1
Covington Square (downtown)
Historic · WalkableAll ages
The historic courthouse square — restaurants, boutiques, and the storefronts you've seen on Vampire Diaries and Sweet Magnolias. The walkable heart of Newton County.
Local Guide · Newton CountyThings to Do in Covington, GA
Things to Do in Covington, GA
A Local Guide for 2026
Covington, the seat of Newton County, sits about 12 miles east of Conyers along I-20 and is best known to outsiders as the filming location for The Vampire Diaries and Sweet Magnolias. Locals know it for the historic square, walkable downtown, and an easy drive to bigger attractions in Rockdale and DeKalb counties. Here's the honest list — including the closest hybrid-reality theme park 18 minutes west.
2
Mystic Falls Tours
Tour · Pop cultureTeens & adults
Walking and trolley tours of the Vampire Diaries / Originals filming locations, run from Covington Square. Worth it for fans, fun for everyone else.
3
GravityX VR (Conyers — 18 min)
Indoor · All-weatherAges 6+
The closest hybrid-reality theme park to Covington — 18 minutes west on I-20. Free roam VR, escape rooms, simulator rides, and birthday parties from $399. The county's go-to indoor plan when summer storms or winter chill move things inside.
Practical: 1360 Dogwood Dr SE, Conyers · Tue–Fri 4–9 PM · Sat 11 AM–9 PM · Sun 11 AM–6 PM
4
Hard Labor Creek State Park
Outdoor · State parkAll ages
Newton County's largest state park — golf, hiking, lake. Camping and cabins available. A full day's worth of outdoors.
5
Newton County Schools field-trip program
School · ProgrammaticStudents
Eastside, Newton High, Alcovy, Heard-Mixon and Indian Creek regularly book the $28/student GravityX VR field-trip program in Conyers. Tue–Fri, advance booking.
6
Chimney Park (Covington)
Outdoor · FamilyFamilies
Newton County recreational park with playgrounds, walking paths, and event space. Quick stop on a half-day plan.
7
Yancey's Park & Newton County trails
Outdoor · ActiveAll ages
Sports complex and connected walking trails — easy stop on the I-20 drive.
8
Porterdale historic mill village
Historic · QuietAll ages
Restored riverside mill town on the Yellow River — short detour worth a quick stop on the way to Covington.
9
GravityX birthdays for Newton County families
Indoor · GroupAges 6+
Birthday packages from $399 for 10 guests — Newton County parents drive west on I-20 for them. Custom welcome screens with the birthday name. Sundays through Fridays.
10
Covington local food
FoodAll ages
The Square has the highest concentration of locally-owned restaurants in Newton County. Brunch downtown, then drive west for a GravityX afternoon.
Practical info
Plan your Covington day
When to visit
Spring and fall are the sweet spot — comfortable for the Square, the parks, and the Vampire Diaries walking tour. Summer Saturdays at GravityX get busy; book ahead.
Where to base
Covington Square is the natural anchor. Park downtown, walk the historic block, then 18 minutes west on I-20 for an afternoon at GravityX in Conyers.
Indoor backup plan
Newton County itself doesn't have a hybrid-reality theme park. The closest is GravityX in Conyers — full free-roam VR, escape rooms, simulator rides, all under one roof.
Make GravityX your anchor activity.
The only hybrid-reality theme park in Newton County. 5.0 stars on Google. Walk-ins welcome — but reservations get the prime weekend slots.