Last Updated on April 12, 2026 by Kimberly Stroh
Although I grew up in Atlanta, my experience with Coweta County and its county seat, Newnan, GA, was zero. It’s only roughly 40 miles southwest of Atlanta, but it simply wasn’t on my radar as anywhere other than where country music legend Alan Jackson grew up. Yup, way down yonder on the Chattahoochee. As a librarian who freelances as a travel writer, my day job and my side gig don’t overlap that much. Imagine my surprise when allowed to explore the literary side of Newnan, Georgia. A get-away centered around book shops, quaint downtowns, and well-known authors Lewis Grizzard and Erskine Caldwell? Yes, please.
Coweta County Book Stores
Newnan Book Company
Our first stop was to the bright and cheery Newnan Book Company. Housed in a historic building off the Newnan square with exposed brick and original flooring, the store is immediately welcoming. The selection offers a little bit of everything, including a precious children’s room. Liz, the store owner, stresses that kids are welcome to touch, play, and explore.
While there, we held 20 minutes of DEAR time – Drop Everything and Read. It’s the Newnan Book Company’s version of Silent Book Club. My fellow writers and I each picked out a different book, found a comfy spot, and quietly read for 20 minutes. Afterwards, we each spoke about the book we chose, why we chose it, and how we felt about it so far. It’s definitely a low-pressure way to participate in a book club! Other clubs on offer include mystery, historical fiction, romance, fantasy, and a club reading new and buzzworthy books. (In case you’re wondering, my pick was Sirens by Emilia Hart.)
Morally Gray
The intriguingly named Morally Gray, is located off the square. If you are a fan of romantasy and dark romance, this is your haven. There is a section for traditional contemporary romance, but much of the store houses titles that run toward fantasy and less traditional themes. I couldn’t resist picking up a blind date with a book title! They host romantasy, dark romance, and “spicy” book clubs.
Book Love
Travel to the fairytale downtown of Senoia to visit Book Love. It’s an adorable shop that seems to have a little bit of everything, even a coffee counter. In addition to the books, I came across lit-related gift items and engaging displays. I was able to pick up the last release from Kristy Woodson Harvey, Beach House Rules, and indulge in another blind date book. The book clubs on offer are horror, historical fiction, romance, fantasy, and a revolving “explore the genre” club.
Cities in Coweta County
Newnan is Coweta’s county seat and a thriving town that has kept its small-town appeal. It wouldn’t be a classic downtown square without a historic courthouse, and Coweta’s has some interesting history behind it. It’s the site of the infamous trial of the 1948 murder case detailed in Margaret Anne Barnes’ Murder in Coweta County, published in 1976 and made into a TV movie in 1983. Built in 1904 and restored in 1989-90, the building has copper trim that’s oxidized into a beautiful green that is striking.
For literary-minded visitors, you really need to visit Newnan’s Carnegie library, also on the square. Beginning in 1883, industrialist Andrew Carnegie began providing grants to fund libraries worldwide. He funded 1,681 in the United States, with Newnan’s library being the oldest Carnegie library still operating in Georgia. A teenager, Charles L. Thompson, solicited Andrew Carnegie directly and got the grant. Poor Charles came to a tragically early death, not living long enough to see the library constructed. Check out the exhibit about Thompson in the library that includes a death mask – a plaster casting of his face taken at the gravesite!
Newnan Eats and Drinks
If the touring the square and the self-guided driving tour of historic homes made you hungry and thirsty, be sure to check out the great mix of eateries on offer. I started my day with treats and coffee from Leaf & Bean. Lunch was a delicious burrito from The Mad Mexican. The restaurant holds a secret, though. The owner bought the space behind the restaurant, which used to hold a pharmacy, and turned it into a speakeasy! The Pharmacy is an intimate space, so call or text for reservations. Can’t decide between fancy and casual? The Cellar and The Bays have you covered. For a higher-end experience, The Cellar is a more upscale chophouse experience. Next door, sister restaurant The Bays offers patio dining and casual vibes. Tucked away off the square, Lilah Grey offers another dining choice for tourists wanting a casual atmosphere but excellent food and cocktails.
