Henry County, GA from Reel to Real (Part Two)

Hampton, located 26-miles south of Atlanta, has a population of less than 10,000 but receives thousands of visitors annually drawn by the city’s unique sites and attractions. Seven years ago Hampton was deemed a “Playful City”, one of under 220 in the country. The designation is granted to cities that inspire children and families to become active participants in offered events and supports these activities through scheduling, design, performances and planning. Families, couples and individuals can all have an affordable and memorable time in Hampton, Georgia. visithenrycountygeorgia.com

Bear Creek, as the city was known prior to its 1872 incorporation, was named after  Confederate General Wade Hampton. The city’s importance was because it was the sole railroad connection in the county between 1846 and 1882. It became central to the cotton industry and the prosperity that flowed from it. The current brick depot was completed in 1881, has 17-inch thick walls and is a superb example of railroad architecture. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and now houses offices and a museum.

James Weldon Johnson, author of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and NAACP leader, taught school for two summers in Hampton while he attended Atlanta University. Johnson, who was solidly middle class, interacted with rural, and in some cases poverty-stricken, blacks for the first time. He received his Bachelor of Arts in 1894.

Main Street is lined with a wide array of one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants, each worth a visit for browsing and buying. Holy Cow Leather offers handmade items in a variety of colors. Creations range from large totes to delicate earrings. Online orders are accepted. etsy.com/shop/HolyCowLeatherGoods

Speakeasy Bookstore is so named because it once housed a tavern and then a speakeasy in the basement with a tunnel that led across the street. In the 1870s the tavern was moved downstairs possibly so that southerners could meet secretly because by law no more than four southerners could gather together. This booklover’s dream sells rare and 1st editions as well as used books, specialty coffee and pastries. Speakeasy Bookstore is listed on the Georgia Book Trail and visitors can book The Walkin' DEAD Tour here. Take a selfie at Glenn Rhea’s dumpster scene spot from season 2. #GeorgiaFilm. facebook.com/SpeakeasyBookstore

The mission of the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation & Flying Museum (AAHFM) is to acquire, restore and preserve, in flight ready condition, Army aviation dating from Vietnam to 2019. Experienced volunteer military veterans are largely responsible for the vintage aircraft restorations and flights. Georgia’s Legacy Chapter of the AAHFM offers hangar tours with displays of equipment and aircraft in various stages of restoration. The chapter engages in aerial demonstrations and a Bell UH-1H Huey and Bell AH-1 Cobra helicopter ride program available at presentations and at the museum. Sky Soldiers serve as ambassadors sharing a traveling educational program that connects the public to army aviation heritage.

The UH-I aircrafts have logged more than 27-million flight hours since the initial model was delivered in Vietnam in 1963 and together the Huey and Cobra helicopters have logged more combat flight hours than any other aircrafts in history. They were the spine of the US Army and were used for transport, support, assault and MedEvac. Their most dangerous and important mission was evacuation of the wounded. The helicopters’ versatility, it can hover and the sound is unique, made their 60-second evac limit a possibility and saved untold lives. Book a real thrill ride. armyav.org

Prohibition resulted in a market for the clandestine production of moonshine. Making the whiskey was tricky but nighttime deliveries were risky and required a fast car, great motor skills and nerves of steel to outrun the police and federal revenuers on circuitous backroads. The skills honed in the illegal whiskey trade were used for recreational races among bootleggers that developed into the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, modern NASCAR, in 1947. The first cars were stock, standard, but because of track conditions NASCAR rules changed to permit alterations. atlantamotorspeedway.com

Atlanta Motor Speedway is a 1.54-mile track built in Hampton in 1959 for $18-million that attracts more than a quarter of a million people annually. The Speedway offers a huge selection of events and activities designed to engage the entire family including Thursday Thunder. This weekly race has racers as young as 8-years old competing.

The Atlanta Motor Speedway has been used for film locations of numerous movies since 2008. including Flight, Need for Speed, Necessary Roughness, Anchorman 2, Logan Lucky and Black Panther. The Speedway was notably the setting for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire girl on fire scene.

