Last updated on December 19, 2023.

As soon as we arrived in Macon, Marisol and I decided to take a walk around downtown. We found it to be a pleasant and friendly place, but a bit run down in parts. It seemed like a whole section of it had been recently renovated while other sections were a work in progress.

3rd Street in Macon, Georgia
3rd Street

 

Terminal Station

We started at Terminal Station, which was a railroad station built in 1916. Passenger trains stopped running in 1972 and the station remained empty until 1982, when it was converted into an office building.

Terminal Station in Macon, Georgia
Terminal Station

 

Museums

In front of Terminal Station are two of Macon’s most important museums. On one side is the Tubman Museum, dedicated to African American art, history, and culture. On the other side is the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, which is the largest state sports hall of fame in the country. We didn’t get a chance to visit either museum, but hope to if we pass through town in the future.

Tubman Museum in Macon, Georgia
Tubman Museum
Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in Macon, Georgia
Georgia Sports Hall of Fame

 

Tic Toc Room

Next, before walking down Cherry Street, we took a left at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and noticed the Tic Toc Room. One of Macon’s finest restaurants, it was the place where Little Richard first laid the foundations for rock-and-roll. Otis Redding, James Brown, and other greats also performed there.

Tic Toc Room in Macon, Georgia
Tic Toc Room

 

Cherry Street

We found Cherry Street to be a nice place to walk. There were a few restaurants with outdoor seating and many of the people we passed on the sidewalk said hello.

Cherry Street in Macon, Georgia
Cherry Street

 

2nd Street

Once we got to 2nd Street, we turned right and found a nice block with a monument in the center.  The Otis Redding Foundation is also on the block. It was founded in 2007 by Redding’s wife, Zelma, to improve the lives of youth through music. Across Mulberry Street was the Bibb County Courthouse, which was built in 1924.

2nd Street in Macon, Georgia
2nd Street
2nd Street in Macon, Georgia
2nd Street
Otis Redding Foundation in Macon, Georgia
Otis Redding Foundation
Bibb County Courthouse in Macon, Georgia
Bibb County Courthouse

 

Rosa Parks Square

We then walked back down 1st Street where we stopped into Rosa Parks Square. Adjacent to the park is the Macon City Auditorium, which opened in 1925.

Rosa Parks Square in Macon, Georgia
Rosa Parks Square

 

Macon City Hall

Across the street is Macon City Hall, which was originally built in 1837. During the Civil War, it served as a Confederate military hospital and for a brief time the temporary Georgia state capitol.

Macon City Hall in Macon, Georgia
Macon City Hall

 

St. Joseph’s Catholic Church

From there, we walked to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. The beautiful building, which is the 3rd tallest in Macon, was built between 1888 and 1903. The congregation was formed in 1841 by Irish Catholic immigrants who had moved there in the 1830s.

St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Macon, Georgia
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church

The church, which is usually open from 8am to 4:30pm, is definitely worth popping into. There are over 60 stained glass windows and the interior is gorgeous.

St. Joseph’s Catholic Church
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church
St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Macon, Georgia
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church
St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Macon, Georgia
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church

 

First Baptist Church of Christ

Next door is the First Baptist Church of Christ, founded in 1826. The building, which is the congregation’s fourth location, was dedicated in 1887. We weren’t able to go inside. Also nearby is the Temple Beth Israel, a synagogue completed in 1902 by a congregation that was formed in 1859.

First Baptist Church of Christ in Macon, Georgia
First Baptist Church of Christ

 

Poplar Street

Walking back down Poplar Street, we noticed the Armory Ballroom, which we thought was one of the more beautiful buildings downtown. It’s located at the corner of Poplar and 1st Street and has a pub on the ground floor.

Armory Ballroom in Macon, Georgia
Armory Ballroom
Armory Ballroom street level in Macon, Georgia
Armory Ballroom street level

The rest of Poplar Street seemed like it was getting a makeover. There were almost no business at all, but there were a few buildings under construction.

Poplar Street in Macon, Georgia
Poplar Street

Author

Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.