Posted by Liz and John, 11/11/25

Macon, Georgia is where legends live. Being only 1.5 hours from our house in North Metro Atlanta, it is an easy weekend getaway! From Macon’s deep roots in the national music scene, to local downtown bars, restaurants, nightlife, and historical attractions steeped in history, Macon has it all. That’s why we fell in love with it. Find out where to stay, what to eat and drink, and what to do when you visit.

Where to Stay:

Hotel Forty-Five

Hotel Forty-Five is where legends lay their heads. We stayed at the Hotel Forty-Five again on this trip and loved every minute of it! The hotel was originally built by Hay as Macon’s original skyscraper! He was one of the most prominent men in Macon and built it for his insurance company. The original floor and elevators still exist in the lobby! The hotel embodies the music soul of the city. From greats like Otis Redding to Allman Brothers have roots here, museums, and Capricorn Studios is still recording to this day!

The homage to music at the hotel is everywhere from the Allmand Brother’s plaques at the elevators to knock backs and books in the lobby. The lobby is cool and circular, and then the elevator area is still decorated like an insurance company with original elevator doors and art deco flooring! The rooms are spacious and comfortable. It has modern yet art deco decor, stunning Macon downtown mural, comfy bed, stunning center light, and marbled bathroom. Plus, love the downtown views!

Food and drink on site are top notch starting with their rooftop bar. Hightales is located on the 6th floor with epic views of downtown! Churches and building, and even the Macon Auditorium. They serve up delicious hand-crafted cocktails like an Old Fashioned, but a play on a classic with tequila! Downstairs in the lobby is the beautiful Loom restaurant! Really enjoyed the smoky, creamy smoked fish dip, the old fashioned made with their own bourbon, and the sensational juicy steak for an entree. Our full food review below in where to eat and drink in Macon.

Macon’s is All About Music

It is where legends are made! When we were in Macon, something that really struck a chord with us is how in tune Macon is with music. Being huge music lovers, we wanted to put together a list of music related things to do in Macon for you to save for an upcoming stay! Did you know legends like Allman Brothers and Otis Redding lived and created hits in Macon?

Here is our curated itinerary for the music lover:

📍 Allman Brothers Big House & Museum: the place where the brothers and their band lived, performed, and created some of their biggest hits. Travel through the band’s history, memorabilia, clothing, and their equipment! Go upstairs to see how they lived and some cool memorabilia they left behind.

📍 Rose Hill Cemetery. Grab a map from the Big House and explore where the brothers rest. Ring the bell in honor of their late mother, Mama Carolyn.

📍 Capricorn Records. Originally purchased by Otis Redding as his recording studio, he passed before it was finished and it finally became Capricorn Records. The tour takes you on a journey from new recording spots and then all the way back in time to the original studio where Allman brothers and Marshall Tucker recorded back in the day. It is original and looks the same today! Did you know guitarists play in another room and mixed into the music after?? Plus, they have a museum and a catalog of all their music you can listen to upstairs!

📍 Otis Redding Museum. No video or photos allowed. Take a walk through Otis Redding’s life! It is packed with treasures and memorabilia for the king of soul.

📍 Fresh Produce: downtown Macon’s go-to spot for music, vinyl, and more!

📍 Grant’s Lounge: still open for nightly music has been around since the 70s and is a historical music landmark. In the early days, bands would come and play in hopes to get signed by Capricorn. We saw blues legend Robert Coleman the night we went!

📍 Hummingbirds: music joint with live music! We saw Hung Jury when we visited.

Historical Tours: Hay House, “Palace of the South”

We went right before Halloween so we went to Legends and Lore at night, but the Hay House has a daily tour during the day you can do! We stepped into the world of chilling tales in one of the most opulent mansions I’ve ever seen! The Johnstons built the house in The Johnstons built the house in 1851 who traveled Europe for 3 years and brought Italian design to it. There are rounded pocket doors, stained glass, ballrooms and lavish dining rooms, state of the art air and communication for the time and even an elevator.

You’ll tour the kitchen, pantry, and area where the help would have worked. The main floor is stunning with formal dining room, ballroom, and siting rooms. The third floor is where the family lived, bedrooms, and bathrooms, even a secret room! This house was handed down to the Felton’s and then sold to Hay. There is a really cool spire at the top where you go up a spiral staircase to see a view from 7 flight up! Yes, it is that tall!

Where to eat and drink in Macon, GA

GA is where legends eat (and drink) well! While we were in Macon, GA, we had some delicious adventures at several restaurants, bars, and more.

Here are our recommendations:

Macon Bagels is a must try for your morning bagel fix. I got the scrumptious The Champ loaded with crunchy bacon, creamy avocado, tomato and a divine caramelized onion cream cheese on a garlic bagel! They also serve coffee and other morning musts!

H&H Restaurant is an institution! The Allman Brothers ate here frequently and became fast friends with the place! I got the Midnight Rider biscuit from the brunch menu a buttery, flaky biscuit piled with crunchy, tender fried chicken, sweet bacon jam, and creamy pimento cheese. Got a side of delicious, creamy, well-seasoned deviled eggs! John got an egg and bacon biscuit! They also have meat and 3 or lunch options as well!

Yollah for brunch! I’d been for a burger there once and loved it so had to try their brunch! Here are a few things I love from Yollah. Starting with their breakfast empanada that is crispy outside and filled with creamy potatoes, egg and cheese, spicy chorizo. You must try the perfectly spiced and gooey, Tres Leches Cinnamon Roll. It can’t get over the Tres Leches icing. If savory is your thing, opt for the breakfast skillet. Filled with hearty potatoes, spicy chorizo, creamy queso, runny egg and cheese, topped with pico, it is delicious. Finally, the Avocado Toast is a thick buttery bread with creamy avocado, pickled onions, tangy pico de gallo, and runny egg.

Rookery is a well-known burger joint downtown! It was established in 1976 and has been serving burgers to locals for years! I got the fantastic Walden Greenback burger loaded with a crunchy fried green tomato, tangy green onion, thick applewood cut bacon, cheese, and an earthy creamy sun-dried tomato remoulade. I paired it with house made onion rings! John just got a regular cheeseburger and fries.

Another dinner spot is Loom in the Hotel Forty-Five.  Starting with their epic Smoked Trout Dip. Toasty and herbed crunchy bread, creamy, dill forward trout dip, sweet peppers, and olives all culminate in a great bite. Steak lovers will love their steak! Perfectly cooked steak with a rich Demi glaze and tasty wedge potatoes sure with garlic and herbs, tangy yet sweet caramelized onions. Also enjoyed the Catch of the day, a lemon pepper rubbed, flaky cobia fish. Served with bright and tart lemon thyme vinaigrette with a delicious white bean puree and a ton of earthy veggies. The favorite of the cocktails is Old Fashioned. They curate their own bourbon for this cocktail, and it is boozy, sweet, and citrusy.

No Macon trip would be complete without a visit to Monkey’s Paw Tiki bar! We stumbled on them last time we were in town and had to go back! Their tiki drinks are top notch, full show, tiki mugs and all! We get mai tais and painkillers!