by Southern Living Magazine. These Outdoor classroom experiences are designed for families, groups and school field trips. Contact the Vidalia Area CVB at (912) 538-8687 or vacvb@bellsouth.net to schedule a field trip, or contact the Pecan Orchard Plantation directly at (912) 594-1805 or at pecanorchard@cybersouth.com.
Pack up the kids and a picnic lunch, or put the class on a school bus and enjoy a unique agriventure in the Long Pond community. The Pecan Orchard Plantation is just the spot to enjoy a beautiful day in the scenic countryside. It is located just 10 minutes from downtown Vidalia, yet it feels miles and miles away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Your children and/or class will like feeding the animals in the barnyard petting area, taking a hay ride, running through the corn maze (when in season) and wide open spaces. They also offer Easter egg hunts, a great pumpkin patch in October, ol' time fishing, lessons on fruit and agriculture in Mrs. Scott's outdoor classroom, and sometimes they even make old fashioned cane syrup. Field trips are offered in spring, fall and summer to groups of all kinds, from scout troops to church groups — to groups of friends and family.
During the Vidalia Onion Festival, the Pecan Orchard Plantation will be open Thursday through Saturday from 9am-8pm. Take a run through their sweet Vidalia onion oat field maze and enjoy their Vidalia Onion Festival activities. Pecan Orchard Plantation will be open Monday through Wednesday during the Vidalia Onion Festival for group tours and by reservation only.
Bogies, birdies and one heck of a Rocky Creek! Love golf? In town for a few days? Then, hit the links!
Vidalia's championship 18 hole Rocky Creek Golf Course is located less than 10 minutes from downtown Vidalia, is easily accessible, and reasonably priced. You won't be disappointed. So why wait? Grab the clubs and head out to Rocky Creek for a round of golf. (Rates include cart fees.)
WeekdaysAll Day (Monday – Thursday) $37.00*
*excluding holidays
Rocky Creek Golf Course (912) 538-1100
1916 Foxfire Drive • Vidalia, GA 30474
Directions: Highway 280 West to Adams Street/Highway 130 West. Turn right onto Forest Lake Drive (approximately 2 miles from Hwy 280, at Rocky Creek sign) and follow signs to the club house. (Right onto Lakewood Drive, right onto Foxfire Drive).
QUAIL PRESERVES
With or without your own bird dog… the Vidalia area is home to Southeast Georgia's best quail hunting.
Please plan to make reservations 14 days in advance by contacting the Vidalia Area CVB at (912) 538-8687 or vacvb@bellsouth.net. Discount room rates are available at local accommodations when your hunt is confirmed.
A current Georgia hunting license is required and may be purchased locally at the following locations:
McCord's Gun and Ammo • (912) 537-0475
Hwy 280 & 15/29, Higgston
The Pit Stop (912) 526.6868
Wal-Mart • (912) 537-0889
Hwy 280, Vidalia
Swift Creek Wings
Located in Vidalia (Toombs County)
350 acres • Half and full day hunts
Are you a sportsman looking for an escape from the busy office, the pager, cell phone and hustle and bustle of daily life? Are you searching for a terrific quail hunt with mature flying quail, expert guides, and dogs? Swift Creek Wings is the place to enjoy a professional half day or full day bird hunt. Hop on the quail buggy with Steve Taylor, and take in the beautiful scenery, blue skies, and camaraderie of hunting at Swift Creek Wings. Disabled hunters are welcome—call for detailed information. For more information call the Vidalia Area CVB 912.538. TOUR. Or, call the owner, Steve Taylor at 912.537.0523.
Half Day 50 Bird Hunt: $450
(30 dressed birds guaranteed)
This hunt can accommodate up to 4 hunters and will last for approximately 3 hours (both morning hunts and afternoon hunts are offered.) Hunters will be pursuing 50 released birds, 30 dressed birds guaranteed. Additional hunters can be added to this packaged for $125 per person. For each additional hunter, 10 more birds will be released. Beside the guide, no more than 3 hunters will be on the ground at one time. Additional birds can be added to this package at a $6.00 per bird. Shotgun shells are not included.
All Day 100 Bird Hunt: $950
(60 dressed birds guaranteed)
This hunt can accommodate up to 4 hunters and last for approximately 3 hours of morning hunting and 3 hours of afternoon hunting. Hunters will be pursuing 100 released birds, 60 dressed birds guaranteed. Lunch is included in price. Additional hunters can be added to this packaged for $200 per person, and for each additional hunter, 20 more birds will be released. Beside the guide, no more than 3 hunters will be on the ground at one time. Additional birds can be added to this package at a $6.00 per bird. Shotgun shells are not included.
