Three Day, Nonseasonal Itinerary

Macon attractions feature rich and diverse cultures from 17,000 year-old Native American Indian mounds and the largest collection of ancient African artifacts, to the musical hits of The Allman Brothers Band and the crack of Hank Aaron's bat. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

We'll be happy to suggest a custom itinerary for your group!

Day One:
Begin with a professional step-on guide from Custom Tours of Historic Macon. Stops may include: Hay House, featured on A&E's America's Castles; Sidney Lanier Cottage, 1842 birthplace of the great Southern poet Sidney Lanier; the Cannonball House & Museum, Macon's only architectural casualty of the Civil War; the Tubman African American Museum, Georgia's largest museum of African American art, history and culture; and Saint Joseph's Catholic Church which crowns Macon's downtown with 200-foot spires and stunning stained glass windows.

Reflect on all you've seen as you enjoy a delectable lunch at one of Macon's trendy or traditional lunch spots. Fresh breads, soups, salads, pizzas and pastries please every appetite!

Walk off your lunch exploring the ancient past at Ocmulgee National Monument featuring 17,000 years of Native American heritage, great earthen mounds and America's only reconstructed earth lodge open for touring.

Then speed forward in time behind the wheel of a Nascar simulator for a champion experience at the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame. You'll enjoy unique interactive exhibits honoring Georgia Sports heroes like baseball great Hank Aaron and golf legend Bobby Jones.

When dusk falls, Lights on Macon, the only tour of its kind in North America, showcases some 50 private and public buildings, each dramatically illuminated in a free nightly display of Southern elegance and grandeur.

And to wrap up your evening in Macon's spectacular historic district, enjoy fine dining in one of the cities fabulous restaurants located in restored historic buildings. For a good night's rest, Macon offers over 5,500 rooms throughout the city.

Day Two:
Begin your morning with an exploration of Macon’s window on the world at the Museum of Arts & Sciences.  This interactive museum features several galleries with frequently changing art, science, and humanities exhibits, the Discovery House has fun, hands-on activities while the attached enclosed mini-zoo habitat presents daily live animal tours. Also, the Mark Smith Planetarium explores the constellation and vast universe with daily programs.

Hungry yet?  Jeneane’s Café located in the Pinebrook Shopping Plaza offers a wide variety of fresh vegetables, meats, choice of homemade biscuits or hoecakes, and delicious pies and banana pudding. 

Next stop, Ingleside Village.  Located in the heart of midtown Macon, this quaint little shopping district offers unique boutiques, charming antiques stores and beautiful art galleries.  If you love to work in your garden or just love the serenity of beautiful surroundings, The Society Gardener is where you’ll find a large array of seasonal perennials, herbs, garden art, decorative urns, and stepping stones.

With all this shopping, you’ll surely need something to wet your whistle…or perhaps you might like a little bite of something sweet for an afternoon pick me up at Joshua Cup.  This charming little coffeehouse offers an array of freshly brewed flavorful coffees, muffins, and delectable pastries made daily.

As the afternoon rolls on, be sure to check out two of Macon’s most recently renovated historic theatres.  The beautifully restored Douglass Theatre offers movie classics and afternoon matinees and the most recently re-opened Cox Capitol Theatre offers live musical performances as well as evening film showings.

Macon is well known for its rich musical history and visitors always enjoy the great photo opportunity they have next to the life-size bronze statue of Otis Redding located in Gateway Park.  This beautiful replica of one of Macon’s greatest musicians sits along the banks of the Ocmulgee River.  Stroll the newly paved sidewalks along the lovely waterfront winding through the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail.  Take a seat at one of the park benches or follow the path where it leads you to huge sculptured art pieces of Art on the Trail.

Enjoy dinner in a casual setting at one of Macon’s most popular locally owned restaurants or sidewalk cafés. 

To end your adventurous day, let Macon’s 1800 Club dancers entertain you with a performance of Old South Reels.  Belles in billowing skirts and dapper southern gentlemen will have you on your feet learning dances by evening’s end.


Day Three:
Your clients may not want to leave Macon after a catered breakfast at the Neel Reid Garden Center, home of Macon's Federated Garden Clubs! Beautiful antiques, artwork and of course floral displays will provide a genteel backdrop for your farewell breakfast.

Finally, be sure to include shopping in historic downtown Macon, "a museum without walls" or at The Shoppes at River Crossing, Macon's newest lifestyle mall on your trip before heading to your next Georgia destination