Augusta
Augusta, established by Colonial James Oglethorpe in 1736, is the second largest city in Georgia. I Augusta family lineage can be traced generations back, and those whose ancestors have not lived there for at least generations are considered outsiders. Consequently, it is a city that thrives on its past and pageantry.
When you are in Augusta, don’t miss out on the Riverwalk.
This five block stretch of road along the Savannah River
is the focal point of town. As you stroll down Eight Street,
you will see gardens rich in gorgeous flowers and plants
along with many of Augusta’s cultural attractions. One such
place is the Cotton Exchange, built in 1836 and renovated
in 1988; it is home to visitor’s center and a museum of
cotton  culture.
At the Cotton Exchange, you will learn about the various
grades of cotton and see the exchange rates from over 100
years ago on a 45-foot blackboard found during the renovation.
Further along the Riverwalk, two blocks east of the Cotton
Exchange, is the August-Richmond County Museum. The museum,
or as the locals call it, “Augusta’s Attic”, is filled with
items that tell the story of Augusta from its beginning
through the 1970’s. Of special interest for the children
is a 1914 steam locomotive and tender.
Should you head west on Riverwalk, you will find the Morris Museum of Art. The Morris has ten galleries featuring works by artist Lamar Dodd, John McCrady, or John Mooney, to name a few. The Morris is the only museum in the world to showcase only art of the American South.
Also along Riverwalk, you will find unique shops, an amphitheatre, a playground, restaurants and a hotel. You can watch the many boat races which include one of the International Outboard Grand Prix series, an international rowing regatta, and world class drag boat races. So, when you visit Augusta, the Riverwalk is one place you just don’t want to miss!
One of the most awe-inspiring buildings in Augusta is the
Sacred Heart Cultural Center. Originally a Catholic Church,
it is now home to Augusta’s ballet, symphony and other art
groups. Sacred Heart, built in the Romanesque style and
finished in 1900, has twin spires and jewel-toned German
stained glass causing it to be one of the beautiful places
in Augusta.
Also of interest to children, is the National Science Center known as Fort Discovery (Cost $8 adults & $6 kids ages 4-17---1-800-325-5445). Here your children can explore science and technology with a hands-on approach. The NSC has exhibits teaching concepts such as AC-DC currents, analogs/digital formatting, and lasers and radars, to name a few.
Not only is boating popular in Augusta, but golfing as well! Each spring The Masters Golf Tournament is held at the Augusta National Golf Club. The clubhouse is on historic Fruitland Manor, the South’s first commercial nursery. Although Fruitland began as an indigo plantation, each April it now is synonymous with golf.
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