The Top 5 Reasons to Visit Macon, Georgia Now
WRITTEN BY 5 REASONS TO VISIT® EDITORIAL STAFF
PUBLISHED JULY 2022 • 4 min read
Macon is where history and culture come to life. Nestled in the middle of Georgia, it’s the perfect place for a weekend getaway to experience the rich and diverse history through the city’s 14 historic districts that are home to over 6,000 historic homes and buildings that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Image courtesy of Macon CVB
1. THE SHOPPING
Whether you're an antique junkie or looking for unique, local finds, Macon has a variety of shopping options perfect for a weekend trip. Come browse the many specialty shops and boutiques that line Macon's historic downtown district. The Shoppes at River Crossing, an open-air mall, has over forty specialty retailers, including Dillard’s, and is the perfect place to stretch your legs and shop with your friends.
Rediscover a great shopping tradition surrounded by charming city streets and turn of the century storefronts. Explore Macon’s historic downtown and shop an eclectic selection of local products, gifts, antiques, art, and more at Travis Jean Emporium and The Bohemian Den—stop by Wear, a high-end resale boutique known for “thrift with a twist.”
2. THE ART
The Tubman Museum is the largest African American museum in the Southeast dedicated to educating people about the art, history and culture of African Americans. The timeline of the mural, From Africa to America, illustrates the origins of man from Africa to America. It is composed of nine panels with seven created in 1988, the eighth in 1996, and ninth and final panel in 2009. Wilfred Stroud, a local Georgia artist, created the mural. Measuring 68x 55 feet long, this mural travels through time exploring the feats of African Americans from past to present.
In the history of American popular music, Macon, Georgia is a source of much innovation and artistry through creative energy and musical innovation. Macon’s Music Heritage exhibition tells stories of the people and places that made Macon, Georgia an important site in the evolution of R&B, Soul, Southern Rock and American popular music in general—Beginning with Little Richard Penniman’s rise to international stardom in the 1950’s, explore and celebrate both local artists like Reverend Pearly Brown and Johnny Jenkins, as well as nationally known performers such as James Brown, Otis Redding, and the Allman Brothers Band.
3. THE COCKTAILS & CUISINE
The Back Burner Restaurant is a tucked away, upscale eatery offering inventive, continental cuisine. With a romantic and relaxing interior, you’ll experience Southern hospitality at its finest. For your artisanal cocktail fix, we recommend trying the Raspberry Clementine—concocted with Ketel One Oranj, Razzamatazz Raspberry Liqueur, cranberry, Sprite, and fresh clementine.
The Back Burner Restaurant in Macon, Georgia
Led by a Macon favorite, Executive Chef Julio Rosas, The Back Burner Restaurant presents an emphasis on preparing delicious, upscale classics made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Favorite dishes include Fresh Lobster (available Thursdays) served with chilled avocado crab salad with cucumber and celery, and paired with French green beans and fingerling potatoes, Spanish Seafood Paella with saffron bomba rice, Gulf shrimp, black mussels, baby clams, chorizo sausage, fresh Grouper, and baby lobster tail—paired with lemon wedges and a boiled egg, including New Zealand Rack of Lamb served herb-encrusted and drizzled with mint ginger aioli, plus French green beans and fingerling potatoes, as well as House-Smoked Maple Leaf Duck Breast served with Rosa’s bourbon orange sweet Chili sauce, teriyaki glaze and topped with crispy green onions.
For those craving something sweet, end your experience with a delicious house-made dessert such as the Twelve-Layer Caramel Cake with caramel sauce or the Peanut Butter & Chocolate Cheesecake drizzled with strawberry preserves. Hungry yet?
4. THE GARDENS
Waddell Barnes Botanical Gardens is located on the 167-acre Middle Georgia University (formerly Macon State University) campus. Originally designed with more than 1,600 trees, 2,500 shrubs and 12,000 ground cover plants—there are now 10 gardens and 6 groves. Enter at the Spring Garden and head right past the Conifer Garden, leading you to the Cherry Grove through the Evergreen Oak Grove.
Take yourself through the Grasses, Perennials & Annuals Garden which leads you to the Native Mesic Grove. To get to the Heritage Garden you’ll stroll through the Native Wetland Grove. Reverse courses and head to the Fragrance Garden or Summer Garden, as well as Fall and Winter Gardens. Next you’ll head through the Upland Oak Grove that brings you out to the Asian Shade Trees and Chinese Garden. Waddell Barnes Botanical Gardens serves as a living memorial to its founder, Dr. Waddell Barnes. Click here for a detailed garden guide.
5. THE ARCHITECTURE
Macon’s 14 historic districts are home to over 6,000 historic homes and buildings that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Cannonball House, named for damage sustained during the War Between the States, was built in 1853 as a planter’s townhouse. It is an example of authentic Greek Revival architecture containing fine period furnishings. The circa 1836 Woodruff House is an antebellum home of Greek Revival overlooking Downtown Macon. It was used as the headquarters during the occupation of Macon by the United States Army in 1864.
As one of Georgia’s most historic and distinguished houses. The Hay House was built in 1855 in the Italian Renaissance Revival style—a marked contrast to the Greek Revival architecture of the antebellum period. The 18,000-square-foot mansion spans four levels and is crowned by a two-story cupola.
WHERE TO STAY IN MACON, GEORGIA
With indie spirit in the heart of Downtown Macon, Hotel Forty Five, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel shares a story with a bit of wit, a dash of class and a pop of color. The historic circa 1920 boutique hotel in is positioned on a unique 45-degree angle that is the result of Cotton Street's diagonal trajectory through Macon, an urban design ahead of its time that made transportation of cotton barges to and from the river possible. Once considered the tallest building between New York and Miami after the Great Depression, the historic renovation has brought the building back to its original Art-Deco glory.
