Things to do in Macon
Ocmulgee National Monument – About 15 minutes from Mercer’s campus lie historic earthworks built by Native Americans 1,000 years ago. If you’re looking for doing some hiking, this is the perfect spot to visit. The park is free and is full of trails and landmarks to explore. Climb to the Great Temple Mound to see downtown Macon, or hike down to the Ocmulgee River. Just make sure that you watch out for the alligators!
Macon Mayhem – Did you know that Macon has its very own minor league hockey team? If you’re looking for some winter fun, hockey games and ice skating are great activities to make your winter days fly by. If you're lucky, you will even get to see one of those famous hockey fights. If hockey isn’t your thing, the ice rink will also be open during the holiday season for ice skating.
Allman Brothers Museum – Because Macon is the hometown to several famous musicians, you can check out the previous home of the Allman Brothers Band that has been turned into a museum. It’s full of memorabilia and will make you feel right at home with one of the most popular bands of the ’70s.
Things to do in Atlanta
Centennial Olympic Park – During the Holidays, Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta has an ice skating rink. Tickets are only $12 per person, and there are lots of other things to do around it, like visiting the Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca-Cola. If you’re feeling brave, you can ride the SkyView Atlanta — a giant ferris wheel in the park.
Show at the Fox – In the heart of Atlanta, the historic Fox Theatre always has plenty of holiday shows running in December. From ballets like the annual showing of Nutcracker to Christmas musicals, The Fox doesn’t disappoint. Tickets sell fast, so you’ll have to buy them in advance on the Fox Theatre website at foxtheatre.org.
Atlanta Botanical Garden – Garden Lights, Holiday Nights of the Atlanta Botanical Garden will make you feel like you’re walking through a winter wonderland. The already beautiful gardens will be lit up with holiday light displays that are sure to take your breath away.
Things to do in other parts of Georgia
Callaway Gardens – Pine Mountain is home to Callaway Gardens, an incredible drive-through light display for the holidays. Fantasy in Lights includes many recognizable holiday stories, and some of the lights are even floating on the water. Don’t forget to bring some hot chocolate and snacks to enjoy the show from the comfort of your own car. December tickets vary from $19-28, depending on the events of the day. A calendar of events can be found at http://bit.ly/1k8iybo.
Tour of Homes in Madison – The small town of Madison is home to many beautiful historic antebellum homes. In December, these homes are decked out for Christmas and open for tours. Take advantage of the opportunity to see these homes and admire their beauty by candlelight.