Track Tours transport you to the Petty Garden, suites, garages, Pit Road and Victory Lane with an added three laps around the track. The track is banked from 5 to 24-degrees, Goodyear makes specialized tires for each individual track and cars undergo a complete inspection before and after each race. More immersive activities include a NASCAR Ride Along Richard Petty Driving Experience and The Rookie Experience driving an 8-minute timed race car solo. @ atlmotorspeedway

Finish off your Hampton tour in jail, or at least at the Jailhouse Brewing Company. Housed in a former  2-cell jail this is the 4th production brewery in Georgia. They offer 16 specialty beers on draft, 5 are seasonal and Breakout is their most popular. Guests can choose from an upstairs space or lounge on the patio and have your mugshot taken. Special note should be taken of the packaging. One series of cans, when placed side by side, form a courtroom mural. jailhousebrewing.com
Adventure awaits in Henry County!

Maryland’s National Harbor, America’s Backyard

The first Europeans in the southern region of Maryland, today’s 10-mile long South Potomac Heritage Scenic Corridor portion*, were met by the Piscataway Indians who lived there from 1300. Regional native habitation dates back 13,000 years and was the site of a thriving culture. John Smith mapped the expanse in 1608 and portions of the trail look much as they did and access to the trail and the Potomac River gives visitors an opportunity to experience nature, heritage and historic waterways by hiking, paddling, driving or guided land and water tours. For more personalized encounters you can opt for luxury transportation provided by KD Elite Transportation. kdelitetrans.com

Mount Vernon is one of the district’s anchors and it was George Washington’s visualization of a port area on the shores of the Potomac that would become a governmental, commercial and cultural hub. Today the corridor, from DC to the National Farm serves just a purpose. Just as the National Mall is referred to as America’s Front Yard so too has the National Harbor, a multi-use district, become America’s backyard playground. It is both a destination and a hub for exploration of such nearby attractions as Alexandria, Georgetown and all of Washington, DC. nationalharbor.com

Chef Magino

Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, situated in the heart of the harbor, is a best bet for families, getaways, singles and conventions. A complete list of offerings and options seems endless and guests need never leave the property to be wined, dined and entertained royally. There are 2000 accommodations replete with designer linens and bath amenities as well as turn-down service, complimentary wireless, cable and concierge services. The resort boasts three restaurants and three bars. Old Hickory, the premier fine-dining restaurant helmed by Chef Tracy Magino, uses locally sourced ingredients and features presentations of handcrafted artisanal cheeses.
Extraordinary amenities include a full-service Relache Spa, health club and indoor pool. The 20,000-sq. ft spa’s signature treatments feature honey from the hotel’s private apiary. relachespa.com

A 19-story atrium is renowned for its sunset views and nightly laser light and fountain shows. Additionally there are family Movies Under the Stars, Campfire Tales and S'mores, a Silent Disco Party complete with DJ and headphones. Meandering further afield in the resort there is boutique shopping and even an indoor interactive scavenger hunt. nationalharbor.com/gaylord-national
Special winter holiday attractions include Reindeer Rush, Ice Tubing, an outdoor ice skating rink and Feast with the Grinch Breakfast. ICE!, Gaylord’s signature display features 2-million pounds of hand carved ice sculptures. ChristmasonthePotomac    

Steps from the entrance guests can board the resort guest’s free Harbor Circulator Bus shuttle or you can purchase online tickets for the narrated D.C. Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley for a tour of  Washington’s premiere attractions. The scheduled Water Taxi Service whisks you from the Gaylord to sites in D.C., Maryland and Virginia along the river.

The 300-acre National Harbor was once part of Oxon Hill, Maryland and today boasts more than 150unique stores, a marina, entertainment venues and an art trail. The art trail is filled with photo op worthy opportunities including life-sized sculptures of Washington, Lincoln, Douglass, Ford, Churchill, Armstrong and  Roosevelt Rosie the Riveter. A 4-panel mural, Maryland’s Bounty, highlights the state and the Chesapeake Bay and a 1,600 square-foot terrazzo is installed on the floor of the Belvedere and depicts the history of the entire region. The trail’s showpiece is a 5-section sculpture, The Awakening, portraying a huge man rising from the sand.

