Things to Do in Macon

For more than two decades, Olympia Family Fun Center has helped guests young and old get their groove on with a wooden roller-skating rink, snack bar, and O-zone—an on-site dance club for teenagers. The rink's fluorescent lights and energetic, upbeat tunes keep skaters in motion as they loop around the rink, passing slower skaters and high-fiving onlookers who have really great hair.

When the neon curlicues above its marquee first lit up in 1916, the Capitol Theatre promised Macon residents the finest movie-going experience available, with cozy leather seats and a gold-fiber screen. After shutting down in 1976, the theater languished for 30 years, suffering from water damage and neglect until renovation began in 2003, restoring the space to its former glory. Brass-banisters encircle the wrap-around balconies above the venue’s open floor, dotted with cabaret-style tables and seats occupied by frugal 1920s ghosts still trying to get their 15-cents worth from their original admission.    

Nestled amid the scenic Georgian countryside, Three Angel Farm invites students of all experience levels to settle into the saddles of seasoned, reliable training horses. Skilled instructors draw on their experiences working with special-needs children in therapeutic riding settings as they carefully match mount and pupil, limiting class sizes to around five in order to give each saddle-filler adequate attention. Above all else, the farm’s equestrians prioritize communication and emotional bonding between rider and horse to help them develop strong relationships and respect for one another despite their differing tastes in footwear.

With a PhD in nursing from the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee, registered nurse Carol Dean Baker understands that wellness involves more than getting a physical every year. That’s why, in addition to her nursing practice, she helms PureBalance, a yoga studio dedicated to building a health-oriented community.

The studio’s eclectic offerings range from Vinyasa sessions in an 85-degree room to basic Hatha classes focusing on breath work and meditation. Flexibility-enhancing sessions emphasize deep, slow stretches of major muscle groups, and condensed classes pack a full course’s punch into just 45 minutes without resorting to cheap time savers such as eliminating the exhalation portion of each breath.

An inflated pirate stands atop a castle, challenging intruders to enter his bouncy domain and scale to the top of its slide. This is just one of the air-filled attractions that delights Jumpin' Joeys' pint-size visitors. Within the indoor playland, kids can weave around inflated obstacles, crawl through tunnels, and bounce like an astronaut on the moon's rubber surface. And when they're not pretending to be kangaroos, kids (and adults) can meander over to the refreshment area for drinks, chips, and candy. They can choose to partake in open-play, parties, or special themed attractions, such as zombie zones during Halloween.

Ranging in length from 4,940 yards to 6,626 yards, Bowden Golf Club’s emerald fairways were designed more than 70 years ago, making it Macon’s second-oldest course. With four sets of tees on each hole, golfers can opt for team play, test their mettle during tournaments, or borrow Paul Bunyan's 5 iron to hit a quartet of balls at once. As a full-service facility, the club boasts an onsite pro shop and snack bar, as well as a full-length driving range flanked by practice bunkers and putting greens.