The largest city in Toombs county, Vidalia is 77 miles west of Savannah and 137 miles north of Jacksonville, Florida. It has been known as the "Sweet Onion Capital of the World" ever since Mose Coleman grew the area's first sweet onions in 1931. Although it is the Georgia Peach state, the Vidalia onion was named as the state’s "official vegetable." So when in Vidalia, what better way to understand the sweet onion’s economic, cultural and culinary significance to the state by dropping in at the Vidalia Onion Museum. This hands-on interactive experience will also inform you on where Vidalias can be grown and what makes them sweet. In addition, the city also hosts the Vidalia Onion Festival every April.
The Altama Museum of Art and History is housed in a stately in the historic Brazell House near downtown Vidalia. Inside you’ll find an array of 20th century paintings, antique prints and furniture and a large and important collection of Staffordshire porcelain. The building is on The National Register of Historic Places. For more information on the area and its history, one can visit the Vidalia City Hall and the Vidalia-Toombs County Library. For information on your own history, the Ladson Genealogical Library in Toombs County is one of the largest of such libraries in the Southeastern United States. Enjoy unique shopping opportunities for precious one-of-a-kind items at Treasures from the Attic Antiques and Yesterday's Furniture Consignment and Antiques. The Brice Square Shopping Center is also nearby. For Vidalia higher education, you can enroll at The Southeastern Technical College, Georgia Southern University and the Georgia College and State University. After pulling out all the stops in this city, you’ll have a convenient location to rest and recharge when you stay at one of our Choice Hotels in Vidalia, GA. Book a room online now!