From its earliest recorded history, Valdosta has been a town
on the go. Once amed Troupville after former Governor
George Troup, the town, including some uildings, literally
picked up and moved from the region of a steamboat landing onthe
Withlacoochee River to the rail lines of the Gulf and Atlantic Railroad
four miles away. At its new location, the town was called Valdosta, after
Governor Troup's estate, Val de Aosta, deriving that name from the
Local tradition holds the translation of Val de Aosta to be vale of
beauty and indeed with its traditional Southern landscape of magnolias,
pines, camellias, crepe myrtles and azaleas, it is a fitting name.
Valdosta is known as "The Azalea City" because of lush blossoming
banks of colorful azaleas in the springtime. A driving tour has been
mapped out for observation, map available from The Valdosta ourism
Authority. (www.valdostatourism.com)
Valdosta is also known as "Winnersville" because of its tradition of
excellence in high school and university football. Valdosta State
University Blazers and Lowndes High School Vikings brought home
championships in the 2007 season and Valdosta High School holds the
record for winning the most high school football games in the nation.
Though newly designated as a metropolitan statistical area, Valdosta
offers amenities similar to much larger urban areas, among them a
vibrant arts community in the downtown featuring the Annette Howell
Turner Center for the Arts, The Valdosta Symphony Guild, and Theatre
Guild Valdosta. An integral part of cultural life, Valdosta State University
presents theatrical and musical productions and welcomes the public to
its art gallery. 
An abundance of acreage is dedicated to youth sports, hiking and
biking trails. Birders, fishers and hunters enjoy access to the Grand Bay
Wildlife Management Area, a 13,000 acre wetlands system.
Valdosta is a shopper's mecca with nearby Remerton Mill Village, home
to quaint specialty shops, Colonial Mall Valdosta, and a variety of
restaurants and stores in the downtown community listed on the
National Register of Historic Places.
The young and young at heart will
enjoy Wild Adventures Theme Park,
chock full of wild coasters, wild animals,
and big name musical entertainment year
round at the All Star Amphitheater.
Learn more about Valdosta by visiting www.valdostacity.com.
Click here for an interactive map of Valdosta (VALORGIS)