Don't skip MACON, GA

[ALANSD]

I have driven through Macon for years. Stopped for gas, food, etc but never for long.
We took advantage of the 4 day Presidents school holiday to spend a few days there.
Stayed at Lake Tobesofkee park, a lakefront campground that is very nice. It has a few minor issues: showers that have only hot water, no cable of sewage as advertised. But it is a nice park with great paved sites and close to everything. All for $22 a night. Funny, they close the gate at 9PM, and we were out late both nights, but managed to get in anyway

Visited the revived downtown area. Great brewery and tap room; the
Ocmulgee Brewpub. Food and beer and nice family atmosphere.
The streets are wide and parking is easy.
We liked the layout with the center islands in the streets.

Visited the BIG HOUSE, Allmans Brothers museum. Where they lived and put the band together, with all the memorabilia a fan could want to see. Duane's guitar and many other great items. Plus the house itself is very interesting place. Live music happens on a stage outside often. Being a huge AB fan I was very happy with this visit.

Went to Duane and Berry Oakley's graves in Rose Hill Cemetery. Quite a scenic spot and if you are brave you can drive your car through the winding hilly roads.
Nearby is St Joseph's Catholic Church, perhaps one of the most beautiful anywhere. Reminiscent of European churches that we love to visit when there. The pipe organ is phenomenal.

Driving the area around Mercer College are many historic homes and large beautiful homesteads to see.
Near downtown is the Payne Mill antique mall. A terrific old mill restored and loaded with collectibles and such. We always manage to find something, and this trip was no exception.

Also right off 75 as you go South, you pass a Starbucks, well next door is a Mediterranean Restaurant that serves up some mighty fine Falafel, Hummus and such. If you enjoy this food as I do, its well worth a stop.

At only 90 minutes from Atlanta, I am embarrassed to say this was my first visit to a great place.

[Tomzstream]

Yes, and the Capricorn Studio where Otis Redding and the ABB recorded is under restoration as well. Lots of history there.

[tevake]

Good report Alan, as a long time A B fan, and old architecture enthusiast I'll add Macon Ga to my list for the next visit to the SE.

Cheers Richard

[karenjude]

We've always driven through too! I've added it to our list. Thanks Alan.

[ALANSD]

I left someting great out-- Kudzu Seafood downtown on 3rd. What a great New Orleans inspired menu. Very reasonable too. I had the best grouper, and Shannon flipped over the shrimp.

Capricorn was to be torn down, but the govt was petitioned and are rebuilding it as a "museum".. I went there in 1976 to drop off my demo tapes. Great memories. I still play Otis and Allmans music in "my play out set"...The best!

[RamblinManGa]

Hi from AZ. . . I ran a small bar in ATL way back, & Phil Walden used to call us & offer new groups for some 'stage time'. . .those Macon boys were fun !. . . rock on, Craig

[eggman]

Sounds fun! Thanks for the report. THIS is the kind of thing I love to find on this forum!

[GatorDave]

Could be the only good reason to drive I-75. I usually take US 19 or US441 thru GA. Have stayed at Lake Tobesofkee park, it is a convenient and nice park.

[369goose]

Have to agree with eggman! Thanks for sharing the terrific off the beaten path find.

[cfishii]

My daughter went to law school at Mercer and I would suggest the following for meals;
Seafood, Jim Shaws is the best in town.
BBQ, Satterfields has good BBQ, but they have the best banana pudding I have ever eaten. Only open for lunch.
Home Cooking, The Bears Den located near Mercer U has great fried chicken and collard greens. Only open for lunch.

[moosetags]

Macon also has a really terrific Cherry Blossom Festival in late March each year. Macon has over 300,000 Yoshino Cherry Trees. It is a spectacular site when these trees are in bloom. We plan to go a week or two before the actual festival this year to see the trees without the crowds.

Brian

[xrvr]

Travis tritt.

[PaulnGina]

Mom's family lived in Macon. Mom and Dad met at Warner Robins AFB in 1950, got married at St. Joseph's in 1951, still going strong. Grandparents are buried in Macon.

Allman Brothers are one of my all-time favorites..... you might check out Gregg Allman Back To Macon

[Tn Traveler]

When we were dating my late wife attended Mercer University and trained at Macon General Hospital. I learned a lot about the Antebellum period and Greek revival architecture.

We lost Bruce Trucks, original drummer of ABB, about a month ago. They were one of the all time great groups.

[moosetags]

Macon is also only 30 miles from Milledgeville, the antebellum Capital of Georgia. This historic town is worth a visit while in that area.

Brian

[ALANSD]

we were going to go to Milledgeville. Will head there next time. They have a couple of very good campgrounds

I also highly suggest Warm Springs. The town is not too much but the FDR related sites are great. Also there is a little known museum in the town that has an incredible collection of memorabilia, motorcycles, and more. Its astounding how much is packed in there.