Sarah I recently got the chance to visit Macon, Georgia during the International Cherry Blossom Festival. The city puts on this annual event during the last two weeks in March. It was a great weekend trip, but less because of the cherry blossoms, which weren’t fully blooming yet, and more because this small city has so much to offer! Here are my recommendations on where to stay, and what to do, see, and eat while you’re in the Heart of Georgia.
Where to Stay in Macon
Macon has three main accommodation options, all with their own benefits. There are several bed and breakfasts in stately pre-Civil War mansions in the area. There are also a few larger hotels, including Hotel Forty Five, a new Tribute Portfolio hotel (Marriott’s boutique hotel collection). I considered these choices, but ultimately settled on the third option, an Airbnb. And I’m glad I did.
My Airbnb was so amazing that I would consider a trip back just to stay there again! Located above a salon, this loft is huge, airy, and decorated to industrial/rustic perfection. It had all the amenities I needed, and the host was very helpful and communicative. It’s right in the heart of downtown Macon, steps from shops, restaurants, breweries, and nightlife. Click here for the Airbnb listing.
In Search of Cherry Blossoms
If you happen to go to Macon during the last two weeks of March, don’t miss out on the International Cherry Blossom Festival! There are so many events throughout the city during these two weeks. The weekends offer the most exciting options, but there are smaller things going on during the weekdays too. My husband and kids came down from Atlanta for the day on Sunday, so we could experience it all together.
We chose to attend the Dock Dogs competition in downtown Macon, and it was really cool to watch amazing dogs fly through the air! We also checked out the carnival area at Carolyn Crayton Park, and I have to say, this was the best carnival I have ever experienced. The admission fee was just $5 per adult and free for kids 10 and under. We purchased “unlimited ride” wristbands for the kids at $25 each, and they had a blast.
The carnival had all of the best rides, lines were short and moved quickly, and attendants were friendly. In addition to the rides, there were free shows throughout the day that were truly entertaining for my children. And the fair food was done right–we indulged in a deliciously warm and tasty funnel cake and freshly made slushies.
I also checked out the Cherry Blossom Celebration downtown on a Monday afternoon. It was a little underwhelming, but I did score a free Cherry Coke! My advice is to shoot for a weekend if you decide to check this festival out. I would have loved to see some of the kick-off weekend festivities like the wiener dog race, or the closing weekend celebration with live music and hot air balloon rides.
And in case you were wondering about the history of Macon in regard to cherry blossoms, it all goes back to William A. Fickling, Sr., a local realtor who propagated Yoshino cherry trees and began giving them away to friends in the Macon community in the 1950s. Macon now has about 300,000-350,000 Yoshino cherry trees, and they have become a defining feature of the city.
What Else To Do in Macon
Macon has a fascinating history, and plenty to do and see. Here are my suggestions of how to spend your time in the Heart of Georgia:
- Wander the downtown city streets, admiring the turn of the century urban architecture mixed with grand pre-Civil War residences. Check out my YouTube video for a walk through downtown Macon, and stay tuned for my audio tour coming soon!
- Fill your day with art and culture at the Tubman Museum, the largest museum in the United States dedicated to the history, art, and culture of African Americans.
- Make like a college student and walk around the Mercer University campus, admiring the historic quad. Grab coffee at Z Beans in Mercer Village to complete your college experience.
- Have a sporting day when you visit the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in the morning, and then catch a Macon Bacon baseball game in the evening.
- Learn about Macon’s (problematic) history by visiting the pre-Civil War homes open for tours, like the Hay House and the Cannonball House.
- Visit the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historic Park. This is a must-do and deserves its own blog post, coming soon!
- Go on a pilgrimage to OGs of southern rock by visiting the Allman Brothers Band Museum, and then pay your respects to the brothers themselves at Rose Hill Cemetery.
Where to Eat in Macon
I had some great food during my weekend in Macon! Here were my favorites:
- Best Breakfast: Macon Bagels. Delicious bagels made in-house.
- Best Lunch: Piedmont Brewery and Kitchen. The beer was perfect and the BBQ was TDF.
- Best Dinner: Ocmulgee Brewpub. Delicious beer, great burger, and very fun vibe inside and out.
- Best Outdoor Atmosphere: Fall Line Brewing Co. I didn’t try the food here but the beer was great and the outdoor space was so cute.
- Place I Wish I Had Tried: Hightails Rooftop Bar at Hotel Forty Five. I love a good rooftop bar and my internet research says sunset hour at this one is wonderful.
I had the best time in Macon, and look forward to visiting this interesting city again soon! Have you ever been to Macon? Where are your favorite spots? Drop me a line in the comments!
xoxo
S
