Go There: A Charming Weekend in Macon, GA
Welcome to “Go There,” a Livability.com series about travel and how to maximize your time in some of our favorite cities. Today, we’re taking you to Macon, GA.
Today, we’re visiting Macon, a true gem in Middle Georgia. Macon is a hidden gem in the heart of the South, offering a blend of history, culture and modern-day marvels. From its vibrant music scene and charming architecture to its delicious dining and outdoor adventures, Macon is the perfect destination for a weekend getaway, and it might just be high time you came for a visit!
In This Article
Where to Stay in Macon, GA
Want a visit to Macon that’s low-key, private and focused on your relaxation? Rest your head at the Woodward Hotel. This boutique hotel offers nine rooms right in the heart of Historic Downtown Macon. The best part? Your entire stay can be completely contactless from booking to checkout. The Woodward doesn’t have a front desk or 24/7 onsite employees, practically making it your own personal oasis, and offers ample space to enjoy their beautiful lounge or rooftop bar before walking right out the front door and into one of many exciting restaurants on Second Street. Even Oprah Winfrey approves of this stay! (That’s right, you could be traveling like the queen herself!)
For a vacation that immerses you in old-fashioned Southern charm and elegance, look no further than the 1842 Inn. The Inn, located on historic College Street, hosts some of the most beautiful weddings in town and warmly welcomes travelers from across the country with true Southern hospitality. Nineteen guest rooms, hospitality parlors, a spectacular courtyard and Central Georgia’s best front porch can’t wait to welcome you on your visit!
Or, head to Hotel Forty-Five and kick back in a space that’s full service from dawn till dusk. This Mariott/Bonvoy hotel’s three dining venues — Loom, a signature chef-driven restaurant; Hightales Rooftop Bar, a rooftop lounge; and Reckon Coffee and Wine Bar. Hotel Forty-Five will definitely make choosing where to get your local fare just a little harder!
Where to Eat in Macon, GA
If you ask a Maconite where the best place in town is for pizza, we would tell you to grab a chair at Ingleside Village Pizza and get settled in for a good time. This funky joint on Vineville Avenue sits next to the lively craft beer spot Society Garden and stands out with its eclectic lighting and decor. Order your pizza “Macon-style” or try the “sloppy” breadsticks for a buttery treat. Whether you go for the whole pie or take it by the slice, IVP will become your new comfort craving.
Wanting a solid, pub-style burger during a weekend in Macon will have you looking no further than The Rookery. With offerings named after Macon’s most famous natives plus a classic homegrown feel, you might just find yourself trying the Jimmy Carter burger with bacon and peanut butter or a helping of their outrageous hand-battered onion rings. Right upstairs from the Rookery lies Dovetail, an upscale eatery whose seasonal offerings highlight the character and flavors that frequent southern dining tables. The current menu features grilled pork chops accompanied by fresh potato crisps. Pair it with your selection from their beyond-extensive bourbon menu for a meal that feels like a warm, southern hug.
Kinjo Kitchen + Cocktails came to Macon with a vision to give residents access to the best Asian comfort food available. Safe to say, they delivered! Owner Chelsea Hughes has created the ultimate blend of flavors, presentation and atmosphere that is sure to excite and entertain. If delicious noodles, soups and fun happy hour Mules somehow leave you wanting more, venture right downstairs to The Black Cat for a nightcap. The Black Cat is Macon’s first underground speakeasy with innovative cocktails served amidst Victorian-inspired interiors; this bar will surely provide the nightcap you’re craving.
What to Do in Macon, GA
The legacy of Macon’s music scene is beautifully reflected throughout town. Spend time at the Capricorn Records Museum and visit historic music venues such as the Douglass Theatre. Macon’s new Atrium Health Amphitheater hosts bigger acts like Koe Wetzel and The Turnpike Troubadours, delighting locals and visitors alike. Local live music is also a daily occurrence — you never know what you might hear!
Seasonal offerings include a July music festival known as Bragg Jam. Stay in Macon for a weekend to partake in local restaurant specials before enjoying several local shows in the evening. Southern summers not your thing? Macon has one of the most extensive free Christmas light shows, with multiple streets decked out in lights every winter. The holiday spirit is inevitable here!
A snap worthy of your Instagram feed and a purchase worthy of your walls await you in Macon’s art galleries. Classic local art can be found in Mercer University’s McEachern Arts Center or with the Macon Arts Alliance, which boast local artists. For a more international selection, don’t miss G&P Art and Advisory, where Macon native Pearce Groover and his business partner Brieuc Poulain showcase and sell the old world treasures they procure while living in France year-round. Their taste is impeccable!
Finally, for our nature lovers, you’ll find your outdoor fix in the form of the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park. Through a partnership with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Macon is transforming this historic site into a national park, a first-of-its-kind initiative in Georgia and the nation to be co-managed by a removed Indigenous people. Ocmulgee has everything from immersive educational displays to peaceful walking paths through the grounds. This spot provides a wonderful experience for everyone who visits.
Local Obsession in Macon, GA
In 2019, two guys walked into a bar and said, “I think we can do this better.” Four years and several drinks later, Longleaf Distilling Co. was born. With the mission of “Buy a bottle, plant a tree,” Longleaf, Macon’s first and only craft spirits distillery, is committed to sustainability and environmental stewardship. The goal is to bring the native and rapidly disappearing Longleaf Pine Tree back to Georgia — a passion project that means so much to owners David Thompson and Will Robinson. Longleaf makes every single spirit in-house and in small batches, providing group tasting experiences and tours. Their ingenious cocktail offerings consistently amaze the locals and challenge every palette. Be sure to try the crowd-pleasing “Dandy Lion,” made with the house Ginger Liqueur. More of a gin person? No worries, they’ve got two! There’s something for everyone behind their beautiful bar, and who knows? Stop in any given afternoon, and you might find yourself chatting over a drink with one of the owners.