Mention Augusta, Georgia, and most people will immediately think of golf. Known worldwide for hosting the annual Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club, the city has become almost synonymous with the sport.

While that’s indeed an important event for the city, Augusta deserves a closer look during the other 51 weeks of the year. This spring, the team at Visit Augusta invited me out during Masters week, with the caveat that they also got to show me some of the cool things going on around town that make them proud to live and work there year-round.

I happily took them up on the offer and my husband and I spent a fun-filled four days exploring things to do (and eat!) in Augusta, Georgia. If it’s not yet on your radar, I’m here to share some of the things that make it a fun, funky, vibrant city well worth spending time in!

Visiting Augusta, Any Time of the Year

If you’re visiting Augusta during the PGA Masters Tournament, you already know the city will be hopping and you’ll need to make hotel and dinner reservations early. Don’t stop there, though. There’s plenty more to see and do in the area beyond the golf course, so even if you’re only coming to enjoy one day at the tournament, stick around a few days to explore the rest of what Augusta has to offer.

If you’re coming any other time of year, go ahead and check out the city’s event calendar. You’ll find it’s jam-packed with some pretty cool happenings all year long!

Getting to Augusta

The Augusta Regional Airport makes it super easy to fly in and out, so if you’re not driving there, you’ve got a convenient way to get directly to the city. It’s a small airport, and we found the people working there friendly and welcoming, which is refreshing and sets the tone for your visit to Augusta.

Authentic Augusta Experiences

New to the scene in 2023 is a set of ten new excursions called “Authentic Augusta Experiences.” If Visit Augusta set out to ensure no one could possibly visit their city and be bored, they nailed it with these excursions. We had the opportunity to experience two of them, including attending “Black Caddies—Men on the Bag,” where we met one of the living legends in person. Watch the video on the top of their homepage and you’ll see what I mean – you can’t visit Augusta and not find plenty to do!

Where to Stay in Augusta

If history and nostalgia are important to you, look no further than The Partridge Inn, the first hotel in Georgia to become part of Historic Hotels of America. The Southern flavor you’ll find there will set the stage for your visit to the city and serve as a welcoming retreat each evening. Since it’s perched on a hill, their rooftop bar has one of the best views of the city. If that’s not your preference, Augusta has more than 100 hotels to choose from.

Note: If you’re visiting during Masters week with a group of friends or family, consider renting a hospitality house. Many people in Augusta rent their homes out during the week, and it’s a great option for guests who want a more private setting for their group.

Phinizy Swamp Nature Park

Although it’s one of the ten Authentic Augusta Excursions, the Phinizy Swamp Nature Park is worth mentioning separately. Take some time to walk the beautiful boardwalk that takes you out over the swamp area. Look closely and you’ll find all kinds of creatures – you may even see alligators.

If you’re up for a bit more walking, there’s plenty more to see and do at Phinizy. This is a great option to add to your itinerary that gets you out in nature. Bring a picnic and stay a while.

The Godfather of Soul: James Brown

Guess who was born and raised in Augusta, Georgia? James Brown and the city is feelin’ good about it! The Augusta Museum of History has dedicated space to the Godfather of Soul that tells his story of success and showcases many behind-the-scenes details you likely never knew about. This fascinating display is only a small part of the museum that deserves a spot on your itinerary.

You can also take a self-guided walking or biking tour of the James Brown Journey. This point-of-interest activity takes you to many of the historic locations from his life when he lived in Augusta.

Augusta Museum of History

The James Brown display is certainly not the only interesting part of the Augusta Museum of History. You’ll want to carve out a couple of hours to explore Augusta’s story, which even includes an actual train located inside the museum. Of course, it wouldn’t be complete without an entire section dedicated to the sport that made Augusta a household name.

Southern Comfort Food at Its Best

Listen, I could write an entire article on how good the food in Augusta is. Actually, that’s a good idea, but for now, let me just mention a few things, starting with grits. I have never in my life tasted anything so unexpectantly savory and delish as I have the various kinds of grits I had in Augusta, Georgia. From the Downtown Augusta Style grits at the New Moon Cafe to the fried jumbo shrimp and grits at The Brunch House, I promise you’re not prepared for how good they are.

And that’s just breakfast. Hang on to your hats and loosen your belts because Augusta is full of Southern cuisine you’ll be dreaming about long after your visit.

More About the Food

We visited several restaurants while we were there, and all of them hit the spot in the most southern of ways. If you’re there for the Masters tournament and have the opportunity for a catered meal, Very Vera knocks it out of the park with her down-home family-style cooking. Everything about it was scrumptious from start to finish, and got two well-licked thumbs up from everyone there!

Making Augusta Even Better

Adding to its list of top-notch attractions, last year, the city hosted the Augusta Air Show, including an impressive performance by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. Later in the year, they hosted record-breaking crowds for the first Foodies and Culture Festival. If that sounds fun to you, start planning now to be there next time.

Add those two events to an already standout roster of annual events and it seems Augusta used the Masters as a warm-up for learning how to host any size crowd for special events. Here are a few you’ll find on the calendar each year:

• The Nike Peach Jam attracted 8,500 attendees.
• Arts in the Heart drew a crowd of 100,000 last year.
• The USA Cycling Para and Masters Road National Championship featured 726 athletes and 49 para-athletes, as well as the crowds that came to support them.
• The USSSA Military Softball World Series had 1,800 participants, plus many visitors in attendance.

Just For Fun

Lastly, I can’t pass on the opportunity to share this photo. Augusta Regional Airport may be small, but it sees an influx of 1500 private jets during Masters week with only two runways!

No matter how you get here, there’s so much to explore in Augusta. It’s a vibrant destination that’s proactive in making it one of the best cities you can spend your time in. Whether you add a few days to a trip or make it a trip on its own, it’s worth adding Augusta to your itinerary any time of year!

Read Next: I Attended the PGA Masters Tournament for the First Time and Here’s What It Was Like

The odds of getting your hands on a ticket to the PGA Masters Championship are about as good as hitting a hole-in-one on a par five. You could find a four-leaf clover on your first try easier than you could get into the Augusta National golf course that week. Held on what may be the most famous course in the world, the annual tournament is considered one of the toughest tickets in sports to obtain, second only to the “Big Game” in February.

I Attended the PGA Masters Tournament for the First Time and Here’s What It Was Like