Augusta (Georgia)

Due to its location inland on the Savannah River, Augusta was a city of major strategic importance by the end of the Civil War. It was spared most of the destruction of many other southern cities, so there are many old buildings and landmarks. There are some areas of town that the tourist might avoid, but they should be obvious upon inspection. There is a significant presence of military personnel who visit the city on personal business from nearby Fort Gordon. Augusta is also home to the Augusta National Golf Club, one of the world's most prestigious and exclusive golf clubs, which plays host to the Masters golf tournament.

By car

Augusta is on I-20, between Atlanta and Columbia, South Carolina. I-520 circles the city. Car is usually the best way to get around town, given the sprawl in the city's organization. Traffic is heavy on major arteries and intersections during weekday rush hour. Traveling around the Augusta National Golf Course, especially Washington Road, during Masters Week is not advised.

By plane

• Augusta Regional AirportServed by Delta Connections from Atlanta (), and by American Airlines from Charlotte () and Washington, DC ().

By bus

Augusta is served by Greyhound Bus Lines. The bus station is at 1128 Greene St in Downtown.

By taxi

Taxis are not often used and are fairly expensive because of the large distances between destinations in town. There is an often updated official list of taxi services on the Augusta Regional Airport website.

Augusta Public Transit, a public bus system, is available and serves many popular destinations. However, it may be easier to rent a car to access areas not served by the bus system.

• Augusta Canal Authority

  address: 1450 Greene Street (Interpretive Center)
  Tours, seasonal events, hiking, biking, canoeing, and kayaking are available. There are several locations to access the canal area.

• The Boyhood Home of President Woodrow Wilson

  address: 419 7th St
  Georgia's oldest Presidential home where Woodrow Wilson and his family lived during the Civil War. See fourteen rooms furnished to the 1860s Victorian period, service building with kitchen, and carriage house. The house museum contains thirteen original pieces of furniture used by Woodrow Wilson and his family, as well as other period pieces.

• Lake Olmstead Park

  address: Milledge Road
  Park designed by Frederick Law Olmstead includes a lake for fishing and sports, a disc golf course, and facilities for events. Beautiful place for a picnic or afternoon stroll. Directly across the street from Lake Olmstead Stadium, the home of the Augusta Greenjackets. Area east of the park can be dangerous.

• Sacred Heart Cultural Center

  address: 1301 Greene Street
  Former Catholic Church which was converted to a cultural center after the community banded together to save it. One of the most architecturally beautiful buildings in Augusta. Open to visitors, unless closed for a private event

• Springfield Baptist Church

  address: 114 12th Street
  Oldest African American Southern Baptist Church in the world. Built in 1801, its architecture is a great example.

• Augusta Museum of History

  address: 560 Reynolds Street
  The historical, archaeological, and ethnographic museum for the region. The area on transportation history is especially nice. Great place to take the kids.

• Morris Museum of Art

  phone: +1 706-724-7501
  address: 1 Tenth Street
  Augusta's premier art museum, featuring Southern artists.

• James Brown Statue and Augusta Common

  address: Broad Street
  Statue of James Brown that people congregate around and leave flowers. In the median of Broad Street across from the Augusta Common, a downtown park that holds events throughout the year.

• Enterprise Mills

  address: 1450 Greene Street
  These are historical textile mills located on the Augusta Canal were built in the late 1800s. They are beautiful examples of industrial architecture of the period.

• Butt Memorial Bridge

  address: 15th Street
  Historical bridge dedicated to Major Archibald Butt, a resident of the city who died in the Titanic disaster. The bridge had been slated for destruction, and was saved by community intervention in the "Save Our Butt" campaign.

• Lamar Building

  address: Broad Street
  Tallest building in Augusta and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A strange architectural combination between 1913 architecture and a penthouse added in the 1970s designed by architect I.M. Pei.

• Old Government House

  address: 432 Telfair Street
  Former courthouse and government building for Augusta, built in 1801.

