Two Days of Music Must-Sees in Augusta
Explore the musical heritage of James Brown's hometown, and feel the soul power of this funky-groovy, beautiful hub on the Savannah River.
Georgia's second oldest and second largest city, Augusta has been showing off her charms to the world for more than 50 years as host to the Masters Tournament. It's a perfect, scenic setting for one of the world’s most prestigious sporting events, but there’s much more to Augusta than golf.
This beautiful hub on the banks of the Savannah River has a rich history of arts and culture – after all, James Brown, the Godfather of Soul himself, grew up here. And Grammy-winning soul singer Sharon Jones (of Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings) was born here, so there has to be a little something funky-groovy going on along the water.
The arts and culture scene in this hospitable, charming city is booming as of late, so it’s an ideal time to take a weekend excursion to explore this gem.
Start Your Day Here
Start your trip off right by visiting Augusta & Co., an innovative visitor experience center located in the heart of downtown. Here, you can chat with a staff member and get expert help in making the most of your time in town, or you can grab a handful of brochures and do some self-guided exploration. There’s also a rotating art gallery on site, and a lovely gift shop featuring carefully curated local merchandise like custom Augusta t-shirts from Land of Thee, and delicious cookies and gourmet nut mixes from Watanut.
Next up, pay tribute to hometown icon James Brown by visiting the commemorative, cape-clad statue of The Hardest Working Man in Show Business. Located on Broad Street in Downtown Augusta, the statue is as iconoclastic as James himself. Legend has it that he wanted his statue to be standing on the ground, not placed on a pedestal as is the usual custom, because he wanted to be remembered as a true man of the people. He’s also depicted with a grin on his face instead of the traditional solemn-faced pose – a natural choice for the joy-radiating singer who brought “I Feel Good” to the world. This wonderful monument to a legendary genius features a selfie-ready automated camera that will snap a pic of you with Mr. Brown’s likeness and text it to your phone as a memento.
Lunch & Museum
Stop for lunch at one of the many exciting restaurants in Augusta’s historic downtown. Whiskey Bar Kitchen, with its unexpected-yet-delicious menu of Japanese and American comfort food and an extensive roster of hard-to-find whiskeys from around the world, is a great choice.
Then, spend your afternoon perusing the exhibits at the Augusta Museum of History. Founded in 1937, the museum is home to the largest historical collection in the area, and proudly features the first and most comprehensive exhibit dedicated to James Brown. Watch captivating video footage of Soul Brother Number One's iconic dance moves; hear fascinating oral history from his famous and not-so-famous friends; be dazzled by displays of his on-stage costumes; and learn more about his life, legacy, and invaluable contribution to our country’s rich musical heritage.
Dine on Seafood & Southern Cooking
Head across the Savannah River into North Augusta to fill up at local favorite Deshawn’s Seafood, owned by James Brown’s daughter Deanna Brown Thomas and her husband Shawn. Beloved for their no-frills atmosphere and exemplary service, Deshawn’s serves up seafood platters – the crab legs and low country boil are favorites – and good, old-fashioned fried chicken dinners, complete with side dishes like warm baked potato salad, cheesy grits, and collard greens. You’ll leave feeling nurtured, fulfilled, and undoubtedly sleepy.
After-dinner Drinks & Historic Hotel
But don’t hit the hay just yet! Instead, rally and head to downtown Augusta’s Soul Bar. Decorated wall-to-wall with James Brown memorabilia, this bar is dedicated to keeping Augusta funky with the finest drinks and music in town. Hit them up for a divey good time, and rub elbows with the hippest locals.
Settle down for the night at the beautifully restored Partridge Inn, known as “The Grand Hotel of the Classic South.” The original 1836 structure has been meticulously preserved, with additions made so guests can truly experience the best of both worlds – historic grandeur alongside modern comforts and conveniences. Stop by on-site contemporary Southern restaurant P.I. Bar and Grill for a nightcap, or treat yourself to their award-winning “Best of Augusta” Sunday Brunch.
Get on Up for Day Two
Wake up, grab a breakfast sandwich and some locally roasted coffee from New Moon Café, and head to the place often referred to as the front porch of the city: the Augusta Riverwalk, a multi-level brick walking path alongside the Savannah River. Enjoy the beautiful scenery as you stroll, stop to rest in the shade on one of the many benches, read about the area’s history on the historical markers along the way, and (if you have kids, or even if you’re just a kid at heart) check out the cool playgrounds.
Make a stop at the Morris Museum of Art, the oldest museum in the country dedicated to Southern art and artists, located on the Riverwalk. In addition to a robust permanent collection, the museum hosts more than 15 special exhibits per year. Admission is free on Sundays and $5 per person the rest of the week. Guests rave about the friendly, knowledgeable staff and the fascinating, compelling artwork that helps paint a more in-depth picture of the true Southern experience.
Eat & Drink Local
2nd City Distilling Co. is a new addition to the Riverwalk as of 2019, and they’re generating amazing buzz. The owners are committed to small-batch distilling as a craft, and they’re proud to use local ingredients in their spirits (which include whiskey, bourbon, vodka, and gin) and to distill, bottle, and package everything by hand at their Augusta location. Distillery tours are available for $5 per person and begin every hour on the hour on days when they’re open (check the website for the latest info on this). Each tour ends with a visit to the tasting room, where you can sample these lovingly crafted libations for yourself.
Just steps from the Riverwalk, you’ll find the Boll Weevil Café, located in an old cotton warehouse from the 1870s. Now charmingly renovated, the café offers a relaxing spot to sit, unwind, and have a glass of wine, and there’s a menu full of Southern-inspired specialties. Favorites include the Southern Gent, a roast beef and fried green tomato sandwich topped with horseradish cheddar and served on homemade focaccia, and the self-explanatory pimento cheese burger. Save room for dessert, because the Boll Weevil is renowned for its delicious, generous slices of homemade cake, cheesecake, and pie; the red velvet cake earns lots of accolades, as does the canary lemon.
Get an Encore Here
Before you head out of town, check the schedule for the Imperial Theatre. Originally opened in 1918 as a Vaudeville house then called the Wells, the Imperial has been providing Augusta with quality live entertainment for just over a full century now. It's the home for the Augusta Ballet, the Augusta Players, the Poison Peach independent film series, and many other dance and theatre troupes. A diverse array of touring artists and musicians - from Charlie Chaplin to Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings - have graced the stage. If you’re lucky, you can check out a musical theatre performance or a screening of a local filmmaker’s newest work.
