Gateway Macon

Gatewaymacon.org is a locally created initiative designed to highlight the best of Macon, Georgia.  Through collaboration with key organizations, Macon attractions, and institutions, Gatewaymacon.org promotes the creativity, uniqueness, history, and entertainment that Macon offers. var sc_project=7221865; var sc_invisible=0; var sc_security="b9e38dc0";

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Pre-Thanksgiving Events this Weekend!

A lot of Things to be Thankful for this week!

While our Fall was cut short by a sudden appearance of Winter there are still a lot of great things happening around town to get you ready for the upcoming Holiday. 

A Black Tie Affair We start off our weekend things to do round up with a benefit event that has become a favorite of Macon’s Black Tie crowd. The annual Goodwill Gala will feature a Big City theme bringing a little of New York city to central Georgia.  The evening will include dancing, savory culinary delights and other extraordinary special events. Proceeds benefit Goodwill’s academic and career development programs, including the Polly Long Denton School of Hospitality at Helms College. 

A Blues Master If the only way you would be caught wearing a tuxedo is at your own funeral then put on your old blue jeans and your best rock t-shirt and go see Tinsely Ellis in concert at Cox Capital Theatre. Tinsely is a blues master and has shared the stage with greats like Stevie Ray Vaughan, Otis Rush, Willie Dixon, Son Seals, Koko Taylor, Albert Collins and many others. This is your chance to see a master of his craft live in Macon… 

A Better Thanksgiving Cooking Solution With Thanksgiving coming up faster than you expected, there are a lot of things to get done before next week. If you are too busy to cook your own Thanksgiving fest, don't worry Gateway Macon has you covered. Check out our TOP 5 Best places to pick up Thanksgiving dinner list. With all the time you saved not cooking you can go out and enjoy some of these next events listed. 

A Lot Like Christmas Get the entire family in the mood for the holidays with a Tree Lighting Ceremony at The Shoppes at River Crossing. The weather sure feels like December, so bundle up to stay warm and enjoy activities like caroling, face painting, balloon artists, an interactive bell choir, complimentary photo booth, carriage rides, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. 

A Shopping Spectacular  If you like to get your shopping done all in one place and are looking for some unique and creative gift ideas then head to the Mistletoe Market. An extra bonus to shopping at this event is all proceeds generated go to help local charities over the holiday season. So, shop till you drop and know by doing so you are helping those less fortunate.

A Way to Say "Thanks" A new  challenge for our Gatekeepers is trying to find events that appeal to those over 55. Lets face it, not everyone wants to hear a live rock band at 10pm at night. Our Top Pick for Seniors this weekend is the Mercer Women’s Chamber Choir giving a free performance of Thanksgiving songs at the Townsend School of Music on Mercer’s campus. Get your Grandma out this Sunday for this wonderful performance and let her know how thankful you are for all she has done for you. 

A Fight Night Delight  Macon is experiencing a renewed interest in Boxing.  Thanks to the beautiful new boxing facility located in Payne City Community Center the Macon-Bibb United Boxing Club is putting one a Thanksgiving themed boxing exposition that is sure to have you on your feet cheering on our local talent.

A Good Cause to Party Closing out this weekend’s Top Pick events is a benefit concert that pays homage to our southern rock roots. Skydog 68 annual benefit concrt will have central city park rocking with a hall of fame line up of talent. This year’s concert will benefit The Rescue Mission of Middle Georgia and admission to the event is only 10 cans of food per person. The spirit of Duane Allman will be smiling down on Central City Park this Sunday for sure. 

You can always find more to do in and around Macon in our Live Music Calendar which gives you everything you need to know before you go out on the town. A special shout out to Trey Teem, our Favorite Local Musician will be live at The Dawg House on Saturday. 

If you get out this weekend and want to find a good place to eat well we got that covered as well… Our dining guide has it all - from detailed info, complete restaurant reviews and we even have a preferred listing to make your life easier. 

In case you missed it, Macon has been recently named the #1 US Best Value City. If you want to know more about how Macon was selected to such a honorable distinction check out our write up on the how and the why Macon. 

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Macon Named Best Value City

Did you hear the latest news about Macon, Ga? No, not the negative news, we don't cover that here at Gateway Macon. We are talking about Macon, Georgia being named as #1 in the recent US Best Value Cities for 2015 survey. 

When we first saw this article we were curious to know what "Best Value" city meant and who had bestowed this honor upon our hometown. A little digging discovered the source of this honorable distinction and the criteria used to determine Macon as the number one best value in the entire United States.

