Where to go around here

BBQ Barn

NORTH AUGUSTA, SC

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

Becks

AUGUSTA, GA

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

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.

Doc's Porchside

GROVETOWN, GA

Grovetown spot for barbecue and American plates on Bluegrass Trail.

Farmhaus Burger

MARTINEZ, GA

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

Frog Hollow Tavern

AUGUSTA, GA

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

Goolsby's

EVANS, GA

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

Malia's

AIKEN, SC

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

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.

Wife Saver

AUGUSTA, GA

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

Belair Donuts & Coffee Shop

GROVETOWN, GA

Donut and coffee shop on East Robinson Avenue in Grovetown.

Rooted Coffeehouse

EVANS, GA

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

Sheila's Baking Co.

NORTH AUGUSTA, SC

Bakery and coffee bar on Georgia Avenue in North Augusta.

The Pie Hole

AUGUSTA, GA

Neighborhood bakery on Verandah Drive in Augusta.

Toasty

AUGUSTA, GA

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

Ubora Coffee Roasters

AUGUSTA, GA

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

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.

Savannah River Brewing Co.

AUGUSTA, GA

Downtown brewery and kitchen on 5th Street with a taproom, patio and weekly trivia. Kids are welcome; dogs stay on the patio.

Blanchard Woods Park

EVANS, GA · FREE

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

Brick Pond Park

NORTH AUGUSTA, SC · FREE

A 40-acre restored wetland by Hammond's Ferry with walking paths, fishing and wildlife viewing, right on the Greeneway. Open dawn to dusk.

Elijah Clark State Park

LINCOLNTON, GA · FREE

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.

Evans Towne Center Park

EVANS, GA · FREE

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.

Hopelands Gardens

AIKEN, SC · FREE

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.

Lake Olmstead Park

AUGUSTA, GA · FREE

City park on the lake with a walking trail, boat ramp, fishing, disc golf and picnic pavilions. Open dawn to dusk.

Mistletoe State Park

APPLING, GA · FREE

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.

Patriots Park

GROVETOWN, GA · FREE

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

Pendleton King Park

AUGUSTA, GA · FREE

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.

Savannah Rapids Park

MARTINEZ, GA · FREE

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.

Augusta Canal towpath

AUGUSTA, GA · FREE

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.

Fifth Street Pedestrian Bridge

AUGUSTA, GA · FREE

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

Hitchcock Woods

AIKEN, SC · FREE

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.

North Augusta Greeneway

NORTH AUGUSTA, SC · FREE

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.

Phinizy Swamp Nature Park

AUGUSTA, GA · FREE

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.

Riverwalk Augusta

AUGUSTA, GA · FREE

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.

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.

Burke County Public Library

WAYNESBORO, GA · FREE

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

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.

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.

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.

Laurel & Hardy Museum

HARLEM, GA · FREE

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

McDuffie Museum

THOMSON, GA · FREE

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Aiken County Farmers Market

AIKEN, SC · FREE

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

Evans Market

EVANS, GA · FREE

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.

First Friday Augusta

AUGUSTA, GA · FREE

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

Saturday Market at the River

AUGUSTA, GA · FREE

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