A Spooky Road Trip in Georgia
24-Hours in Macon + Augusta
A documentary film crew, Sozo Bear Films, recently traveled to Macon and Augusta to research the strange tales and unexplained occurrences that have happened along Georgia's Fall Line for a film called Unknown Georgia: UFOs, Hatman, and Ghosts from Macon to Augusta.
To celebrate the film's October release, I put together two 24-hour itineraries inspired by some of the places and stories they uncovered.
You can do the trips as two separate overnight getaways, or combine them into one longer haunted road trip. Macon is about two hours from Augusta, so they’re easy to visit together for a weekend getaway.
Disclosure: This content was created in paid partnership with Visit Macon and Visit Augusta. As always, all opinions are my own.
Itinerary One: 24 Hours in Macon, GA
Macon, Georgia, is best known for its music -- the Allman Brothers Band, Little Richard, and Otis Redding all have connections here -- but there’s another side of Macon that I didn’t know much about before this trip.
Macon has a paranormal side too, and the more you talk to residents, the more stories you'll hear. Unknown Georgia explores some of these, including the Hatman, UFO sightings dating back to the 1970s, and a downtown store that's said to have a portal to the beyond 👀.
I'll admit I'm a bit of a baby when it comes to scary stuff, so I created an itinerary with a mix of music, good food, and a sprinkle of spooky. But you can go all in on the spooky if you want!
👉 SAVE THE DATES:
Oct 10: Watch witches float down the Ocmulgee River during the Macon Witches Float
Oct 16-17: Enjoy a 2-day paranormal convention at Paranor-Macon
Oct 22: Hear ghost stories on the Macon Macabre: Beyond the Curtain Tour
Oct 31: Watch 100+ zombie dancers recreate Michael Jackson's Thriller
Pro Tip: Before hitting the road, pop on this Macon playlist on Spotify and check out Macon Beyond -- it's full of great info!
Stretch Your Legs
On your way downtown, stop by Amerson River Park to stretch your legs -- this is the launch point for the annual Macon Witches Float. To reach the most scenic overlook, take the second left after entering the main gate, and it's a short walk from the parking lot.
A few minutes down the road is Riverside Cemetery (they offer a Spirits in October tour) and Rose Hill Cemetery. I did a self-guided tour at Rose Hill and highly recommend it! Make sure to grab the Allman Brothers map for notable sites, including the location of their first album cover.
Rose Hill Cemetery
Lunch at Oliver's Corner Bistro
Arrive in downtown Macon and start with lunch at Oliver's Corner Bistro (496 2nd St.). It's a popular local spot with great options for indoor or outdoor dining and friendly service.
The grilled salmon and sweet potato fries at Oliver's
Shop + Explore
Check out the local shops: Fresh Produce Records (567 Cherry St.) for the best vinyl, The Bears Books (835 Forsyth St.), which is owned by a real-life Kathleen Kelly, Rabbit Hole (811 Forsyth St.), with an incredible collection of art and curated goods, and Bohemian Den (502 Cherry St.), which is featured in the Unknown Georgia documentary because of its alleged portal to the beyond.
Bohemian Den, Fresh Produce, The Bears Books, and Rabbit Hole
Of course, you can't visit Macon without checking out some of the city's music attractions. I managed to see three in just two days! I started with the Otis Redding Museum, a small but powerful collection located near Hotel Forty Five. Created by his wife, Zelma (she has a permanent parking spot outside), and daughter, Karla, it's filled with personal artifacts and memorabilia from his life and career.
I recommend getting the Macon All Access Pass to visit the historic music sights.
Otis Redding Museum
Take a Legends & Lore Tour at Hay House
The Legends and Lore Tour at Hay House (934 Georgia Ave.) is amazing! The home itself is spectacular even if you can't make this particular event. But the Legends tour gives you access to stories and spaces not on the everyday tour, and includes free welcome drinks.
Hay House Museum
Free Macon Illuminated Tour
The Hay House is in the perfect location to pick up part of the Macon Illuminated Tour, a self-guided walking tour showcasing architectural styles of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Here’s the loop I did: Exit the Hay House and turn left on Georgia Ave. You’ll pass the beautiful Burke Mansion. At the first light, turn right onto College Street and pass the 1842 Inn. Then turn right onto Bond Street and follow it until you’re back at the Hay House.
