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My ‘Holiday’ Saturday in Downtown Augusta

It was another beautiful Saturday in Augusta, so I decided to phone a friend and see if she wanted to head to Downtown Augusta with me for the  bi-monthly Saturday market. She said yes, so off we went!

The Augusta Common was filled with several unique local vendors. There were homemade baked goods by Lily’s Bakery & Cafe located in Evans, handmade pottery made right here in Augusta by Tire City Potters, an array of salads such as cucumber salad and pasta salads prepared by Paulette’s Best Foods Inc. in Waynesboro, several handmade jewelry and apparel booths and stunning college, golf and historic Augusta art painted by Scott McPherson & Associates Art Distributors.

The event was fun for adults and children alike. There were several activities especially for the little ones, such as, a clown who could make balloon animals and writing and mailing letters to Santa. My friend’s daughter had just as much fun as we did!

This Saturday in Downtown Augusta was filled with so much excitement, because this particular day there was also the Miss Augusta Fantasy Parade and the Christmas Light Up Spectacular. The parade featured many friendly faces that everyone in the Augusta area knows and loves and our area school bands. Immediately following the parade there were even more family fun activities and entertainment in the Augusta Commons.

An excellent conclusion to this fabulous Saturday was the lighting of Downtown Augusta by Mayor Deke Copenhaver once the sun went down.  It was a great time had by all who were in attendance

Phinizy Swamp Nature Park

Looking for beautiful fall foliage minutes from downtown? Phinizy Swamp Nature Park has great trails to explore!

From the parking lot, follow the Cattail trail to the Visitor Center where you can find maps of the trails.

Once you’ve picked your route, informative kiosks and signs give you the history of the construction of the wetlands, cells as well as flora and fauna you may encounter in the park.

We enjoyed the Beaver Dam trail that led to a bridge over Butler Creek and a boardwalk over wetlands on the Green trail.

The Butler Creek trail that starts at the opposite end of the parking area offers a beautiful wooded trail, views of the swamp from high on the bluffs and other interesting discoveries.

If you go, here are a few reminders.

• Bikes are welcome on the gravel roads, but motorized vehicles are not permitted inside the park.
• Pets are welcome.
• All plant and animal life is protected in the Nature Park; please do not touch these natural resources. For your own protection, do not feed any of the Nature Park’s wildlife.
• Fishing is not permitted.

Phinizy Swamp Nature Park
1858 Lock & Dam Road
Augusta, GA 30906
(706)828-2109

Mellow Mushroom

One of my favorite lunch spots in downtown Augusta is the Mellow Mushroom! Not only do they have the best pizza in town in my opinion, they offer great service and a quick lunch menu.

I usually get the slice and salad offered on their lunch menu.  This is the best of both worlds-a treat and something healthy. It’s one of the best cheap, quick lunches in town! I also enjoy the garlic pretzels with marinara sauce. They come straight to your table warm from the oven and drizzled with a little bit of Parmesan and butter, and they’re so good!

Whether you have little time, or as much time as you want, make sure to pay Mellow Mushroom a visit! Enjoy!!

Mellow Mushroom
1167 Broad Street
Augusta, GA 30901
(706)828-5578

Frog Hollow Tavern in Downtown Augusta

I just have one word to describe my elegant dinner at Frog Hollow Tavern in downtown Augusta, Georgia – Go.

I mean really you should go. Leave the kids at home, ask for Jeff as your server, order the Sweet Tea Martini, start with the mussels, order the Pot Roast for entrée, and crème Brule for dessert. Go.

Since we had a larger group for supper, we also got to try a little bit of everyone else’s entrees and appetizers, including this delicious sausage sampler…

And this chicken with grits and greens…

And this delicious steak with homemade steak frites!

Okay maybe two words to describe Frog Hollow Tavern – Go, now.

Frog Hollow Tavern
1282 Broad Street
Augusta, GA 30901
(706) 364-6906

Fun and Food at the Georgia-Carolina State Fair

I’m not one to get on rides that drop, flip, spin, twist, go fast or go high.  So what would be the point of going to the Georgia-Carolina State Fair you might ask?  Well, I love Fair food.  Who can resist a delicious plate of funnel cake covered in powdered sugar? Not me!

 I also enjoy the smells of all the fair food-cotton candy, nachos, sausage dogs, candy apples, vinegar fries, and so much more.  This year I tried my first Grilled Turkey Leg.  It was really, really good but was so huge I couldn’t finish it.

 I may not ride, but I will play games.  There’s just something about the possibility of winning a stuffed animal the size of a small person. My son tried to win me the big prize, but we weren’t very successful this time.

There’s always next year…and plenty more fair food!

