The historic city of Senoia, Georgia is a gem of a small town. Located forty miles south of Atlanta in Coweta County, Senoia (pronounced Seh-noy) oozes southern charm and hospitality. Senoia is a mecca for film crews and tourists. This town of 3,300 has found a way to market itself well and avoid the empty storefronts and population loss that plague many other small communities. Senoia is a Georgia Camera Ready community that works effectively with the film and television industries to bring production work to the area.

Downtown Senoia has been used as a filming location for several movies over the past two decades. Scenes for Driving Miss Daisy, Fried Green Tomatoes, Sweet Home Alabama, Andersonville, Meet the Browns, and the 2011 remake of Footloose were all filmed locally. Raleigh Studios-Atlanta has a 120-acre studio facility and back lot just outside of town. A company executive has been instrumental in restoring half of the stores in downtown Senoia. AMC’s hit series “The Walking Dead” has filmed many episodes in Senoia. Known as Woodbury in the series, downtown Senoia was walled off in season 3 as a safe zone during the zombie apocalypse. The series was recently renewed for season 5, so cast members and extra zombies will soon return to Senoia to film.

Residents consider Senoia a great hometown of the South. Southern Living magazine has twice chosen Senoia as the site for its Southern Living Idea House. The 2010 home was a lavish 5,000-square-foot brownstone residence. The 2012 Idea House was a renovation of a historic pre-Civil War farmhouse. Downtown Senoia is home to antique shops, gift shops, clothing boutiques, and restaurants. Grammy Award-winning country artist Zac Brown owns Zac Brown’s Southern Ground Social Club, located at 18 Main Street. Patrons can enjoy southern-style food and a full bar. There is live music every night, including an open mic night once a week.

Senoia residents and visitors can enjoy several special events throughout the year. The Memorial Day celebration includes a parade, a craft show, and fireworks. Main Street is lined with classic cars every fall for the “Cruisin’ to the Oldies Car Show.” The holiday season brings Christmas On Main and a Candlelight Tour of Homes. In late spring and summer, zombies can be seen during the filming of The Walking Dead. Tourists from all over the country flock to Senoia to catch a glimpse of the filming action.

Senoia has preserved its historical heritage while finding a way to survive in the current economic climate. Visitors have embraced small town charm while enjoying a vibrant downtown and a true sense of community.