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Idlewilde Interior

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Idlewilde Event Center

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Welcome to Idlewilde Event Center at Indian Springs State Park

Conveniently located near I-75 in middle Georgia, Indian Springs is one of the oldest state parks in the United States and a popular spot for outdoor recreation.

Idlewilde Event Center at Indian Springs State Park is available for reservations. The name is derived from the majestic house on the property that serves as the park office and visitor center; and is on the National Historic Register. With another nod to past, the individual rooms in the center are even named after the historic hotels that once thrived in the village of Indian Springs. Idlewilde has 20,000 square feet of event space including a massive lake side porch with beautiful views of the water. With a capacity of 500 people, Idlewilde can accommodate a variety of events, from birthday parties and family reunions, to weddings and corporate retreats. Additional features include a catering kitchen and audio visual capabilities in every room.

For inquiries or to join the Idlewilde Event Center waiting list, please contact us on 470-707-8071.

  • Operated by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources
  • Available event hours: 8:00AM – 10:00PM
  • Total footprint 19,557 square feet
  • Opened September 2018

 

Sylvania Historic Welcome Center

Reservations

Hours

Tuesday-Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Closed Sunday & Monday

Phone Numbers

Office 912-829-3331

Address

8463 Burton's Ferry Hwy.
Sylvania, GA 30467
Screven County

 

Annual Passes

Purchase Historic Site & ParkPasses at this location.

Georgia Products

Georgia Grown & State Parks products now available.

The Sylvania Historic Welcome Center located on U.S. Highway 301 was the very first built in Georgia and is the oldest operating state visitor center in the country. Built in 1961 and officially dedicated on January 20th, 1962, the center was the result of the efforts of Governor Ernest Vandiver who believed that tourism could be used to improve the image of Georgia and become a catalyst for economic growth. The center predates the interstate highway system in Georgia. It was built when U.S. Highway 301 was known as the “short route” to Florida by visitors from the Atlantic coastal states and Canadian provinces.

Still favored by visitors who choose not to travel the interstates, this historic center is located on six acres of land half a mile away from the South Carolina border. Sylvania is the only original visitor center designed by Statesboro architect Edwin C. Eckles remaining. With a midcentury modern design, the center has barrel vault ceilings and an aluminum and glass façade that stand out in the surrounding natural setting. Native Georgia materials such as Etowah pink marble and pecan wood were used in the details.

Behind the building is a park with ten picnic tables and two grills for visitors to enjoy and take a break from travel. Sylvania Visitor Center is also the only visitor center in the state that still gives out free Coca-Cola products as well as Georgia peanuts.

Nearby are the Savannah River and Ogeechee River, Tuckahoe WMA, and the Revolutionary Battle of Brier Creek site. The center itself is also close (or perhaps right on top of) the German settlement of New Goettingen (1750's).

ParkPasses and Historic Site Passes are sold at this welcome center.

Nearby Attractions

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