Clayton’s Vibe: Big-City Feel, Small-Town Charms
Published Nov 03, 2008
It may have figured prominently in a certain bestselling book and iconic movie, but there’s a lot more to Clayton County and its cities than “Gone With the Wind.”
In fact, while the county doesn’t lack for historic antebellum venues such as the 1839 Stately Oaks Plantation, much of its destinations, festivals and events are very much rooted in the current century. Being part of Metro Atlanta ensures that plenty of big-city attractions are nearby, but the county itself has no trouble luring in visitors to shop, play and stay, says Patrick Duncan, president and CEO of the Clayton County Convention & Visitors Bureau.
“We are grateful to be located on I-75, and pleased to be ‘The official home of Gone With The Wind,’ as designated by the Mitchell Trust and the Georgia State Legislature,” Duncan says. “Sometimes people are driving down the interstate and see our outdoor boards — we have five on I- 75— promoting hotels, restaurants, tours, historical attractions, shopping and the Gone With the Wind Museum. That piques their interest enough to spend the night, or to stop, eat and enjoy something they saw on the board.”
In addition to the outdoor advertising, the Clayton County CVB also distributes more than 100,000 pieces of printed information, including a visitors guide and attractions guide, throughout the state and region. The organization also works with local events such as the Bluegrass Festival and Taste of Clayton, giving them banner and flyer space at the county’s visitor center.
Clayton County offers a variety of attractions, from the Beach at Clayton County International Park, to Spivey Hall at Clayton State University, from golf to historic tours, from Stately Oaks Plantation to the Atlanta State Farmers Market.
The CVB also is beefing up its local and regional advertising as gas prices and overall travel expenses have many vacationers looking for things to do closer to home.
“People are planning “stay-cations,” so we want those who live close by to know what we have here too,” Duncan says.
More Insight
For more information on Clayton County’s many cultural and artistic offerings, go to www.visitscarlett.com.
Story by Joe Morris
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