LIFESTYLE

See the rest of Augusta

Staff Reports
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People gather around the new Vietnam War Veterans Memorial in downtown Augusta for its dedication March 29. [MICHAEL HOLAHAN/FILE/THE AUGUSTA CHRONICLE]

If you're not able to be at the golf course the whole time this week, or if it rains and Augusta National Golf Club closes for several hours, here are some sights in the Augusta area that are worth your attention.

Augusta Museum of History

560 Reynolds St.; (706) 722-8454; augustamuseum.org

Exhibits include Augusta’s Story; The Sport of Golf; Local Legends and The Godfather of Soul, Mr. James Brown

Normal hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday, but for Masters Week, the museum is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily April 7-13 and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday

Admission: Free for members; adults $4; seniors $3; ages 6-18 $2; ages 5 and under free

Morris Museum of Art

1 10th St.; (706) 724-7501; themorris.org

This is the country’s oldest museum specifically devoted to the art and artists of the American South. It has a multifaceted permanent collection of more than 5,000 works of art.

For Masters Week, the Morris is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. The rest of the year, it's open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday–Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday (closed Mondays and major holidays).

Admission: Adults $5; Youth, 13–17, $3; Child, 12 and younger, free; students and military with ID and seniors, 65 and older, $3; museum members, free. No admission charge on Sundays.

Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History

1116 Phillips St.; (706) 724-3576; lucycraftlaneymuseum.com

Opened in 1991, this African-American museum was the former home of Lucy Craft Laney, who was one of the most influential educators in Georgia. She called Augusta home until her death in 1933.

Now through May, the museum is presenting Epochs of Courage African American Golf Exhibition, "The First Generation of Black Golf: The Caddy." It features photos, memorabilia, and historic documentation about the impact and contributions black caddies have made to the game of golf since the 1800s.

Museum tours are offered at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m., and 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Reservations are encouraged.

Admission: Adults $7; seniors (62 and older, military and family) $5; students kindergarten through age 18 $3; free for preschoolers

James Brown Statue

Broad Street between Eighth and Ninth streets

A trip to Augusta isn’t complete without a stop by this life-sized bronze tribute erected in 2005 to the Godfather of Soul. Take a selfie – you’ll feel good.

Ezekiel Harris House

1822 Broad St.; (706) 722-8454

Said to be "... the finest eighteenth-century house surviving in Georgia ..." by The Smithsonian Guide to Historic America, the Ezekiel Harris House is an outstanding example of early Federal style architecture. Entering the impressive vaulted hallway, visitors may observe what life was like during the Federal Period in Georgia.

Fully restored in 1964 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Harris House is a reminder of the days when tobacco was the primary cash crop of the region.

Visit 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturdays; Monday-Friday by appointment only (24 hours' notice is required).

Admission: Adults $2, Children $1

Meadow Garden

1320 Independence Drive; (706) 724-4174; historicmeadowgarden.org

Walk through the historic home of George Walton, one of Georgia's three signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Guided tours are available 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; the last tour begins at 3:15 p.m.

Admission: Adults $5; seniors 62 and older $4; ages 6-18 $1 (under 6 free with an adult); military with ID $4; group rates are available for more than 10 people (upon request).

Boyhood Home of Woodrow Wilson

419 Seventh St.; (706) 722-9828; wilsonboyhoodhome.org

The Boyhood Home of President Woodrow Wilson serves as a house museum depicting the life of the 28th president as a boy growing up in Georgia during the Civil War and Reconstruction.

For April 9-13, guided tours will start on the hour beginning at 10 a.m. with the last tour starting at 4 p.m. Group tours available by appointment. Normal hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday-Saturday.

Admission: $5 adults; $4 seniors; $3 students K-12; free under age 5

Augusta Riverwalk

augustaga.gov/292/Riverwalk

Take a stroll down the shaded sidewalks of the Augusta Riverwalk, which consists of two bricked levels, gardens and a children’s play area.

The upper level is accessible via stairways and ramps located at the ends of 10th Street, the Eighth Street Plaza and Sixth Street.

The lower level can be accessed at the RiverWalk Marina (Fifth Street), the Eighth Street Plaza, the Jessye Norman Amphitheatre, and the 10th Plaza (in front of the Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center).

The Augusta Market at the River is held 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays. You can shop, enjoy music and more from March-November. See theaugustamarket.com for details.

Augusta Canal National Heritage Area

1450 Greene St., Suite 400; (706) 823-0440; augustacanal.com

The Discovery Center, which has been developed by the Augusta Canal Authority in partnership with the National Park Service, tells the story of how a city used its waterways to reinvent itself and define its destiny. The Discovery Center and Gift Shop is open 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday.

Sightseeing and history boat tours are available at 10, 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 1:30 and 3 p.m. Sunday. A Civil War Boat Tour is offered daily at 1:30 p.m.

