Founded in 1823 around a traditional town square, McDonough is a historically rich city south of Atlanta. It was named after Commodore Thomas Macdonough, an Irish-American naval officer who played an influential role in the War of 1812. Today, many of McDonough’s beautifully preserved buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Things to do in McDonough
Spend an afternoon wandering through the McDonough Historic District, an 80-hectare area that includes some of the city’s oldest buildings. Don’t miss the Romanesque Revival-style Henry County Courthouse with its historic jail or the 1912-built Palace Theatre. Occupying an Art Deco-style petrol station is the city’s tourist information centre where you can pick up maps.
To learn more about the history of McDonough, pay a visit to the C.O. Polk Interactive Museum, which offers engaging, digital experiences within a former post office. On the other side of town is the Image Doctor's Camera Museum, a must-stop destination for photography enthusiasts. While browsing its vintage cameras, you can learn about the evolution of photography from the 1830s to the digital era.
Housed within a bright red barn is the Heritage Park Veterans Museum, which exhibits a fascinating collection of military artefacts dating back to World War I. Staffed by combat veteran volunteers, it offers insight into the day-to-day lives of soldiers, including the rations they eat. In the surrounding park, you’ll find a replica 1820s village and an arena where live music concerts are held.
Getting around McDonough
McDonough is around 35 minutes’ drive from the centre of Atlanta and 30 minutes from Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular buses connect to McDonough and travel throughout the city, connecting most of its attractions.