Welcome to Visit Augusta GA blog

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

Guest Blog Submission by Lori Cogan, Bristol, VA

I am an artist at heart. If I could quit my marketing job tomorrow, I’d grow out my gray hair, put it in a bun on top of my head, don a smock, and turn my home office into a studio. Ah, well, that will have to wait another decade or so. In the meantime, I enjoy the artistic endeavors of others. And if it’s really good, I just revel in it.

Such was the case when I ventured through Artist’s Row shops and studios in downtown Augusta last week. 

Artists’ Row was started in 1994 as part of Augusta’s revitalization project in the historic buildings along Broad Street. According to their website, www.augustaartistsrow, Galleries, working art studios, specialty shops, restaurants and coffee houses have flourished in the beautiful historic district. There are close to a dozen shops that are part of this destination shopping experience.

A couple truly stood out for me. A quiet walk through Gallery on the Row admiring the original jewelry, paintings and handcrafts turned into a party when we got to the display of Margaret Ann Smith’s work. My colleague Melissa and I literally started jumping up and down clapping at what hung on the wall before us. It was a riot of color—and the style was part Dali, part Escher, part Van Gough—yet all Margaret Ann Smith. What was most delightful was that her artwork depicted historic, architectural and happy scenes all around Augusta. The gallery manager was happy to tell us all about the artist, which gave us a deeper appreciation for the work. Our favorite was titled, “Round Midnight at the Clock, ” but we loved them all. We promptly bought a set of all the images printed on note cards.

I also enjoyed every moment I spent in Art on Broad, especially talking with owner. It’s evident she loves her artists and their work brings her daily joy. She gushed right along with me about some of the pieces I was admiring out loud. And I could tell she wasn’t just being polite.

There were little pieces of art easy to buy—great tiny finds—like button rings for $2 and beautifully textured clay magnets 3 for $12. When I picked a couple of rings as fun gifts to bring home to friends, the owner insisted on boxing and bagging them beautifully with tissue as if they cost 20 times as much.

On the other end of the investment scale were gorgeous painted canvases, unique copper bricks covered with graphics and inspirational messages, whimsical colorful pottery…and so much more. There were items priced in-between, as well, of course. Melissa purchased a beeswax honey pot candleholder for her mother. A quirky clock insisted I take it home. It now hangs in my office, a reminder that someday it will hang in my own art studio. And that makes me smile.

I highly recommend a trip to Artist’s Row. It’s just the right place to find something that will make you smile. And when you do…take it home. It will be time and money so very well spent.

Artists’ Row
Broad Street – Downtown Augusta, Georgia
http://www.augustaartistsrow.com/

If you are in Augusta and you are looking for something fun and memorable for the little ones, then look no further.  Build-A-Bear Workshop is located in the Augusta Mall and is a favorite for kids, teens and adults alike.

Its slogan, “Where Friends Are Made,” could not be more accurate. It offers an interactive make-your-own stuffed animal center!

Creating your own stuffed animal is much more exciting than buying one of hundreds that are made exactly the same.

Your child can choose from several different stuffed friends, not just teddy bears. There are panda bears, dogs, cats, frogs, bunnies, pigs, monkeys and more!

Once your child has chosen their animal it must be stuffed; a Build-A-Bear associate will help your child with this process. Then it’s time to give it a heart, and sound if you want. You can even record a personalized message and place it inside the animal!

Then it’s time for even more personalization! They offer hundreds of teddy bear sized outfits, shoes, hats, sunglasses, toys, jewelry and more.

Your kids will have a blast and also have something special to take home with them! It’s a souvenir unlike any other.

I have lived in the Augusta area for the majority of my life and have just recently discovered some of our secret shopping treasures!  A couple of months ago, on a slow Sunday afternoon my husband decided to check out the Riverfront Antique Mall. What a treat!  As far as antique malls go, this place is ranked pretty high in my book. It is located indoors, which means you can enjoy it year-round, even during a hot and humid southern summer.  There are all sorts of different vendors, so the antique mall is organized by vendors. Most vendors have one ‘booth’ but some are large enough for two or three.  The best part is the variety.  You can find almost anything inside, from vintage clothes and handbags to books, music and furniture.  I am a collector of carnival glass and have been able to add to my collection with several different great finds here, like his blue compote. It works great as a fruit bowl, too!

We also found a booth with all sorts of Masters souvenirs and Augusta memorabilia. Since these items are only available once a year during the tournament, you can find them in antique stores around town.

The Riverfront Antique Mall even has a little cafe inside serving sandwiches and snacks.  This was a treat for me, since we ended up spending almost 3 hours here on our first visit!

One of my other favorite spots to visit is the Barnyard Flea Market in South Augusta. They have everything under the sun, from produce and plants to antiques and car parts.

The Barnyard is an open air market and also has several different spots for snacks too, in case you get the munchies while you’re wandering around on the search for a bargain. I’m usually on the lookout for another piece of carnival glass, but last time we were out there I found some lovely little tomato plants for my garden, for only $1 each.  You never can tell what you might find just around the corner!

Just wanted to write a quick note about a lovely lunch today in Augusta. I went to the French Market Grille in Surrey Center. This is a great place for a Cajun meal. I did not sit at the raw bar today. I ordered the She Crab Soup and the Jambalaya. Fantastic! Not too heavy but a three course meal – including salad. Very filling and relaxing – as you can guess no kids today although this is a kid-friendly restaurant. Of course, they offered the famous peanut butter pie for dessert but knew that would put me over the edge and a nap would be required. And there was no napping, since I was heading next door to do a little shopping next. Talbots, the Toy Box, and the Estate Jewelry Center were all on my list. Julie at the Toy Box always has the best gifts for my boys and Joel at the Estate Jewelry Center always has the best gifts for me!