http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/travel/2015/03/15/1-trip-to-macon-offers-fine-food-architecture.html
Diverse architectural assets, easy pet access and a great food scene are just a few of the reasons to visit Macon, Ga.
Factor in a music history that includes the likes of Little Richard, Otis Redding, the Allman Brothers and other greats and you can see why the locals are so proud to call this place home.
Bonus? Macon is more than affordable for the average traveler. Here’s how to make the most of your time when visiting the sultry Southern city.
Historic buildings contribute a great deal to the city’s charm. The diverse styles and structures make strolling the streets a worthwhile activity.
Churches, tourable mansions and a selection of leave-and-take libraries scattered throughout the city provide an interactive platform for peeking back in time.
The Hay House, a popular wedding venue with over-the-top opulence, is open to the public for tours. Those interested in getting a glimpse of history’s high-society lifestyle can do so with an $11 entry ticket.
The Cannonball House offers a similar historic experience, albeit a less elaborately decorated one. This structure is so named because it withstood a cannonball strike during the Civil War.
Tours last 45 minutes, and entry passes are $6.
Literary fans may want to check out the Sidney Lanier Cottage, which lets visitors experience the home and artifacts of the famed poet and musician for an entry price of $5.
Perhaps the oldest architecture Macon has to offer, however, is the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park. Featuring ancient Indian earth mounds and various tribal artifacts from different habitation periods, the National Park Service venue provides access to the interior architecture of the mounds and basic tourist amenities for those who would like to picnic and explore the grounds.
While fees are charged during special events, day-to-day access to the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park is free.
For those traveling with a four-legged family member, Macon has a number of canine-appropriate amenities.
The Macon Dog Park features separate play areas for large and small breeds, summer shade, benches and a small stream complete with a waterfall for frolicking. It’s free to visit.
TailsSpin, a downtown pet-food and accessories store, features packaged gourmet snacks and other goodies that pets can enjoy with gusto.
To catch some live music while making Fido happy, check out Macon’s Second Sunday concerts. These free monthly events start in mid-April and feature rocking tunes, a cash bar, food vendors and enthusiastic canines.
If you want to check out local venues where canines aren’t allowed, People and Pets provides day care and personal attention for about $20.
