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Macon: Where History and Future Meet

October 4, 2024

Located in the literal heart of Georgia, Macon truly meets you in the middle. But…what does this mean when it comes to visiting or relocating to Macon? This is your guide to all things Macon – where history and culture meet future and innovation.  

We’re the Middle Ground (Literally)

Being in the heart of Georgia means you have quick and easy access to both I-75 and I-16. These two major interstates open the door for quick day trips to nearby cities like Atlanta and Savannah. 

Macon is truly the middle ground!

 

Needing a getaway that’s a bit longer than just one day? No worries, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is a little over an hour away – connecting you to major cities across the globe. 

Read more about Georgia travel here! 

Music

A large part of Macon’s rich history surrounds music. To celebrate Macon’s music culture, there are numerous venues and concert halls to experience live music and entertainment. From the Grand Opera House to the Capitol Theatre, there’s ample opportunity to tune in to Macon’s sound.  

A group of musicians perform on stage.

Macon has a rich music history.

While we do appreciate Macon’s vast history surrounding Music, we appreciate welcoming new artists to the area. Atrium Health Amphitheater is Georgia’s newest entertainment venue. With seating for over 10,000 attendees and many performer amenities, we look forward to welcoming popular artists and local and visiting music fans. Through music, we hope to welcome a variety of people to Macon.  

Click here for more about how music culture is being preserved in Macon

Revitalization 

Speaking of Atrium Health Amphitheatre, this project is only a small component of a larger revitalization effort surrounding the Macon Mall. The goal is to keep current retail stores, bring in MORE retail and restaurants, and relocate government offices to the vacant spaces located inside the mall.  

Atrium Health Amphitheater

The Macon Mall is also home to Rhythm and Rally, the world’s largest indoor pickleball center. The Mall is also set to feature more new sporting venues.   

While the goal is to always grow and improve the city, our greatest wish is to do this while preserving the culture and history of Macon. A great example of this balance is the gorgeous downtown area. Here, local history is honored by finding new uses for old buildings.  

An image of downtown Macon at night.

Macon

Remember our chat about music history? Well, Otis Redding, Little Richard, Jason Aldean and the Allman Brothers Band began their notable careers in Macon. Grant’s Lounge once hosted bands like the Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Wet Willie. Plus, the same artists dropped into Capricorn Recording Studios for recording sessions. To this day, Grant’s Lounge still welcomes artists and bands to jam out for the evening. 

Capricorn Recording Studios has been renovated to become a modernized studio, music incubator and a Macon music history museum.

Macon’s historic downtown area has been revitalized — but with all the original charm!

The once crumbling downtown scene is now bustling with 52 restaurants, 58 retailers, 33 entertainment venues and more than 670 lofts filled with over 1,000 residents. The character and soul of downtown Macon remain while new businesses and visitors bring new life to the area.  

Read more about revitalization and reclaiming efforts here 

Festival Capital of Georgia 

Did you know that Macon is known as the Festival Capital of Georgia? Yep! Our community hosts over 20 festivals and events throughout the year with seasonal attractions for attendees of all ages. In the winter, you can head to the Grand Opera House to experience the Macon Nutcracker and various other performances.  

In March, you can walk underneath more than 350,000 Yoshino Cherry Trees at the annual Cherry Blossom Festival, complete with concerts, exhibits and of course — FOOD.  

A man holding a young child pets a horse.

Cherry Blossom Festival

In summer, Macon’s music scene is celebrated with the annual Bragg Jam. During this event, downtown is thrumming with live music performances from a variety of local and visiting artists. 

In the fall, you can experience Macon Burger Week and the Macon Beer Fest.  All these festivals wouldn’t be possible without the culture, history and local vibrancy that inspired such celebrations. 

Click here to learn more about Macon’s festivals!  

Outdoors 

For those who love the outdoors, there are plenty of ways to enjoy Macon’s greenspaces and get a breath of fresh air away from the city. Amerson River Park is a great option for those who love to participate in outdoor recreation. The park boasts 180 acres of natural landscape with high bluffs that provide gorgeous views.  

Amerson River Park

 

The park is also home to seven miles of trails for walking, running or cycling. Love being on the water? You can float the Ocmulgee River on a kayak, canoe, or tube! Plus, there are two pavilions available to rent for special events — close by to state-of-the-art playgrounds that are wheelchair accessible.  

If you’re up for an outdoor experience with a built-in history lesson, then Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park is a beautiful place to spend the day. The park itself is a prehistoric Native American site, where several different indigenous cultures occupied the land for thousands of years. Indigenous groups first arrived on the lands while hunting Ice Age mammals during the Paleoindian Period. Around 900 CE, the Mississippian Period began, and people constructed mounds for their elite. These are the same mounds that you’ll see in the park today!  

Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park

Georgia is honoring the history of these mounds by preserving them and the surrounding land, taking the steps to make Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park the 64th National Park and Preserve.  

Learn more about the upcoming National Park here!

Whether you’re planning a visit to Macon or planning to officially become part of our community, trust that you’ll be part of a city that strives for innovation and growth while honoring the steps it took to create the place we call home today. We look forward to having you here in the heart of Georgia. See you soon!  

Hoping to relocate to Macon? Check out our Cost of Living Calculator!