Macon

Pros: historical, interesting
Cons: none

Hay House has been called "the most modern antebellum mansion ever built". Costing $100,000 back in 1860, the mansion has indoor plumbing, a circular brick breezeway that sent cool air into the house, and plenty of closet space. Five years...

Pros: beautiful and free to enjoy
Cons: n/a

Stopping by first at the Visitors Center, I started my tour of Ocmulgee National Monument with a 12 minute film and a look throught the various dioramas. I thought that this would give me a good "feel" for the area. There are a dozen burial...

Pros: Best Brunswick stew, BBQ, and Coolest Atmosphere Anywhere!
Cons: Woman cannot live on BBQ and Brunswick stew alone, but she sure has tried to.

Walk up to the order window under the front awning and say, "A pound and a quart, please." In just two minutes, a pound of steaming hot fresh pulled barbeque and a quart of the finest scalding brunswick stew is handed to you through the window...

Pros: Located at the crossroads of Interstates 75 and 16 in Middle Georgia; Friendly Southern hospitality; Grand historical significance.
Cons: Folks often miss out on the architectural beauties in downtown Macon when they only "drive by" on their way to Florida and the coastal regions.

Macon, GA is home to a multitude of historical sites and friendly folks who share their rich cultures with their neighbors. This is probably why the U.S. Census stated in December of 1998 that Georgia's population was "the fastest growing state...

Pros: Nostalgia from Classic R&B, Jazz, Pop and even the DISCO era!
Cons: Sorry I didn't discover this station sooner.

The new local radio station WRBB 101.7 FM [V102] has wedged itself nicely into a niche market as the premiere station targeted to the adult black audience, and is now my current favorite listening pleasure.

The station broadcasts 24 hours a...

Pros: REAL Italian Cuisine, Affordable
Cons: Family atmosphere, no candlelit romantically dimmed lights, a tad noisy when busy.

(updated 3/18/00)

Sure Macon has its share of chain restaurants touting authentic Italian Cuisine, like Olive Garden and Carraba's, but as you know the authenticity of real Italian cuisine can only be achieved by real Italian chefs using real...

Pros: Best Hoummous in Georgia, Affordable, Locally Owned.
Cons: Tiny dining area.

(updated 3/18/00)

Tucked away in a tiny crowded shopping strip on Tom Hill Sr. Blvd on the north side of Macon, nestled between a Papa John's Pizza shop and a Subway Sandwich shop is locally owned and operated Papouli's Restaurant &...

Pros: Atmosphere and Ambience no cyberculture can replace
Cons: Endangered by Chains and ECommerce.

They say brick-and-mortar establishments are fast becoming endangered entities in America's cultural fabric in favor of the virtues of virtual malls. But wrapping your mouth around a dripping, greasy chili dog in 30-degree weather while demanding...

Pros: Time heals all wounds.
Cons: Time brings change, change brings problems.

As a native of Macon I can give you a few tips on some of the headaches you can expect once you get here. These are mostly symptoms of a city trying to grow, and making adjustments to accommodate the growth.

Caveats to newcomers:
Macon...

Pros: Catching up with big city offerings while retaining the charms of Macon's history.
Cons: Growing pains affect everyone.

If you are considering a move to the Middle Georgia area, first of all WELCOME!

As a native, I'll point out some highlights for new residents, and then I'll try to give you a heads-up on this beautiful city's downfalls.

The...

Pros: Excellent food in a quaint, historic site.
Cons: Not for dinner!

Review Topic:  Restaurants

Last spring when I was at "home" I was saddened to learn that Len Berg's no longer serves an evening meal. Just at lunch now, you can enjoy dining at this Macon "Tradition."
...

Pros: Nu-way, arts, Museums
Cons: lack of entertainment for collage age

I have lived in Macon, Georgia all my life. So I am pretty familiar with the real Macon. There are many good things I can say about Macon and a number of bad things as well.

Let me start with the bad and hopefully it won't keep you from...

Pros: Some of the best southern food around.
Cons: Hard to find, can get crowded, serve only lunch at downtown location.

Ask almost anyone in Macon to name a place with good, old-fashioned southern cooking, and you will hear the name Len Berg's mentioned the most. Len Berg's is a local restaurant that has been serving food since 1908. I have very fond memories of...

Pros: A lot of books at great prices
Cons: Check-out takes a long time

If you are traveling through Macon during the last Thursday, Friday and Saturday in February, a trip to Central City Park for the Friends of The Library Annual Book Sale is a must. This is an event that the Friends of the Library hold every year to...

Pros: lots of history
Cons: too much expansion

Macon, Georgia is a world of compromise. Just as it's located dead smack in the state's geographical center, it's also the middle ground for just about everything else. You can see antebellum homes on one side of town, and brand new condos on the other....