Valdosta, Georgia

On a road trip from Savannah, Georgia, to Tallahassee, Florida, I needed to make a little pitstop for food and gas. When I took the exit for Valdosta, I had no idea the little gem of a town I was about to have the unexpected opportunity to visit.

Rather than going through a fast food drive-through, I decided to go downtown…because, well, I just love little downtown areas. In the center of town, stood the Neoclassical Revival style courthouse of Lowndes County with it’s large domes topping the structure. It was built in 1905 and is such a beauty!

Across the street from the courthouse, on the corner, was Mo’s Mediterranean Table inviting me in with it’s lavender awnings and quaint little bistro tables outside. The inside was a throwback to a time of cafes and patrons sitting at the counter to eat. I found a seat at a booth lining the wall of hand-painted designs and glanced over the menu. It didn’t take me long to decide on the vegetarian plate. Oh my gosh….I made the perfect choice. Falafel, hummus, babghanouj, rice, salad with lemon dressing, olives and stuffed grape leaves - all tasting delicious and homemade.

After an amazing meal, I needed to take a little walk before sitting in my car for hours again. Every turn down alleys and around corners happily surprised me with artistic beauty. Murals and industrial styled wall displays, bright colors and benches, an old theater and a tattoo shop, and my favorite - a coffee shop.

Gud Coffee Company offered the perfect ending to my stop in Valdosta. The service was superb, the latte was delicious, the conversation with locals was enlightening, and the continuation of art lining the walls was delightful.

The short stop along my trip left me longing to explore more of Valdosta, and I'll be planning to follow the road back there again soon. You should too!