Macon, a city full of rich music, history, and art, is visited by so many people a year to explore this place full of creativity and joy. There is so much to experience in just 36 hours. Macon’s downtown recently won the Great American Main Street Award, which means that it was recognized nationally for its inclusiveness, drive, and energy.
Haley Garrett, the Digital Media Manager for Visit Macon, takes guests through the must-see sights to visit during their trip to Macon.
EAT
The music scene in Macon is an indescribable one, having so many legendary figures such as Otis Redding, Little Richard, and The Allman Brothers Band gain fame from their music this small town in Georgia. Garrett recommends starting your trip by getting a bite to eat at H&H Soul Food. This place was a frequent hangout spot for the Allman Brothers before getting famous and was still visited after making it big. The decorations and the amazing food that H&H has to offer are the perfect start to your trip.
EXPERIENCE
After that, you can explore some of the many music museums Macon has to offer. Capricorn Records is one you should check out if you’re a big Southern rock fan. They have both a museum and a studio tour you can do where you can see where iconic bands such as the Allman Brothers, Marshall Tucker Band, and Wet Willie have recorded and made their biggest hits. There are also museums such as the Otis Redding Foundation and the Big House that music fans should visit to get the rich history of these iconic artists.
NIGHTLIFE
There are a few nighttime places to visit downtown to enjoy a drink, grab a bite to eat, and witness some fun entertainment. You could see who’s performing at places such as Grant’s Lounge, live music outside of Parish, or even some bigger artists touring and playing at one of Macon’s many concert venues.
For a good drink and hangout spot with your friends or family, Garrett recommends checking out Hotel 45’s rooftop bar, Hightales. The entire decor is an homage to the iconic Macon artists, and the view you get of downtown Macon is incredible, especially if you go right at sunset.
“Everyone is welcome here,” Garrett says of Macon. “There’s just something for everyone here, no matter your age, or your ethnicity or, you know, anything.”