The Who

The travel website Trivago posted on this article on their blog page and that blog post was picked up by Huffingtonpost.com. Trivago is reputable operation and they have a ton of travel data at their fingertips.

The How

The folks at Trivago ran a comparison of thousands of hotel rates for cities  and also compared that data to Trivagos city reputation review ratings. Shake all that up in a database blender and the results say Macon, Georgia. has some of the best rates and some of the highest consumer reviews from  travelers.  That’s really something to brag about!

So, let’s say you have never been to Macon and you come across this article stating Macon is the Best Value for a vacation or weekend getaway, your next BIG question might be "What in the heck is there to do in Macon?" Of course, that is question we at Gateway Macon feel supremely suited to answer. The first thing you may want to know is, are there any good places to eat near my hotel? We would point you to our detailed restaurant listing page that also offers a "preferred" listing section  providing all the info you need to find a good restaurant in Macon. If you want more than just listings with detailed info, then we would recommend you read some of the many restaurant reviews we have published in our restaurant review section.   If that wasn't enough info for you to pick several good restaurant, then you are only one or two clicks away from our TOP 5 Lists which would rank for you not only some great food options, but other interesting TOP 5 lists like the best places for Happy Hour or even some good places to eat that are within a short drive from Macon.

Check dining and drinking off the list! What else might there be to do in this Best Value city? A quick search of the Gateway Macon website will quickly yield our Gatekeeper's Top Picks for Things to Do . Our Top Picks are perfect for newbies to Macon, it is a well thought out list of some of the more interesting, unique and entertaining things going on each week in Macon. 

Wow, this whole trip based on Best Value is really starting to sound like a great idea isn't it? What about festivals, museums and outdoor activities? Check, check and check!

Fast forward to after your Macon getaway- you picked Macon for its cost effective hotels and then you discovered that it is actually a vibrant city with activities and events happening year round. You even took a peak at Gateway Macon's Live Music Calendar while you were here and were so blown away by the wide variety of musical performances happening just about every night of the week that you took in a show and were amazed by the local and regional talent.

Maybe Trivago should consider renaming that list to “Cities with hotel rates that don’t break the bank that also have great places to eat, drink, hear live music, attend festivals and always have interesting things to do!” Doesn't have the same ring to it that Best Value Cities has, but in the case of Macon, Georgia it would be a much more accurate name!

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Half Week of Tim Fain: Video 2 - Portals Trailer

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Half-Week of Tim Fain  - Video 1: Tim Fain in the movie Black Swan

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Macon, Georgia has a lot to offer. A source of water, space for businesses, historic homes, entertainment, museums, and a great deal of Southern Charm!

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I was talking to someone who had a friend visiting from out of town. The person was visiting from a bigger city and it made me realize that while Macon, Georgia is growing as a city, we are NOT trying to compete with Chicago or New York. We can’t offer giant museums, although our museums are great. We can’t offer a million places to eat, though what we have to offer is delicious. What we can offer is good food, a laid back environment (where you can sit out, enjoy your drinks, and unwind), and a lot of history.

What to Do When Visiting Macon: Part 2

11. The Ocmulgee River - The Ocmulgee offers lots of floating, feet dangling, and contemplation opportunities. And with warm- make that hot - weather for 8 out of 12 months, the citizens and visitors of Macon, Georgia have plenty of chances to take advantage of the river. 

12. Bars & Entertainment - Whether you choose your favorite downtown bar, crosstown bar, or music venue, you will have plenty of chances for drink specials (Macon's prices are much less than some of those big cities we can't emulate), great music, and maybe even the chance to meet a local celebrity!

13. DJ Shawty Slim - We have plenty of local celebrities that are known across the world... Chuck Leavell and Robert McDuffie just to name a few. However, we happen to be a city where the local celebrities come out to play as well. From jazz and blue greats to hip hop artists, you never know who you'll run into when you have a drink at the Hummingbird Stage & Taproom or Grant's Lounge, including the official DJ for Grammy nominated artist B.O.B, DJ Shawty Slim. 

14. Second Sunday at Washington Park - Of all the events that have begun uniting a city, the Second Sunday events, sponsored by College Hill Corridor, has brought people from all areas of town to enjoy music, food, and drinks in the park with family, friends, and pets. 

15. Grant's Lounge - You have to see The Wall, which shows the amazing history of music that has played within their walls. If you're here on the right weekend, you'll hear some amazing music as well.

