Location: Waycross
Top Things to do in Waycross
Top Restaurants in Waycross
Top 6 Things to do in Waycross, United States
Waycross is the county seat of, and only incorporated city in, Ware County. in the U.S. state of Georgia. The population was 14,725 at the 2010 Census.
Restaurants in Waycross
1. Okefenokee Swamp Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 324 reviews
Located in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, the Okefenokee Swamp Park is a convenient point of entry and a magnificent show-window for the "Land of the Trembling Earth." The park's lily-decked water trails, with their miraculously reflective waters mirroring the overhanging beauty, lead to all points in this vast wilderness of islands, lakes, jungles, forest and prairies. Boat tours on original Indian waterways, wilderness walkways, Pioneer Island and native animals in their own habitat, all combine to weave a spell of pioneer American life. Headwaters of the Suwannee and St. Mary's Rivers, Okefenokee is a National Wildlife Refuge which covers nearly a half million acres.
Reviewed By Paul S - Marion
Okefenokee Swamp Park is on an island, although that isn't readily apparen ton the drive in from the park entrance on highway 1 about 8 miles south of Waycross. We got to the extensive gift shop/ visitor center exactly at the 9:00 am opening time. Had no trouble finding parking spot as we were the only ones there. Staff was dripping southern hospitality and answered all my TOURON ( tourist plus moron) questions as I paid park fee and also bought tickets for the boat and train tours. Whie waiting on the first boat tour of the day, we toured the grounds to see the alligators and turtles. Also posed with (stufffed) 16 foot alligator who used to live in the park until dying of natural causes at around 90 years old. Hope I do as well. Anyway, we signed a liabilty waiver (wild alliigators present along route) to walk the boardwalk (they say to allow 45 minutes, we were out and back in 20) from the boat dock to the observation tower, which I climbed to the top. As I climbed, many large birds that were roosting in the tower flew away and there was some sway at the top in the strong wind. From the top, you could see nothing but trees and the water of Skull Lake. The best part of the walk was a section that was not elevated at all but directly at swamp level, hence the need for the waiver., If you don't feel up to walking that far, the boat tour also stops at the tower on the one hour tour, shortly after you pass the headwaters of the Suwanee River which we had been travelling along the rest of the week. Our knowledeable and entertaining guide was planning to take a float trip in the spring and go from the park through the swamp and down the river all the way to the Gulf of Mexico, about a 260 mile trip. I hope he makes it. The longer boat tour options were not available when we were there the end of January because the waterways were still full of downed trees and debris from Hurricane Irma. From the boat, we rode the train around the island with a stop to visit the Pioneer Homestead and see the home made peg leg. Hunting accident? Gator? I don't know the need, but homesteading in the swamp was tough enough without any disabilities. Went to a wildlife show which included the chance to hold turtles and snakes (I passed) and saw the live bears and other critters on diplay. Walt Kelly's studio (Pogo comic strip, before my time) is there too. Our boat guide and train engineer both remembered him. About the only thing we didn't get to do was see a panther or Big George, the resident dominant male alligator whom I think they said was about 15 feet. We saw all his favorite spots to hunt and sun, but there was no sun in January so he was probably holed up somewhere. Be sure to allow enough time to do all the activities. We spent more than half a day and the whole family thoroughly enjoyed it. All park buildings and grounds are accessible for stroller or wheelchair, and those with limited mobility can enjoy the boat and train tours with some assistance boarding. My son who has mutliple disabilities was able to participate in and enjoy both. He couldn't pronounce Okenfenokee, though, so he called it Oatmeal Cookie Swamp and already wants to go back.
2. Okefenokee Swamp Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 127 reviews
Reviewed By Stephanie Q
We had a really great time. You learn a lot of information about the history, alligators, and other animals that live in the swamp. The only drawback I had was that the tickets were very expensive, more than what I calculated from the website prices. Food at the Snack Shack is excellent, especially the chicken tenders and frog legs.
3. Laura S. Walker State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 77 reviews
Reviewed By Paul S - Marion
Wanted to see this inland park area after spending a day in the swamp. The main activities here are boating, fishing, and golfing. There is also a campground, a handful of cabins, picnicking, swimming, biking, hiking on a couple trails around the lake shore and the group camping area, and wildlife viewing, as well as a small gift shop/museum. We didn't see any wildlife and practically had the place to ourselves on a frigid winter morning. As I write this later on National Women's Day and see that MCDonalds turned the M upside down to make a W, I think it's silly and just looks like a gaint set of breasts. Hey, I'm a guy. Ladies, before you ask this review to be pulled, as I said earlier it's just a silly stunt. If they really want to honor women, put one in Ray Kroc's seat as CEO. What has all this got to do with the park? It is one of the very few in the nation named for a woman, a teacher and naturalist. She must have made quite an impression in Georgia, as even the late, great Marjory Stoneman Douglas just to the south in Florida, author and environmental activist known as the Grand Dame of the Everglades, has not been honored with a state park. Maybe over the next few years there will be more state parks named for women, as there are certainly many deserving women out there. To quote Gloria Steinham, GInger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, but also backwards and in high heels.
4. Okefenokee Heritage Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
This is a small museum dedicated to the history of the heritage of Waycross GA. It features the role of the railroad in the growth of the state and Waycross. It has a locomotive, some rail cars, and a station house used as the information display area. The main building has small exhibits about the heritages of the ethnic groups, i.e. white, black and native american. It has a small display area explaining a traditional non-accompanied vocal group singing. It will host an exhibit from the Smithsonian Institute "New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music" in the fall of 2013. While I was there I saw an exhibit of about 30 works of art by people with disabilities. This is a small community museum with small exhibits but some real gems of information. Staff is friendly and helpful. I am in no way connected with the Center. I visited in March 2013 and feel it deserves some attention and would be enjoyed by Trip Advisor members.
Reviewed By Bobbie A - Folkston, Georgia
Enjoyed looking at the displays and photos depicting the history of the area. The people were friendly and helpful. It is a small museum but very nice.
5. Obediah's Okefenok
Overall Ratings
4 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By Sandy O - Sauk City, Wisconsin, United States
Obediah Barbers homestead is preserved by the family. Along with nature trails, animals, building exhibits and a gift shop, you will most likely get a chance to talk to one of the descendants of Obediah. If this happens, be prepared to "sit a spell" and listen to some of the stories of growing up in the swamps.
This location has been the scene for quite a few movies, including one from the 70's called Swamp Girl.
Currently they are open only Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I do not know their hours as we were part of a group tour that was set up differently.
If you have a few hours and want to keep yourself and the kids entertained, bring a picnic lunch and visit this out of the way(your gps may not get you here very well) attraction.
6. Escape Quest
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
A fun real life interactive game that you submurse yourself into and try and figure out all the clues within the one hour alloted time. Good Luck!
Reviewed By vermiss - Waycross, Georgia
we were board with this, things were to easy and area 51 was a joke my kids did not like it due to its unfun appeal to them.After checking your other reviews, it's apparent you enjoy leaving negative reviews for our local Waycross businesses. I suspect you have never played Area 51, much less even stepped into our business.
