Facts about Waynesboro

Waynesboro lays claim to being the "Bird Dog Capital of the World." For nearly 120 years, Waynesboro has been home to the Georgia Field Trials– a bird dog competition.


Waynesboro played a significant role during the Civil War. After General Sherman captured Atlanta on November 15, 1864, he began his infamous "March to the Sea" heading towards Savannah. The Battle of Waynesboro was fought on December 4, 1864, towards the end of that march. Union calvary forces under Brig. Gen. Judson Kilpatrick defeated Confederate cavalry led by Maj. Gen. Joseph Wheeler, opening the way for William T. Sherman's armies to capture the port of Savannah which they did on December 21, 1864.


Local Attractions

Waynesboro Ice Plant

The Waynesboro Ice Plant opened in 1905 when many cities began to make their own ice instead of importing it from up North by rail. It remained in operation until the early 1970's. By 2000, the Waynesboro Ice Plant had fallen into disrepair and was crumbling away. The city planned to demolish it but when the bids to do so were all too high it was not torn down. Instead, in 2005, the one hundred year old building became the recipient of a Department of Transportation Enhancement Act Grant.

Today, after undergoing a $1.1 million renovation, the 7,000 square foot building not only houses the Offices of Planning and Development for the City of Waynesboro but serves as a museum, meeting space, and trailhead for Waynesboro's Greenway Trail. Visitors to the Ice Plant will find some of the original equipment on display, including the diesel generator that provided power for ice making and generated electricity for streetlights. Included in the displays are vintage photos tracing the plants' history and significance.

Tour the Waynesboro Ice Plant 

Confederate Memorial Cemetery

The cemetery is located at the corner of 6th Street and Jones Avenue. It is surrounded by a wall made with domestic brick. Isaiah Carter, born circa 1751 and died 1817, gave the land for the cemetery to be created. There are 196 grave markers here that are readable but many more that are not. A total of 49 Confederate soldiers are buried here. Confederate Memorial Day services are held here each year in April.

Visit the Confederate Memorial Cemetery

Greenway Trail

The City of Waynesboro celebrated the long awaited opening of the Greenway Trail on Saturday, December 4, 2010. Planning for the four-mile exercise loop began in 2004 as a Georgia Department of Transportation Enhancement Project. The Waynesboro Ice Plant serves as the trailhead. The trail links downtown to the library, recreation and school facilities and several neighborhoods. The scenic portion of the trail begins behind the old TG&Y building and comes out behind the Burke County Middle School. The trail is open to the public, including residents on bicycles, scooters, skateboards and other non-motorized modes of transportation.

Walk the Greenway Trail

Yuchi Wildlife Management Area

Yuchi Wildlife Management Area is a 7,800-acre property located in Burke County. This property offers hunting opportunities for deer, turkey and small game.

Yuchi Wildlife Management Area

Byne Blueberry Farms

Byne Blueberry Farms is one of the oldest organic blueberry farms in the United States. They provide a unique line of organic blueberry products like blueberry powder, blueberry syrup, and chocolate covered blueberries.

Visit Byne Blueberry Farms

Local Restaurants to Try

Waynesboro Restaurants to Try

Good Day Cafe

630 N. Liberty St in Waynesboro

Great place to grab lunch, make sure you try the sweet potato fries!


Brown’s Quality Seafood

602 W. 6th St in Waynesboro


Camino Real Mexican

118 W. 6th St in Waynesboro

Laid back, has a patio


El Toro

1008 N. Liberty St in Waynesboro

Nice spot for a date night


Taylor’s Barbeque

112 E. 13th St in Waynesboro

A quaint old house to restaurant conversion on a side street. No frills BBQ with generous portions.


Augusta Restaurants to Try

Farmhaus Burger

2 locations in Augusta

Gourmet burgers using locally sourced beef and produce supporting local farms

Frog Hollow Tavern

Seasonal farm to table menu

Try the porkchop you won’t regret it!

Abel Brown

Southern kitchen and oyster bar


Evans Restaurants to Try

Cork & Flame

Restaurant inside a wine market, upscale seasonal menu with most items cooked over an open wood flame hearth

Great spot for a date night

Fishing

Magnolia Springs State Park 

Phinizy Swamp 

Mayor's Fishing Hole - 1916 Lock and Dam Rd, Augusta, GA

Savannah River Lock & Dam - Minutes away from Phinizy Swamp. Hidden in the back woods behind Augusta's domestic airport.

Waynesboro Pond - located downtown Waynesboro near 6th St and Liberty St.


Golf Courses

Made in the Shade RV Park and Campground