16. The Museum of Arts & Sciences - We have a great museum with interesting collections, traveling exhibits, and original exhibits featuring the talents of locals. While it might not compare to MoMA or the Museum of Contemporary Art or Field Museum in Chicago in breadth, we also have the Mark Smith Planetarium. With the addition of the new lens, one of only three in the Americas, it projects images, photographs, visualizations of space, and more onto the third largest dome in the entire state (the largest in Central Georgia within 100 miles), and creates a virtual reality of space and other astronomy related programs for the thousands that visit every year.

17. Ocmulgee Indian Mounds - The Indian Mounds has the oldest living history record of anywhere in the United States and is one of Macon's largest attraction. A visit would be remiss without taking your guest to the Indian Mounds. 

18. St. Joseph's Catholic Church - This Church is only one of many historical places in town that can be visited. The majesty and beauty of St. Joseph's, the history and elegance of the Hay House, and other places like the Sidney Lanier Cottage. There is history in so many buildings. Taking a walk through downtown Macon can offer views like these.

19. Parks & Recreation - There are a lot of parks available for picnics, for reading, for relaxing... because if you're visiting Macon, you're here to see friends or family and you're here to relax. Take advantage of those quiet times in some of our most beautiful open spaces.

20. The Allman Brothers Museum at The Big House - Here we are again with that musical legacy. We have a lot to be proud of and we have museums to show it. Plus, The Big House is beautiful, the back yard is phenomenal, and if you're lucky, you'll visit at a time when a band is playing. 

Surprisingly, we're not done! There's much more to do when you visit Macon, Georgia.

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I was talking to someone who had a friend visiting from out of town. The person was visiting from a bigger city and it made me realize that while Macon, Georgia is growing as a city, we are NOT trying to compete with Chicago or New York. We can't offer giant museums, although our museums are great. We can't offer a million places to eat, though what we have to offer is delicious. What we can offer is good food, a laid back environment where you can sit out, enjoy your drinks, and unwind, and a lot of history. 

What To Do When Visiting Macon: Part 1

1. Rose Hill Cemetery - Set up on the Victorian idea of cemeteries being a place to gather, picnic, and enjoy, Rose Hill is a great spot for a run, to paint, for contemplation, or in homage. 

2. The Grand Opera House - Nearly every week there is something going on at the Grand. Whether it is a Broadway Show, a ballet, or The Symphony, you'll find some really great events!

3. Mercer University's Townsend Hall and the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings - Great classical music happening much more often than you think. Visit mercer.edu to find out what's going on.

4. The Golden Bough Bookstore - This requires a visit just because of the interesting collection of books about Macon or from Macon writers. Also, Eric Wakefield, the proprietor, knows a ton about books.

5. 2nd Street Record Store - Two words - Real Vinyl!

6. The Clubs of Macon - There are clubs for every musical taste, from country to jazz. You should visit at least one!

7. Tubman African American Museum - The largest museum in the southeast dedicated to African American art, history and culture. You should visit to see current art from the African American community and artistic portrayals of African American heritage and history.

8. Eateries - There are a great many places to eat in Macon. From American cuisine to Caribbean to Pho, we have many restaurants that will satisfy your most basic need to feed yourself or satisfy your need for high quality multicultural foods. 

9. Mulberry Street Market - While this requires your visit to include a Wednesday, this is a great little market to visit. The vendors become friends, helping you find the best quality foods. They remember you and will save foods for you if they know you're coming. While it is a small market, it is worth seeing and worth the reminder of how far we've come as a city. 

10. Coleman Hill - While you might not be doing the sunrise yoga (though it's a great way to greet the morning), Coleman Hill offers a great vantage point for viewing the city. Sometimes they are movies, or jazz, or just a free spot for picnicking. But definitely go for the view.

More photos and places to visit to come. If you've been to Macon, Georgia, do you have pictures of places out-of-towners should definitely visit? Add to our collection!

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Once got a fake magazine cover from a friend. Now in love with fake magazine covers!

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impressive embroidered portraits by Philadelphia-based artist Daniel Kornrumpf

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Come help Gateway Macon complete their vision by putting a ton of people on this 3-D bridge! Tomorrow from noon - 1pm or from 4pm-5pm, come have your picture taken with as large a group of people as we can get out! But don't get chased across it like Jami Gaudet!

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We had a lot of fun on this bridge. Let's make it more fun and fill this bridge full of people and take pictures and videos to remember forever! We want to do it before the bridge "washes away", so join the Gateway Macon Hot Heads from noon to 1pm and/or from 4pm -5pm and see if we can break a world record! Wait, is there a world record? Let's just get as many people on that bridge and make a splash! But don't get chased across it like Jami Gaudet!