The Capital Wheel spins 180-ft. over the Potomac 365 days annually. Cars are climate controlled and the views are spectacular. The VIP gondola has a glass floor. Visitors can get a drink in a commemorative cup in the adjacent Flight Deck. thecapitalwheel.com

Adventure awaits with the Urban Pirates aboard a 54’ pirate ship with pirate crew and water cannons. Enjoy the show and fight off rowdy attacks on the one hour ride. Ships sail from Carousel Pier where you can also ride a 1947 Carousel. urbanpirates.com

Two hundred acres of the 5,000-acre Piscataway Park, created to preserve the Maryland shore view of Mount Vernon across the Potomac, is the home of the National Farm. The farm, 13-miles from the National Harbor, interprets life on a typical family tobacco farm in the 1770s. Tours highlight regional cuisine, heritage animal breeds, architecture, domestic skills and the life of the enslaved. Reconstructions of the farmhouse, tobacco bar, outdoor kitchen and garden are on view. Six nature trails and a Fairy Tale Trail are available to experience the environment. This, the traditional Piscataway homeland, continues to be considered sacred ground. Events, activities and theatrical productions are regularly scheduled. accokeekfoundation.org

Harborside Hotel National Harbor was the first hotel constructed in the harbor area. It underwent a total renovation in 2016 and the 194 room boutique hotel offers an alternative, but no less deluxe, experience. Complimentary WI-Fi,  shuttle, self-parking and fitness center are available. Portum Restaurant’s Chef Mustafa Elakel puts an innovative spin on each delicious dish. I recommend his trio of hummus and pita. The weekly live entertainment is a strong draw for locals and visitors alike so get there early and get comfortable. harborsidehotel.net

A 1666 law made all blacks within the province slaves for life and slavery would remain intact until November of 1864. Much African American history played out here with emphasis on the Potomac River role as a conduit to freedom for self-emancipators. In 1834 Judah, a 14-year old enslaved girl, acknowledged poisoning three of her master’s children and attempted arson. A jury, unusual for a slave in the era, found her guilty and she was executed. She was the first Maryland female, and is believed to be the youngest woman in the country, to be executed. A “Judah and Resistance Marker” is located in the Salubria Memorial Garden at the Tanger Outlets.

Potomac is Algonquin for “great trading place” and after 1000s of years it continues to be a wonderful place to gather.

*The entire corridor is 1,100-miles long.

Henry County, GA from Reel to Real (part one)

Henry County, Georgia, comprised of four major communities, Hampton, Locust Grove, McDonough, and Stockbridge, is situated 20-miles from downtown Atlanta. It was named in honor of Patrick Henry upon its creation in 1821 on land obtained through a treaty with the Creek Indians. The county was rural and heavily dependent on agriculture until the Civil War created a railroad boom and post -Civil War impoverishment was ameliorated with a second railroad boom and the cotton industry. The economy crashed in the 20s, recovered again during WWII and with increased accessibility and a growing Atlanta, Henry County has flourished ever since. visithenrycountygeorgia.com

Each of the four communities has a unique history and a large selection of restaurants, shopping opportunities and attractions. Many of pivotal scenes in blockbuster films and television programs have been shot in the county, including A Madea Christmas, Black Panther, Furious 7, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Logan Lucky, Spider-Man: Homecoming, and Season 6 of The Walking Dead. A self-guided walking tour is available online. #visitHenryCoGa

Stockbridge, founded in 1829, was relocated to its present site in 1882 to provide a railroad depot. In 2014 it became part of the Main Street Program resulting in a historic and revitalized thoroughfare filled with 8-blocks of one-of-a-kind shops, historic and dining establishments. Empson’s Deli and Café is a great place to begin your tour with your choice of southern classics. www.cityofstockbridge.com

BarnBeautiful owner Greg Horton crafts furniture and decorative items from reclaimed barn wood. A complete history of the barn accompanies each registered piece. A selection of local craftsmen also display their work here. www.barnbeautiful.com

 “Daddy” King was born in Stockbridge and The M. L. King Sr. Heritage Trail was inaugurated in 2015 in recognition of the origins of the King legacy. King Sr. was called to preach and was ordained at the age of 14 in the Floyd Chapel Baptist Church along the trail. While visiting his sister in Atlanta he stayed at the home of the minister of Ebenezer Baptist Church and his daughter Alberta, mother of King Jr. She convinced him to go to Morehouse and become a minister. A plaque in City Hall recognizing the King family contributions anchors the trail.

