That’s what Southern Living magazine said about Washington, Georgia, recently. And that’s one good reason why Washington – with all its historic homes and unique shops, inns and restaurants – is a small Georgia town full of people that you truly need to meet and experience when you visit. We just love to have company over, in our homes, in our stores, in our inns and hotels. When we say you’re welcome, we’re not kidding. What visitors find in Washington is an America that they think has been lost forever. A low-traffic place with a slower pace. In Washington, people who visit find that they can relax, slow down to the pace of small-town life, listen to their souls in rural quietness, and let their harried hearts heal for a while. Rocking on a shady porch, iced tea in hand, listening to … quiet. And, soon, many folks find that they’re falling in love with the place, the peace, the pace that they want to come back and stay – for a weekend, for a vacation retreat, and soon … forever. But even if you can only stay for a while, there’s something here that you’ll just love. Throughout the year, we have a dozen big events, and scads of small celebrations, fancy dos, and get-togethers. We open some of our historic homes and restored businesses for big tours each spring and Christmas. We glory in our recreated past with a Revolutionary War battle each spring, a celebration of old-time mule power in the fall, and a Christmas at a living 1869 plantation. And we’re liable to have art and music festivals every chance we get, with musicals and dramas at the Washington Little Theater in between. History lovers can immerse themselves in an incredible number of historic homes, gem-like museums, behind-the-curtains home tours and living history dramas that bring to life Washington’s 225-year span. We love to talk history. And if like many folks your family history includes Wilkes County ancestors, you’ll find not only genealogical resources, you’ll get to taste and feel the old South that’s in your blood. And we’ll treat you like family. Even shopping and dining in Washington seems to be from another time -- you’ll find timeless treasures, shopping with a personal touch, at a nice, small-town pace. Amble around the fully restored town square – tree-shaded, brick-paved, walker-friendly – and you’ll find Washington’s best-kept secrets: gift stores, antique stores, art galleries, and specialty shops that make you want to just stay and shop. After you’ve shopped up your appetite, we’d love to have you over for dinner. Our restaurants range from sophisticated Southern to home cookin’ to Asian to casual French cuisine. Good biscuits, too. And since you’re staying the night, special treats await you: choose the subtle elegance of one of our many historic bed-and-breakfast inns; or treat yourself to a night in the restored Victorian glory of the incomparable Fitzpatrick Hotel downtown on The Square. Other folks enjoy the convenience of motels at the Bypass, and some of our best visitors sleep in hunting camps and in RVs at Aonia Pass. So y’all come on in, there’s plenty of room, plenty to do, plenty to see. Or just relax and rock ... Welcome to Washington.