Welcome to Visit Augusta GA blog

A few days ago, I met some friends for a leisurely paddle up the Savannah River.  Our route took us up river, then up Rae’s Creek to Aqueduct Park, back to the river, up around a few islands and back to a boat ramp in North Augusta where we began.  Starting just a few hundred yards up river from downtown Augusta, it looked like this:

The weather was beautiful and there’s nothing quite as nice as getting on the river on a warm summer evening.  We looked for fish, turtles, ducks and other wildlife while we paddled up Rae’s Creek towards Aqueduct Park and met a man Stand-Up Paddling.  It looks like something fun I’ll have to try!

Aqueduct Park is a great spot to cool off and a lot of folks were taking advantage of the cool water!

Coming back to the river, we paddled upstream passing small islands and beautiful Spanish-moss covered cypress trees. 

We struggled against the current a little ways up the shoals and were rewarded with a fun ride down some very small rapids.

If you’d like to kayak or canoe on the Savannah River, you can rent both from Broadway Bait & Tackle or rent canoes from the Riverwalk Marina.

Broadway Bait & Tackle

1730 Broad Street (at the canal)

Augusta, GA 30904

(706) 738-8848

http://www.broadwaytackle.com/servlet/the-697/CANOE-RENTAL-KAYAK-RENTAL/Detail

Riverwalk Marina

1 5th Street
Augusta, Georgia 30901
(706) 722-1388

Saturday was a beautiful, warm and sunny day in Augusta. My mom and I decided to take advantage of this weather and visit Augusta’s Saturday Market on the River. The market is located at the Riverwalk entrance on 8th Street at Reynolds Street and is open every Saturday from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. from April through October.

The market was filled with people who came out to see dozens of local vendors, farmers and artisans all gathered in one location selling their treasures. All products sold are locally grown or locally made. This is fantastic because I was able to ask the vendors exactly where the fruits and vegetables I was about to buy came from. Can you get this kind of information or freshness at Wal-Mart? I think not. 

I bought several fresh strawberries and peaches, two of my favorites! But the fresh squash and zucchini looked just as delish! My mom bought some red, juicy, vine-ripened tomatoes.

There are also vendors selling several different species of plants, annual and perennial flowers, ornamental grasses and shrubs, ferns, vines and even trees. I purchased a couple of trailing Lantanas, which look pretty in my back yard! Knowing absolutely nothing about gardening, I found the people at Griffin’s Nursery very helpful when I asked about caring for my Lantanas.

There are also artisan and artistic vendors. You can find hand-crafted and hand-painted birdhouses, handmade jewelry, hand sewn children’s clothes, accessories and more!

With so much to do and see at the Saturday Market by the River you are bound to work-up an appetite. No worries! Food vendors are there to serve you. You can sample homemade pastries and breads, grilled chicken, boiled or roasted peanuts and even cupcakes! The bacon and spinach quiche I had from Lily’s Bakery was to die for!

We had a great time at Saturday Market by the River and I plan on going each and every Saturday to see what is new. Hope to see you there!

Saturday Market on the River

Riverwalk at 8^th Street & Reynolds

http://www.theaugustamarket.com/index.html

Just 15 minutes from downtown Augusta, Georgia, is a great place to pick your own strawberries, blackberries and asparagus – Gurosiks’ Berry Plantation. We recently went on a field trip with William’s 4K class to pick strawberries and they loved it.

It is a big farm with lots of activities for the kids. Of course, the main attraction was picking strawberries. You are given a quick class on the proper way to pick and which berries not to pick. And then you are sent out to the field to discover and uncover strawberries. With lots of squeals from the class of adventurers, we collected two containers full in about 15 minutes.

But the fun was not over yet, the Gurosik’s next took us to see their bee hive. We did not actually get too close to the bees, but we did get the sample their honey. Fantastic.

From there they took us to see their catfish pond. And yes – everyone fed the fish. The kids loved it, but not as much as the fish. There were tons of them.

Then it was lunch time under a covered pavilion on picnic benches. It was a really great day. Before heading off I made William walk through the market with me. The farm market had clean restrooms and ample parking offering pre-picked berries, a full variety of fresh produce, many professionally processed products from the Gurosik’s, hanging flower baskets, fresh cut flowers, hybrid blackberries, blueberries, peaches, purses and jewelry.

