News You Can Use: Things to See and Do

If you arrive in Augusta early or stay over on Sunday, you might have a little more time to check out your old hometown. If you live here and haven't visited most of these sites, shame on you!



The Augusta Canal Interpretive Center and Petersburg Boat Tour should already be on your ToDo list for the weekend. website One of the Petersburg boats has been reserved for class members and their guests for Saturday morning.

Come be a part of the morning and explore the history of the country's only industrial power canal still in use, learn about the people whose lives centered on the canal, spot some wildlife and a familiar site or two from "the other side" and visit with old classmates aboard the 65 foot replica of the original boats. I don't know which is the best part of the experience -- inside the Center or outside on the cruise -- so don't miss this a minute.

Later in the day, you might want to bike the tow path or canoe the canal.

Morris Museum of Art. website You knew an art museum would be at the top of my list! Well, not necessarily. I've found a few Dull and Boring ones and I was prepared to put this one on the D&B list, too -- until my first visit.

Still in a temporary location in a downtown office building, The Morris is a jewel box of visual treasures created by artists in or from the South. Its library is the Center for the Study of Southern Art and it partners with the Imperial Theater to bring excellent examples of Southern sounds throughout the year. Each permanent gallery focuses on a theme/period and the exhibition galleries showcase excellent and varied art works by both contemporary and past masters.

Even if you "don't like art," you'll find something interesting at The Morris. (Three year old Lucy loves the gift shop!)

Sundays are always free at The Morris and you'll enjoy the view across the Savannah of the new homes on the South Carolina side if you stroll the five-block Riverwalk afterwards.

Augusta Museum of History. website If you remember the Augusta Museum from its old days in the Richmond Academy building on Telfair Street, it's time for you to visit again. An up-to-date facility, with fun exhibits about the region's history from pre-historic hunter-gathers to a space shuttle mission by an Augusta woman, this museum is not dusty old history and the James Brown exhibit rocks!

If you love James Brown's music and want to do a tour of points of interest in his life, check this website

National Science Center's Fort Discovery website On the opposite end of the Riverwalk from the Morris Museum of Art, Fort Discovery focuses on Math and science. More than 250 hands on exhibits make this a favorite for young and old. It'll make your hair stand on end! It's on 7th Street at the River, near the old Town Tavern.

Sacred Heart Cultural Center website Here's a place you could encounter on a tour of Europe, it's just that it's here in Augusta. And we almost tore it down!! If you have never been inside, don't miss it. This magnificent former Catholic Church has more than fifteen exterior brick patterns, marble carvings and stained glass windows. It is now home to several arts organizations and the great hall hosts weddings, parties and events. Pick up a brochure outside the gift shop downstairs.

Phinizy Swamp Nature Park website
If you still have time or just want to get outside, the Phinizy Swamp Nature Park is the place to go. 1,100 acres of swampland! A network of trails, boardwalks and observations decks allows visitors to this nature preserve to get a look at the birds, animals and plants in they may forgotten live in this area. A successful wetlands project, it is a relaxing place to visit.

First Friday on Artists' Row Broad Street on First Friday just might remind you of the days before the malls. Well, maybe not. It's a little more arty and rocking and entertaining. It officially begins at 5:00, but you should stop in a little early around the 1000 block of Broad Street while there is still be parking available. Then we'll see you at the Julian Smith Casino!

The Augusta Metro Convention and Visitors Center has a brochure both online and by mail which has more information and maps if you need more. CVB website

If anyone else has suggestions, just pop them into a comment below. I will be posting places to eat next week, so save those until then.

Photos:
Augusta Skyline
Riverwalk Gulls
Sacred Heart Interior
(c)Annette Bush

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