Our community

The city of Valdosta was named in honor of Governor George Troup's (from 1823 - 1827) estate home "Val d'Aosta," an Italian term which translates "Vale of Beauty," a fitting description of Georgia's 10th largest city. The lush southern landscape is veiled with azaleas, camellias, crepe myrtles and magnolias lending an old south charm to the hub of the newly designated metropolitan statistical area.

The annual Azalea Festival  is held each spring in Drexel Park, named for the late R. J. Drexel, a parks superintendent whose fondness of azalea planting resulted in Valdosta becoming known as "The Azalea City." A map of The Azalea Trail, a driving tour of the most exquisite and plentiful banks of azaleas can be obtained at The Valdosta Toursism Authority .

Also available at the tourism website are walking tours of historic downtown Valdosta. Once the primary shopping locale, downtown has undergone a rich revitalization and now is home to many fine and casual dining establishments, unique shops and is a cultural and arts hot spot including the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts and The Dosta Playhouse.

Valdosta and Lowndes County are regional retail and service centers for South Georgia and North Florida, with eight easy access exits from I-75. Valdosta offers a retail mall with over 65 chain and local stores and outlet shoppers can visit nearby Lake Park, just minutes south of Valdosta.

The young and the young at heart can enjoy Wild Adventures, a theme park with something for everyone from an assortment of wild rides including nine roller coasters, concerts scheduled year round, and the opportunity to view more than 500 animals in their natural habitats throughout the park. Just minutes from I-75, park information and driving directions can be obtained at their website  .

Valdosta and Lowndes County offer an ideal location for the retirement years with many local golf courses and golfing communities. For information on exciting things to do in and around the Valdosta area, visit Georgia Retire's Website  .

Nearby Moody Air Force Base employs combat ready security forces, pararescuemen and trains personnel for search and rescue operations throughout the world. Established in the early 1940s, the base has approximately 4,200 military and 400 civilian employees with an economic impact on the community of over $323 million.

Valdosta has also been dubbed "Winnersville" because of excellence in high school and university football. It is home to Valdosta High School, national record holder for number of wins of football games, and Lowndes High School, recent back-to-back state champions. An NCAA Division II national championship was garnered by Valdosta State University's Blazers in 2004.