Augusta can be planned around two distinct interests: historic sites with exhibits and tours, or trails by the water and through wetlands. The cultural sites explore the city’s development and Georgia’s history; outdoor options range from a wooden boardwalk to trails for hikers and cyclists.
Cultural History Between Church, Home, and Industry
The Sacred Heart Cultural Center is a former Catholic church dating to around 1897, in Augusta’s Downtown Historic District. Free, self-guided visits are available Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Rental events may restrict access, so check the details before your trip. Teens can also take part in a free scavenger hunt through the Great Hall.
The Boyhood Home of Woodrow Wilson is a National Historic Landmark and a house museum that portrays Wilson’s childhood in Georgia during the Civil War and Reconstruction. It is considered the oldest presidential residence in Georgia. Tours are held Wednesday through Saturday at 10:00, 11:00, 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, and 4:00. Since times may change, check them again before your trip.
The Augusta Canal Discovery Center at Enterprise Mill explores the Industrial Revolution in the American South and how Augusta used its waterways to reshape and further develop the city. The center is located in a former textile mill. Its location and subject connect industrial history with Augusta’s waterways.
The Augusta Museum of History is Augusta’s oldest historical institution dedicated to preserving and presenting local and regional history. The permanent exhibit “Augusta’s Story” presents a 12,000-year journey through the region’s past. The “Transportation Corridor” also features a fully restored 1914 locomotive.
Trails Along the River and Through Wetlands
The wide, level towpath along the Augusta Canal is regularly used by hikers, cyclists, and runners. The Augusta Riverwalk runs along the banks of the Savannah River as a multi-level brick path. Wheelchair-accessible points are located at 10th Street by the Augusta Marriott, at a large parking lot near the entrance on 8th Street, and at the entrance on 6th Street near the Augusta Museum of History.
The trails at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park vary in both length and features. The wooden Floodplain Boardwalk is 0.1 miles long and leads to a covered observation platform overlooking the Butler Creek floodplain. The Beaver Dam Trail offers views across this floodplain over about 0.5 miles. At 0.8 miles, the unpaved Pond Trail is longer; it is suitable for hiking and cycling. Comparing the routes reveals three specific options: from the boardwalk with its observation platform, to the trail overlooking the floodplain, to the longer unpaved path.
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View the broader travel guide: Richmond.
