Once known as “Jenkin’s Station”, Vidalia is a bustling Georgia city and the largest in Toombs County. It was established around a rail yard in the late 19th century when it was an important agricultural hub for pecans and tobacco. In later years, it became famed for its onions, which are celebrated throughout the city today.
Things to do in Vidalia
For a cultural fix, visit the Altama Museum of Art & History, which occupies the 1911-built Brazell House. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this Neoclassical-style residence houses an impressive collection of antique furnishings, historic costumes and 20th-century artworks. Also on display is the largest collection of Staffordshire porcelain in the United States and an exhibition dedicated to Girl Scouts.
Don’t miss the Vidalia Onion Museum, which is filled with educational exhibits about the economic and cultural significance of Vidalia onions. Learn about the pioneering farmers who planted Vidalia onions in the area and their use in culinary dishes before watching them grow in the adjacent field. Vidalia is also home to an Onion Fountain designed by Ruth Williams English.
On the northern outskirts of Vidalia is the Paul Anderson Youth Home, which is named after the Guinness Book of World Records-holding “World’s Strongest Man”. It was established for troubled teens by Paul Anderson after he won his 1956 Olympic Gold medal for weightlifting. Join a guided tour to learn about the legacy he has created before browsing the weightlifting-themed gifts in the store.
Getting around Vidalia
Vidalia is around 1.5 hours’ drive from Savannah and Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the United States. Long-distance buses connect to Vidalia while renting a car will give you greater freedom to explore the area.