20 Best Things to Do in Macon, GA
A city with beautiful architecture and unique history, Macon is a must-visit when you are here in Georgia.
The Ocmulgee National Monument tells stories about the land's native people, while pretty pieces like the Cannonball House and the Hay House tell of what a wild past Macon has gone through.
Want to know something even more exciting?
You can visit the home of the incredible Allman Brothers Band here.
Some of the members are even buried in the historic cemetery of Macon.
There's so much more to see and enjoy, making a destination worth adding to your bucket list.
Here are the best things to do in Macon, Georgia:
Learn about Native American Culture at Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park
Are you interested to know more about Native American culture and history?
There are a lot of areas to explore in the city, as Macon is filled with native history.
The Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park is one of those places.
At the park, you'll find some things that are over 10,000 years old.
You could probably even spot artifacts that date back to 1000 C.E. since the native Americans inhabited these South Appalachian regions for the longest period.
The museum inside really tells you everything about the past.
Admire the Pretty Hay House
The Johnston-Felton-Hay House, more commonly known as the Hay House, is a must-visit in Macon.
Located along the iconic Georgia Avenue, the historic mansion is considered a National Historic Landmark.
With its Italian Renaissance Revival architecture and impressive interiors, the Hay House attracts many people who come to visit Macon.
As it's built on 18,000 square feet, you'll need about an hour to explore the entire house.
Visit Rose Hill Cemetery
Visit one of the most blissful cemeteries in the city: Rose Hill Cemetery.
This cemetery brings in a lot of visitors every day.
The Allman Brothers Band loved this cemetery and spent most of their time here writing songs.
It is the resting place of some of the most important people of Georgia, as well as guitarist Duane Allman and bass player Berry Oakley.
Its beautiful location also attracts tourists.
Ocmulgee River, which flows nearby, adds to its beauty.
Check Out the Allman Brothers Band Museum
The Allman Brothers Band Museum is one of the top places that you must check out here in Macon.
It's like a landmark, and the place where the museum stands was actually the Allman Brothers Band's residence.
From 1970 to 1973, the house witnessed the band members, their family, and friends.
Now, the museum houses a lot of memorabilia, such as their released and unreleased songs, handwritten notes, and the instruments they played.
You can still buy some of their merch and DVDs in the museum gift shop.
See the Ocmulgee Indian Mounds
The Ocmulgee Mounds played a huge role in shaping the culture and the history of the native Americans.
Did you know that the Mississippians built this place?
It represents religious values to those people.
These mounds are shaped like pyramids and show some of the most remarkable architectural skills.
You can enter the Earth Lodge and have a look around.
The High Priests' seating areas are open to the public.
The Rose Hill Ramble takes place here.
Learn about African American History at the Tubman Museum
Macon has a rich past when it comes to the African American community, so much so that a museum was built to preserve its heritage.
The Tubman Museum speaks all about African American history.
It has become an icon for the city with many tales to share with tourists.
Not only are you going to see some of the best folklores displayed gracefully, but you will also come across several paintings and other forms of art that represent Macon's very talented African American communities.
This art collection is said to be one of Georgia's very best.
Enjoy the Peace at Amerson River Park
The Ocmulgee River is something that you need to enjoy once you are in Macon.
The views are out of this world and are some of the best you'll see on your vacation.
Amerson River Park is where you get the best views of the river.
The park happens to be a multi-million dollar government venture that aims to show people what they're missing out on.
It also has some of the best landscapes suited for picnics.
You can go boating in the river, have a picnic, and enjoy the sunset.
Step into History at the Cannonball House
The Cannonball House house has quite a unique history.
During the Civil War, this house was almost damaged by a cannonball in 1864.
You can actually see the original cannon from which the shot was made, as it's located just outside the house's gates.
The house itself was constructed in the Greek Revival style, and after a lot of renovations and remodeling, the authorities were able to return it to its previous glory.
You can see a lot of original pieces of furniture inside, most of them over 200 years old.
Enjoy the Ocmulgee River Trail
The Ocmulgee River Trail is something that attracts visitors from far and wide.
The trail is lengthy, scenic, and overall stunning.
What makes it even more beautiful is that it goes through a forest, so you can paddle to the shore, step out of your boat, and rest for a while.
You can even explore unknown lands.
When you are venturing from Macon, you might find the route easier as the rapids are only marked as Level 1.
The length is almost 200 miles.
There are even camping options along the way.
Go Back in Time at Fort Hawkins
While there are a lot of attractions in Macon that focus on Native American communities, Fort Hawkins will take you back to Creek Nation as it was built during that period.
