Next weekend is Family Weekend, and even if you’re new to Mercer, you should have a pretty clear idea of what that means! Call up your family and invite them down for a few days of food, fun, and familiar faces! While Mercer does provide some activities and refreshment, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t explore Macon for things to do. There are a lot of fun and exciting places to go and see in Macon, if you know where to look. After reading this article, you should have more than a few ideas for where to take your family for a good time!
If you’re looking for some relatively close places to go to, look no further than Downtown Macon for some fun! While there is a wealth of things to do downtown, there a few highlights that everyone should experience while at Mercer. If you’re looking for movies or a show, then the Cox Capitol Theater and the Grand Opera House are wonderful venues for arts and entertainment. If you simply want to take a walk and take in the nice weather, then you should go to Washington Park. With beautiful lakes and ponds, weathered steps and long stretches of trees, the Park is a perfect place for a stroll or a picnic. There are plenty of places to eat in downtown, but a few of the really good places are Nu-Way Wieners, Sakura Japanese Restaurant, Rusty’s Downtown Grill and Bar, Fountain of Juice, Tropical Flava, and so much more! No matter what you are in the mood for, downtown Macon has something to cater to your needs. Explore and maybe you’ll find a couple of new places to hang out at!
Outside of Macon’s city limits, there are many different places to go and see. For a more historical outing, try the Ocmulgee National Monument. This site was home to many Native American tribes and towns, including the Muscogee. These Indian Mounds have been occupied since 9,000 BC and are a landmark of American history. There are a lot of fun and interesting things to learn about here, so catch up on your Macon history there!
There are many old buildings located throughout Macon, some going back to the pre-Civil War era. One such place is the Hay House, which housed many wealthy and influential families. A beautiful home, this example of 19th and early 20th century construction highlights many important features of the architecture of the time, and easily provides a nice touring for those curious of how people lived back then.
The Ocmulgee Heritage Trail snakes along the Ocmulgee River as the only riverside trail in Macon. Winding along for miles, this stretch of trails and paths allows for an afternoon of wandering through small parks and rest areas, allowing you to take in the scenery of the natural landscape of Macon. Bring bikes or comfortable shoes if you really want to explore, because it’s easy to lose yourself in the beauty of the trail!
If you’re looking for places to shop, relax, and eat all at the same time, look no further than the Shoppes at River Crossing. Showcasing a variety of stores, including a Barnes and Noble, Dillard’s, Belk, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Mexican, Italian, grills and bars, there are more than enough places here to take up the whole day!
Hopefully it’s clear that there is a lot to do in Macon! With that in mind, go out and find some nice places to spend time with your family! No matter where you choose to go or what you decide to do, having your family with you is the most important part of Family Weekend!