North Augusta is a city within the Augusta metropolitan area.
Situated on the banks of the Savannah River, the city is divided between the counties of Aiken and Edgefield.
It was initially part of pre-Civil War Hamburg before being incorporated as a city in 1906.
Its founder was James Urquhart Jackson, who traveled to New York to raise funds for the city he was planning.
Initially, North Augusta was a mere 772-acre piece of land, but the subsequent construction of the Savannah River Plant increased its land area and population.
It became a popular vacation spot for northerners in the early 20th century because of its ideal climate and well-connected railways.
Today, it’s one of South Carolina’s fast-developing cities, boasting world-class entertainment venues, recreation sites, and gastronomic finds.
Here are the best things to do in North Augusta, South Carolina:
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Located on Georgia Avenue is the recreation area Brick Pond Park.
The 40-acre nature park is a restored wetland and wildlife habitat serving as a stormwater treatment facility.
A pond was eventually formed after the clay was extracted from the area to create bricks and pottery, hence the park’s name.
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The area previously served as an industrial site where terra cotta and bricks were made from the late 19th century until the 1929 floods when the factory was forced to move to higher ground.
The ruins of the former brick factory still stand across the street from the pond.
Brick Pond Park is now home to a variety of wildlife, including alligators, otters, deer, turtles, and hundreds of species of birds.
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Located on West Spring Grove Avenue is Living History Park.
The park recreates the 18th-century era in the area, precisely the period between 1735 and 1785.
In those years, North Augusta was an essential part of the Indian Trade, leading to developments in South Carolina and Georgia.
The land where the park sits was previously abandoned waterworks that were overgrown and swampy.
Through the efforts of the non-profit Olde Towne Preservation Association, the park came into being in 1991.
Today, the Living History Park has recreated 18th Century North Augusta buildings, including a 1750s-era hunters’ cabin, a pottery house, a tavern, and a smokehouse.
Other attractions in the park are the Grist Mill, the Hank McKenney Glass House, the Sensory Garden, and Cuisine de Sucrerie, which offers sweets and pastries during events.
Located on Railroad Ave #100 is the Italian restaurant DiVino Ristorante Italiano.
Florentines Andrea and Marion Petruzzi opened the restaurant in 2016.
It aims to bring authentic Italian and Tuscan dishes to North Augusta.
Its interiors boast a mix of modern and traditional European styles, with photographs of Florence especially taken for the restaurant hanging on the walls.
They even flew in a Florentine chef, Chef Leonardo Accorsi, who has more than 40 years of experience in Tuscan cuisine.
Order the Caprese e Burrata, sliced organic cherry tomatoes served with Italian burrata cheese, fresh basil, and extra virgin olive oil.
Another must-try is the Ravioli di Aragosta Burro e Timo, which is ravioli filled with house-made Maine lobster filling and tossed in butter and thyme sauce.
For dessert, DiVino Ristorante Italiano’s Tiramisu’ Classico in Vetro is one for the books.
Located on Riverview Park Drive is an indoor and outdoor recreation area Riverview Park Activities Center.
The 120,000-square-foot complex was built in 1994 and expanded in 2018, becoming the city’s hub for parks and recreation facilities.
Within the complex is the 149-acre Riverview Park, the city’s largest playground.
It has a garden, a splash pad open seasonally, a baseball field, jogging trails, and access to Greeneway.
The Riverview Park Activities Center also features full-sized basketball courts, racquetball courts, and an indoor walking path.
The trails lead to the lagoon wildlife viewing opportunities, where you can see alligators, frogs, and birds freely roaming around.
Located on Railroad Avenue is the baseball stadium SRP Park.
The park is home to Minor League Baseball team Augusta Green Jackets, which plays in the Single-A Carolina League.
Construction of the stadium started in 2017 over 35 acres of marshlands, officially opening in April of the following year.
SRP Park has a seating capacity of around 5,000 for baseball games, expandable to up to 10,000 for other events.
Situated in the Riverside Village, the stadium offers views of the Savannah River and the neighboring city of Augusta.
Over the right field is the TaxSlayer Terrace, which serves as a viewing deck for those who want to see sweeping views of the river and the 13th Street Bridge.
Catch a home game of the Green Jackets if you are in town during the season.
Located on Richards Avenue is the bowling alley Northside Lanes.
The family-owned and operated facility has been a go-to spot for recreational bowlers since 1959.
The bowling alley boasts 40 USBC/PBA-certified synthetic lanes, Brunswick SYNC scoring, and 42-inch TV screens that players of all skill levels can enjoy.
Kids can also try knocking off some pins with custom five-pound and six-pound bowling balls suitable for ages five and under and six to ten, respectively.
Northside Lanes even has automatic bumpers and dinosaur ramps to make the game more enjoyable for the kids.
From Friday to Sunday, you can try Cosmic Bowling, where the lanes are illuminated, and playful lighting and music fill the atmosphere.
You can order snacks and drinks at the Snack Bar between games.
Located on Riverside Boulevard is a semi-private golf course, the River Golf Club.
Sitting on the banks of Savannah River, the golf course offers a tour-level, 18-hole facility that has hosted professional tournaments.
Designed by acclaimed architect Jim Fazio, the River Golf Club features five sets of tees, well-manicured fields of Mini-Verde Bermuda, mini lakes, and bunkers that will challenge players of all levels.