• Mockingbird Hill

  address: Central Avenue
  A miniature town behind Daniel Village shopping center, next to the Dairy Queen on the Water Authority property. It was built in the 1950s and maintained by a local firehouse. It was restored when the new water treatment facility was built. Wonderful little place to get an ice cream and sit.

• Old Medical College of Georgia

  address: 598 Telfair Street
  This Greek Revival structure is a National Historic Landmark built in 1835 to house the Medical College of Georgia.

• Phinizy Swamp Nature Park

  phone: +1 706-828-2109
  address: 1858 Lock and Dam Rd
  100-acre nature preserve where you can see the local wetland environment, both flora and fauna. Includes facilities for events.

• Meadow Garden

  phone: +1 706-724-4174
  address: 1320 Independence Dr
  Historic home of George Walton, one of the youngest signers of the Declaration of Independence.

• Historic DowntownLots of old buildings, shops, and monuments.

• Augusta GreenJackets

  address: Lake Olmstead Stadium
  Augusta's minor league baseball team in the South Atlantic League and a Class A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants.

• Augusta RiverwalkA paved path along the riverfront.

• Garden City Candlelight Jazz

  address: 8th Street & Riverwalk, Downtown Augusta
  Rain or shine, Jazz on Riverwalk. Series lasts from March–August.

• Augusta Symphony Orchestra

  address: 1301 Greene Street
  Local symphony orchestra puts on a traditional Symphony Series (September–April) along with a pops series known as Pops! At the Bell (October–March).

• Fort Gordon Dinner TheaterCommunity dinner theater shows (May–December), with new offerings opening every few months. Must go onto Fort Gordon to attend, so make sure to have ID and allow for time for them to check your car to enter the base.

• Augusta Players

  address: 1301 Greene Street
  Offers mainstage community theater plays and musicals. Season runs from September to May. Shows change every few months.

• Augusta Riverhawks Hockey

  address: James Brown Center
  Local Southern Professional Hockey League hockey team. Season runs from October–March.

Annual festivals and events

• Masters Golf Tournament

  address: Augusta National Golf Club, Washington Road
  Major PGA golf tournament held annually during the first week of April. Badges for the tournament (as tickets are known) are difficult to acquire and allow admission for play Thurs-Sun. Practice round tickets which allow admission earlier in the week are easier to snag. The golf course is beautiful and the event is traditional. Overall, this is the crown jewel of golf tournaments and events in Augusta.

• Arts in the Heart of Augusta

  address: Augusta Common, Broad Street
  Held each fall since 1980, this is a multicultural arts festival which features food, music, and visual arts from groups in the region. Often voted festival of the year for the metro area.

• Westobou Festival

  address: 540 Telfair Street, Old Academy of Richmond County
  New annual arts and music festival which brings in international performance art acts.

• Rock Fore! Dough

  address: the First Tee of Augusta
  Annual rock music benefit concert held to coincide with the Masters Golf Tournament.

• 12 Bands of Christmas

  address: Imperial Theater, Broad Street
  Annual benefit concert held each December where local bands cover Christmas favorites in their individual styles.

• Augusta Southern Nationals

  address: Savannah River, Downtown Augusta
  Annual drag boat racing event, held on the Savannah River. Billed as the "World's Richest Drag Boat Race" it is an exhilarating and dangerous event full of excitement. A must-see at least once!

• ESI Ironman 70.3 AugustaAnnual event is world's largest half-Ironman competition.

• Boshears Skyfest

  address: Daniel Field, 1775 Highland Avenue
  Annual air show featuring acrobat biplanes, racing jet semi-trucks, and a hot-air balloon race.

• Georgia-Carolina State Fair

  phone: +1 706-722-0202
  address: Fairgrounds
  Great annual Southern state fair, featuring rides, games, a concert, the crowning of Miss Fair, livestock judging competition, and Southern craft competitions.

• Historic DowntownShops and restaurants line Broad Street, including the Art Gallery District.

• Augusta Mall

  phone: +1 706-731-8850
  address: 3450 Wrightsboro Road
  Augusta Mall is a super-regional mall anchored by Dillard's, JCPenney, Sears, Macy's, Dick's Sporting Goods, and Barnes & Noble.

