Things To Do for the Full Southern Rock Experience
Coming to Macon for a concert? Why not make an entire weekend out of it? Macon is the one stop shop place to see how artists like the Allman Brothers, Otis Redding, Little Richard, and many more spent their time here!
If you are a southern rock fan, a music history buff, or just enjoy a good time, these places are must-sees. Here’s the perfect list of things to see and places to stay while you’re in town:
1. The Allman Brothers Band Museum at The Big House, 2321 Vineville Avenue
The ultimate destination for all things Allman Brothers! Explore the band's connection to Macon and how they changed the face of music at The Allman Brothers Band Museum at The Big House. The Brothers stayed here with their friends, families, and roadies from 1969-1973. It is the house where many of the band's hits were inspired. It was also the birthplace of the band Gov’t Mule, and continues to inspire writing within its walls today!
You can find displays, archives, and exhibits of memorabilia and instruments related to the Allman Brothers Band. The cherry on top– there are recreations of the original rooms that once housed Duane Allman’s bedroom, Berry Oakley’s daughter Brittany’s childhood bedroom and the “Casbah” music room, where the music magic happened.
The Big House is open Thursday through Saturday 11am-6pm, and Sunday 11am-4pm.
2. Capricorn Sound Studios & Museum at 540 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
This recording studio was used by the Allman Brothers Band for three albums, Gregg Allman's solo album Laid Back, and Dickey Betts’s solo album Highway Call! Capricorn Records became a hub for southern rock where legends like the Marshall Tucker Band, the Charlie Daniels Band, Wet Willie, Elvin Bishop, and more recorded their music.
Today, you can browse through digital Capricorn albums and see memorabilia at their interactive museum. They also offer studio tours, so you can even see the historic and restored Studio A!
Capricorn is open Wednesday/Thursday 11am-6pm, Friday-Saturday 10am-6pm, and Sunday 10am-3pm; and studio tours are at 10am, Thursday-Saturday.
3. H&H Restaurant at 807 Forsyth Street
There are two main reasons you can’t miss H&H Restaurant: the food is delicious (like, really) and this is where the Allman Brothers Band spent a lot of time. This is where the young, interracial band attempted to share one plate of food and were treated and taken care of by the late Mama Louise Hudson, developing a lifelong friendship and bond.
Whether you need a bite to eat for breakfast or lunch– or both– this is the perfect spot. The dedicated team of cooks work hard to keep Mama Ines & Mama Louise’s tradition and yummy food alive.
H&H is open Monday through Friday 7am-3pm, and Saturday/Sunday 8am-3pm.
4. Rose Hill Cemetery At 1071 Riverside Drive
Founded in 1840, this scenic cemetery bordered by railroad tracks on the banks of the Ocmulgee River provided artistic inspiration for the Allman Brothers Band in their early years, as immortalized in their songs “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed” and “Little Martha.” Today, ABB founding members Duane Allman, Berry Oakley, and Gregg Allman are interred side-by-side in this beautiful resting place, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Also worth seeing is the Bond Monument, where the Allman Brothers Band took one of their iconic first album photos, the “Little Martha” statue and the grave of Elizabeth Napier Reed. Other notable people buried at Rose Hill are the Johnstons, who built Macon’s very own, the Hay House.
Rose Hill Cemetery is open from 7am-7pm every day.
Take a Walking Tour
When you have downtime between your concert festivities, Rock Candy Tours are the best way to see all the sights and learn all the fun facts! The Free Birds & Night Owls Walking Tour is offered every Friday at 7pm and the Rock & Soul Riding Tour is offered Monday-Thursday at 10:30am.
Or discover our Macon Music Trail, a self-guided tour that takes visitors to where music in Macon was created. The tour features the homes of Macon music legends, iconic album cover locations, and legendary performance venues. This trail and more can be found on our Tour Macon app, available on Apple and Google App Store.
Book Your Stay
If you’re wanting a unique Macon experience with your stay book a room at Hotel Forty Five or the 1842 Inn.
If you want more of an intimate southern rock experience, consider one of the AirBNB's listed below.
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