Georgia Road Trip with Kids: Prisons, Plains, and Peaceful Porches (Day 8)
Welcome to Day 8 in Southwest Georgia!
Step aboard a vintage train, explore President Carter’s hometown, and reflect at Andersonville with this educational, faith-filled Southwest Georgia road trip.
If you’re reading along with Ethan and Oliver, today takes you from the solemn grounds of Andersonville to the slow sway of a vintage train ride into President Jimmy Carter’s hometown — with farm-fresh eggs, Pac-Man battles, and porch rocking to end the day. Southwest Georgia is worth the visit!
Itinerary Overview
- Stop 1: Andersonville National Historic Site & National Prisoner of War Museum
- Stop 2: SAM Shortline Railroad – Presidential Flyer from Georgia Veterans State Park to Plains & Archery
- Evening Stay: Farmhouse Airbnb with goats, ducks, alpacas, and one very curious emu
Stop 1: Andersonville National Historic Site & National Prisoner of War Museum
What to Expect
The fields of Andersonville seem peaceful now, but during the Civil War, they held one of the most infamous prison camps in American history. Inside the National Prisoner of War Museum, you’ll find artifacts, letters, and photographs honoring POWs from multiple wars. Exhibits share stories of faith, resilience, and survival in the harshest conditions. Outside, a reconstructed section of the stockade wall helps kids visualize the camp’s original layout, while the cemetery offers a moment for quiet reflection. This stop is both sobering and educational, reminding families that freedom comes with sacrifice.
NPS Stamp: Yes
Educational Tie-In
- Civil War history: conditions at Camp Sumter
- National POW history across wars
- Compassion and ethics in wartime decisions
Notebook/Conversation Prompt
If your explorers are reading along, here’s a question to discuss: What does it mean to “remember so we don’t repeat” a hard part of history?
Faith Connection
Reflect on Matthew 5:9 — “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Talk about how compassion can be shown even in times of great conflict.
Funny Saying from the Chapter
Oliver whispered at the cemetery, “It’s quiet here.” Dad smiled and said, “Because this is a place of respect.” Ethan muttered, “Also because there’s no one left to argue.”
Stop 2: SAM Shortline Railroad – Presidential Flyer
What to Expect
From Georgia Veterans State Park, board a vintage railcar for a scenic journey through “Carter Country.” The Presidential Flyer passes pecan groves, cotton fields, and Lake Blackshear, offering panoramic views from wide windows. Inside, the scent of polished wood and the rhythmic sway of the train invite you to slow down and savor the ride. During your two-hour layover in Plains, explore the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site — including his boyhood home in Archery — and pick up a few peanut-themed souvenirs. Kids will love adding a special SAM Shortline stamp to their National Parks Passport.
NPS Stamp: Yes
Educational Tie-In
- History of passenger rail travel in the U.S.
- Biography of President Jimmy Carter
- Agricultural heritage of rural Georgia
Notebook/Conversation Prompt
If your explorers are reading along, here’s something to talk about: President Carter was known for serving others long after leaving office. How can we serve others no matter our age or job?
Faith Connection
Matthew 20:27 — “And whoever wants to be first must be your servant.” Discuss how leadership is more about service than status.
Funny Saying from the Chapter
Oliver, challenged to Connect Four at the farmhouse, announced, “Loser has to feed the emu.” Ethan replied, “That’s your dream, not mine.”
What We Learned
- Hard history can still teach important lessons about compassion.
- Train rides are a rare chance to slow down and listen to the world in a new way.
- Leadership, like President Carter’s, is about serving people well — not just holding power.
Did We See State Symbols Today?
Yes — Georgia’s state crop, the peanut, is highlighted in Plains’ shops and Carter’s own history.
Plan It Yourself
You can map this exact route — and customize it for your own family’s adventure — using Roadtrippers Plus. It’s our favorite trip-planning tool for finding kid-friendly stops, tracking drive times, and keeping everything in one place.
View our full trip on Roadtrippers: Ethan & Oliver Adventures Georgia’s On My Mind Road Trip Map
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