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As you mosey your way across the state of Georgia, be sure to spend an afternoon in the charming town of Milledgeville, Georgia. An estimated 17,000 people live in Milledgeville, and this historic town is home to three colleges: Georgia College & State University, Central Georgia Technical School, and Georgia Military College.

The cute downtown spans several blocks adjacent to the Georgia College & State University campus (which is also very pretty), and gorgeous antebellum homes punctuate the surrounding area.

We spent a few days here on our cross-country road trip between Christmas and New Year's, and I agree with Southern Living tapping Milledgeville as one of Georgia's 22 most beautiful small towns.

The Vibe:

Milledgeville is an interesting mix of Southern history and contemporary college town.

Depending on your age, you'll either love learning about the Greek Revival-style homes or perusing the extensive shot menus at the local restaurants and bars.

Spend the day touring the Governor's Mansion or settle in at Dungeons And Daquiris Gaming Bar. You can also shop for antique books or sequinned crop tops. (As a lady in my mid-30's, I was much more interested in the town's architecture than the shot lists, but I did also snag a dress for our New Year's Eve plans at Firefly Boutique.)

The Charm Factor:

The high population of students breathes life and modernity into this little town, setting it apart from some of Milledgeville's neighboring municipalities. Though I may have "aged out" of the shot-and-PBR-fueled bar scene, the creative restaurants, fashionable boutiques, and chic coffee shops make this a fun-for-everyone locale.

The well-preserved architectural details throughout downtown and the surrounding residential areas add a richness and charm that's hard to beat, and the college campuses are meticulously maintained.

The History:

Milledgeville, Georgia was founded in 1803. It served as the capital of Georgia during the Civil War (and there's still a huge statue dedicated to the Confederacy in front of the Military College).

The colonial city gained wealth and power around 1815, and much of the city's growth was due to the cotton industry and plantations in the surrounding areas. We would be remiss not to mention the generations of enslaved people who lived and died on those lands.

A visit from American Revolutionary War hero Marquis de la Fayette in 1825 helped put the town on the map as well, and the construction of the Governor's Mansion in 1836 drew attention as one of the most important examples of Greek revival architecture in America.

Milledgeville also became known for the Georgia Lunatic Asylum in 1837, and curious paraphernalia from this time can still be found in the local antique stores.

9 Must-Visit Places in Milledgeville, Georgia

Bollywood Tacos

My husband and I are such taco fiends we actually thought about creating a blog exclusively dedicated to tacos, so this recommendation is not one to be taken lightly. Bollywood Tacos is a creative Indian-Mexican fusion restaurant on Milledgeville's main drag with an extensive menu, margaritas by the pitcher (college town delights, y'all), and outdoor seating.

We tried no less than 7 different tacos on the menu, and the Chicken Shawarma, Bombay Chicken, and Chili Chicken Tacos are musts. The Honey Chipotle Shrimp is worth an honorable mention if you have room.

Firefly Boutique

While I'm not much of a fashionista, this hip boutique gets two thumbs up for the carefully curated collection of trendy clothing. Whether you're 18 and on the hunt for the perfect "going out top" or 36 and looking for a festive-but-sophisticated New Year's outfit, Firefly Boutique is sure to please. They've got reasonable prices on this season's styles without being outlandishly trendy or hawking poorly made fast fashion items that will disintegrate on their first wash.

Georgia College & State University

The stunning architecture and lush green lawn make this pretty campus the prime spot for an afternoon stroll.

The Governor’s Mansion

The Governor's Mansion is hailed as one of the best examples of Greek Revival architecture in the United States, and you'll definitely want to duck into one of the hourly tours. Keep an eye out for the candlelight tour opportunities in December!