• Surrey CenterContains many specialty stores, restaurants, and nightclubs. Within walking distance of the Augusta National.

• The Augusta Market

  address: 15 Eighth Street
  Farmer's market held downtown each Saturday, March 24-October 27.

• The Barnyard Flea Market

  address: 1625 Doug Bernard Parkway
  After fire destroyed the former flea market, this became the main flea market for the Augusta area. Many vendors. Try the lemonade!

Augusta has many of the national chain restaurants found in other cities; however, the city has many excellent local eateries including:

• Bee's Knees Tapas

  address: 211 Tenth St
  A hip restaurant in Downtown Augusta with a fusion-style multi-cultural menu. Other features include a bar with a wide range of drinks and a selection of many vegetarian-friendly dishes. This is an ideal location for a date and may not a good choice for small children.

• Tako Sushi

  phone: +1 706-736-9191
  address: Surrey Center, 437 Highland Ave
  A fusion restaurant offering a mix of Sushi and Mexican-inspired dishes. This combination is actually very successful and keeps the small restaurant constantly busy.

• Manuel's Bread Cafe

  phone: +1 803-308-1323
  address: 505 Railroad Ave
  The menu features breads and pastries, sandwiches, French Mediterranean dishes, vegetables and grilled meats. Chef Verney-Carron uses vegetables grown at Hammond's Ferry's organic Blue Clay Farm which is steps from the restaurant.

• Luigi's

  address: 509 Broad Street
  Italian restaurant and locally-owned landmark, opened in 1949. Located across from the Augusta Museum of History on the far end of Downtown's restaurant district. Also has Greek cuisine, including the best baklava in town.

• Sconyers Bar-B-Que

  phone: +1 706-790-5411
  address: 2250 Sconyers Way
  A great BBQ joint, it has been listed by People magazine as one of the best BBQ restaurants in the United States. The portions are large and the sauces are made in-house. The Plantation Platter gives you a taste of everything, and should feed around four comfortably. Pork is their specialty, but they also serve smoked turkey and beef BBQ. If you're vegan, forget about it (unless you really like potato salad and cole slaw).

• Rhinehart's Oyster Bar

  phone: +1 706-860-2337
  address: 3051 Washington Road
  After 5PM, those under 21 must be with a parent or guardian. Seafood with a beach-shack atmosphere. Food is great and atmosphere is relaxed. It gets packed on Friday and Saturday nights. There is no list to get in, so you have to hover around the tables and grab one when it frees up.

• French Market Grille

  address: Surrey Center, 425 Highland Ave
  New Orleans-style seafood and other dishes. Great service and rich food. Try the jambalya and the lamb, they are especially good. Good place to go celebrate a special occasion in Surrey Center.

• Wife Saver Restaurants

  address: various
  Locally-owned chain of fast food restaurants. Serves Southern cooking and soul food. Along with the usual suspects like fried chicken and fish, local specialties like fried okra, livers, and gizzards are also featured on the menu. Great biscuits and hush puppies. A good place for a locally-inspired lunch!

• Sunshine Bakery

  address: 1209 Broad Street
  Traditional Southern deli and lunch spot downtown that serves sandwiches. Decor and atmosphere is very dated like any "local" deli. Sunshine tea is a must-have if you go (basically an Arnold Palmer).

• Partridge Inn Bar & Grill

  address: 2110 Walton Way
  Traditional Southern food. The fried chicken is great. On nice days, you can sit on the verandah overlooking Walton Way, the Bon Air hotel, and Downtown Augusta in the distance. Great for Sunday brunch (Su 11AM-2PM) or lunch buffet. Live jazz on Fridays from 9PM-12:30AM. Live band Saturday from 9PM-1AM.

• The Village Deli Sub & Pub

  address: 2803 Wrightsboro Road
  Locally-owned southern deli and pub favored by the local Summerville population. Found in Daniel Village shopping center across from Daniel Field.

