A Weekend Guide To Macon, One Of The South’s Best Kept Secrets

Macon is perhaps greatest referred to as the house of Southern rock and soul – in spite of everything, it’s the place Otis Redding, the Allman Brothers, and Little Richard launched their illustrious careers – however there’s much more to the central Georgia metropolis than deep musical roots.

Because of the revitalization of Macon’s historic downtown, which kicked off a couple of decade in the past, there’s been a gentle uptick in new and notable eating places, bars, outlets, and cultural venues. And irrespective of the place you end up – whether or not it’s the Tubman Museum to brush up in your historical past or Macon Bagels to begin your morning off proper – you’ll uncover a group that’s heat and wanting to share every little thing they love about their metropolis. No surprise Macon’s known as “Where Soul Lives.”

Right here, a weekend information on the place to remain, what to eat and drink, and what to do in Macon.

Macon’s Finest Resort

When Hotel Forty Five Macon, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, opened earlier this yr, Macon lastly obtained the hip resort it deserved. Located on the distinctive 45-degree angle the place Cherry and First Streets meet Cotton Avenue (therefore, the identify), the 94-room boutique property occupying the historic Willie C. Hill Annex constructing feels recent and trendy whereas nodding to the previous. Lots of the construction’s authentic particulars just like the terrazzo tiling on the primary and second flooring have been thoughtfully preserved, whereas a palette of ivy inexperienced, cherry, and ivory and a mixture of woods, stone, and copper subtly bridge the previous and new.

The lodging are fashionable with throughtful accents corresponding to mini Smeg fridges and peach blossom-scented lavatory facilities, and with three choices, consuming and consuming properly come simply on the resort, too. Reckon Espresso and Wine Bar is a cheery cafe by day and wine bar by evening. Open for supper, the signature restaurant Loom focuses on locally-sourced Southern comforts with a twist (suppose Fried Inexperienced Tomato Napoleons, Pimento Cheese & Mac, and Smoked Hen Chowder). And Hightales, the resort’s rooftop bar, marries unbeatable views of town with imagnative libations like Laid Again, a fizzy refresher made with Ketel One Peach and Orange Blossom, recent peach, and membership soda.

Macon’s Finest Eating places and Bars

When it comes eating round city, it’s the independently-owned newcomers that shine particularly vivid. Owned by Chelsea Hughes, Asian-inspired Kinjo pairs smoked prime rib Bibimbap, Tonkatsu with blackberry BBQ sauce, and brown sugar-crusted hamachi with a well-curated sake checklist in a welcoming, inclusive setting. (Plus, the kitchen is open late and gives numerous wallet-friendly foods and drinks specials.) At Macon Bagels on Third Avenue, couple Lauren Bone and Patrick Rademaker hand roll, boil, and bake the world’s greatest bagels, whereas Kimchi Factory by Miyang Kim cooks up homestyle Korean delicacies from Kimchi Jeon (savory pancakes) to Yukgaejang (spicy beef soup) within the area that establishment Len Berg’s referred to as dwelling for almost a century.

Macon’s basic spots shouldn’t be missed, both. Began in 1916, Nu-Way Weiners (not a typo) has since expanded to 9 places however nonetheless doles out its well-known crimson scorching canine – greatest achieved up “all the best way” with mustard, onions, and do-it-yourself chili sauce – and sodas with flaky ice. For one more distinctive style of Macon, head to Tina Dickson’s Ingleside Village Pizza. Open for 30 years, the specialty of the home is hearty pizzas with delightfully puffy, subtly-sweet crusts.

At 543 Cherry Avenue in downtown, uncover not one, however two beloved spots. On the bottom flooring, The Rookery has been flipping town’s most inventive burgers just like the peanut butter-topped Jimmy Carter since 1976, whereas Dovetail upstairs is the world’s go-to spot for refined Southern fare and cocktails with zero pretense. To eat in a little bit of musical lore, take a look at the historic steakhouse and cigar bar Downtown Grill, the place Gregg Allman famously proposed to Cher in 1973.

Finest Issues to Do in Macon

Shifting and breathtaking, Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park spans 701 acres and over 12,000 years of steady human historical past, from the Paleo Indians to most lately, the Muscogee Nation. Although the seven Mississippian-era mounds are the largest draw, the tranquil grounds are also dwelling to eight miles of trails, various wildlife, and over 400 plant species. And with the acqusition of greater than 900 surrounding acres earlier this yr, together with ongoing efforts to protect and promote Native American historical past and tradition, the park is properly on it solution to being designated as a Nationwide Park.

A simple thirty minute drive from Macon will lead you to Lane Southern Orchards. Based in 1908 and open all yr lengthy, this family-owned enterprise is famend for producing Georgia’s greatest peaches and pecans – that are featured in recent peach ice cream, cinnamon pecan bread, and different delicious treats on the bustling roadside market. For a extra intimate buying expertise, drop by Mulberry Market. Held on Wednesdays from 3:30pm to six:00pm in Tattnall Sq. Park, this charming out of doors market expressly works with native artisans and distributors like pure jam maker Rosa Ray’s Market Fresh.

In your tradition repair, there’s loads of choices. Music buffs will flip for the tiny-but-mighty Otis Redding Museum – it’s a part of the Otis Redding Basis, a nonprofit managed by Otis’ widow Zelma Redding that empowers youngsters by means of music – Allman Brothers Band Museum at The Big House, and Mercer Music at Capricorn, the place luminaries just like the Allman Brothers and Percy Sledge recorded within the studio’s heydey.

Opened final winter, Triangle Arts is a inventive hub like no different. Unfold throughout 4 acres within the Tybee neighborhood, this visionary multi-use advanced champions variety with the most important show of avenue artwork in Center Georgia. Downtown, Macon Arts Alliance Gallery helps native artists representing disciplines from portray to pottery, with each merchandise on show obtainable for buy. One other can’t-miss establishment, the Tubman Museum traces the stirring and deeply essential legacy of African American artwork, historical past, and tradition with everlasting and visiting exhibitions, and academic alternatives.