Turpentine Ridge
Located in Uvalda (Montgomery County)
10 minutes from Vidalia
800 acres • Half and full day quail hunts
C&R Quail Farm invites you to Turpentine Ridge to enjoy a half-day or a full-day hunt at their plantation in Montgomery County that offers the best in southern quail hunting. If excellent flying birds, top-notch dogs, and jovial guides sound like what you're looking for, then C&R Quail Farm has what you want. The finest flying mature quail available are released into a premium hunting environment consisting of 100 year old Longleaf Pines and wire grass. They hunt setters and pointers, with a few rip-raps to boot. Hunts are run by two experienced guides, David Carswell and Charlie Robison, whose two goals are safety and fun. All hunts include snacks and beverages. Parties are limited to up to 4 hunters, and prices listed below are per party. Shotgun shells are not included.
Half Day Hunt
50 birds released $450
50 birds released with cleaned birds $500
60 birds released with cleaned birds $600
75 birds released with cleaned birds $750
Full Day Hunt
100 birds released, noon meal, and cleaned birds $1,000
125 birds released, noon meal, cleaned birds $1,200
Wexford Farms
Located in Ailey (Montgomery and Wheeler Counties)
10 minutes from Vidalia • 3,000 acres
Half day walking quail hunts
912.583.4745 or komoran@starband.net
Kelly and Patrick Moran offer half day walking quail hunts through a blend of wire grass ridges, pine plantation, and creek bottoms to offer a variety of terrain. This terrain, combined with wild and released quail provide a unique challenge to both dog and gunner. Wexford Farms also offers a 30 acre, enclosed dog training and exercise pen for use in yard and bird work. Their philosophy is simple—no frills, just superior quail hunting. (Special arrangements may be made for one or two-day deer hunts.) Refreshments are provided in the field, and meals can be arranged after the hunt.
Half Day Walking Hunt (morning or afternoon): $225 per gunner
Hunt includes guide, dogs, 20-bird bag limit, and refreshments
Visit the Wexford Farms Webpage
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RIVER EXCURSIONS
Altamaha, Ohoopee, Ocmulgee or the Oconee… plan a fun day along one of our beautiful rivers.
CanoeCanoe and Three Rivers Expeditions are just the tickets for your outdoor eco-agriventures! They can outfit you and your family with all of the equipment needed for a great day on the river. Expert guides are also available to lead the way. Contact them for equipment rentals throughout the year. Check our Calendar of Events page throughout the year for dates on the annual River Rat Run in Baxley in May, and the annual Altamaha Fall Canoe Excursion in September that begins at Town's Bluff Landing in Uvalda and ends at Deen's Landing in Baxley.
Contact the Vidalia Area CVB at (912) 538-8687 or vacvb@bellsouth.net for more information on river excursions and the two annual events.
D.I.Y. River Excursions
Do It Yourself… it's as easy as a phone call or email to:
CanoeCanoe Outfitters: Ronnie Kemp • (912) 526-8222 • cc@canoecanoe.com • http://www.canoecanoe.com
Three Rivers Expeditions: Charlie Ford • (912) 379-1371 • cjford@altamaha.net • http://www.3riverexp.com
This 27-mile, billboard-free bike trail will surely be a day well spent! Montgomery County's Yamassee Bicycle Trail is an opportunity for you and your family to enjoy the countryside of southern Georgia. You'll pedal by beautiful farms, historic churches, huge forests filled with hardwood and pine, and see where Montgomery County was first settled. A particular point of interest along the route is the Long Pond Community, established in 1877. You'll see where Peter Johnson, a confederate war hereo, built his postwar dwelling. The Colonial style house still stands and is as beautifl and it is historic.
You'll also pedal through the communities of Alston and Uvalda, two picturesque towns within the Vidalia area. These small towns offer great places to take a break, and experience rural Georgia hospitality. Enjoy a day of cycling through our countryside. Locally we have a cycling fan who offers bike rentals and guided tours of the historic landmarks along the route.
Contact the Vidalia Area CVB at (912) 538-8687 or vacvb@bellsouth.net for directions.
Please note: The Yamassee Bike Trail is marked along the highways in Montgomery County. You will be riding on these highways, so it is advised that your children are experienced enough to ride alongside occasional traffic that may pass by.