Featured Image: Visit Macon
I was running late—as usual—so I didn’t fully appreciate the mansion’s two-story octagonal cupola as I raced up the marble steps of the Hay House in Macon. It wasn’t until I took my seat in the Music Room, with only minutes before the bride walked down the aisle, that I fully took in the surroundings: breathtakingly ornate plasterwork on the soaring ceilings, curved pocket doors, and marble mantels in an Italian Renaissance Revival style.
I was sitting in one of Georgia’s most historic houses and distinguished structures—dating back to 1855, dubbed “the Palace of the South” and declared a National Historic Landmark in 1974—yet I was somehow completely unfamiliar with this architectural gem until the invite arrived for my friends’ wedding.
During the post-ceremony cocktail hour, we continued to admire the home’s gilded plaster cornices and heard tales of a “secret room” hidden behind a bookshelf.
That’s the thing about Macon, I’ve realized. There are so many surprises waiting to be discovered here. You just have to know where to look.
But there’s no need to wait for a formal invitation to explore the Hay House (which offers behind-the-scenes tours) or Macon in general. Here’s your guide to the best things to do in Macon, from its storied past to its evolving present.
Where to Eat
H&H Soul Food
Founded by Inez Hill and Louise Hudson in 1959, H&H Soul Food Restaurant is a cafeteria-style meat-and-three just as beloved for feeding Southern rockers and their fans as it is for the fried chicken, oxtails, and collard greens. Today, the place keeps ramblin’ on as part of the Macon-based Moonhanger Group, which is also responsible for nearby staples like The Rookery, Dovetail, Natalia’s, Grant’s Lounge, and the Capitol Theatre.
Longlead Distilling Co.
Macon may be full of history, but recent additions to the dining scene like Longleaf Distilling Co.—Middle Georgia’s first craft distillery—are anything but stuck in the past. Take a mixology class or tour the distillery and taste the many delicious spirits made here, from Heirloom American Whiskey and 8-year-old Cask-Strength Bourbon to innovative aperitifs and bitters.
The bar’s green-tiled design gives a big-city feel while the staff and regulars deliver the small-town charm with signature cocktails and small plates, such as crab rangoon eggrolls and toasty focaccia with tomato-balsamic dipping oil.
Macon Bagels
The best way to start a weekend morning in Macon is in line at Macon Bagels. Trust us: everything at this scratch bakery is worth the wait. Don’t miss the rotating specials, which vary from creations like the sushi bagel (cream cheese, smoked salmon, ponzu cukes, wasabi peas, nori confetti, and spicy mayo) to the buff chicken (blue cheese cream cheese, buffalo chicken dip, picked celery & pickled red onions) and many more.
Yollah Social Kitchen & Garden
Inspired by Latin flavors and Southern hospitality, this vibrant spot on College Street near Mercer University is a local fave for weekend brunch, family dinners, and date nights alike.
Where to Stay
Hotel Forty-Five
A member of Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio, this 94-room boutique hotel housed in one of the city’s historic skyscrapers is situated at the intersection of Cherry and First Streets with Cotton Avenue. The resulting 45-degree angle not only lends a unique shape to the building’s architecture, but offers some unparalleled vantage points—both from the guest rooms and the hotel’s Hightales Rooftop Bar. Raise a glass of the Old Fashioned Otis (made with Carreta de Oro tequila, bitters, and agave) to the late, great Georgia singer-songwriter—his namesake museum is also located just down Cotton Avenue.
The Woodward Hotel
For the traveler seeking a rarefied experience, make a reservation for one of The Woodward’s nine, well-appointed guest rooms with modern conveniences. Settle in with a signature cocktail at Quill, the petite onsite bar that punches well above its weight with a menu inspired by literature.
Where to Play
The Big House Museum
Any real Southern rock fan knows that Macon is much to thank for the genre’s distinct mix of blues, jazz, country, and rock and roll that has become synonymous with the famed Allman Brothers Band. Originally from Jacksonville, Florida, the band took up residence in a large Tudor Revival home at 2321 Vineville Avenue—also known as Highway 41 from “Ramblin’ Man”—in the 1970s, where they spent several years shaping their legendary sound. Behind the mushroom-clad gates, fans can take a trip back in time and view rotating exhibits of memorabilia on display, then retrace the band’s steps around town and stop at Capricorn Studios, where many musical greats from the Marshall Tucker Band to Otis Redding III have recorded.
Society Garden
Considering Macon’s deep musical legacy, it’s only right to catch a live performance while in town. Less than a mile from The Big House in Ingleside Village hides one of the city’s favorite venues to do just that. Nearly hidden beneath sprawling vines and a lush mimosa tree, the entrance is unsuspecting, leading guests down a stairwell and into a not-so-secret beer garden with a stage and elbow room for 500. A vibrant mural of Little Richard—Macon’s native son and the father of rock-and-roll—sets the tone for the good times ahead. Check the calendar for ticketed events before you go; if the lineup isn’t your vibe, odds are good there is another show to catch at popular downtown venues like the historic Capitol Theatre or The Hummingbird.
Ocmulgee Mounds National Historic Park
For a broader look at the region’s history, pay respects at the Ocmulgee Mounds. This prehistoric American Indian cultural site has unearthed millions of artifacts, making it one of the largest archaeological digs in the country’s history. Efforts are underway to secure a possible national park designation.
The Rabbit Hole
Before you leave town, stop in this charming boutique for a sweet souvenir. Curated by owner Autumn VanGunten in collaboration with acclaimed artist Cedric Smith, the Forsyth Street shop is packed with on-trend provisions, hand-painted stoneware, vibrant plants, and other stylish pieces for your home and wardrobe. If you’re lucky, you may even find one of Smith’s original artworks for sale.
Find more Southern travel inspiration here.
This article is presented in partnership with Visit Macon, a Modern South Founding Partner.
