Expedia Group calls 2024 the year of “dupe” — or duplicate — destinations, which offer the appeal of the originals but with fewer visitors. In that category, consider Macon a musical stand-in for Nashville. Here greats including Little Richard, James Brown and Otis Redding got their starts. The recurring Macon Music Review show at Grant’s Lounge covers the classics ($10). In 2024, the new Otis Redding Center for the Arts is scheduled to open, including an outdoor amphitheater for public performances. Architectural highlights include the Greek Revival 1842 Inn, which has a complimentary cocktail hour featuring the house specialty mint juleps. Macon is also the gateway to Ocmulgee Mounds National Historic Park (free), preserving prehistoric American Indian ceremonial mounds and earth lodges. It is expected to be elevated to national park status.