15 Best Things to Do in Augusta

Augusta is a city in Georgia located near the South Carolina border known for being home to the globally-recognized Masters Tournament, and the birthplace of Soul Icon James Brown.

Discover the beautiful mix of Southern and city charm as you embark on a dining, cultural, historical, or casual fun. Learn more about the best things to do in Augusta, Georgia here.

1. Play Golf at Augusta National Golf Club

It’s hard to exclude the Augusta National Golf Club in a list of best things to do in Augusta when a club of its stature is recognized worldwide. The Augusta National Golf Club often referred to as “Augusta,” or simply “National,” is one of the most famous and exclusive golf clubs in the world and is the home of the Master’s golf tournament.

Whether you’re a golfer or not, you’ll surely appreciate the beautiful landscaping from the finely cut grass to the smooth greens. It’s a fact that keeping the courses well-groomed is a difficult task.

What you should know: The initiation fee for the club is estimated to be in the range of $40,000 while the yearly dues are estimated to be a few thousand dollars per year.

2. Explore the Phinizy Swamp Nature Park

Explore the well-marked trails that lead to beautiful vistas in this 1,100-acre nature park in Augusta! The Phinizy Swamp Nature Park provides its visitors environmental education as it features wetlands and woodlands, including an abundance of bald cypresses and forests of longleaf pine trees.

What you should know: Remember to bring water if you’re planning to hike because the start of the trail to the top may be quite a distance out.

3. Visit the Sacred Heart Cultural Center

The Sacred Heart Cultural Center was once a church, but now it’s revered for its artistic creative religious history. It was built by Jesuit priests on December 2, 1900, and had been around for 70 years until it closed due to modern suburban advancements.

Visit this place to be amazed by the architecture, altars, stained glass, arches, and the preserved artifacts from the church’s past life. Today, it is a favored place for weddings or community events.

4. Impress Your Friends as You Skate at Red Wing Rollerway

It doesn’t matter whether you prefer rollerskates or rollerblades. Here at Red Wing Rollerway, you’re sure to have an awesome time as you skate to old school and popular music.

Schedule:
Monday – Wednesday CLOSED
Thursday (Fundraiser Night) 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Friday 7:00pm – 11:00pm $9.00
Saturday 11:30am – 4:30pm $8.00; 7:00pm – 11:00pm $9.00
Sunday 1:30pm – 4:30pm $7.00

5. Eat Sustainable and Delicious Food at the Bee’s Knees

Support the local farmers and the community by trying the delicious dishes at Bee’s Knees made using local, seasonal, and sustainable ingredients. It also helps that the place has a good and friendly atmosphere, and offers superb service to its customers.

6. Jump and Play at DEFY Augusta

Embrace fun and laughter in Augusta’s ultimate trampoline park and extreme sports facility! Your kids will enjoy playing in American Ninja Warrior courses or jumping in the trampoline for an hour while attempting a few stunts.

7. Give Your Loved One a Romantic Aerial Sunset Tour

There’s nothing like treating your beau to a gift of a lifetime. Take your romance up a notch by planning a romantic aerial sunset tour that will take you over the lake right during sunset. The 30-minute tour will put you in the front row seat in the spectacle of the beautiful hues of red, orange, and yellow.

The package starts at $128. Book your reservations by calling (706) 733-8970 now!

8. Visit Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art

The Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art is the former residence of Augusta Mayor and United States Senator Nicholas Ware. It is founded in 1937 and has served as a showcase for regional, national, and international artists’ outstanding artworks. Today, it offers rotating exhibits the visitors can check out and admire.

The Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art is open Monday through Friday from 10 am to 5 pm. They are also open on Saturdays, but visitors can come by appointment only.

Note: Admission is free.

9. Learn About Augusta’s Early Days at Augusta Canal Discovery Center

Can you guess how Augusta used its waterways to reinvent itself? If you want to learn the answer to that, you should consider visiting the Augusta Canal Discovery Center as one of the best things to do in Augusta. The place tells the wonderful story of the industrial revolution in the American South.

What you should know:

• The Discovery Center is the starting point for all canal boat tours.
• Don’t skip the exhibits. Make sure you allow time to explore all before or after the canal boat tour. The exhibits include the hydropower demonstration turbine, Mill & Boom Times, building the canal, and hydroelectricity and the Canal, among many others.
• A gift shop is also available if you wish to bring home gifts for your family.
• Admission Rates: $6 for adults, $4 for senior citizens & students, or FREE with your boat tour ticket purchase.

10. Anticipate the Curated Exhibitions of Artists at Westobou Gallery

Discover the curated exhibits of mid-career contemporary and experimental artists at Westobou Gallery. You can view the masterpieces during the Westobou Festival and throughout the year.

Address: 1129 Broad Street, Augusta

11. Take the Walking Path at Augusta Riverwalk

Go out to get some fresh air and walk the path of Augusta Riverwalk located along the Savannah River. This park extends from 11th Street to the Gordon Highway Bridge.

Kids would enjoy playing their playground and frolicking in the various gardens. For an educational experience, you may take them to the two museums; and if you get hungry, you can choose from the several restaurants present.

Note: Dogs are also welcome in this park.

12. Try the Irresistible Cuisine of French Market Grille

What’s better than being in a laid-back and casual restaurant while being served with the best Louisiana-style dishes? Let us tell you this, the French Market Grille is so well-loved for its Cajun & Creole dishes that it’s been voted “Best Restaurant in Augusta” by the readers of Augusta Magazine for 17 years in a row.

Once full, you can transfer to their full bar and share a bottle of one of their many wines with your friends.

13. Plan a Mountain Biking Activity With Your Buddies at Forks Area Trail System (FATS)

It is said that the Forks Area Trail System (Fats) is the crown jewel of the CSRA trails because it has something for everyone.

Those into mountain biking would love a visit to this place as it gets beginners hooked on the sport; it also has high-speed sections that offer lots of mileage, and a pump track feels that the seasoned riders want to come back.

Details:

• Northern Loops: Big Rock and Tower
• Southern Loops: Brown Wave, Skinny, Great Wall, and Deep Step.
• Distance: 37 miles

14. Watch a Show at Imperial Theater

The Imperial Theater, originally known as the Wells Theatre, serves as the performing arts home for the Augusta Opera, Augusta Ballet, Augusta Players, and Augusta Jazz Project. It used to be a place for silent films following the decline of vaudeville.

15. Hear Live Music at James Brown Arena

You’d know the Godfather of Soul truly left his mark in the world when people started to honor James Brown by renaming an arena after him. The 8,000-seat arena is a multi-purpose complex where most of the big concerts usually happen.

James Joseph Brown is the all-famous American singer, songwriter, record producer, and dancer – the true progenitor of funk music in the 20th century.

What do you want to do in Augusta first?