Feel like a pro and take a few signs in the same course that hosted the 2002 US Open qualifying rounds.
If you’re an avid golfer, you can also rent a cottage for the weekend at the River Golf Club.
Accessible via Riverside Boulevard is the North Augusta Greeneway.
Named after the city’s former Mayor, Thomas W. Greene, Greeneway is a former railroad whose right of way was bought by the city in 1988.
It was turned into 12 miles of paved multi-use recreational trails for walkers, runners, and cyclists.
It’s become a favorite spot for locals who want to take some time off the hustle and bustle without leaving the city.
The trail can be accessed from three locations: the eastern terminus off Riverside Boulevard, the midpoint at Riverview Park, or the western terminus along Bergen Road.
It snakes through the city, the woods, the Savannah River, and the riverbanks.
Bring binoculars, as the North Augusta Greeneway is excellent for wildlife viewing and birdwatching.
Located on Crystal Lake Drive is the local restaurant Hammond’s Ferry Larder.
It’s known for offering coffee, drinks, sandwiches, groceries, and other food items for lunch or dinner.
The quaint, brick-lined shop has ample indoor seating and streetside tables shaded by colorful umbrellas for those who want to dine al-fresco.
One of the best-sellers is the Chicken and Goat Cheese Sliders, made with fried chicken and fresh goat’s cheese, drizzled with hot honey, and topped with green onions.
Another must-have is the Larder’s Famous Wings, available in eight flavors, including Cajun, lemon pepper, chipotle ranch, and teriyaki.
Check out Hammond’s Ferry Larder’s pastry stand to know what’s available to pair with your cup of coffee.
Located on Railroad Ave #100 is the popular brunch place Manuel’s Bread Café.
The café boasts authentic French dishes with a Southern twist, using locally sourced ingredients for their daily specials.
Manuel Verney-Carron founded the farm-to-table restaurant that sources herbs and vegetables from Manuel’s farm, Blue Clay Farm.
Manuel’s Bread Café has a limited but quality brunch menu comprising classic omelets, shrimp and grits, and freshly-baked croissants.
One must-try is the Goat Cheese Scramble, scrambled eggs with fresh local goat cheese and chives on a slice of artisan bread.
It is served with applewood smoked bacon, home fries, or fruit salad.
Check out the cake display and pastries of the day to see what you can have for dessert.
The Augusta Museum of History on Reynolds Street, Augusta, Georgia, is five minutes from North Augusta.
Founded in 1937, the museum aims to preserve and present the history of the Augusta region and its surrounding areas.
The museum displays dioramas, artifacts, and photos depicting the beginnings and important events in the region.
Augusta Museum of History’s permanent exhibit includes Augusta’s Story, which highlights the 12,000-year history of Augusta through prehistoric artifacts.
It also has a diorama depicting the culture of Stallings Island and a 12-pound Napoleon cannon tube.
Also on display is the Transportation Corridor, which features the region’s transportation boom through restored vehicles, steam locomotives, and a reconstructed gas station from the 1930s.
A 5-minute drive from North Augusta leads to the Morris Museum of Art on 10th St 2nd Floor, Augusta.
The museum, founded in 1985 by William S. Morris III, highlights American South artists and their works.
In 1992, the Morris Museum of Art opened to the public.
The museum started with Morris’ collection of about 230 photographs he bought from a Southern art collector.
Today, the collection comprises more than 5,000 pieces, including paintings, sculptures, photographs, and works on paper showcasing the rich culture and history of the South.
Artworks depicting the Civil War, 19th-century portraits, and contemporary art glass are some items in the museum.
Five minutes from North Augusta is the Augusta Canal National Heritage Area on Greene St #400, Augusta.
The canal was built in 1845 to connect the Savannah River to cotton mills and other factories in the Augusta region.
Textile plants and other industries sprang out on the canal’s banks in the late 19th century, signaling the coming of the Industrial Revolution to the South.
The Augusta Canal is the oldest American industrial canal still in operation today.
The Augusta Canal National Heritage Area offers guided boat tours where you can learn about the canal’s history aboard a replica canal cargo boat.
Five minutes from North Augusta is Augusta Riverwalk on 10th St, Augusta.
The city park sits on the banks of the Savannah River, on top of the city’s levee.
It spans between 6th & 10th Streets in Downtown Augusta, with two bricked levels.
The Augusta Riverwalk was a project of a local organization, Augusta Tomorrow, to drive tourism in the area.
Along the Riverwalk are essential tourist attractions Morris Museum of Art, Fifth Marina Street, and the Augusta Riverfront Center.
It also hosts a weekend farmers market from April through October.
Just a six-minute drive from North Augusta is the Boyhood Home of President Woodrow Wilson on 7th St, Augusta.
The two-story brick structure was the home of former US president Woodrow Wilson, the brainchild behind the League of Nations.
Built in 1859, the house features a five-bay front façade, detached service building, and carriage house at the back.
It has been restored close to its original appearance by Historic Augusta, Inc., starting in 1991.
It was opened as a museum in 2001.
Learn about the Wilson family through guided tours of the Boyhood Home of President Woodrow Wilson.
North Augusta has come a long way from being a small parcel of land to becoming a central industrial area in South Carolina.
The city has retained its colorful history and rich tradition through well-preserved sites and hip entertainment spots.
Whether you’re a history geek or an adventure buff, this city has everything you need.
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