Living

New to Macon? Here are some ways to get involved in the community

Macon, Georgia’s light display downtown is made of a million twinkling lights.
Macon, Georgia’s light display downtown is made of a million twinkling lights. Courtesy of Macon Light Extravaganza Facebook

New to Macon? The city has a wide range of community events and groups to learn about the area and meet new people.

Interested in joining community recreational groups, learning about the historical significance of the community, and exploring the unique entertainment offerings around town? Here’s how to get active in the community.

Macon Adult Recreation Club

Looking to get involved with a recreational sport? The Macon Adult Recreational Club is a great place to look for leagues, tournaments, and activities.

Currently, the Macon Adult Recreation Club is running a volleyball league, but it also has offered kickball, softball, and soccer leagues. Be on the lookout for its upcoming summer events. Co-owner of the MARC, Sophie Rosen, encourages people to sign up for leagues because of the inviting social scene and friendly competitive atmosphere.

Rosen, a born and raised Macon native, came back to Macon after college and said “it wasn’t until I joined my first big league that I really started to make some of the close friends that I have today.”

Some action during a volleyball league ran from the Macon Adult Recreational Center.
Some action during a volleyball league ran from the Macon Adult Recreational Center. Photo provided by Sophie Rosen

Macon Rocks

For those interested in climbing, Macon Rocks offers a plethora of opportunities for people of all different ages and skill ranges. There is a large amount of top rope, bouldering, lead routes, and auto belays to enjoy, according to the climbing gym’s website.

Become a member and get unlimited visits and other special benefits.

Macon Miles Run Club

Macon Miles is a local run club that runs routes up to 3 miles long starting at Fall Line every Thursday at 7 p.m. Times are subject to change depending on the season. People who run at all different paces and ages are encouraged to participate.

Explore the downtown area

In 2024, Macon won a Great American Main Street award in recognition of downtown revitalization efforts from a local non-profit public-private partnership called NewTown Macon. In addition, CNN put Macon in the top 10 of America’s Best Towns to Visit in 2024 because of its musical history and thriving downtown.

Check out the bars and eateries Macon has to offer downtown, such as Grant’s Lounge, Fall Line, and The Rookery for their enriching social scene and unique entertainment offerings.

Macon Outdoors

Macon Outdoors is a group of “fun, friendly & active members that love outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, caving, camping & paddling throughout beautiful Middle Georgia,” according to the group’s website. For those interested in getting familiar with the nature Macon has to offer, and making new friends along the way, joining Macon Outdoors would be a great opportunity to get involved with the community.

Check out the live music scene

Macon has a rich music history, as it was once home to legendary musicians such as Otis Redding, The Allman Brothers Band, and Little Richard. Check out the live music scene with concerts at the Atrium Health Amphitheater, the second-largest amphitheater in the state, or at Society Garden, which has a more tight-knit community feel for a live music venue.

People sat out on the lawn with blankets to enjoy the Parker McCollum concert on June 28, 2025 at the Atrium Health Ampitheater. Country music stars Whiskey Meyers and Hank Williams Jr. are performing at the ampitheater later in July.
People sat out on the lawn with blankets to enjoy the Parker McCollum concert on June 28, 2025 at the Atrium Health Ampitheater. Country music stars Whiskey Meyers and Hank Williams Jr. are performing at the ampitheater later in July. Carly Lenhardt

Explore local sporting events

Macon has many options for sporting events. In the summers, a competitive summer baseball team called the Macon Bacon is in full swing as part of the Coastal Plain League, a prominent summer collegiate wood-bat baseball league. Check out their schedule to get tickets to a game.

In addition, fans can go to see the Macon Mayhem, a championship winning professional hockey club.

On the collegiate level, there are also various sporting events hosted by Mercer University during the school year such as football, volleyball, and basketball games.

Macon Pride VP Charlotte Renee Storey celebrates after throwing out the first pitch during the Bacon’s Pride Night on Wednesday.
Macon Pride VP Charlotte Renee Storey celebrates after throwing out the first pitch during the Bacon’s Pride Night on Wednesday. Courtesy photo

Check out pickleball leagues

Macon has a big pickleball atmosphere. It’s home to Rhythm & Rally, which is the world’s largest indoor pickleball facility, according to the website. The facility has 32 indoor courts, and hosts leagues and classes for all skill levels. For those who want outdoor pickleball options, Tatnall Square Park has 26 dedicated pickleball courts and it is only a $3 entry for open play.

There are also various leagues and classes to choose from.

Dave Altman teaches a beginner class Monday morning at the new Rhythm and Rally Sports and Events Center. A grand opening ceremony was held for the facility before opening to the public. With 32 indoor pickleball courts, the facility is currently the largest indoor pickleball center in the world.
Dave Altman teaches a beginner class Monday morning at the new Rhythm and Rally Sports and Events Center. A grand opening ceremony was held for the facility before opening to the public. With 32 indoor pickleball courts, the facility is currently the largest indoor pickleball center in the world. Jason Vorhees The Telegraph

Look into the museums Macon has to offer

Macon is a place of great historical significance, and that is reflected in the museums around town. To gain insight about the history of the community, explore The Allman Brothers Band Museum at the Big House, the Tubman Museum, or the Museum of Arts and Sciences.

Visit Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park

One of Macon’s most prized gems in the community is the Ocmulgee mounds National Historical Park, which community members along with Georgia lawmakers have been to eventually make Georgia’s first national park. The landscape has been marked by 12,000 years of continuous human habitation, according to park officials.

In addition, there are fun water activities to do on the Ocmulgee River, such as river floating, kayaking, or fishing.

The entrance to the Earth Lodge sits along the paved path at Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, in Macon, Georgia. After a failed effort in 2024, Georgia legislatures reintroduced a bipartisan bill to make the Ocmulgee Mounds Georgia’s first national park on Wednesday.
The entrance to the Earth Lodge sits along the paved path at Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, in Macon, Georgia. After a failed effort in 2024, Georgia legislatures reintroduced a bipartisan bill to make the Ocmulgee Mounds Georgia’s first national park on Wednesday. Elijah Smith/The Telegraph

Visit Macon’s skatepark

Central City Skatepark is a free public skate park open 24 hours a day. For those interested in skating, this is a great place to get to know the skating community.

Benjamin Arthur of Macon performs a nollie big spin to 50-50 trick on his skate board at the new competition bowl at Central City Park Thursday. Arthur said he began skate boarding at the old indoor center at the park and has enjoyed skating at the best parks in Georgia. He said the new one here is one of the best he’s ever used and he says other boarders agree on the point.
Benjamin Arthur of Macon performs a nollie big spin to 50-50 trick on his skate board at the new competition bowl at Central City Park Thursday. Arthur said he began skate boarding at the old indoor center at the park and has enjoyed skating at the best parks in Georgia. He said the new one here is one of the best he’s ever used and he says other boarders agree on the point. BEAU CABELL bcabell@macon.com

This story was originally published July 1, 2025 at 3:48 PM.

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Carly Lenhardt
The Telegraph
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