What to see and do in Augusta
Do the Riverwalk
Topping the list of things to do on a sunny day, the Riverwalk in Downtown Augusta is a scenic 10-minute stroll. Bright white sailing boats bob on the rippling waters and, in the summer, the amphitheatre brings a festival vibe to the banks with local music performances and movie showings. There’s parking at either end of the promenade on 6th and 10th Street, so you can easily find a space for your hire car.
Visit the Augusta Museum of History
This Downtown museum (GA 30901) pays tribute to the king of feeling good - James Brown. The musical pioneer was born and bred in Augusta, and now the local museum is home to his family photos and iconic stage costumes. Just down the road is the James Brown Plaza, where you’ll find an honorary statue of the soul star, microphone in hand.
Explore Phinizy Center and Nature Park
This sprawling, leafy nature park (GA 30906) is just 10 minutes’ drive out of Downtown Augusta via the Doug Barnard Parkway. Explore the Beaver Dam Trail, catching sight of local otters and beavers, or head up to the Observation Deck for a bird’s eye view of the wetlands. Keep your eyes peeled and you might spot a resident alligator lurking in the waters.
Transform your Augusta adventure into a full-blown road trip with our Appalachian Trail route starting in north Georgia.
Best hotels in Augusta
The Partridge Inn
The luxurious Partridge Inn (GA 30904) combines traditional southern charm with modern style. The rooms are contemporary and crisp, with spacious balconies overlooking the city. Head down to the courtyard for a quiet dip in the pool and dry off on the white-panelled veranda. When evening falls, visit the rooftop bar where plump sofas and roaring fires provide a VIP seat for the sunset.
The Rosemary Inn
The stunning white mansion Rosemary Inn (SC 29841), complete with ornate columns and sweeping gardens, harks back to the Antebellum grandeur of the south. The rooms and suites are styled with all the elegance of the early 1900s. The hotel sits across the Savannah River, technically making it part of South Carolina - however, the heart of Augusta is just five minutes’ drive across the 13th Street Bridge.
Where to eat and drink in Augusta
Rae’s Coastal Cafe
This blue wooden shack is notoriously difficult to find - but well worth the effort. Tuck into hearty seafood platters, Rae’s famous salad or the house special – fiery jerk chicken. Inside, the wood-panelled restaurant is cosy, while the outdoor terrace is the perfect place to relax on warm evenings. There’s free on-site parking too, so you can stay at Augusta Magazine’s ‘best hidden gem’ for as long as you like.
The Bee’s Knees
This candle-lit tapas restaurant is part of the new age of Augustan eateries - a breath of fresh air in Georgia’s second oldest city. Enjoy carefully curated small plates of tofu, seafood and locally sourced vegetables, while live jazz performances create a velvet atmosphere in the Downtown venue.
Abel Brown Southern Kitchen and Oyster Bar
You’re spoilt for choice with oyster houses in Augusta - but local chef Abel Brown runs one of the best, just a stone’s throw from the golf course. Take a seat in the bright dining room and enjoy freshly shucked oysters from the shores of New England. The main menu is always changing to make the most of local produce – but whether it’s salmon, steak or chicken, you can expect big Southern flavours.
