FAQs

Macon is known for its music, history, architecture and Southern hospitality — with a little pink thrown in for good measure. Nicknamed the “Where Soul Lives,” Macon has deep musical roots as the birthplace or home base of legends including Otis Redding, Little Richard and the Allman Brothers Band.

The city is also famous for its historic architecture, including the Hay House and Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, as well as its hundreds of thousands of Yoshino cherry trees that bloom each spring.

Add in a lively downtown, locally owned restaurants, festivals and a thriving arts and music scene, and you'll quickly see why Macon is one of Georgia's most distinctive destinations.

Macon is always up to something! Visit Macon’s Events Calendar is the best place to find upcoming festivals, concerts, farmers markets, sporting events, performing arts and more. Macon is home to more than 20 annual events & festivals, so there's always something to celebrate!

Yes! There are plenty of ways to explore Macon with a guide — or at your own pace. Rocky Candy Tours offers guided tours six nights a week! Find van tours, walking tours and immersive experiences tours, covering everything from music history and ghosts to African American heritage and exclusive seasonal offerings.

You can also explore Macon independently with self-guided trails through the Tour Macon app.

Absolutely! Historic Downtown Macon was designed as a city in a park, with wide boulevards, tree-lined streets and easily navigable sidewalks for those with mobility challenges. Many restaurants, shops, museums, music landmarks and historic sites are within a comfortable walking distance of one another.

If you want to explore on foot with a little local storytelling along the way, check out Visit Macon’s walking tours. Interested in exploring on your own? Try out this walkable weekend itinerary!

Parking is always free in the rear parking lot of our downtown Visitors Center.

Otherwise, on-street meters are free after 8pm everyday and all day on Sundays. The garage at 440 Mulberry Garage Street is free on weekends and after 7pm Monday-Friday.

In addition, parking is free on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, July Fourth, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day unless otherwise announced.

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Macon's International Cherry Blossom Festival takes place each spring, typically in mid to late March.

The festival celebrates Macon's famous pink blooms with events, entertainment, food, shopping and plenty of ways to experience the city for ten days in full bloom.

This Year's Dates

Macon is home to more than 350,000 cherry trees, earning it the nickname "Cherry Blossom Capital of the World." The Cherry Blossom Festival and the Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful Commission have distributed over 6,500 trees as gifts from the Fickling family.

While Yoshino cherry trees make up much of Macon's famous spring display, the city is home to many species of cherry trees.

Every spring, those hundreds of thousands of trees turn Macon pink — and make a pretty compelling case for planning a visit.

Macon knows how to make the holidays merry and bright. During the holiday season, the city comes alive with twinkling lights, festive events, holiday markets, concerts, performances and seasonal celebrations throughout Macon and Bibb County.

Take a stroll through beautifully decorated historic neighborhoods, catch a holiday performance, shop local for unique gifts or gather around the table at one of Macon's restaurants. And don't miss the city's annual holiday traditions, including the Macon Christmas Light Extravaganza and Marché de Noël Macon Christmas Market.

Whether you're visiting for a weekend getaway or coming home for the holidays, Macon is a little extra magical this time of year.