Dinner at The Rookery
For dinner, head to The Rookery (543 Cherry St.), which opened in 1976 and has hosted artists like Rickie Lee Jones, Tom Waits, and Widespread Panic. This place is such a vibe -- with cozy booths and graffitied walls. It's also home to one of the best burgers I've had in Georgia. I went with the classic "Rookery" burger, but I have a feeling you can't go wrong with any of the options. I'll be back to try more, just to be sure. 🤤
The Rookery
Drink Cocktails at Switch Macon
Macon's only fully immersive themed pop-up bar has gone all-out with Switch Macon Spookeasy Apothecary (470 1st St.). You'll find a fully decked-out interior and exterior, great service, and creative cocktails, including a section inspired by everyday horrors like "Student Loans" and "DMs From My Ex." I got the "Jury Duty," a s'more-inspired espresso martini -- the most enjoyable jury duty I've ever had.
Switch Macon Spookeasy Apothecary
Spend the Night at Hotel Forty Five
Hotel Forty Five (401 Cotton Ave.) is a Marriott Tribute property in downtown Macon, directly across from the Macon Auditorium, with an on-site restaurant, a coffee shop, easy in-and-out valet parking, and a rooftop bar. Originally the Bankers Insurance Building, the hotel still retains some of that vintage charm (the elevator lobby was my favorite). There’s even a mid-century architecture book in the room—which was a fun touch!
Hotel 45 and the view from my room
Breakfast at Loom
Loom Comfort Kitchen & Cocktails is located on the ground floor of Hotel Forty Five, right next to an on-site coffee shop—perfect for grabbing something before heading out to explore. From the hotel, the stunning St. Joseph Catholic Church is just a few steps away, so I made this one of my first stops.
St. Joseph's Catholic Church
A Few More Stops Before You Go
Use your Macon All Access Pass for two more iconic music stops. The music experiences were definite highlights for me, and I'm already planning to return with friends.
Studio Tour at Capricorn: Capricorn Records was responsible for some of the most important Southern rock and soul music of its era, and today you can explore the museum and take a studio tour, offered most days at 10 AM. Our guide, Bob, shared incredible stories, and honestly, I could have listened to him all day. Standing in the studio, hearing Macon's music history through his lens, felt like a real privilege. If you have the chance to do the studio tour, absolutely do it.
Studio Tour at Capricorn
The Big House Museum: Is it even a trip to Macon without visiting the home where members of the Allman Brothers Band, their families, friends, and roadies lived? The museum is open most days -- but if you’re lucky, like I was, you’ll be there for GABBAFest, the annual fan reunion featuring special events and live music throughout Macon and on the lawn of the Big House.
The Big House
Lunch at Ocmulgee Brewpub
You’ll find burgers, sandwiches, local beer, and a resident ghost at Ocmulgee Brewpub (484 2nd St). When I spoke to the staff, they told me there are spooky spots they all avoid, with one staff member telling me they call the ghost "the General," and you know he's around when you can smell a hint of cigarette smoke by an old elevator shaft in the basement.
On your way home (or to continue the journey to Augusta), stop by Market Square's cute pumpkin patch (5468 New Forsyth Rd) for some boiled peanuts, pumpkins, and fall photo ops.
Now let's go to Augusta!
Itinerary Two: 24 Hours in Augusta, GA
This Augusta itinerary was inspired by the places and stories from the documentary Unknown Georgia: UFOs, Hatman, and Ghosts from Macon to Augusta. If you watch the film before your trip (which I recommend), you'll recognize some of the locations along the way.
You can also check out this article for a deeper dive into Augusta's ghostly past.
And like Macon, you can make this as spooky — or as not-so-spooky — as you'd like. The itinerary is a mix of both, with history, food, art, the canal, a haunted hotel, and chilling tales of "The Resurrection Man", along with plenty of other opportunities to explore the city ghost-free.
Lunch at Bradley's BBQ
Start your visit with lunch at the newly opened Bradley's BBQ (1209 Broad St.), which serves Southern barbecue like brisket, pulled pork, house-made sides, and other favorites.
Shop Around Town
After lunch, spend some time exploring downtown. Start at Augusta & Co. (1010 Broad St.) for the free tasting bar, cute merch, and local guides. Then browse the thoughtfully curated Halloween selections at the Book Tavern (978 Broad St.) before heading upstairs to 5 Moons and a Broom Apothecary & Artisanal Creations (2nd Floor, 584 Broad St.), a beautiful metaphysical shop and "welcoming space for witches."
5 Moons and a Broom and The Book Tavern
Explore Magnolia + Cedar Grove Cemeteries
Next, take a self-guided tour of Magnolia Cemetery (702 3rd St.) and Cedar Grove Cemetery (120 Watkins St.).
