Hawkinsville combines a long local history with experiences on the Ocmulgee River and seasonal offerings. You can focus your plans in different ways: historic buildings and a self-guided driving tour, activities on the water, or a visit during an event. The places and offerings below provide concrete starting points for choosing a hotel and planning your stay.
Historic Buildings and Local History
The Hawkinsville Commercial and Industrial Historic District includes 98 contributing buildings. Its period of significance runs from approximately 1830 to 1954. Individual buildings illustrate other chapters in the area’s history: Taylor Hall is a two-story Greek Revival plantation house. It was originally built in 1825, moved to its present location at 55 Kibbee Street, and rebuilt around 1836.
St. Thomas African Methodist Episcopal Church stands at the corner of North Dooley and Second Streets. The Folk Victorian-style brick church was built in 1908 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000. Its significance to African American cultural heritage and architecture was decisive in its listing. The Hawkinsville Opera House is also one of the area’s notable historic buildings: W. R. Gunn had it built in 1907. It is still used for cultural events and performances; tours are offered for those interested. Since operating information can change, check the current tour status before visiting.
The Hawkinsville Historical Driving Tour offers an overview of historic homes and other community buildings. It is designed as a self-guided driving tour. The Enduring Farmlands Scenic Byway is different: the route passes through Hawkinsville and is 65 miles long overall. This lets you choose between focusing on the community’s historic buildings and taking a longer scenic route, without treating the two offerings as the same tour.
The Ocmulgee River and Parks
The Ocmulgee River also shaped Hawkinsville as a historic transportation route: its location on the river made the town an important freight transport hub. Today, the river in Hawkinsville is associated with kayaking and canoeing, as well as swimming and fishing. If you want to focus your visit on the water, Mile Branch Park is another concrete option. The 25-acre park is located on the water just south of Hawkinsville and has a boat ramp on the Ocmulgee River.
Downtown, Veterans Memorial Park offers a splash pad, a dog park, a skateboard park, a playground, and pickleball courts. Veterans' Riverfront Memorial Park is a short walk from the town center and overlooks the Ocmulgee River. The two parks therefore differ in their described features: Veterans Memorial Park focuses on recreational and play areas, while Veterans' Riverfront Memorial Park offers views of the river.
Seasonal Experiences and Local Offerings
Every spring, Hawkinsville celebrates the Hawkinsville Harness Horse Festival. If you’re planning a stay at this time of year, check the event dates before arranging your trip. Another seasonal offering is tours at the Hawkinsville Harness Training Facility from October through May. Visitors can watch trotters and pacers train on the approximately one-mile clay track. Since seasonal visitor information can be updated, check in advance whether tours are currently available.
Owen and Williams Fish Farm also offers tours, and welcomes individuals and groups. The facility raises catfish, bream, and grass carp to stock fishing ponds. This gives the tour a specific focus on fish farming and the management of fishing ponds. At M&T Meats, you’ll find locally grown and made products; the shop supports these local products. These offerings add distinct topics to historic sites and river activities without needing to combine them into a single tour.
When looking for a hotel in Hawkinsville, you can first decide what you’d like to focus on during your stay: historic buildings, the Ocmulgee River, or a seasonal visit. For offerings with set dates or seasonal tours, check the relevant dates and current availability before planning around them.
For the broader travel overview: Pulaski County.