Gurosik’s is a 100 acre family farm. Clyde and Marilyn Gurosik have been working on the farm since 1981. Clyde attributes his passion for land preservation and strawberries to his deceased parents, who established strong values and principles. Marilyn was a school teacher until the farm got off the ground – and you can really tell on these school visits about her background.
Seasons:
Strawberries – April through July 4
Blackberries – Late May through July 4
Asparagus – Early April through May

Gurosik’s Berry Plantation

345 Briggs Rd

North Augusta, SC 29860

803-278-0594

http://gurosiksberryplantation.com/

The Augusta GreenJackets are back, and their fans could not be happier! Crowded gates are what you’ll encounter when you first walk up to Lake Olmstead Stadium, the home of Augusta’s minor league baseball team, but no worries, because the lines move very quickly.

When you enter the stadium your senses will be greeted by the sight of GreenJacket fans strolling around sporting their game attire, you’ll hear about the excitement of last games homerun by those in passing and you’ll smell fresh popcorn being popped and hotdogs being grilled.

The Augusta GreenJackets are a minor league baseball team that plays in Augusta, Georgia, as a Class A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. Lake Olmstead Stadium has been the home of the GreenJackets since the 1995 season. The team is named in honor of The Masters golf tournament held in Augusta, where the winner receives a green jacket. The GreenJackets season begins in April and concludes in early September.

My first game of the season just happened to be the first of several “Thirsty Thursdays.” Each and every game played at home on a Thursday baseball patrons can enjoy dollar draft beer and fountain sodas! And that’s only one of several promotions offered.
Monday – dollar hotdogs
Tuesday – two-for-one
Wednesday – Baseball Bingo
Friday – alternating promotions
Saturday – fireworks
Sunday – kids eat free

Tickets are inexpensive and GreenJackets games are fun for the entire family. Individual game tickets can be purchased for as low as $7.00 for general seating. There are also several ticket packages depending on your needs, including season passes for you baseball enthusiasts! Do you have a large group? No problem! Lake Olmstead Stadium has the accommodations. Book their private party pavilion.

The Augusta GreenJackets play April through September, so there is still time for you to catch plenty of the action!

The Augusta GreenJackets
Lake Olmstead Stadium
78 Milledge Rd  Augusta GA 30904
(706) 736-7889

At the Augusta Convention and Visitors Bureau, we get a lot of calls about the Augusta National Golf Club’s Masters Tournament. Below are just a few of the more regular questions. Please do not hesitate to call us with other questions about your visit to Augusta at 800-726-0243 or visit our website.

Question: I did not get tickets for the Masters 2011, is it too late to apply for the lottery?
Answer: Yes, it is too late. You will need to reapply. Applications are accepted starting in May the year before and usually due by the end of July. 

Question: I cannot do a lot of walking; can a wheelchair be rented at the tournament?
Answer: Wheelchairs are allowed on the course, but the Augusta National Golf Club does not rent out wheelchairs. In previous years you could rent them from DuraMed 706.737.0500.

Question: I am not planning to rent a car; do hotels in the area provide shuttle service?
Answer: Yes, many hotels provide shuttle service from hotel to golf course and back, at a nominal cost or not at all.

Question: Where can I park once I arrive to the golf course? How early do I need to be there?
Answer: The Augusta National Golf Club has allocated a very large area of free parking spaces during the Masters Tournament. Gates normally open at 8am daily during the tournament.

Question: I received a notification letter that I won tickets for the practice round so I will be coming to Augusta in April, where can I stay?
Answer: You can access the Augusta Convention and Visitors Bureau website to get a listing of hotels in the area, or we can mail you a visitor’s guide. Websites for research: http://www.augustaga.org/

Question: I noticed that my check has been cashed, when do I receive my tickets?
Answer: Typically tickets begin to be mailed out starting mid-January. If you have questions or concerns about your tickets contact the Augusta National Golf Club directly at 706.667.6000 and ask for Tournament Information. 

Question: Is the Golf Course within walking distance of the hotels on Washington Road?
Answer: No, it is not. The closest hotel is about a mile from the front gate. 

Question: What is the dress code?
Answer: Appropriate clothes and shoes should be worn at all time. You will mainly see golf casual on the course. Layers are also recommended since mornings are still a little cool. 

Question: I would like to play some golf while I am in Augusta, can you recommend some golf courses?
Answer: Augusta has many great golf courses to play. However, during the week of Masters Tee times should be made well in advance. 

Question: It is March and I have not received my tickets yet?
Answer: Perhaps you provided a forwarding address; the Augusta National does not forward tickets to addresses not matching the application. If that is the case, then most probably the Club has your tickets, otherwise for any other reason you will need to contact them directly 706.667.6000. 

Question: Can I bring an infant with me to the Practice Round?
Answer: All attendees must have a badge.