• Beamie's at the River

  phone: +1 706-724-6593
  address: 865 Reynolds Street
  Seafood joint with indoor and outdoor seating at the Savannah River. Very popular amongst locals.

• Bee's Knees Tapas

  phone: +1 706-828-3600
  address: 211 1oth St
  A restaurant with a large bar area and a wide range of drinks and small dishes.

• Cotton Patch Bar

  phone: +1 706-724-4511
  address: 816 Cotton Lane
  Located next to the River Walk, live music on weekends.

• Metro Coffee House

  phone: +1 706-722-6468
  address: 1054 Broad St
  A coffee shop by day, but it becomes a bar at night. Live jazz on Saturday nights.

• Still Water Tap Room

  phone: +1 706 826-9857
  address: 974 Broad St

• Nacho Mama's

  address: 976 Broad Street
  Great Mexicali style burritos (and nachos, obviously)

• Joe's Underground Cafe

  address: 144 8th Street
  Great local dive bar, located in a basement on 8th Street. Often has live music.

• Augusta Marriott Hotel and Suites

  address: 2 10th St
  In the downtown business district, on the banks of the Savannah River.

• AmeriSuites - Riverwatch Parkway

  address: 1062 Claussen Road

• Ramada Hotel and Convention Center Augusta

  phone: +1 706-722-5541
  address: 640 Broad Street

• Ramada Limited Augusta/Near Fort Gordon

  phone: +1 706-733-8115
  address: 2154 Gordon Hwy

• Fairfield Inn & Suites - Augusta

  address: 2175 Gordon Highway
  Free breakfast daily, an indoor pool, high-speed Internet and free on-site parking.

• Holiday Inn - Augusta

  address: 2155 Gordon Highway 09
  Free full breakfast buffet, an outdoor swimming pool, shuttle service and free on-site parking.

• Courtyard Augusta

  phone: +1 706-737-3737
  address: 1045 Stevens Creek

• Partridge Inn

  phone: +1 706-737-8888
  address: 2110 Walton Way
  Traditional Southern accommodations. The Partridge Inn is a large hotel remaining from Augusta's historic days as a springtime playground of the elite. It is perched on the Hill, overlooking Downtown Augusta in the distance and lies across the street from the former Bon Air hotel.

• Sheraton Augusta Hotel

  phone: +1 706-396-1000
  address: 1069 Stevens Creek Road

The area code for the city is 706. All local numbers require 10-digit dialing, including the area code.
Every branch of the public library system has internet access, but a library card is required to use it. There is also a free Wi-Fi hot spot area provided by the city in the Augusta Commons on Broad Street. Many local restaurants and coffee shops also provide free wireless internet access, especially those on Broad Street.

• Clarks Hill Lake (also known as Strom Thrumond Reservoir)- large dammed lake northwest of Augusta in Columbia and McDuffie Counties. Known as "the Lake" in town, it is ringed by mostly Army Corps of Engineering land, who provides public access to the water. There are many marinas, public "beaches," and pavilion facilities for enjoyment just for the day. Camping is fairly cheap at many of the sites, and those at Amityville and Modoc are especially nice. Fishing is great, as are other water sports. Make sure to ask locals about the lake levels, as during drought years, the lake may be difficult to navigate or unpleasant to swim in as you get further away from the Dam.
• Modoc Speedway- in the suburb of Grovetown, this is a 1/4-mile dirt-track raceway which holds events most weekends throughout the summer. Races last a few hours, but are individually short in duration. Many racers are local amateurs, but the faster semi-professionals also race. Great for people watching and getting a taste of racing culture in the South. The track often changes ownership, making events somewhat unpredictable in timing. Check their website or call ahead to make sure.
• Carolina Dragway- across the Savannah River in Aiken, SC, this is a drag racing venue that holds events every Sunday in the summer.
• Kackleberry Farm- south of Augusta in Louisville, GA, this is a farm open for field trips and visits to the pumpkin patch and corn maze. Allows for kids to experience a farm. Great in the fall.
• Steeds Dairy- in the suburb of Grovetown, this educational working dairy farm is open September–November to the public.