If you plan a weekend getaway in March, be sure to look for the Art Walk event! Artists and vendors set up tables in front of shops all along the square and shops stay open later. The weather was perfect for casual strolls and supporting local artists. A stop into Rock Salt Milk Bar for an amazing blueberry-lemon ice cream topped off my experience.
MORELAND
The tiny town of Moreland is less than one square mile, but it’s big on literary legends. The Moreland Hometown Heritage Museum offers glimpses of Moreland’s history as a mill town as well as a tribute to hometown hero Lewis Grizzard. Grizzard was a humorist who wrote for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and published 25 books. The building previously housed the Moreland Knitting Mill, which operated from 1900-1945.
Take a walk across the street to visit the 19th century birthplace and childhood home of Erskine Caldwell, author of controversial novels such as God’s Little Acre and Tobacco Road. Caldwell’s realistic depiction of poverty-stricken areas of the south did not win him many fans in his hometown but did garner him acclaim and cause Hollywood to make movies of several of his novels.
SENOIA
Senoia (pronounced Seh-noy) is truly a Hallmark movie come to life. It has that classic downtown that you may have spotted in some of the many movies and tv shows that have filmed there. For ten years, the TV show The Walking Dead was filmed almost exclusively in Coweta County. It was a thrill for me to view Idgie’s house and the train tracks from a personal favorite, Fried Green Tomatoes. Throw on your comfy shoes and pick up a brochure at the visitor’s center for the self-guided walking tour of historic homes. I saw some gorgeous buildings with quite a variety of architectural styles.
Main Street has all kinds of cute shops (see Book Love, mentioned above) and eateries. I went into Lisa’s Creperie for coffee and couldn’t resist ordering the Paris crepe. Filled with turkey, brie, bacon, apple, and raspberry jam, it was divine. If the name sounds familiar, you may have seen Lisa on season 16 of Food Network’s The Great Food Truck Race.
For other food options, don’t miss Saturday morning at the Senoia Farmer’s Market. I bought some sourdough and a loaf of focaccia bread from Coccia Mill Baking Company and my family loved it. There is plenty of variety in goods offered, and tell your rowdy friends to meet you there for the mimosa bar or the Bloody Marys!
Where to Stay in Coweta County
Chattahoochee Bend State Park – Newnan
For my first night in Coweta County, I stayed at one of my favorite places – a Georgia state park. I usually tent camp but was not turning down one of the newest cabins at Chattahoochee Bend State Park. I assure you, this is the exact opposite of “roughing it.” The cabin had two bedrooms, with a queen bed in the master and two double beds in the second bedroom. There is a full kitchen with all the cooking (and eating) supplies you would need. With large dining tables inside as well as outside on the screened porch, the cabin is perfect for families.
At 2,910 acres, Chattahoochee Bend clocks in as one of Georgia’s largest state parks. It’s got five miles of protected land along the Chattahoochee River, perfect for avid paddlers. There are 12 miles of hiking trails and fishing is always popular. In addition to cabins, the park includes a traditional campground as well as backcountry platform camping along the Chattahoochee. Be sure to check their events calendar for programs and group activities.
The Veranda Historic Inn – Senoia
I haven’t met a historic home I didn’t love, so the chance to stay in a former hotel from 1906 was heartily welcomed. The Veranda Historic Inn has nine guest rooms all boasting original features such as Georgia heart pine floors, tin ceilings, and elaborate and historic light fixtures. Generally, I have a hard time feeling comfortable the first night in a hotel or inn. The Veranda Inn was so much like staying at a friend’s house that I dropped right off to sleep. As the name implies, a defining feature is the wrap-around porch that just begs you to sit a spell with a good read. It’s also within walking distance to all the great downtown shops and the Senoia Farmers’ Market.
Coweta County, a Book Lover’s Perfect Getaway
By the time I packed up my books (and, let’s be honest, a few extra I couldn’t resist), Coweta County had firmly earned a spot on my travel radar. Between the welcoming indie bookstores, charming downtown squares, and deep literary roots, it’s the kind of place that invites you to slow down and linger a little longer. Whether you’re a devoted reader, a history buff, or just someone who loves a good small-town getaway, you’ll find plenty to love here. I came for the stories, but left with a new favorite corner of Georgia—and a strong suspicion I’ll be back soon, tote bag in hand.