Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Macon, GA

Macon is a city that embodies the architectural elegance of the Old South. Known for its friendly atmosphere, this city boasts one of the largest and most beautiful collections of antebellum churches and homes in the southeastern region.

Take your time to explore the streets lined with thousands of cherry trees while photographing the meticulously preserved brick buildings that have remained intact for decades. Just outside of Macon, immerse yourself in water-based activities along the Ocmulgee Water River Trail, or view one of America’s most extensive collections of military aircraft at the Robins Air Force Base.

As a resident of Georgia with extensive travel experience throughout the state, I present the top attractions in Macon:

1. Hay House

Hay House is a remarkable example of antebellum architecture in the South, having been maintained by only two families since its inception.

This mansion, constructed in the 1850s, features a design influenced by the Italian Renaissance. The interior is opulent, showcasing exquisite details from the delicate stained glass windows to the state-of-the-art amenities of its time.

Notable Victorian conveniences included a speaker-tube system connecting 15 rooms, hot and cold running water, and even a mechanical lift.

2. Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park

Situated on the eastern edge of the city, this site represents evidence of continuous habitation dating back 17,000 years.

Consequently, it holds great significance for Native Americans, primarily due to the ceremonial mounds constructed by the Mississippians approximately a millennium ago.

These pyramid-shaped structures exhibit remarkable technical skill, notably the Great Temple Mound, which reaches 17 meters in height and features a stairway for ascent.

Visitors can also enter the Earth Lodge, which contains a fireplace and 47 seats designed for the culture’s high priests.

The visitor center offers a collection of artifacts excavated from Ocmulgee to enhance the experience.

3. Amerson River Park

This pristine park has recently benefited from a multi-million dollar enhancement project, offering a perfect setting for a family picnic by the water.

During the summer, the Ocmulgee River is particularly inviting. With access to a canoe, visitors can paddle through tranquil woodlands.

On dry land, there are over 3.5 miles of walking trails, allowing for a peaceful escape from the city. Benches are conveniently located for rest along the route, making it highly recommended to spend an hour exploring this park.

4. Tubman Museum

For over 35 years, the Tubman Museum has been integral to Macon’s cultural landscape, providing insights into the African American heritage of the city.

The museum features a diverse array of historic folk art alongside works by some of Georgia’s most renowned contemporary African American artists.

The Inventors Gallery highlights significant technological contributions made by African Americans during challenging periods, showcasing innovators such as George Washington Carver and Madam C.J. Walker.

5. The Allman Brothers Band Museum

Musicians and fans of the Allman Brothers Band should visit this mock-Tudor residence located on Vineville Avenue, where the band members resided along with their families and friends in the early 1970s.

The home, set in a picturesque part of the city, contains 18 rooms and expansive grounds.

Inside, the living areas and bedrooms have been preserved to reflect their condition from 40 years ago. Moreover, the museum hosts the largest collection of memorabilia associated with the band.

Visitors can explore the rooms where significant tracks such as “Midnight Rider” and “Please Come Home” were penned by the band’s songwriter.

6. Grand Opera House

Upon its opening in 1884, Macon’s Grand Opera House featured the largest stage in the southeastern states.

Known as the Academy of Music at the time, it hosted notable performers in the early 20th century, including Charlie Chaplin, George Burns, Sarah Bernhardt, and Harry Houdini.

Despite facing decline during the late 20th century, the venue successfully avoided demolition and currently serves as a vital part of Macon’s artistic community.

Broadway productions are staged at the Grand Opera House, and it also hosts touring bands and performances by Mercer University.

7. Ocmulgee River Water Trail

This is an excellent opportunity to engage with the great outdoors on a river trail that spans 200 miles, leading to Hazlehurst.

The journey is relatively manageable as it features only class 1 rapids, allowing for family-friendly adventures.

Throughout the route, designated stops allow paddlers to land and unwind amidst pristine natural surroundings.

At these stops, visitors can enjoy picnics or camp under the stars.