It was constructed in the 1800s, and thousands of people still flock to the site.
The government made use of this fort for a long time.
The Muskogee Creek Nation also used it as a burial ground for their deceased.
Go Thrift Shopping at Smiley's Flea Market
If you are someone who likes thrifting instead of buying costly items from malls, you're in for a treat.
In Macon, Smiley's Flea Market lets shopaholics indulge in good shopping at an affordable rate.
Smiley's Flea Market has locations across three destinations in the U.S.
When you're in Macon, you need to check it out.
Not only does it have some of the best items of clothing at a super cheap rate, but the styles are excellent, too.
Are you looking for some gifts or souvenirs?
Smiley's Flea Market has got your back.
Pray at St. Joseph's Catholic Church
St. Joseph Catholic Church is one of the most exotic structures in Macon.
It's not every day you witness something this stunning.
The building is made in a neo-gothic design and is quite old.
Its construction dates back to the 1800s.
The classic stained glass windows around the church make the interiors look even more aesthetically pleasing.
St. Joseph Catholic Church was built when Catholicism was not so popular in the area.
It played an essential role in attracting more people to the religion.
Enjoy the International Cherry Blossom Festival
Cherry blossoms, or sakura as they're called in Japanese, are some of the prettiest things in the world.
You don't need to visit the streets of Japan to witness such beauty, as Macon has the complete package just for you.
Macon holds the International Cherry Blossom Festival every March to celebrate the beauty of cherry blossoms when they are blooming.
The streets are lined with cherry blossom trees, boasting the flowers' light pink color.
During the festival, the streets are lit up during the festival, and there are parades and all kinds of fun events!
Go Swimming at Lake Tobesofkee
If you happen to be in Macon for the summer, you have to visit Lake Tobesofkee.
This reservoir is one of the top attractions in all of Macon.
The best part about this place is that you can even set up a camp and spend a night amid nature.
There are parks all around the lake, so there is no shortage of fun activities to participate in once you are here.
Try swimming in Lake Tobesofkee's clear waters, too.
Learn While Exploring the Museum of Arts and Sciences
The Museum of Arts and Sciences was founded in 1956.
Since then, it has hosted various exhibitions, including the Discovery House, Mini-Zoo, and American Impressionism.
If it's rainy or freezing outside, this museum is an excellent place to spend an hour or two.
The Discovery House, which has exhibitions on science, humanities, and the arts, is a great place to spend some time while visiting the museum.
Don't forget to visit the Mini-Zoo exhibit while inside the museum and see over 70 live creatures.
It offers several educational programs in its auditorium and classrooms, including those for schools and the general public.
On your way out, grab something from the museum shop, which offers a wide range of products relating to the arts and sciences.
See the Record-Breaking Collection of the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame
With a floor area of 43,000 square feet, this is the vastest state-level sports hall of fame in the United States.
Besides the hall of fame, the facility has exhibits devoted to different levels of sports, from high school to college to professional and Olympic and Paralympic sports.
Georgia Sports History Great Moments is a separate display.
The museum's interactive exhibits include a basketball and football game, a NASCAR simulator, and a NASCAR race simulator.
The stadium is a magnificent structure as a turn-of-the-century ballpark with a typical green roof and red-brick front.
Celebrate Culture at Ocmulgee Indian Celebration
This event is one of Macon's most popular tourist attractions because it honors Native American culture and heritage.
Ocmulgee Indian Celebration is a must-attend whether you reside in the region or are passing through.
It provides an excellent chance to learn about and respect Native American culture while having fun.
In addition, if you're looking for low-cost activities around you but still want to have a good time, attending this festival is a terrific choice.
Listen to music, dance, dine, and even play games at this yearly event, attracting thousands of visitors.
Taste the Local Brews at Macon Beer Company
Macon Beer Company is a brewery and brewpub in the heart of Macon's historic downtown.
A variety of unusual and high-quality beers are produced at the brewery via cutting-edge brewing technology.
The brewery also offers tours and beer samples on certain days of the week.
Tour participants can interact with the brewery's personnel and witness the brewing process and equipment in action.
Visitors to the brewery's tasting area will be able to try a wide range of signature and seasonal brews and others that are just available there.
Each tour participant will get a commemorative pint glass as a memento of their trip.
Final Thoughts
Experience Macon's rich history and culture with several museums, festivals, and historic buildings and structures.
If you're looking for a city that offers a wide range of entertainment options, this is the place to be.
Plan your next vacation to Macon today and see what makes it unique!