4 things to do in Cordele, GA
Race cars, a historic train, time by the lake or a round of golf? Choose an outing that fits the people coming with you, then use the official links to plan the details.
Start with the kind of day you want
For a live sporting event, start with the race calendar. For a train ride, build around a departure. For a park visit, choose your activities first. For golf, start with a tee time.
Published by Cordele Motor Speedway, our home track. These are four different outing types, listed without a quality ranking. Suitability notes are our planning advice; venue details link to the operators.
At a glance: which outing fits your group?
Compare the experience, its timing and the booking decisions. Each operator sets its own charges and policies; check the total for your group, including any taxes, equipment or extras.
Swipe the table sideways to see timing and booking details.
| Outing | A good fit for | Plan around | Before you commit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cordele Motor Speedway | Live competition & a shared spectator outing | A scheduled race date | Event admission, gates & weather updates |
| SAM Shortline | Train enthusiasts & a planned excursion | A specific departure and return | Departure depot, seat class & ticket terms |
| Georgia Veterans State Park | Walking, a picnic & time by Lake Blackshear | A day planned around your chosen activity | Park entry, activity hours & any reservations |
| Georgia Veterans Memorial Golf Course | A group that wants to play, rather than watch | A tee time with room to finish the round | Tee availability, fees & equipment needs |
1. Cordele Motor Speedway — for live racing
Choose the speedway when you want to watch competition together. Cordele is an asphalt oval at 385 Farmers Market Rd, Cordele. Race dates and the classes on the program are listed on the race schedule.
Why choose it: The group can share the same spectator experience without everyone needing to play a sport or book an individual activity.
The tradeoff: Your visit needs to line up with a scheduled event. Choose a different outing if your main priority is a quiet setting or a fixed departure time. Consider hearing protection, especially for children or anyone sensitive to engine noise.
Plan it: Check the event-specific ticket options, gate times and weather updates before driving. Grandstand admission and pit passes are separate choices. The fan guide covers seating, what to bring and accessibility; directions cover the drive.
Source: Cordele’s official fan information.
2. SAM Shortline — for a historic train excursion
SAM Shortline offers excursions departing from Cordele and Americus. Its Presidential Flyer travels from Georgia Veterans State Park across Lake Blackshear to Plains and Archery. Other trips have their own routes and themes.
Why choose it: Consider a train ride if the journey itself is the attraction. Pick the excursion, rather than assuming every train follows the same itinerary.
The tradeoff: You need to work around departure and return times. The operator recommends reservations because seating is limited, and tickets have non-refundable terms. Some seating classes have minimum ages.
Plan it: Confirm the departure depot on your exact trip, the return time, seat class and accessibility arrangements. The Cordele office address is not a substitute for your boarding instructions.
Sources: SAM excursions, ticket policies and seating classes.
3. Georgia Veterans State Park — for an outdoor day
Georgia Veterans State Park sits on Lake Blackshear. Its operator lists nature trails, picnic shelters, fishing and boating, plus a military museum with indoor exhibits and outdoor displays.
Why choose it: A park visit suits a group that wants to choose between walking, a picnic and time by the water. Make one activity the anchor of your day and leave room to change the plan.
The tradeoff: Park entry does not establish that a rental, shelter or museum visit is available. Weather matters for outdoor plans, and separate activities can need separate arrangements.
Plan it: Check the park’s current entrance charge, your activity’s opening hours and any reservation requirements. Ask the operator about the access needs of your group before choosing a trail or water activity.
Sources: park operator’s visitor information and Georgia DNR’s operator listing.
4. Georgia Veterans Memorial Golf Course — for playing a round
Also known as Vets Course, Georgia Veterans Memorial Golf Course is at Lake Blackshear Resort & Golf Club. The course has water hazards and sand bunkers, and the operator provides a course layout and tee-time booking.
Why choose it: Choose golf when the people coming want to take part in the sport. It gives a golf-focused group a different outing from watching a race or riding a train.
The tradeoff: A round needs its own time and equipment plan. If only part of the group plays, agree on a separate activity and a meeting time before booking.
Plan it: Ask about the current fee, tee availability, equipment and cart arrangements, and expected time for your group. Check weather and course conditions rather than assuming a listed tee time guarantees play.
Source: the golf course’s official page.
A practical plan for families and mixed groups
Start with the least flexible part of the day: a train departure, tee time or race program. Then decide whether there is room for another stop. The park and golf course share the Lake Blackshear park/resort area; SAM’s departure point depends on the excursion. Allow time for any drive to or from the speedway.
With children, choose a plan that allows breaks and check age rules before reserving. For a noise-sensitive group, talk through the race-night environment first. For anyone with mobility needs, confirm access to the specific seat, trail or activity with its operator.
If live racing is your choice, pick your event on the schedule, read the fan guide, then check that event’s ticket page. A guide to outings cannot promise that a race or excursion runs every weekend.