This is a sponsored article paid for by Macon, GA. Although paid for, the opinions in this content are my own and are true.
The hustle of Atlanta can get crazy, and with my day to day busy schedule, it’s often hard to get away from it all. That’s why I like to take day trips to places within driving distance. It gives me the chance to explore, recharge and feel like I’m stepping away from the craziness and unwinding. With Macon, GA being so close to the city, it’s the perfect place to do just this. Whether on a moment’s notice or planned, here are some great things to do in Macon so you can recharge from the grind of city life.
Things to do in Macon, Georgia
Get to a festival for some seasonal feels: There is no shortage of festivals in Macon. And, there’s one for every season. With Atlanta coming up with a population of 500k, you can escape the pack and enjoy festivals without the massive crowds or traffic. I love that! Here are some festivals to check out:
The Ocmulgee Indian Celebration (September 16-17, 2017) is one of the largest gatherings of Native Americans in the southeast with more than 200 craftsmen, dancers, storytellers, & more.
The Central Georgia Greek Festival (October 13 – 15, 2017) has live music, dancing, food, & tours of the restored Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church.
The Macon Octoberfest (October 21) has some of Georgia’s finest craft brewed alcohol, bands with a Southern twist, and Bavarian style food all in one of the most beautiful historic parks in Georgia.
Macon’s International Cherry Blossom Festival (March 16- 25, 2018) brings the beauty of more than 300,000 Yoshino cherry trees in full bloom while celebrating with events, concerts, exhibits, & more.
Check out a list of all of Macon’s festivals here
Go back in time at one of Macon’s awesome museums. I would never have guessed that there are so many museums in Macon! Whether you’re looking for Civil War history, African American Art, science or sports, there’s something for everyone. There’s even an Allman Brothers museum with the largest collection of ABB memorabilia in the world! Check out the Tubman Museum, the Museum of Arts and Sciences, the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, the Hay House (especially at Christmas), and the Cannonball House.
Check out all of Macon’s museums here
Check out the Ocmulgee National Monument, this prehistoric American Indian site dates back to over 17,000 years. It’s home to over 2,000 artifacts. Its hiking trails and picnic tables offer a great way to spend an afternoon with your family.
Get your foodie on American Style. I love the laid back food environments in Macon. Especially for those trips on a whim. The last thing I want to do when going A.W.O.L. from the city is to spend tons of money of my meals. With places like H&H Soul Food (known as the most iconic restaurant in Georgia), Nu-Way Weiners (one of America’s oldest hot dog stands known for their famous hot dogs topped with the secret chili recipe), and The Rookery (famous for its burgers and milkshakes), you can skip town and not worry about the pocket so much. This makes going to Macon a super easy choice for families.
Check out more of Macon’s dining style here
Is it Water You’re Looking for? After moving to Atlanta from Florida’s Gulf Coast, the only thing I miss is the water. And while Macon doesn’t have Emerald beaches with sand like sugar, it has quite a lot of water (something there’s not much of in the city). Check out Amerson River Park (has a playground), Lake Tobesofkee and Sandy Beach Water Park.
Parks, parks and more parks. Trade in the high rises for tall trees and trails. Macon has loads of parks and trails for your wandering feet. Dogs and kids love getting out and enjoying nature too, so this is a no brainer for the whole family. And free! Check out Macon Dog Park, Coleman Hill Park, and Central City Park.
Check out all of Macon’s parks here
No matter what your reason is for escaping the city you’re going to find loads of things to do in Macon, Georgia. Whether it’s something new or something you’re revisiting, Macon is full of adventure, great food, awesome family festivals and plenty of moments ready for the taking. For more information on planning your day in Macon, check out www.maconga.org.
Looking for other great escapes from Atlanta? Check out my suggested road trips from Atlanta.
Are you ready to escape the city? Tell me your favorite things to do outside of Atlanta in the comments below!
31 Comments
Wow, this place looks so relaxing! It’s definitely the place I would choose for a break. Thank you for sharing!
I need to put Macon on my bucket list. That place seems perfect for taking a break.
Wow! It’s gorgeous over there! I’m actually going to Georgia in October and I’m definitely making my way to Macon!
I’ve been to Georgia many years ago, but it was a quick stop off on the way to Florida. I will have to visit for real, to experience the goodness, for more than a couple of hours! Thanks for sharing!
Macon, I bet is such a great place. I would rather go to this place than spend my time on a mall or any high buildings which can be ruined by a high magnitude earthquake.
Too many awesome things to do in Macon. Hope to visit the place sometime soon! Love the pics you shared in here.
Looks like there’s so many interesting things happening in Macon. The Octoberfest sounds like fun. Wish to visit this place one day.
This looks so fun!! We have never been to Georgia!!
I’m not as close to Georgia as you are but this post makes me want to make a bit of a road trip to explore the history and loveliness it holds.
There is just so many beautiful and travel-worthy places in Georgia! I wish I had a whole month free so I can go there and explore all of this. Macon has that peaceful old town ambiance. I love it!
The Ocmulgee Indian Celebration and the Ocmulgee National Monument are the ones I would love to experience. It is such a great way to learn about our Native American Indians.
These are great activities to unplug and do with the family, thanks for sharing!
The only part of Georgia that I have ever been to is Savannah. I would LOVE to go visit Macon one day.
We LOVE Macon! We go there every so often throughout the year, and it’s always a great time. It’s so beautiful there, and there’s so much to explore.
Macon, Georgia, is a beautiful town. I’d like to catch a festival or the Indian Celebration. Of course, Octoberfest would be fun as well.
This is pretty awesome! I would love to take a break and go exploring this place with the kids! I really like the peace and quiet but I appreciate that there’s also so much that you can do here.
I like the celebration of Native American heritage in Macon. There is a lot to do and if I am in Georgia I will try and go during one of these festivals.
Macon looks like a great place to visit! I am loving your photos!
I’m liking these ideas a lot. We haven’t been there before! I think a family trip to Macon could be really nice.
It looks like there are a ton of fun things to do. I would love to go see Macon’s museums.
Wow! There are so many events! The cherry blossom festival sounds beautiful, and I would love to explore the museums. Sounds like a perfect place for a day trip!
I’ve never been to Georgia and it’s embarrassing as I live in FL! Would love to go visit Macon and Savannah!
I live not far from Macon and had no idea that most of these things were there. I need to head for a day trip soon.
I don’t live far from Macon and it is a gorgeous place to visit. I love all the historic places in Georgia and South Carolina that are within driving distance.
what a fun place to visit. i have always swatted to visit this part of the country.
There is so much to do in Macon. I need to make a trip out there.
I had no idea there are a lot of fun things to do in Macon! This should be in our list!
I would love to go here someday and just have the best time! It’s really relaxing out there and there’s so much that you can do as well.
I think the Oktoberfest in Macon would be awesome. We have family just outside of Atlanta, so it would be a good time to go visit so we could do both!
Beautiful place… I really like the peace and quiet ..Lovely
Macon looks like a really nice place to visit. It looks like you stepped back in time when everything was nice and peaceful. I love how green the grass is in the Ocmulgee National Monument! The museums would also be a wonderful place to see.