Melanie SidotiMacon, GA has long served as my “almost home” dot on the map. Any time I’m returning from a trip to Florida or South Georgia, this is where I gas it, vowing no more stops, visions of home-sweet-home.
So most of the time when I see Macon, it’s a blur through my
Then we began traveling to Macon for our high school state wrestling tournaments. For the past four
Lately, a good bit of our travel involves our kids and their sports. So, no matter where we find ourselves we try to explore and find something new and interesting.
We visited Macon this year in January for the State Dual Wrestling Championship Tournament and again in February for the State Individual Wrestling Championship Tournament.
Where We Stayed
Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham – 2020 Bowman Park, Macon, GA 31210
Microtel Inn & Suites by Windham – Bowman Park, Macon, GA
For this trip, we arrived on Thursday afternoon and checked into what I’ve affectionately dubbed our “micro-room” at the Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham. I still laugh a little to myself that it never dawned on me the MICROtel Inn was named so for any obvious reason.
Our niece decided to tag along last minute and room with us for the first night.
We tried switching from a king room to a room with double beds but the hotel was completely sold out. I thought, okay, worst case scenario she can use the rollaway bed for one night.
Well, it’s a good thing there was a small window bed she was able to sleep on because there was no way we were rolling another bed into our cozy digs.
This no-frills, budget hotel seemed like it was fairly new. The staff was wonderful and our room (though half the size of a typical room) was very clean.
Wi-fi and breakfast are free. There is a small fitness center. No pool.
Other than to sleep and shower we wouldn’t be spending much time hanging out in the room so this hotel turned out to be a perfect fit for us.
Quality Inn – 4630 Chambers Rd, Macon, GA 31206
Because the Georgia State Individual Wrestling Championship Tournament is such a big event, before we could get back to Macon in February, many of the hotels were completely booked. We originally looked at our new favorite, the Microtel, but they were sold out a week in advance.
I was able to land such an amazing rate through hotels.comthat we were a bit leery of this hotel at first. Thankfully, it ended up working out nicely for us.
The staff was very friendly and personable. Our room, while nothing extravagant by any stretch of the imagination was CLEAN. For me, like most people I can imagine, this is usually my number one make or break-er.
Wi-fi and breakfast are free. Fitness center and outdoor seasonal pool.
Where We Ate
On our first trip this year for the State Duals Wrestling Championship, we arrived early and our team wasn’t scheduled to compete until later that evening. We took a quick nap at the hotel before heading out in search of down-home southern cooking.
After scoping out a couple of places and factoring in our timeline, we decided to ditch our plan and go on the hunt for a good burger spot.
Truth is, my boyfriend loves a good cheeseburger and is actually a bit of a burger snob, so we are always on the hunt for a “best-burger” spot.
Not far from the Coliseum we found “The Rookery”.
The Rookery – 543 Cherry Street, Macon, GA
I think it speaks a little for the place that there was a 30-minute wait for a table on a Thursday night….and I’m glad we stuck around.
I love pimento cheese and wanted to try the chips and Spicy Pimento Cheese Dip. This was a hit even with my niece and boyfriend, who don’t consider themselves to be pimento cheese lovers. Good stuff!
Summer Seabreeze 
Jimmy Carter Shake
My niece and I wanted to try the Summer Seabreeze (Kettle One Citron, Cruzan coconut rum, pineapple, and cranberry juice) which was delicious! Donny went for one of their signature shakes, the Jimmy Carter (banana ice cream, peanut butter, and a slice of bacon). Mmmmm…
All the food here was fresh, hot and delicious.
With offerings like James Brown’s Black and Blue, The Allman Burger, The Vampire Slayer, and the Big “O”, The Rookery is sure to have a burger for you.
Not a burger fan? Try one of their sandwiches or something from the Main Stage and wash it down with one of their signature shakes (or adult shakes).
Either way, when visiting Macon you can’t go wrong at The Rookery.
Ole Times Country Buffet – 1343 Gray Hwy, Macon, GA
I may have mentioned that when we first got to Macon, we were on the hunt for some good southern food. Well….found it!
Similar to other chain buffet restaurants, this buffet features a salad, food, and dessert bar. But oh my goodness…sooooooo much better. The food here was amazing!
What sets Ole Times apart from other chain buffet restaurants is the distinct, undeniable down-home flavor and seasoning of the food. In the south, it’s what we call “love”…as in the “amount of love in the food” or “the love that went into the food.”
Anyway, “Love” is much better experienced than explained, so if you ever find yourself hungry in Macon, make a stop at one of their two locations. You’ll soon know what I’m talking about!
Ole Times Macon Locations
Places We Visited
We almost bailed on the thirty-minute wait for a table at The Rookery but as it ended up, we discovered a fun spot across the street to wait it out.
Reboot Retrocade & Bar – 566 Cherry Street, Macon, GA
Touted “The Nerdiest Bar in Town”, I felt right at home! Hello, my people!
This was a great spot to waste a half hour.
As soon as we walked in, my sweet niece sent me to the bar to order a drink and brought my boyfriend and I each a cupful of tokens. The cuteness of her buying the grown-up kids drinks and tokens was certainly not lost on me.
At 1 token apiece, I played Frogger and Space Invaders and Galaga until my hand started cramping. I felt like a giant kid!
The white Russian I ordered was fantastic but this place seems to have a unique
Source: yelp.com 
Source: tripadvisor.com
I love the decor in this place! The walls are lined with unique themed art by local and regional artists.
You’ll find a Super Mario 3 mural painted in the back corner.
This one is a bit more subtle. But Tetris bookshelves! And board games ranging from Battleship and Yahtzee to Cards Against Humanity.
Twelve or forty-two, you simply can’t NOT like it here. Whether you live in Macon or are just passing through, this place is worth the stop!
BJ’s Billiards – 430 MLK Jr., Blvd Macon, GA
This one is an old favorite of ours. We found BJ’s on our first trip to Macon a few years ago.
Most times when we travel to see our kids compete, there is a whole lot of waiting involved.
Every now and then, when the kids aren’t around, my boyfriend and I like to pretend we’re grown-ups and see what kind of fun we can get into.
That’s how we happened upon BJ’s a few years ago.
The place has a nostalgic, I would say 1920’s feel with antique pool tables and vintage art.
This time we ended up here around three or four in the afternoon. There weren’t many of us hanging out then, but after five you could see the regulars begin to trickle in, greeting the bartender and one another with a smile and a handshake and seeming to pick up right where they left off.
If you’re like us and enjoy a super cozy, laid back, “grown-up” vibe, you might feel right at home here.
We’ve only ever been to have a few beers and shoot a couple of games of pool, but depending on the day of the week BJ’s also offers trivia, karaoke, and Texas hold-em.
If you happen to be in the area, check out their daily Happy Hour from 2pm-7pm. More on their website.
More Places to See in Macon
- Tubman Museum
- Museum of Arts and Sciences
- Ocmulgee National Monument and Museum
- The Grand Opera House
- The Allman Brothers Band Museum at The Big House
- Macon Mall
- Amerson River Park
- Sandy Beach Water Park
- Historic Fort Hawkins
Have you been to any of these places? Share your discoveries with us in the comments!
