5 Unique Adventures and One-of-a-Kind Experiences in Statesboro, Georgia

Located just 45 minutes northwest of historic Savannah, is Statesboro, Georgia, home to Georgia Southern University, top-notch dining, rich history and authentic Southern hospitality.

With plenty of interesting adventures and one-of-a-kind experiences to go around, this friendly small-town packs a big punch.

Visitors to the area quickly sense a welcoming hometown vibe that leaves them wanting to visit again and again!

Perfectly situated along Interstate 16, Statesboro’s location also makes it an ideal road trip destination.

At just a little over three hours from Atlanta and two and a half hours from Columbia, South Carolina, Statesboro is an easy drive for those looking for a quick getaway.

Statesboro also makes a great overnight stop for travelers heading to Florida.

Whether you are just stopping over or staying for a while, be sure to check out some of these “only in Statesboro” experiences.

5 Unique Adventures and One-of-a-Kind Experiences in Statesboro, Georgia

Statesboro Main Street Farmers Market

Open every Saturday 9 a.m.-12:30pm, April through November, the Farmers Market is one of the most robust markets around and serves as a staple in the community for fresh from the farm goods.

With tremendous growth over the last few years, the market has expanded and is now housed in a repurposed former warehouse building just behind the visitor center.

Shoppers will find some of the freshest foods available including produce, meat and eggs straight from area family farms. In addition to delicious food, shoppers can also browse one-of-a-kind handcrafted items, sip fresh coffee or homemade lemonade all while enjoying live music. 

Splash in the Boro

With over a million gallons of water, Splash in the Boro is one of the most unique water parks around!

Featuring a wave pool, exhilarating slides, a relaxing lazy river and Georgia’s only dual Flow Rider, there’s plenty of fun to go around for all ages.

Make a day out of it by spending the afternoon under a rented cabana and nosh on goodies from the onsite concessions.

Splash in the Boro is open seasonally. 

Raptor Center

Get up close and personal with eagles, raptors, reptiles and more at Georgia Southern University’s Center for Wildlife Education and The Lamar Q Ball, Jr. Raptor Center.

Providing quality environmental education for visitors of all ages, the Wildlife Center is an excellent place to learn more about the animals indigenous to South Georgia.

With various programs offered throughout the year, visitors are sure to see something new with each visit. Open 9 a.m.-4:45 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 1-4:45 p.m. Saturday Closed Sundays. 

Explore the Music Scene

It’s no secret that Statesboro’s music history runs deep, dating back to the early 1900s with rag time musician William “Blind Willie” McTell who spent many years in Statesboro and later wrote the hit, Statesboro Blues.

In more recent years, Luke Bryan and Cole Swindell each launched their own rise to stardom in Statesboro as well.

But it doesn’t stop there. Pladd Dot Music retail shop calls downtown Statesboro home. Owner Chris Mitchell, a music educator and accomplished performer, along with his wife Ashlee started out offering music lessons and education to local students with a passion for music.

As their business evolved, they also started manufacturing and distributing their own brand of instruments and equipment—CMG guitars and Devilcat amplifiers, both of which are distributed to dealers around the country. 

Looking to explore more music history? Stop in Statesboro’s Museum on Main, a partnership with Visit Statesboro and the Georgia Southern University Museum and Department of History, located inside the Statesboro Regional Visitor Center.

The current one-of-a-kind guitar exhibit features instruments, artifacts and stories from the Fred and Dinah Gretsch Artifacts Collection that were gifted to Georgia Southern University in 2021. The exhibit, curated by Georgia Southern University graduate students, pays tribute to and celebrates the world famous Gretsch guitar, drums and the Gretsch legacy.

Go Treasure Hunting

With several antique shops to pick from, shoppers are sure to find something they can’t live without in Statesboro.

Browse antique and vintage furniture, household items, novelties and more at The Hot Vintage Market. Head downtown and shop some of the most unique finds and knickknacks around at Charlie’s Funky Junk Shop, a local favorite, hands down.

With treasures from floor to ceiling, collectors will think they’ve hit the jackpot! Just down the road, don’t miss Marketplace on 67 located just a few miles outside Statesboro. Family owned and operated since 1999, shoppers will find aisles full of vintage, antique and locally made treasures. 

Where To Eat In Statesboro

With an impressive array of culinary options from barbeque and Southern delights to an upscale steak house and authentic international cuisine, there’s an interesting dining experience around every corner.

Don’t miss local favorites such as Dolan’s Bar B Que, where the gals are cooking up some of the area’s best traditional, pit smoked barbecue.

Other favorites include Uncle Shug’s Bar-B-Que Place, known for their classic Southern barbecue and made from scratch sides and Vandy’s Bar-B-Q Downtown where the ‘que is slowly cooked in one of just six open-air barbecue pits in the state of Georgia.

For upscale classics, stop in Sugar Magnolia Bistro & Bar. Serving a full lunch and dinner menu featuring homemade soups and sandwiches, pastas, artisan pizzas, burgers, salmon dishes and more, diners are sure to find something to please everyone’s palate.

Lastly, check out Bull and Barrel Steakhouse for an outstanding Sunday brunch or an elevated dinner experience. Serving up a seasonal menu inspired by the classics, diners will find refined yet familiar dishes on the menu that are not only comforting but also elegant. Open for dinner only. Reservations required.

Where To Stay In Statesboro

Statesboro offers traditional lodging options as well as inns, bed and breakfasts and vacation rentals. Experience Statesboro like a local and stay in a unique Airbnb such as this cozy, well-appointed loft located in the heart of downtown, right above Bull and Barrel Steakhouse and just a mile and a half from Georgia Southern University.

Guests enjoy coffee shops, restaurants and shopping, all of which is in walking distance.

Looking for something with enough space to sleep your whole crew? This spacious cabin located on Cypress Lake is the perfect spot to spread out and enjoy the great outdoors with fishing, kayaking and more in the back yard.

It’s just minutes from Georgia Southern University’s Paulson Stadium and the cabin was once home to country star Luke Bryan.

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