And make sure to check out the Gravely Mistaken tour by Augusta Adventures. You can take this tour year-round, not just during spooky season! The tour is led by Michael Wolff, who knows the history of Augusta inside and out and loves sharing some of the city's most unusual stories, including the chilling tale of the Resurrection Man, the story of an enslaved man forced to exhume bodies for medical students at the Old Medical College. Learn more in the book Gravely Mistaken by Janis Ann Parks.
Gravely Mistaken tour guide Michael Wolff and Old Medical College
Dinner + Stay at The Partridge Inn
Check into The Partridge Inn (2110 Walton Way), named one of the most haunted hotels in the South.
The Partridge Inn has been part of Augusta's history for more than a century, and has its share of ghost stories. I've stayed here a couple of times and keep coming back for the history, charm, and some of my favorite rocking-chair porches in the South!
If you're lucky, you'll meet front desk supervisor Harvey, who has experienced the paranormal activity firsthand and shared his encounters with the Unknown Georgia film crew. The hotel's most famous ghost story is about a woman named Emily. Her fiancé was killed on their wedding day, and Emily later died of a broken heart. According to the legend, she still roams the halls in her wedding dress -- and staying on the fifth floor is said to be your best chance to meet her.
Once you've settled in and heard the stories, head to 8595 Restaurant and Bar for dinner. I've had the shrimp and grits and lamb chops, and both are exceptional!
Pro Tip: Don't miss Six South Rooftop Bar for cocktails and a great view of the city!
Lobby at The Partridge Inn, lamb chops at 8595 Restaurant, and Six South Rooftop Bar
Make a Haunted House at the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art
The Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art is housed inside Ware's Folly (506 Telfair St.), a beautiful historic mansion built around 1818 with a reputation as being one of Augusta's most haunted buildings. You can visit the gallery's rotating exhibitions during the day, and be sure to check their calendar for special events and classes.
The building's haunted history is also featured in the Unknown Georgia film. During my visit, I took a ceramic haunted-house class, which was a much less frightening way to experience the building. I was very focused on my work, so I didn't hear the disembodied footsteps or the rattling of children's toys that have reportedly been heard inside. But keep your eyes and ears open if you go!
Haunted house ceramics class at The Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art
Breakfast + the Saturday River Market
Start Saturday morning with coffee at Commander Coffee (1128 Jones St.), a veteran-owned local coffee shop focused on specialty coffee and community.
Commander Coffee
Explore Enterprise Mill + the Augusta Canal
Next, head to Enterprise Mill (1450 Green St.), home to the Augusta Canal Discovery Center. A visit to the canal is a must for any trip to Augusta! It's the only fully intact American industrial canal in continuous operation, and it's so unique that it's right here in Georgia.
Make sure to take a Boat Tour along the canal. The tour is an interesting way to experience Augusta's history and natural habitats. It also travels past the notoriously haunted Sibley Mill, where legend has it a mill worker named Maude Williams was killed by her former lover, and her spirit continues to work the mill to this day.
Enterprise Mill, the museum, and riding on the Augusta Canal
Lunch at Fat Man's Mill Cafe or Saturday Market
For lunch, you can try Fat Man's Mill Cafe, located right inside the historic mill complex. It's closed on weekends, so I didn't get a chance to check it out myself, but since I was visiting on a Saturday, I headed to the Saturday Market at the Riverwalk instead.
This is a free weekly market held every Saturday from March through November at 8th & Reynolds, and I loved it! I found a lot of goodies to take home, and I'm so happy I followed the crowds to the Hot Spot for one of the best fried fish sandwiches ever. I took it down to the river and enjoyed lunch with a view -- it was such a nice way to round out the trip!
Saturday Market, the Hot Spot, and lunch by the river.
A Few More Stops Before You Go
If you have extra time before heading home, here are some other fall-themed things to do in Augusta:
Tire City Potters (210 10th St.): make a "forever" clay pumpkin.
Augusta Candle Co. (1124 Broad St.): make your own fall-inspired candle
Pexcho's American Dime Museum (216 6th St.): see a sword swallower and a great oddities collection (reservations required 24 hours in advance by calling 706-925-6526).
Forever pumpkin at Tire City Potters, Augusta Candle Co., and Pexcho's American Dime Museum
Save these two 24-hour itineraries to Visit Macon and Visit Augusta for the perfect fall getaway from Atlanta!
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