The Green Front Café  was constructed in 1947 and served the community, both black and white, for over 50-years. The café is being restored. Exterior plaques retell its history.

If you need one for the road as we proceed, Drip-Thru Coffee is the place to go. This drive-thru kiosk serves specialty coffee, pastries, tea and smoothies in biodegradable containers using organically grown ingredients. Here you can really drink responsibly. @DripThruCoffee

McDonough, situated on the site of an Indian trading post, was founded in 1823 and named in honor of War of 1812 Commodore Thomas McDonough. The existing 1897 courthouse is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Heritage Park Veterans Museum is dedicated to relating the larger story of United States’ conflicts through the stories of  individual veterans. Tours are led by a volunteer staff of veterans who infuse their personal experience and expertise making each visit unique. The collection consists of 20,000 donated items. Highlights of a tour include a Buffalo Soldiers display, a Vietnam bunker replica, vehicles (all functional) and a variety of armaments and uniforms. The most singular item is a seemingly unremarkable Vietnamese woven hat that, when lit inside, reveals a map. A Wall of Honor showcases deceased Georgia veterans. Free. Donations accepted. heritageparkveteransmuseum.com

The fifth generation Southern Belle Farm was a dairy farm 1938-1986. In 2006 it reopened for agritourism and catering business and in 2015 a market was added. This is a premium family destination that has grown each year. Seasonal activities include u-pick-it fruit, a 7-acre corn maze and Christmas trees sales and visits with Santa. Games, tours and their famous homemade peach cobbler and peach ice cream are available seasonally. They are true to their motto, ”We grow family traditions.” @SouthernBelleFarmGA

Locust Grove is believed to have been named after a grove of locust trees. The railroad arrived in 1882 and Main Street began to be built up. Today visitors can shop and dine along the street and stop at the Locust Grove Train Viewing Platform to picnic and watch the trains pass. visitlocustgrove.com

Lovin’ Oven Pizzeria, home of made to order pizzas and other signature dishes, has outdoor seating within train view. Guests can opt to sit inside and watch the pizza makers toss the dough. @lovinovenpizzeriaoflocustgrove

The 250-acre, non-profit, Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary is the jewel of Locust Grove. This is a true sanctuary for more than 1,500 abused, neglected and unwanted animals in a series of natural settings with marked paths. Highlights of the 90-minute tour include a visit with “The Motley Crew,” and “Baloo” the bear, the only remaining member of the famous bear, lion and tiger trio that were found together as babies and uncharacteristically remained nonaggressive mates as adults. Each animal is named and has a remarkable story. Self-guided tours are free. @NoahsArkAnimalSanctuary

Chef Paul Lewis owns and operates Southern Fusion Dining and it is a must! All of the dishes are a fusion of French and southern cooking and homemade on the premises. Breakfast and lunch are served Wed.-Sun. and every dish is spectacular but the cinnamon rolls, barbecue biscuits and shrimp and grits are mandatory. @SFusionDining

                  

Nicole Silver, who has appeared on ABC’s Great American Baking Show 

and won the televised Christmas Cookie Challenge, owns Crumbles by Nicole in Locust Grove. Her creations are on display in the form of creative cookies, imaginative cupcakes and huge shakes. Decorating classes, parties and “Camp Crumbles” can be scheduled. crumblesbynicole.com

Locust Grove’s newest accommodations, Hampton Inn, is ideally located for a county visit and is accessible to I-75 to Atlanta. Amenities include courtesy WIFI, free parking and complimentary hot breakfast. The hotel is one-block from the Tanger Mall with more than 70 outlet stores. hamptoninn3.hilton.com