Albany, situated in the Plantation Trace region, is the primary trade center for Southwest Georgia. The city lies at the head of the Flint River, 145 miles south of Atlanta. The chief farm products are cotton, peanuts, corn and tobacco, and to a lesser extent, paper-shell pecans and forest products. Albany has also developed a diversified industrial economy which includes companies such as Procter & Gamble, Merck & Company, Miller Brewing, and M & M Mars. Plantations, which once provided the Confederacy with cotton, indigo and corn, have become quail-hunting preserves.

In 1998, Money Magazine’s survey of ‘Best Places’ to live in the nation rated Albany as the most livable city in the state of Georgia. In addition, Albany was ranked 21st among cities up to 250,000 in the southeast U.S., Rated #141 in 1996, #115 in 1995 and #151 in 1994. Money 9/96, 9/95, 9/94. Since 1994 over $800 million has been invested in Albany by local industries such as Procter and Gamble, Cooper Tire, Merck and Miller Brewing. The Marine Corps Logistics Base (MCLB) in Albany is a shining star within the Department of Defense and has established itself as a leader in the adoption of private sector business strategies to accomplish its mission. In 1998, MCLB was awarded responsibility for the newly created Materiel Command (MATCOM). MATCOM now is responsible for approximately $2 billion per year in acquisitions within the Corps. Albany Tomorrow Inc. is currently implementing a $175 million riverfront development project. This program represents a significant public/private partnership.

Cultural info: The Albany Ballet Theater promotes the art of dance in the community through performances of classical ballet, modern ballet and jazz. The Ballet presents several performances a year at the Albany Municipal Auditorium.

The Albany Chorale is a long standing choral group presenting three concerts a year of classical, jazz, madrigal and American folk music. A small Chamber Ensemble group is chosen by auditions and is available for special community events. In addition, the Chorale performs with the Albany Symphony orchestra during the Christmas season and at other special musical presentations.

The Albany Concert Association was founded in 1935 as a non-profit organization with the goal of bringing high quality entertainment by professional artists to southwest Georgia.

The Albany Municipal Auditorium, Albany's magnificent Historic Auditorium is fast gaining the reputation as a Center for Performing Arts, in the heart of Albany and Southwest Georgia.

Albany Museum of Art www.albanymuseum.com, with American Museum of Art accreditation, hosts national traveling exhibits each year and is home to the largest collection of African art objects in the Southeast.

The Albany Symphony www.albanysymphony.org is Southwest Georgia's only professional orchestra and is under the direction of a full-time resident conductor. The orchestra performs a 5 concert series on Saturday evenings at the Albany Municipal Auditorium and 3 matinee concerts on Sunday at Darton College.

The Georgia Artist's Guild is a group of practicing artists dedicated to advancing he standards and awareness of visual arts in the region and the State of Georgia. The Guild meets monthly, sponsoring workshops, lectures, and demonstrations of interest to area artists.

The Mount Zion Albany Civil Rights Movement Museum tells the story of the impact of the southwest Georgia movement on the rest of the world while focusing on the role of the African American church and the freedom music that emerged during this period.

The Ritz Cultural Center offers youth programs providing opportunities for involvement and participation in the arts. Youths may work individually or in a group, exploring their imagination and creativity through storytelling, photography, painting, dance, poetry, puppetry, drama, sculpture and crafts.

Theatre Albany offers five major productions during the regular season in its 314 seat main stage theatre. In addition, productions are offered in the intimate Studio theatre, as well as children's theatre, reader's theatre, summer youth workshops, and adult acting workshops.

Thronateeksa Heritage Center at Union Station www.heritagecenter.org, includes the Museum of Albany & Southwest Georgia History, a hands on Science Discovery Center and a planetarium.

 

What to see and do:

Whether it's the only accredited zoo in Georgia outside of Atlanta, hunting plantations are recognized as "The Quail Hunting Capital of the World," the Legends racing at Albany Motor Speedway, or the 50 facilities operated by the Albany Parks and Recreation Department, there is no shortage of sports and recreational opportunities available in Albany and Dougherty county.

Flint RiverQuarium promotes conservation through aquatic exhibits and educational, entertaining experiences that engage diverse audiences by interpreting the unique ecosystems of the Flint River watershed. The Flint RiverQuarium office is located at 100 Pine Avenue in Albany Georgia. The mailing address is P.O. Box 134, Albany, Georgia 31702. 

If you would like more information about the Flint RiverQuarium,
please contact us at 877-GOFLINT, or at 229-639-2650 or www.flintriverquarium.com

Albany Motor Speedway
3 miles South of Albany on U.S. 19
Phone: (229) 431-0077

Thronateeksa Heritage Center at Union Station www.heritagecenter.org, includes the Museum of Albany & Southwest Georgia History, a hands on Science Discovery Center and a planetarium.
100 W. Roosevelt Avenue
Albany, Georgia 31701
Phone: (229) 432-6955

The Parks at Chehaw members.surfsouth.com/~chehaw, including a 100-acre wild animal park, campgrounds, nature trails and one of the state’s largest play parks for kids.
Philema Road (Georgia Highway 91 North)
Albany, Georgia
(229) 430-5275

U.S.19 Dragway www.us19dragway.com - A dragway featuring NHRA-sanctioned events.
3 miles South of Albany on U.S. 19
(229) 431-0077

Albany Area Quail Hunting & Plantation Directory

Because of an abundance of excellent quail and dove hunting, Albany is known as "Quail Hunting Capital of the World." The quiet beauty of the area's plantation fields and pecan groves are one of many reasons Quail Unlimited holds its annual Celebrity Hunt here.

You, too, can enjoy some of the world's finest quail hunting by contacting any of the area's plantations listed below:

Information and photos submitted by:

Albany, GA CVB
225 West Broad Avenue
Albany, GA  31701
229-434-8700 | 800-475-8700 | www.albanyga.com

 

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