With 23 access points, navigation is uncomplicated, enabling a serene experience as you paddle through the forests and agricultural land.

8. St. Joseph Catholic Church

This stunning neo-Gothic structure, erected in the late 19th century, is located on Poplar Street and is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places.

The church was constructed to accommodate the expanding Catholic community, replacing a converted Presbyterian church that they had acquired earlier in the century.

Once completed, St. Joseph garnered significant acclaim, praised as a remarkable architectural achievement, complemented by a captivating interior adorned with colorful stained-glass windows.

9. Rose Hill Cemetery

Cemeteries as historic and elegant as Rose Hill become attractions in their own right.

This cemetery is included in the city’s walking tours, designed by Simri Rose, who envisioned it as a gathering place for the city’s residents.

Notably, two members of the Allman Brothers Band are interred at Rose Hill, having tragically perished in separate motorcycle accidents at the same intersection within a year.

During your visit, you may discover the graves of various historical figures, including prominent Georgia politicians and Confederate generals, as well as the beloved pets of affluent families.

10. Museum of Arts and Sciences

This multidisciplinary venue harmonizes the fields of arts, sciences, and humanities, promising a delightful and enlightening experience for visitors.

Children will particularly enjoy the science exhibits, which include a mini-zoo and an engaging variety of hands-on experiments and games.

To better understand Macon’s rich history and dynamic culture, visitors can explore exhibitions focusing on local poets, authors, and historical figures. Additionally, the museum houses a remarkable collection of paintings amassed over the past six decades.

11. International Cherry Blossom Festival

The ideal time to visit Macon is during March and April, when the city’s extensive cherry blossom trees come into bloom.

With a total of 170,000 trees, this locale is the perfect setting for an International Festival.

To commemorate this event, various activities such as parades, street parties, craft markets, live music performances, military displays, and art crawls take place.

The grand finale in mid-April features fairground rides and local food vendors, culminating with a spectacular fireworks display.

12. Warner Robins

A visit to this city, located a half-hour drive to the south, is essential for an exploration of the extraordinary Museum of Aviation, which offers free admission.

This museum, the second-largest aerospace museum in the United States, features 93 aircraft exhibited across five distinct buildings. Aviation and military enthusiasts will find themselves in paradise as they examine fighters, bombers, helicopters, drones, missiles, trainers, and assorted specialized aircraft.

Among the highlights for many is the opportunity to see a Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird, the exact aircraft that achieved an unmatched speed record of 2,193.2 miles per hour in 1976, a record that remains unbroken.

13. Lake Tobesofkee

As Macon’s go-to destination for outdoor summer enjoyment, Lake Tobesofkee is a reservoir established in the 1960s. Following its creation, visitors flocked to its shorelines to enjoy the clean waters and natural landscapes.

This timeless vacation venue is ideal for relaxation by the water or participation in various activities.

Three public parks surround the shoreline, offering facilities necessary for recreation, including camping and boating.

The waters are suitable for swimming, and visitors can sunbathe on the sandy beaches of the lake.

14. Savannah

A visit to Savannah would serve as an excellent complement to your stay in Macon, as this coastal city in Georgia is renowned for its elegant antebellum architecture.

One reason for this rich heritage is the lack of resistance from the city’s mayor when Union soldiers approached Savannah in 1864, preserving the city from the destruction that befell Atlanta.

It is considered one of America’s most walkable cities, boasting over 20 charming historic squares and tree-lined streets adorned with exquisite Georgian and Victorian homes, navigating which can easily be done with itineraries available at the visitor center.

15. Atlanta

There are numerous essential experiences to enjoy in Georgia’s state capital, but the Martin Luther King Jr. Historic Site is particularly significant.

This site includes King’s birthplace and the church where he served as pastor, providing a comprehensive overview of the history of the Civil Rights Movement and his influential role within it.

Additionally, the Georgia Aquarium, known as the largest aquarium in the world up until 2012, is also a must-visit for a very different reason.

The expansive tanks house oceanic giants such as beluga whales and whale sharks.