FREE LOCAL GUIDE · THE CSRA BRIEF

50 spots
worth your Saturday.

We live here too. These are the tables, trails, patios, and free afternoons we send friends to across Augusta and the CSRA. All fifty, no email needed.

50LOCAL SPOTS
6CATEGORIES
11TOWNS
Browse the list

01 / THE LIST

All 50, by category.

Bookmark this page. Work through it one Saturday at a time.

Eat local 10 SPOTS

SPOT

01

Augusta, GA

Wife Saver

Augusta, GA

An Augusta original since 1965, serving Southern comfort food with several locations around town.

SPOT

02

North Augusta, SC

Sno-Cap Drive-In

North Augusta, SC

An old-school drive-in on West Avenue in North Augusta, featured by the Augusta Chronicle in June 2026.

SPOT

03

Augusta, GA

Boll Weevil Cafe and Sweetery

Augusta, GA

Southern comfort cooking in an old cotton warehouse steps from the Riverwalk. Shrimp and grits, fried green tomatoes, and a dessert case worth a look on its own.

SPOT

04

Augusta, GA

Frog Hollow Tavern

Augusta, GA

Downtown farm-to-table spot cooking with regionally grown ingredients, with a deep wine list.

SPOT

05

Augusta, GA

Becks

Augusta, GA

Summerville restaurant pouring oysters and craft cocktails with woodfire grilled steaks and burgers.

SPOT

06

North Augusta, SC

BBQ Barn

North Augusta, SC

Family-owned barbecue spot on Atomic Road in North Augusta.

SPOT

07

Aiken, SC

Malia's

Aiken, SC

Downtown Aiken institution going back about 40 years, now serving chef-driven New American dishes.

SPOT

08

Evans, GA

Goolsby's

Evans, GA

Southern cafeteria on Washington Road in Evans, plating up country cooking cafeteria-style.

SPOT

09

Grovetown, GA

Doc's Porchside

Grovetown, GA

Grovetown spot for barbecue and American plates on Bluegrass Trail.

SPOT

10

Martinez, GA

Farmhaus Burger

Martinez, GA

A local burger spot on Flowing Wells Road in Martinez, from the same Augusta folks behind the downtown Farmhaus.

Coffee, breakfast & sweet stops 6 SPOTS

SPOT

11

Augusta, GA

Ubora Coffee Roasters

Augusta, GA

Local coffee roaster on Jones Street in Augusta with its own cafe.

SPOT

12

Augusta, GA

The Pie Hole

Augusta, GA

Neighborhood bakery on Verandah Drive in Augusta.

SPOT

13

Augusta, GA

Toasty

Augusta, GA

Breakfast and lunch spot on Wheeler Road in Augusta, called a local breakfast gem by the Augusta Chronicle.

SPOT

14

Evans, GA

Rooted Coffeehouse

Evans, GA

Coffeehouse in Evans Towne Center with coffee, sandwiches, smoothies, and cookies.

SPOT

15

Grovetown, GA

Belair Donuts & Coffee Shop

Grovetown, GA

Donut and coffee shop on East Robinson Avenue in Grovetown.

SPOT

16

North Augusta, SC

Sheila's Baking Co.

North Augusta, SC

Bakery and coffee bar on Georgia Avenue in North Augusta.

Outdoors & the river 10 SPOTS

SPOT

17

Augusta, GA

Riverwalk Augusta

Augusta, GA

The brick walkway runs along the Savannah River through downtown, right on top of the levee. Locals walk it in the evenings, and the playground, amphitheater, and river views keep it busy on weekends.

SPOT

18

Augusta, GA

Phinizy Swamp Nature Park

Augusta, GA

A wetland park minutes from downtown with boardwalks and trails through cypress and loblolly pines. It is free and open every day, and locals go for the herons, alligators, and quiet.

SPOT

19

Augusta, GA

Augusta Canal towpath

Augusta, GA

The towpath follows the old industrial canal where mules once pulled the cargo boats, and it is still one of the go-to spots for a run, a bike ride, or a slow walk.

SPOT

20

Augusta, GA

Pendleton King Park

Augusta, GA

A 64-acre bird sanctuary in the middle of the city with gardens, nature trails, an 18-hole disc golf course, and an off-leash dog park. It is an easy Saturday morning.

SPOT

21

Evans, GA

Evans Towne Center Park

Evans, GA

The gathering spot in Evans, with the Lady A Pavilion for concerts, a splash pad for hot afternoons, a dog park, and wide paved paths. Something is almost always going on.

SPOT

22

Martinez, GA

Savannah Rapids Park

Martinez, GA

Set at the historic headgates of the Augusta Canal, where the towpath starts its run toward downtown. Locals bring picnics, fish the river, and walk or bike the trail.

SPOT

23

North Augusta, SC

North Augusta Greeneway

North Augusta, SC

A paved rail trail that follows an abandoned railroad corridor through North Augusta, with a stretch that reaches the Savannah riverfront. Walkers, runners, and cyclists share it.

SPOT

24

Aiken, SC

Hopelands Gardens

Aiken, SC

A 14-acre public garden behind a serpentine brick wall, with 100-year-old live oaks, a wetlands, and the old Doll House. It is free to stroll, and the city holds concerts on the lawn.

SPOT

25

Appling, GA

Mistletoe State Park

Appling, GA

A state park on Clarks Hill Lake with wooded trails, campgrounds, and a sandy beach area. Locals come for the fishing, the lake views, and the ranger-led programs. Vehicle parking requires a $10 daily ParkPass or a valid annual ParkPass. Camping and rentals cost extra.

