Know Before You Go: About Augusta
Most people living in Augusta have never set foot on the grounds of the private Augusta National Golf Club, home of the Masters
Consider yourself lucky if you score tickets, a feat akin to winning the lottery. But the glory of the game spreads out all over town, especially during Masters Week in April. No matter what time of year you check in—and whether you’re a golf enthusiast or not—you'll soon discover that there's more to the Garden City than its famous loblolly pine-lined fairways and azalea-ringed greens.
Weather Wise
The Masters isn't held in summer for a reason. This is the Deep South, after all. In that regard, Augusta won't disappoint with its humidity. Even April can leave you languid with a sweaty brow or fanning yourself like a Southern belle in need of a fainting couch. Augusta sits at the fall line, where the Piedmont releases its elevated hold on the land to the coastal plains. Indeed, the sandy soil, waterways and Spanish moss hanging from the oaks will leave you feeling like you're at the coast, even though it's a few hours away.
Family-Friendly Fun
Beyond Augusta's famous fairways, non-golf attractions abound. Get on a boat and put on your walking shoes to experience the best the city has to offer. Petersburg boat tours depart daily from the dock at the Augusta Canal Discovery Center for cruises on the historic waterway. The red brick-lined Augusta Riverwalk stretches alongside the wide Savannah River flowing past downtown, with pocket parks, plazas, playgrounds and a large amphitheater where major concerts are held. Explore Augusta's creative side while strolling Artists Row, a section of Broad Street lined with galleries and specialty shops, and home to kid-friendly art events year round.
Coffee Beans and Military Green
The medical industry is one of the largest longtime employers in Augusta at facilities like the Georgia Regents Medical Center. A newer industry in town is coffee manufacturing. Starbucks opened a large plant in town in 2014. That may explain why the air sometimes smells as if a barista forgot to turn off the espresso machine. The city is also home to Fort Gordon, headquarters of the U.S. Army Signal Corps, and the reason olive is a common color motif in the area.
Stay on the Scene
You'll likely drive into town on Interstate 20, with the I-520 bypass providing easy access to the suburban areas. If you fly in, Augusta Regional Airport near I-520 is a regional spoke with limited flight service; many people fly into Atlanta and make the drive east. The Augusta Public Transit bus system serves locals more than tourists, but there's a downtown trolley for sightseeing. Board the trolley at the Augusta Museum of History, and be sure to step inside the museum for the permanent James Brown exhibit; the late soul singer called Augusta home and this exhibit contains a treasure trove of his artifacts.
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