Let’s go “Somewhere in Augusta”

I recently had a friend visit from Virginia who wanted me to take him somewhere in Augusta. Being the good host that I am, I took him exactly where he asked, to Somewhere in Augusta. Somewhere in Augusta Bar and Grill doesn’t only possess a unique name, but also a unique scene special to only the Augusta area.

Augusta natives can be spotted at Somewhere in Augusta several nights a week to enjoy the vast array of entertainment it has to offer its patrons. Come rack your brain with the hosts of Tuesday Trivia: including current events, entertainment, movies, music and sports trivia, where the top three teams receive prizes. Get your friends and family together and make reservations for the Comedy Zone, each Wednesday night, but be sure to reserve your table early enough because room is limited and tables go quickly. (Please be aware that Comedy Zone is an 18-year-old and up show and visitors must present identification upon arrival.)

If you’re a sports enthusiast look no further than the 42 high definition flat screen televisions featuring any and all sports imaginable depending on the season. Sports fans gather to eat, drink, and be merry while cheering their favorite college football team to victory in fall, on Saturday afternoons, and yes, sports attire is encouraged! Somewhere in Augusta is known as “Augusta’s number one sports bar.” An impressive feat for a locally owned sports bar here in the Augusta area with several competitors.

My visiting friend had a great time at Somewhere in Augusta. He even said he would suggest it to people he might meet whose destination may be the Augusta area. Try Somewhere in Augusta any night of the week and enjoy the friendly staff, unique atmosphere and exclusive entertainment that can only be found here in Augusta.

Somewhere in Augusta
2820 Washington Road
Augusta, Georgia
(706)739-0002

Tire City Potters

Downtown Augusta has lots of little hidden gems, just waiting for you to stumble up on them. Tire City Potters, is one such gem!  Situated in an old garage, this pottery studio is a lot more than meets the eye.  If you’re enjoying a First Friday downtown or strolling down 10th Street after a delicious meal at the Rooster’s Beak or Bee’s Knees you might find yourself wandering into Tire City.

When the large garage doors are open, the studio is quite inviting.  Earlier this week, I was enjoying Taco Tuesday at the Rooster’s Beak across the street. Since the weather was so nice we sat outside while we ate and watched the crowd at the pottery studio.  Our out of town guests were quite curious, so after supper we decided to pop in and see what we could find.

These skull and crossbones mugs would make a perfect gift for even the most macho coffee aficionado!

There is quite a wide variety of pottery from vases and platters, to business card holders and tea kettles.

My favorite were these tiny pinch pots!  I bought a few for Christmas gifts, as they would be perfect finger bowls, salt keepers, or jewelry holders!

If you are downtown and the lights are on, stop by and check out Tire City, you might just find something amazing!

Tire City Potters
210 B 10th Street
Augusta, GA 30901
(706) 294-3871

French Market Grille

On a recent Friday night, a friend and I decided to meet for dinner at the French Market Grille West. This is a great restaurant that offers delicious food, drinks, specials, friendly staff, and even entertainment.

Photo from French Market Grille

They are known as a cajun restaurant with a casual atmosphere. They offer two locations, The French Market Grille, located in Surrey Center, and the French Market Grille West, located off of Fury’s Ferry Road.

Through dinner we enjoyed listening to the jazz music play as we ate our meal. I had the shrimp po boy-my personal favorite-and it never lets me down!

French Market also has specials every night of the week, so any night is a great time to check it out!. They were also voted  “Best Augusta Restaurant” 17 years in a row! Now that has to mean something-go out and visit!

French Market Grille
425 Highland Ave
Augusta, GA 30909
706-737-4865

French Market Grille West
368 Fury’s Ferry Road
Martinez, GA 30907

Carolina Ale House

If you are in Augusta and really hungry, I recommend the Carolina Ale House. The Carolina Ale House  is a regional restaurant based out of North Carolina. Makes Sense. It is a family-friendly sports themed restaurant. It does have a large menu that goes beyond the typical sports bar.

We went the other day with the kids and it was a great Saturday diversion and some wonderful food. We sat outside and watched SEC football. I love outdoor dining in Augusta in the fall, but I digress.

I ordered the Carolina Ale House Burger. A signature dish with smoky bacon, American cheese, ale house onion strings and Papa Lou’s secret sauce. Doesn’t it look fantastic? Please see next picture to see how much I liked it.

They have a great kids’ menu. William highly recommends the corn dog and applesauce.

My husband recommends the ribs and any burger on the menu. I think next time I will try Sweet Mountain BBQ Burger and maybe the house Mud Pie.

Carolina Ale House
203 Robert C. Daniel Jr. Pkwy.
Augusta, GA 30309
706-333-0019