15 Best Things to Do in Augusta, Georgia: Beyond the Masters

For one week every April, the world looks at Augusta. Then the golfers fly home, the rental prices drop, and most people forget that a real city lives here, with a canal that powered its mills, a riverfront you can walk for blocks, and a musical legacy that belongs to James Brown. Here’s what to do during the other 51 weeks of the year.

The downtown skyline of Augusta, Georgia, above the Savannah River — Downtown Augusta. Photo: c_live_lee via Wikimedia Commons, CC0

The best things to do in Augusta, Georgia are walking the Riverwalk, taking a boat tour on the Augusta Canal, visiting the Morris Museum of Art, learning local history at the Augusta Museum of History, seeing the James Brown statue on Broad Street, and exploring Phinizy Swamp Nature Park.

Everything downtown is close together, so you can do a lot in a single day on foot. Save time for the canal, because the city’s whole story runs through it.

1. Walk the Riverwalk

The amphitheater along the Riverwalk in Augusta, Georgia — The amphitheater on the Riverwalk. Photo: Rennett Stowe via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

The Riverwalk is a multi-level brick trail along the Savannah River, running from about 5th to 13th Streets, with gardens, playgrounds, an amphitheater and fine views of the water. Start here to get a feel for downtown, ideally around sunset. Visit Augusta has a good list of what to look for along the way.

2. Take a Canal Boat Tour

A tour boat leaving the Enterprise Mill on the Augusta Canal — A canal tour leaves from Enterprise Mill. Photo: Sregor54 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Built in 1845, the Augusta Canal powered the mills that made this city an industrial center. Guided tours on replica cargo boats leave from the Augusta Canal Discovery Center, and sunset trips tend to sell out first. Call ahead to confirm the current schedule.

3. Learn the Story at the Discovery Center

The old brick Enterprise Mill beside the Augusta Canal — Enterprise Mill. Photo: Flickr user Stacie Wells via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Before you board, walk through the exhibits inside the old Enterprise Mill, which explain how the canal and the mills shaped the lives of workers here. Many visitors don’t expect to get so caught up in Southern industrial history. Allow about an hour, and go before your boat tour if you can.

4. Paddle or Bike the Canal

Canoes near the headgates of the Augusta Canal in Georgia — Canoes at the canal’s headgates. Photo: Sregor54 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

For something more active, rent a canoe or kayak, or ride the towpath along the water. Savannah Rapids Park, by the canal’s headgates, is a popular starting point with river views. Ask about current conditions before you head out, as storm damage has affected trails around Augusta in recent years.

5. See the Morris Museum of Art

The Morris Museum of Art in Augusta. Photo: Thomson200 via Wikimedia Commons, CC0

The Morris Museum is often described as the nation’s oldest museum devoted to art and artists of the American South, with a collection reaching from the late 18th century to the present. It’s listed as free on Sundays. Confirm the current location, hours and admission first, as these can change.

6. Visit the Augusta Museum of History

At the other end of the Riverwalk, this museum covers everything from the region’s earliest residents to its Masters history, with a section devoted to James Brown. Go early in your trip, because the overview makes the rest of your walk around downtown mean much more.

7. Pay Your Respects to James Brown

James Brown Arena in Augusta, named for the Godfather of Soul. Photo: Thomson200 via Wikimedia Commons, CC0

The Godfather of Soul grew up in Augusta, and the city remains proud of him. His life-size statue stands on Broad Street, where you’re welcome to stop for a photo. His story goes well beyond the music, including the hardships of his childhood here. Local museums and tours can fill in the details.

8. Tour Woodrow Wilson’s Boyhood Home

Woodrow Wilson's boyhood home in Augusta — Woodrow Wilson’s boyhood home in Augusta. Photo: Bubba73 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

America’s 28th president grew up in this house, living here from about age one until his early teens. History fans will enjoy it, and you’ll see what life was like in Augusta during the Civil War and Reconstruction. Look up tour times in advance, since availability is limited.

9. Learn About Lucy Craft Laney

A sewing class at the Haines Normal and Industrial Institute, the school Lucy Craft Laney founded in Augusta. Photo: African American Photographs Assembled for 1900 Paris Exposi via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

Born into slavery, Lucy Craft Laney went on to found a pioneering school for Black students in Augusta in the 1880s. The Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History occupies her former home and tells her story and the history of the surrounding neighborhood. Hours can be limited, so look them up before you go.

10. Stroll Broad Street

The Old Richmond County Courthouse in Augusta, Georgia — The Old Richmond County Courthouse. Photo: Gwringle via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Broad Street is one of the widest main streets in the country, lined with old buildings, restaurants and local shops. Come here for your evening out. Look up at the old facades as you walk, and have dinner at one of the independent restaurants nearby.

11. Catch a Show at the Imperial Theatre

Broad Street in downtown Augusta, home of the Imperial Theatre. Photo: Sir Mildred Pierce via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Dating back to 1918, this historic theater on Broad Street hosts concerts, plays and community events, and James Brown himself had a connection to the venue. See what’s on during your stay, since many performances are affordable and you’ll get to see the city after dark.

12. See Sacred Heart Cultural Center

The ornate brick Sacred Heart Cultural Center in Augusta, Georgia — Sacred Heart Cultural Center. Photo: Flickr user Stacie Wells via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

This former Catholic church, with its striking brickwork and stained glass, is now a cultural center and event space, and you won’t find many more beautiful buildings in the city. Call before you make a special trip, because private events and weddings often book it.

13. Explore Phinizy Swamp Nature Park

The Constructed Wetland Trail at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park. Photo: Ospr3yy via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Just south of the city, this nature park has wetlands, boardwalks and trails that are very good for birdwatching. Kids love it, and you wouldn’t expect so much quiet this close to town. Hurricane Helene hit the Augusta area hard in 2024, so ask about current trail conditions before you go.

14. Experience the Masters

The tenth hole, Camellia, at Augusta National Golf Club — Hole 10 at Augusta National. Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Mbrooks assumed (based via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

Augusta National is private, and Masters tickets are hard to get, often through a lottery you can enter on the tournament’s website. If you get lucky, go. Otherwise, you can still enjoy the buzz in town, but rooms get expensive in early April. Most visitors are better off coming at another time.

15. Time Your Visit for Arts in the Heart

The Broad Street clock in downtown Augusta, the neighborhood that hosts Arts in the Heart. Photo: Chris Harrison via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

Each September, this popular festival brings international food, music and crafts to downtown. Outside of the Masters, few weekends here are bigger, and families have a great time. Look up the dates and book ahead. For more on seasonal events, see the Explore Georgia guide to Augusta.

Best Free Things to Do in Augusta

The Riverwalk, Broad Street and the James Brown statue are all free, and so is walking the canal towpath. Sunday at the Morris Museum may be free as well, but confirm before you go. Pack a picnic for the river, and you can have a good day for almost nothing.

When to Visit and How Long to Stay

Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. April has the azaleas and the Masters, along with the highest prices of the year. Summer is hot and humid, so walk early and take a canal boat in the evening. Winter is mild and quiet. One full day covers downtown and the canal, and a weekend gives you time for the museums and a nature walk too.

Where to next? Try our guides to Aiken, Macon and Savannah, or see the best things to do in Georgia for the whole state. You can also browse all our travel guides on Decidel.

How we checked this guide: details were checked against official and published sources in November 2026. Hours, locations and conditions can change, particularly after storms, so confirm with the venue before you go.