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Wild Pink Yonder

There I went, kicking and screaming, into the wild pink yonder. Just a few years ago, I was forced to face one of my biggest fears, flying without a plane or a parachute.  Without much warning and with very little caffeine, I learned that, in less than an hour, I would be riding shotgun in the Macon Cherry Blossom Balloon Race. Although they didn’t have an actual firearm, my client (an official race sponsor) did have a contract with my ad agency, and succeeded in twisting my arm. At 5am, I didn’t have many options.

At least I had another co-worker, ready to hop on board. Of course, while I was looking for any way out, Vicki was irritatingly excited about the adventure. Like a good girl scout, she had actually volunteered to ride! So, looking just as glamorous as you might imagine, we headed to Wesleyan College under the cloak of darkness, to get this thing over with. We find our captain, who turns out to be a nice guy, and he gives us the lowdown.

More than 20 teams would compete for a coveted pink prize. After a shotgun start, we would drive with our deflated balloon in back of the van until we found an appropriate place to launch. Apparently, the aeronauts (that’s what they call people who fly hot air balloons) must use their keen wind and weather-predicting skills to navigate their way back to the starting point within a specific amount of time. Then, in a very scientific manner, the captain must drop a hand towel into a spray painted circle to finish the race.

Well, we ended up in a deserted dentist’s office parking lot somewhere and began to prepare for takeoff.  Ready to watch this colorful spectacle unfold, I soon discovered that I was actually supposed to help fly this thing! I was officially a member of the crew. Bless their hearts! Even though I was terrified, I was still incredibly competitive. If I was going to die, I would die with a pink ribbon!

Hot air balloons may look as light as a feather, but that sucker was heavy! Amazingly, within just a few minutes, the loud hissing sound of a propane tank on steroids filled the air while it filled the colorful bubble with magic gas. The giant balloon with our department store name emblazoned on the banner was ready to ascend. If only I was!

Vicki and I climbed into the over-sized Easter basket and waited. As the captain boarded, the ground crew untied the ropes that safely tethered us to Sweet Mother Earth. Terrified, paralyzed and mesmerized, we began to fly. The world was eerily quiet, randomly shattered with short fiery blasts. It was awesome! I felt like Tinkerbell, with my wings and heart fluttering, as we glided undetected over historic neighborhoods and green pastures. Mind you, I was not ready to lie down in one of them. Everything looked different up there. Sparkly. Fresh. Magical. Before I was ready, the captain threw in the towel and we floated back down to reality.

On the ground, as we were told all new aeronauts do, Vicki and I knelled to thank the gods of the wind and sky for a safe journey. When we lifted our angelic faces toward heaven, we were suddenly showered with cheap champagne and presented with a new set of wings. With sticky hair, runny mascara and a huge grin, I proudly walked into the Waffle House, with my wingman, as an aeronaut.

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“Aw Naw” by Nappy Roots

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Nappy Roots performing Live at the Cherry Blossom Street Party in Macon, Georgia!

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What Do We Need To Do?

Gateway Macon is an initiative of the Peyton Anderson Foundation tasked with getting the word out about Macon to other places. We've started with Houston & Peach County, the Atlanta area, Savannah, and any other place we can capture the imagination of the traveler and convince them that Macon is a great place to stop. 

We've been seeing a lot of conversation about Macon, Georgia. How do we express the things we are disappointed about while still being positive about the things that are actually great? How do we push our city forward? Do we believe we have a part to play in rebuilding Macon along the "right" lines? What are the right lines that Macon needs to move along? Everyone has an opinion and every opinion needs to be heard. 

A few places trying to help get the word out about the great things going on in Macon:

Macon 500 - The Macon 500 is more or less like the Fortune 500, except instead of just companies (whom you should nominate) you are also nominating people, organizations, civic groups, and movements. If you think someone or something makes Macon a better place to live, they should be nominated. 

I Love Macon - This campaign, started by 10 years of 5 under 40 leaders from Macon Magazine, wants us to start positive conversations about the city we love (yes, Macon, Georgia!) all with one thought in mind: What do you love about Macon, Georgia?

Celebrate Positive - Last year, Macon won an award for being a positive community. We won because of the events we sponsor, the way the downtown area has grown, and many other things. Like dieting, it is hard to see the results while you are around the dieter, but the outside person that hasn't seen the city in years and finally looks in can see the positive changes. Celebrate Positive wants us to remember that there is an outsider view of us that shows that Macon, Georgia is pretty special and are achieving new things every day. 

