So You're a Fan of Southern Rock?
Walk the same steps as the Allman Brothers
Long before playlists and streaming made it easy to discover your next favorite band, Macon was a place where musicians gathered, experimented and created something entirely their own.
In the late 1960s and 1970s, the city became a creative crossroads where blues, soul, country, gospel and rock 'n' roll collided. The result? A sound that would travel far beyond Middle Georgia... defining Southern rock.
Big House Museum
No Southern rock journey is complete without a stop at the Big House. Step inside to explore the stories, sounds and people that helped shape Southern rock, otherwise known as the Allman Brothers. Gov’t Mule was also conceived at the house and held its first rehearsals there.
The house is filled with memorabilia, instruments, photographs and archives that bring the era to life, along with recreations of the original rooms. It is more than a museum — it's a place where Southern rock history was made.
Want to learn all the facts? The Free Birds & Night Owls Walking Tour is the ultimate music history tour. Walk through the downtown Macon commercial and nightlife districts — otherwise known as the birthplace of Southern rock.
The Bell House
With its grand white columns and classic architecture, this beautiful building is home to the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings at Mercer University, where students, faculty and visiting artists come together to practice, record, perform and collaborate.
Its connection to Macon's musical history goes back decades.
In 1969, the building served as the backdrop for the iconic cover photo of the Allman Brothers Band's first self-titled album. Visit this historic Macon landmark and stand in the same place where the image of one of Southern rock's most influential bands was captured.
Rolling Stone deemed Macon the "Music Lover's Haven."
Check it out yourself.
Rose Hill Cemetery
Surrounded by towering trees and bordered by railroad tracks, Rose Hill Cemetery's peaceful landscape became an artistic inspiration for the Allman Brothers Band.
Look out for the Bond Monument, where the band posed for one of their iconic early album photos. Look for the grave of Elizabeth Napier Reed, whose name Dickey Betts used for “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed,” as well as the grave marker known to fans as “Little Martha."
Fans can visit the final resting places of Allman Brothers Band founding members Duane Allman, Gregg Allman, Berry Oakley and Butch Trucks.
Rose Hill is also the final resting place of the Johnston family, who built Macon's magnificent Hay House.
Want to eat, sleep and breathe just like the Allman Brothers? Stay at one of these AirBNBs:
| Gregg Allman's 1970s Apartment | Carriage House | Capricorn Theme Loft | Allman Brothers Theme Loft |
H&H Soul Food
H&H Restaurant is a must-see joint for any Southern rock fan — and for good reason. The food is otherworldly, but the restaurant's place in music history is just as heavenly.
In the early days of the Allman Brothers Band, the group often ate at H&H, where the late Mama Louise Hudson welcomed them with open arms. Legend has it that the band once had to share a single plate of food, and Mama Louise made sure they were well fed.
Over time, that kindness grew into a lifelong friendship and bond between Mama Louise and the band, leading them to bring her on the road when the band struck success.
Looking for a place to start? The Macon Music Trail features the homes of Macon music legends, iconic album cover locations and unforgettable performance venues. Download the Tour Macon app to hit all the must-see music attractions in Macon.
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Capricorn Sound Studios
Visit the place where Southern rock found its sound. This legendary recording studio was home to some of the Allman Brothers Band's most influential recordings, as well as Gregg Allman's solo album, "Laid Back," and Dickey Betts's "Highway Call."
But the music didn't stop there.
Capricorn Records attracted artists like the Marshall Tucker Band, Charlie Daniels Band, Wet Willie, Elvin Bishop and many more. Explore an interactive museum featuring digital Capricorn albums, music memorabilia and stories from the artists who helped put Macon on the musical map.