SPOT

26

Lincolnton, GA

Elijah Clark State Park

Lincolnton, GA

A state park on the western shore of Clarks Hill Lake, named for a Revolutionary War frontiersman. Anglers and boaters are regulars here, and the log cabin museum is worth the stop. Vehicle parking requires a $10 daily ParkPass or a valid annual ParkPass. Camping and rentals cost extra.

Family 8 SPOTS

SPOT

27

Harlem, GA

Laurel & Hardy Museum

Harlem, GA

Oliver Hardy's hometown museum, with memorabilia, posters, and a film room. Admission is free.

SPOT

28

Grovetown, GA

Patriots Park

Grovetown, GA

A 122-acre county park in Grovetown with sports fields, courts, and a gym. Plenty of room for the kids to run.

SPOT

29

Augusta, GA

Augusta Museum of History

Augusta, GA

Twelve thousand years of Augusta history in one downtown building, with an 1840s locomotive and plenty to keep kids curious. The annual gingerbread village is worth planning around.

SPOT

30

Augusta, GA

Augusta Canal Discovery Center

Augusta, GA

Hands-on exhibits tell the story of the canal that powered Augusta's mills, plus guided boat tours on the water. The towpath next door is made for an after-visit walk.

SPOT

31

Augusta, GA

Morris Museum of Art

Augusta, GA

The oldest museum in the country devoted to the art of the American South, right on the Riverwalk. Admission is free every Sunday.

SPOT

32

Aiken, SC

Hitchcock Woods

Aiken, SC

2,100 acres of longleaf pine forest with 70 miles of sandy trails inside the city limits. Walk it on foot or explore it on horseback.

SPOT

33

Martinez, GA

Reed Creek Nature Park & Interpretive Center

Martinez, GA

Columbia County's nature park in Martinez, with an interpretive center, a wetland boardwalk, and trails. The staff runs animal presentations and nature hikes for kids.

SPOT

34

Augusta, GA

Kroc Center of Augusta

Augusta, GA

The Salvation Army's community center on Broad Street, with a pool and water slide, gym, and family programs for all ages.

Free & cheap 8 SPOTS

SPOT

35

Augusta, GA

Fifth Street Pedestrian Bridge

Augusta, GA

A car-free bridge between downtown Augusta and North Augusta with wide river views. Always free, and a favorite for sunset photos.

SPOT

36

Thomson, GA

McDuffie Museum

Thomson, GA

A free museum of Thomson and McDuffie County history on Main Street, and the tours are complimentary. Check the site before you go.

SPOT

37

Augusta, GA

Saturday Market at the River

Augusta, GA

Local produce, handmade goods, and live music every Saturday along the river, March through November. Free to attend.

SPOT

38

Waynesboro, GA

Burke County Public Library

Waynesboro, GA

The county's public library on GA-24, open six days a week. Books, computers, and Wi-Fi at no cost to you.

SPOT

39

Augusta, GA

First Friday Augusta

Augusta, GA

Downtown's monthly arts night on the first Friday, with galleries open late, live music, and vendors. Free to wander.

SPOT

40

Evans, GA

Evans Market

Evans, GA

The county's weekly market at Evans Towne Center Park, with local produce, artisans, and food trucks on Saturday mornings in spring and fall. Free to browse.

SPOT

41

Aiken, SC

Aiken County Farmers Market

Aiken, SC

A historic open-air market on Williamsburg Street with produce, baked goods, and local crafts, open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings.

SPOT

42

Evans, GA

Blanchard Woods Park

Evans, GA

A 153-acre county park in Evans with soccer fields, a BMX track, a skatepark, and shaded cross-country trails.

Date night & evenings 8 SPOTS

SPOT

43

Augusta, GA

Miller Theater

Augusta, GA

Home of the Augusta Symphony in a restored 1940 movie house on Broad Street. Grab dinner nearby before the show and it makes a full evening, from symphony nights to touring acts.

SPOT

44

Augusta, GA

Edgar's Above Broad

Augusta, GA

A rooftop tapas spot on Broad Street with skyline views, live music on select nights, and a converted Airstream trailer as the bar. Works as drinks and small plates before anything else.

SPOT

45

Augusta, GA

Imperial Theatre

Augusta, GA

A 1918 vaudeville house on Broad Street that now hosts concerts, touring musicals, and dance. The ornate interior is half the reason to go.

SPOT

46

Augusta, GA

Le Chat Noir

Augusta, GA

A 60 to 100 seat black box theatre on 8th Street with a full-service bar attached. Augusta's own improv troupe plays First Fridays, alongside touring comedy and music.

SPOT

47

Augusta, GA

Bell Auditorium

Augusta, GA

Augusta's mid-size concert hall on Telfair Street, drawing national touring acts like Foreigner, Jay Leno, and Martin Lawrence this season. When a big name comes to town, this is usually where they play.

SPOT

48

North Augusta, SC

Sharon Jones Amphitheater

North Augusta, SC

Outdoor amphitheater in Riverside Village named for soul singer Sharon Jones, who grew up in North Augusta. The city holds free outdoor concerts and community events through the warm months.

SPOT

49

North Augusta, SC

SRP Park

North Augusta, SC

Home of the Augusta GreenJackets, the Braves' Single-A team, on the Savannah River in Riverside Village. Themed nights and fireworks shows run through the season.

SPOT

50

Evans, GA

Columbia County Performing Arts Center

Evans, GA

Evans' stage for touring Broadway, with Jersey Boys, A Beautiful Noise, and The Wiz on the schedule, plus concerts like Mannheim Steamroller and Blackberry Smoke.

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