So, what how do you want to do this? Be positive and work to make some changes? Complain, do nothing, and put down every effort? Be critical, but work with those you believe will make a change? There are many answers to this question. What's yours?

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What's Up, Valentine's Day?

Love. Exciting and new! There's plenty to love about Macon, Georgia and plenty to do for people who are in love. There's also plenty for people who are in lust. Singles, you're not left out either, no matter how you feel when it comes to Valentine's Day!

On Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012, the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame hosts The Big Dance at the Macon Coliseum.  Doors open at 6:00 pm with music by The Swingin' Medallions and The Grapevine beginning at 7:30 pm.  Tickets are $25 each or $200 for a table of eight.  Bring your own food and beverage. Tickets for the Big Dance can be purchased at the door.  The Big Dance will also be the first opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for the $10,000 drawing to be held at A Halluva' Auction on June 8. A drawing for two $50 gift certificates to Jim Shaws will be held at the Big Dance and will be drawn from the tickets purchased that night! Not only do you have the chance to enjoy the night, but you could win a chance to eat at your favorite seafood place in Macon. Win/Win!

On Tuesday, February 14, 2012, The Tubman African American Museum hosts Death by Chocolate. This Valentine's Day affair is a benefit for the Pan African Festival. Death By Chocolate features a gourmet dinner, a wide selection of decadent desserts, live entertainment and an auction of exclusive items, such as chocolate sculptures, autographed memorabilia, fine art and more. This is the perfect way to treat your sweetheart to a memorable Valentine's Day holiday and support a worthy cause in the process. Visit here for tickets: https://www.tubmanmuseum.com/shop/product.da/dbc-tickets

Several restaurants will have specials. And before you ask, Downtown Grill is all booked up. Look for menus to go up on Facebook over the weekend. Lemongrass has verified that they will have a special menu for all you lovers, even if you're just a lover of food. 

For you lusty or single individuals (and who says they're two different groups?), there's something for you to do "in da club." Element has two nights of brazenness that is sure to be a hit… if you're into that kind of thing. Friday night is for the Bitter, while Saturday night focuses on the couple with two for one entrance and a variety of specials. Be sure to check Facebook for events from The Power Station, Envy and Bottom's Up. 

While this is not "technically" a Valentine's Day event, choosing to go to A Night at the 567 on Saturday, February 11, 2012 is a show of love for this community! The 567 has been a part of nurturing the downtown community. From offering inexpensive, but needed office space as a business incubator, to consistently hosting all ages events which give teens and youth a place to go and something to do, helping the 567 stay in business is a labor of love of which even a Valentine's grinch would approve. Gringo Grande will play and fantastic auction items are just waiting for your bid. 

So what's up for you this upcoming Valentine's Day?

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Sometimes, it's hard to find anything to do in Macon. This week is not one of those times. 

African American Voices at the Museum of Arts and Sciences and the Freddie Styles Exhibit at the Tubman Museum. Also, the Opening Arts exhibits from First Friday at the Gallery of the Macon Arts Alliance and The Gallery of The 567 are still going on. 

Music will fill the week. Thursday, Rubblebucket will headline the Cox Capitol Theatre with JuBee and the Morning After (local band whose performance in Seattle was broadcast on Jimmie Kimmel Live), Baby Baby, and Triathalon. Saint Francis takes a break from recording in Nashville and heads home to the Hummingbird Stage and Taproom Friday night. Louise Warren, an up and coming singer/songwriter, will be opening for them. Tokyo Spa, local cover band, will round out the weekend at the Hummingbird Stage and Taproom.

Hip Hop, Rock and Alt Country are not the only music on display. You'll can also experience culture. Make it to the Douglass Theatre at 1pm on Saturday and you'll get to catch the final in the Wagner four-parter The Ring, Gotterdammerung, streaming live from the Metropolitan Opera. 

Robert McDuffie, who lent his musical skills to the A Little More Soul video for Gateway Macon, will be playing at Mercer University on Saturday at 7:30pm. Students and faculty from the Center for Strings will join the Center's founder in an evening of Vivaldi, Glass, Bach, Mozart, and a few surprises! 

Also, Wednesday, Macon Arts Alliance in connection with the Macon Concert Association presents a preview of violinist's Tim Fain's Portals, Wednesday at 5pm at the Gallery of the Macon Arts Alliance. Portals (www.portalsproject.com) is an interactive experience combining film, dance, and spoken word with multimedia elements. 

These are just a few of the things going on this week. What are your plans for this week?