Music Cruises are scheduled on Fridays (and a few Saturdays) April-June. Call for reservations.

Signers’ Monument

Greene and Monument streets, downtown

This obelisk was dedicated July 4, 1848 to the three Georgia signers of the Declaration of Independence – George Walton, Lyman Hall and Button Gwinnett.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Fourth and Broad streets, downtown

Dedicated just weeks ago on March 29, this memorial honors the more than 15,000 people from the greater Augusta area who served in Vietnam. The names of the 169 who were killed are etched on the memorial.

Phinizy Center for Water Sciences and Nature Park

1858 Lock and Dam Road; (706) 828-2109; phinizycenter.org

See blue herons, red-shouldered hawks, otters, alligators and bobcats in this 1,100-acre nature park. It’s open 6:30 a.m.-8 p.m. daily, 365 days a year. The swamp shop and visitor center is open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday.

St. Paul’s Cemetery

605 Reynolds St.; (706) 724-2485; saintpauls.org

The cemetery around St. Paul’s Episcopal Church was used during Colonial times through 1816. Visit during daylight hours. Church tours are offered from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Magnolia Cemetery

702 Third St.; (706) 821-1746; augustaga.gov

This is the resting place for hundreds of Civil War dead, including seven Confederate generals. There is a section dedicated to 183 Union prisoners of war who died in the Augusta area, too. The Crape Myrtle tree, located at the dead end of Third Street, is said to be classed as the oldest tree in the State of Georgia.

Visit 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m.-8 p.m. on weekends.

Across the Savannah River

It's just a short drive to North Augusta and Aiken, which are just across the Savannah River. Here are a few of their charms:

Arts and Heritage Center of North Augusta: Showcases regional history and art; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday and 1-3 p.m. first Sundays; 100 Georgia Ave., North Augusta; (803) 441-4380; artsandheritagecenter.com

North Augusta Greenway: Follow the Greeneway’s scenic trail through the city of North Augusta, over a pedestrian bridge and even alongside the Savannah River. The easiest access is midpoint of the trail at 100 Riverview Park Drive. The Greenway is open from dawn to dusk. Pets are permitted but must be on a leash. (803) 441-4300; http://scgreatoutdoors.com/park-northaugustagreenway.html

Downtown Aiken: Take U.S. Highway 1 just 20 minutes east of Augusta to discover the city of Aiken. Visit downtown for a day of shopping or a meal. Wander through 2,100 acres of forest habitat in Hitchcock Woods or along the paths of Hopelands Gardens. visitaikensc.com

Aiken County Historical Museum: Exhibits showcase golf in Aiken County; the creation of Savannah River Site; Edgefield, S.C., pottery; and more; open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 2-5 p.m. Sunday; 433 Newberry St. SW, Aiken; (803) 642-2015

Aiken Visitors Center and Train Museum: Located in the Aiken Railroad Depot, the museum has nine dioramas that depict the towns along the original South Carolina Canal and Railroad Company right of way; 406 Park Ave. SE, Aiken; (803) 293-7846; aikenrailroaddepot.org

Hopelands Gardens: Located near downtown Aiken, S.C., at Whiskey Road and Dupree Place, this 14-acre estate opened in 1969 as a public garden. It’s free to enter to see live oaks, deodar cedars, magnolias and other flora; 135 Dupree Place; (803) 642-7650

Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum: This home of Aiken's Racing Champions is located inside Hopeland Gardens, 135 Dupree Place; (803) 642-7631; aikenracinghalloffame.com

Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site: Completed in 1859, Redcliffe Plantation was the home of South Carolina Gov. James Henry Hammond and several generations of his descendants. The grounds are open 9 a.m.-6 p.m., daily; house tours are at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. Thursday-Monday. Park admission is free. House tours are $7.50 for adults, $5 for students (age 6-16) and S.C. seniors, and children age 5 and under are free; 181 Redcliffe Road, Beech Island, S.C., (803) 827-1473; southcarolinaparks.com/redcliffe

DOWNTOWN AIKEN, S.C.: Take U.S. Highway 1 just 20 minutes east of Augusta to discover the city of Aiken. Visit downtown for a day of shopping or a meal. Wander through 2,100 acres of forest habitat in Hitchcock Woods or along the paths of Hopelands Gardens. visitaikensc.com

AIKEN COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM: Exhibits showcase golf in Aiken County; the creation of Savannah River Site; Edgefield, S.C., pottery; and more. 433 Newberry St. SW, Aiken; (803) 642-2015; aikenmuseum.us

AIKEN VISITORS CENTER AND TRAIN MUSEUM: Located in the Aiken Railroad Depot, the museum has nine dioramas that depict the towns along the original South Carolina Canal and Railroad Company right of way. 406 Park Ave. SE, Aiken;  (803) 293-7846; http://aikenrailroaddepot.org