National Travel and Tourism Week celebrates the connecting, economy-driving and life-enriching power of tourism in America. This week we will highlight individuals that impact Albany, Georgia’s, travel and tourism. In their different roles, each has a hand in cultivating fun things to do in Albany, Georgia, treating guests like family in their hotels or unique venues, and ensuring visitors feel the movement while they visit Albany, Georgia.
Linda Davis is the General Manager of the Holiday Inn & Suites in Albany, Georgia. The Holiday Inn is an 80-room hotel that offers a continental breakfast, a fitness center and an indoor pool. Davis welcomes guests to the Holiday Inn for family reunions, business travel and more.
In Davis’s role, she sees guests impact Albany, Georgia’s economy daily. “Travel equals hotels. If you're staying in hotels, you're going to be eating out, so for me it's hotels and restaurants. We're hand in hand,” Davis says.
During an overnight stay at the Holiday Inn, guests will be encouraged to go, see and do in Albany, Georgia. The new Visit Albany visitor guides can be found at the Holiday Inn. As a hotelier, Davis shares recommendations for attractions, dining and shopping in Albany, Georgia.
If visitors are looking for a more unique stay, we suggest Vicks Estate, Farm & Fishery. The estate is 15 minutes from Downtown Albany and moments away from Radium Springs Gardens.
Owner Clinton Vicks says his property is a bed and breakfast at its core, but Vicks' expansive culinary, interior design and hosting skills ensure it’s a one-of-a-kind experience. Vicks welcomes overnight guests but currently hosts many dinner parties.
Vicks says, “That [dinner parties] allows me to take the culinary skills that I've learned over the years and create curated experiences for people, from small to large groups, and that's a way of generating a large part of the income that sustains the Vicks Estate and also allows me to do something I love.”
One step into the Vicks Estate leaves visitors with the impression of the Vicks’ intentionality. He hopes to combine sophistication and luxury with hominess and comfort—making sure that once guests arrive, they feel like family.
Vicks says, “By coming here, it allows people to see that Albany is modern. We are abreast of what's happening not just locally but in the world. And we do contribute to society on a small and larger scale. And when people come here, they have a chance to experience all that.”
Harry Day works closely with the Flint River Entertainment Complex to use Albany’s unique venues to book shows and entertainment. These venues include the Albany Municipal Auditorium, Veterans Park Amphitheatre and the Albany Civic Center.
In his role as the Southeast Regional Director of Partnerships with Oakview Group, Day connects with markets across the state. Day says that success comes when everyone pursues a collective goal of raising up the community we work, live and play in. Events like Fridays on the Flint reflect an initiative to draw more people to Downtown Albany, Georgia.
Albany, Georgia, is not Atlanta, Georgia. Albany offers entertainment, attractions, dining and shopping but it’s a different vibe. Whether you visit for a show or are the talent touring for the show, it’s easy to feel the difference.
Day says visitors appreciate the slower lifestyle, “One thing that we've always heard from concerts and talent that come here is that they love the ability to breathe a little bit when they come here, they understand that it's a different walk of life here.”
Albany, Georgia, can be a relaxing getaway from the big city but don’t misunderstand, Albany still knows how to have fun. Head Brewer at Pretoria Fields Brewing, Tyler Durrance, says if you’re looking for a relaxing atmosphere, a good time and good beer—Pretoria Fields in Downtown Albany, Georgia, is the place.
Pretoria Fields Brewing is a craft brewery that sells about 1,100 barrels a year, shipping across the Southeast. It is also a hub for activity in Downtown Albany, Georgia, hosting events almost nightly. Sure, you can enjoy a great craft beer at Pretoria but you can also sing your heart out at Friday night karaoke, slay your competition at Wednesday night bingo or shop local artisan vendors and listen to live music at Pretoria’s Saturday markets.
Their variety of events and family friendly atmosphere ensure Pretoria is a fun time for everyone. Durrance says, “From my perspective, when people come to Pretoria it becomes a melting pot. It doesn't matter where they're from, what their background is, they all come to enjoy a good craft beer.”
Albany, Georgia, wouldn’t be Albany without the Flint River. The river runs through the city and is one of the largest in the country. It has over 300 miles to float, fish, and paddle. In addition to being a source of fun, the Flint River is a resource that needs preserving and protecting for generations to enjoy.
David Dixon is the past president of the Board of Directors for the Flint Riverkeeper. After 35 years of work with Molson Coors, Dixon is retired and actively volunteers with Georgia’s Adopt a Stream to complete water testing. Dixon is an advocate and enjoyer of the Flint River and connected waterways.
Dixon particularly enjoys kayaking, “Just to be out in nature without motorized transportation. We can just float and let the river take you, just take it all in the alligators, the turtles. It's just amazing.”
With two kayaking outfitters, Kayak Attack Adventures and The Flint River Outpost—Albany, Georgia, is a great place to visit for a paddling trip. Dixon says in a post-pandemic world, paddling has increased across the state. If you’re a first-time paddler or need a guide, we recommend contacting either of our outfitters that do trips on the Flint River, Muckalee Creek and Kinchafoonee Creek.
As the Flint River is over 300 miles, it’s an effort to keep the resource clean and welcoming to visitors. Dison knows it’s a group effort and is hopeful about the direction preservation efforts for the Flint River are going.
Dixon says, “The people that are on the creeks and the rivers that are enjoying them, that don't want them polluted, are making a difference because they'll pick up other people's trash or they'll report polluters.”
As a community and a destination, Albany, Georgia, offers outdoor adventures, accommodations that treat guests like family, entertainment that connects people, and unique dining and shopping experiences. Explore our website or call our Albany Welcome Center to plan your next trip.
