Day-to-Day Macon, GA Itinerary
Evening Arrival – Day 0
Arrival: Around 5:00 p.m.
Dinner: International Cherry Blossom Festival at Carolyn Crayton Park
Website: International Cherry Blossom Festival | Macon, Georgia
Over 50 vendors, live music, thrill rides, and food trucks are available at the park. Guests can stretch their legs, shop, and enjoy local fare before checking into the hotel.
Motorcoach Parking: VIP section (contact provided upon arrival for easy payment/entry).
Day 1 – Discover Historic & Musical Macon
Early Morning
Breakfast: At hotel or catered by Z Beans Coffee
311 Cotton Avenue | zbeanscoffee.com
Pastries, breakfast sandwiches, bowls, burritos, yogurt and granola, and fresh locally roasted coffee are available for delivery to your hotel. Excellent selection and value.
Morning Stop:
Macon Downtown Visitors Center
Learn about the city’s vibrant history through colorful exhibits, timelines, and a short introductory film. Browse locally made souvenirs in the gift shop before meeting your professional Rock Candy Tours step-on guide for a Historic Macon and Cherry Blossom Riding Tour.
Nearby Stops:
St. Joseph Catholic Church
830 Poplar Street | (478) 743-3336
Reminiscent of European cathedrals, this breathtaking landmark features Bavarian stained glass, Italian marble, and ornate altars. Donations accepted; volunteer guides available by request.
(Cherry Blossom Festival Time Only)
Mulberry Street United Methodist Church
Celebrate spring at the Old City Flower Festival.
Enjoy a 12:00–12:30 p.m. organ concert in the sanctuary. Floral designers from across Middle Georgia decorate the space with hundreds of blooms. Celebrating its 200th anniversary in 2026.
Lunch: Kudzu Seafood Company
512 Poplar Street | kudzuseafood.com | (478) 292-2085
From the Deltas of “L.A.” (Lower Alabama), Lee Clack and his wife Kelley Wrigley bring authentic Gulf Coast flavors to downtown Macon. Enjoy fresh seafood, po’ boys on Gambino’s bread, and house-made seasonings and sauces.
Afternoon Stops:
Hay House – “The Palace of the South”
934 Georgia Avenue | hayhousemacon.org
Tour this 15,000-square-foot Italian Renaissance Revival mansion, a National Historic Landmark featured on A&E’s America’s Castles. Guided docent tours highlight the families and fascinating history of this architectural gem.
Capricorn Sound Studios & Museum
540 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. | capricorn.mercer.edu | (478) 257-5327
Explore 1,200 square feet of exhibits detailing Macon’s musical legacy and the rise of Capricorn Records. Features interactive displays, rare artifacts, and immersive sound experiences. Fully accessible.
Evening
Dinner: Satterfield BBQ
120 New Street | (478) 742-0352
Contact: Ben Hampton (404) 314-4849
Enjoy an exclusive, private group dinner at this charming, farm-to-table restaurant owned by Ben and Marla Hampton. Known for Southern barbecue, rustic ambiance, and warm hospitality—Satterfield’s is a Macon staple.
Day 2 – History, Art & Southern Flavor
Breakfast
At hotel
Morning:
The Cannonball House
856 Mulberry Street | cannonballhouse.org
Built in 1853, this Greek Revival home was damaged during the Civil War and now houses a museum featuring period furnishings and recreations of Alpha Delta Pi and Phi Mu’s founding rooms.
The Allman Brothers Band Museum at The Big House
2321 Vineville Avenue | thebighousemuseum.com
Tour the home that launched Southern rock. Explore the world’s largest Allman Brothers collection, from instruments to handwritten lyrics, and stand where “Please Call Home” was written.
Lunch: Fountain of Juice
4123 Forsyth Road | fountainofjuice.it | (478) 755-5000
Enjoy locally sourced ingredients and fine, creative cuisine by Chef Carl. Known for healthful dishes, colorful art, and an elevated café atmosphere.
Afternoon:
Museum of Arts & Sciences
4182 Forsyth Road | masmacon.org
Georgia’s only museum dedicated to both art and science. Explore the Mini-Zoo, interactive Discovery House, nature trails, and the high-definition Mark Smith Planetarium.
Evening: Private Experience at the Piedmont Grand Opera House
651 Mulberry Street | thegrandmacon.com
Enjoy an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of this historic theatre, followed by a catered dinner served on stage, and a live seasonal musical performance. A truly unforgettable evening blending history, dining, and entertainment.
Day 3 – Culture, Legacy & Local Flavor
Morning:
Tubman Museum
310 Cherry Street | tubmanmuseum.com | (478) 743-8544
Take a soulful journey through African American art, history, and culture. Optional: Add an interactive drumming workshop—an engaging hands-on group experience.
Lunch on Your Own (Downtown)
Allow guests time to explore Cherry Street’s dining options:
Piedmont Brewery & Kitchen
450 Third Street | (478) 254-2337 | piedmontbrewery.com
A modern smokehouse and brewery serving burgers, sandwiches, and Southern-style dishes.
Afternoon Stops:
Otis Redding Mini Museum
339 Cotton Avenue | otisredding.com | (478) 742-5737
Learn about the King of Soul through family-curated exhibits, personal artifacts, and memorabilia. Don’t miss a photo opportunity with the Otis Redding statue nearby. Operated by the Otis Redding Foundation.
Douglass Theatre
355 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. | douglasstheatre.org | (478) 742-2000
Tour Macon’s historic Black theater, where legends like Bessie Smith, Duke Ellington, and Little Richard once performed. Includes an introductory film and guided group tour. Accessible facility.
Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park
1207 Emery Highway | ocmulgeemounds.org
Explore 17,000 years of Indigenous history on the ancestral lands of the Muscogee people. Climb to the top of the Great Temple Mound, walk through the reconstructed Earth Lodge, and experience one of Georgia’s most sacred sites.
Dinner: Parish on Cherry
580 Cherry Street | parishoncherry.com
Finish your visit with authentic Cajun-Creole fare in the heart of downtown Macon. After dinner, browse local boutiques such as Bohemian Den, Fresh Produce, Dots Forget-Me-Knots, and Elizabeth’s Vintage Boutique.
Optional Departure Stop (En Route South):
Lane Southern Orchards
50 Lane Road, Fort Valley | lanesouthernorchards.com
About 40 minutes south of Macon. Since 1908, Lane Southern Orchards has grown peaches and pecans on over 3,000 acres. Enjoy lunch at the Peachtree Café & Bakery and shop for Georgia-grown treats.
Contact:
- Naomi Peterson
- Group Tours Manager
- npeterson@visitmacon.org
- (478) 743–1074 x119
