The 5 Best Things to Do in Macon.
Are you traveling through the lovely state of Georgia and looking to soak in all of its wonderful history and things to do? If so, then Macon is a city you absolutely must see! Situated right in the center of the state, Macon is known as “The Heart of Georgia”. With a booming population, Macon has grown to a city of over 150,000 residents — making it Georgia’s fourth-largest city.
If you’re looking for a big city feel with some southern charm, Macon is the city for you! Before you hit the road, give this list of the five best things to do in Macon a quick read. Once you’re finished, you’ll know all of the best places to visit and things to do in the wonderful city of Macon — we’ll see you soon!
Hay House
One of Macon’s most recognizable landmarks, the Hay House is an Italian Renaissance Revival style mansion comprised of 24 rooms spanning 18,000-square-feet. The Hay House was commissioned by wealthy cotton businessman and investor William Butler Johnston and his wife Anne in 1855.
The Johnston Family spent over four decades in the home, with it finally being sold to Parks Lee Hay and his wife in 1926. The Hay family spent many years in the home, up until Mrs. Hay’s death in 1962. Following Mrs. Hay’s death, the Hay House became a private museum and over a decade later it was recognized as a National Historic Landmark for it’s architectural significance.
Since being named a National Historic Landmark, the Hay House has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in Macon — with over 20,000 visitors per year. You can even rent the Hay House for private events, although it is quite costly.
The Hay House is open to the public year-round, with tours being given from 10 am to 3 pm daily. Special events, tours and exhibits are held throughout the year at the Hay House — including the Top of the House Tour held only in the summer.
If you appreciate history, architecture, art or any combination of the three — the Hay House in Macon is for you! The Hay House is an absolute must-see destination for all ages, so if you’re looking for things to do, stop here. For more information on the museum, tours, exhibits or events, visit the Hay House website or call 478-742-8155.
Mulberry Street Market
A community-based producer-focused farmers market, the Mulberry Market was started in 2009 by Community Health Works. Mulberry Market is one of the top things to do in Macon because it offers a chance to enjoy all of the fresh produce and goods from local farmers in an open-air setting.
When you visit Mulberry Market, you’ll find a plethora of fresh produce, homemade baked goods and handmade arts and crafts. All of the vendors at Mulberry Market are from around the Macon area, so if you like to support local businesses — you’ll love Mulberry Market.
The market is open on Wednesdays from 3:30 PM to 6 PM all year long and is located on 1155 College Street. For more information on vendors and hours of operation, you can visit the Mulberry Market website or call 478-254-5200.
International Cherry Blossom Festival
Are you a nature lover? If so, then you will love Macon’s International Cherry Blossom Festival. Named as the Cherry Blossom Capital of the world by Congress, one of Macon’s biggest claims to fame is its abundance of cherry blossom trees. That’s why the city is proud to host the annual festival in which they pay honor to the trees while enjoying family, friends, food and fun.
Each year the festival in downtown Macon at the Carolyn Crayton Park — which is named after the festival’s founder. During the festival, you’ll find plenty of vendors selling food, handcrafted items and cherry blossom-related goodies. When the festival isn’t happening, the park is still home to vendors, nightly concerts, rides, games and a gift shop — making it a great destination for the family year-round.
Perfect for photo shoots, dates, family outings and so much more, Macon’s International Cherry Blossom Festival is one of the top five things to do when visiting Macon. If you’re not able to catch the festival when it’s happening, don’t forget that Carolyn Crayton Park is open year-round and has plenty of vendors and attractions to keep you entertained.
For more information on the festival and all things cherry blossom — visit the festival’s website or call 478-621-6280.
Cannonball House
The fourth destination on this list of the five best things to do in Macon is one for the Civil War buffs — it’s called the Cannonball House. Infamously earning its name during the American Civil War, this planters townhome was struck by a cannonball fired by U.S. Army General George Stoneman’s soldiers during the Battle of Dunlap Hill in 1864.
The damage caused by the cannonball has long since been repaired, but the history and charm of this southern mansion still remain to this day. Now serving as a museum of sorts, The Cannonball House lists on its website that it is “devoted to acquiring, conserving, interpreting, and exhibiting artifacts reflecting Georgia’s heritage from the antebellum through reconstruction eras.” If you’re a fan of the old south or history in general, The Cannonball House is a one place you won’t want to miss when visiting Macon.
For more information on The Cannonball House and all it has to offer, visit the museum website or call 478-745-2862 to schedule a tour today.
The Allman Brothers Museum at The Big House
If you’re a fan of The Allman Brother’s Band you won’t want to skip over The Big House in Macon, a museum dedicated to the original members of the band. Before it was a museum, The Big House was where the original members of The Allman Brother’s Band and their families resided from 1970 to 1973. The Allman Brother’s Band rented this house back then because of its close proximity to Capricorn Records where they were recording at the time.
Renovated by The Big House Foundation in 2009, the museum opened its doors to the public in November 2009. The museum is fully interactive and is dedicated to preserving the history of The Allman Brothers Band. While this spot may not be one for the kids, it’s an absolute must-see for any fan of the band or a rock ‘n roll lover in general.
Inside the museum, you’ll find exhibits containing artwork, memorabilia, instruments and more. The museum even offers rentals for private events such as weddings and family gatherings — so if you want to party like The Allman Brothers did this is the place to do it!
If you’d like more information on booking The Big House or touring The Allman Brothers Museum, you can visit the museum website or call 478-741-5551.
Fun Awaits You in Macon!
Now that you know the five best things to do in Macon, it’s time to hit the road! There’s no better way to hit the road in style than in a new Subaru from Subaru of Macon. Located on 4775 Riverside Drive, Subaru of Macon has the best selection of new and used Subaru vehicles in the entire city of Macon — including the Solterra!
Whether you’re looking for a new or used Subaru vehicle, Subaru of Macon is where you will always find the lowest prices and biggest inventory. If you don’t want to overpay for your next Subaru vehicle, you need to shop at Subaru of Macon today!
