Before visiting Augusta, I mostly knew the city because of James Brown — but this guide to things to do in downtown Augusta with teens became about more than one landmark.
During the school year, two of my classmates and I completed a project about the “Godfather of Soul,” and while researching his life, I learned more about his connection to Augusta. So when my family started planning our Epic Summer 2025 Road Trip, Augusta became one of the places I wanted to visit.
This was our first time in the city, and we only had one night. But even with a short visit, downtown Augusta gave us more to do than I expected.
If you’re looking for things to do in downtown Augusta with teens, this guide is based on what we actually explored, what stood out to me, and what I think works well for families visiting the city.
We stayed at the Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center, which made exploring downtown easier because it connects directly to the Augusta Riverwalk and sits close to Broad Street, Augusta & Co., museums, public art, and the Savannah River.
For my full hotel stay breakdown, you can also read my Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center review.
Things to Do in Downtown Augusta With Teens: Start With the Riverwalk
The Augusta Riverwalk is one of the easiest things to recommend for teens and families.
It runs along the Savannah River and gives you a place to walk, take photos, see public art, and get outside without needing a huge plan. Since we were staying at the Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center, we could access the Riverwalk directly from the hotel area.
That made it really convenient.
For teens, the Riverwalk works because it does not feel like a boring “stand and look” attraction. You can move around, explore different levels, check out river views, and use it as a starting point for other nearby stops.
It also helps that the Riverwalk connects to several other downtown Augusta things to do, including museums, public art, the riverfront area, and the Fifth Street Freedom Pedestrian Bridge.
Explore Broad Street
Broad Street is another downtown Augusta area worth walking through.
You’ll find restaurants, historic buildings, public art, local businesses, and spots that make downtown feel more interesting. We walked around Broad Street during our visit, and it helped me get a better feel for the city.
This is also a good area if your family wants to combine sightseeing with food. Restaurants like Farmhaus, Mellow Mushroom, Nacho Mama’s, Knuckle Sandwiches, Groucho’s Deli, Tacocat, and Whiskey Bar Kitchen were all part of the nearby food options we looked at or had recommended.
For our dinner, we went to Farmhaus, and it ended up being a great casual family meal.
Broad Street also mattered to me because of the James Brown connection. That was one of the reasons I wanted to visit Augusta in the first place, so walking around downtown made the city feel more connected to something I had already learned about in school.
Stop at Augusta & Co.
Augusta & Co. is a good first stop if you are new to the city.
It is Augusta’s visitor and experience centre, but it feels more interesting than a basic tourist information desk. Inside, there are local products, souvenirs, regional merchandise, rotating artwork, and staff who can help visitors figure out where to go.
I picked up some souvenirs here, and it was helpful for learning more about the area.
For families with teens, this is a good way to get ideas without wandering around randomly. It also works well if you only have a short amount of time in the city and want to make the most of it.
During our stay, the Augusta Marriott also had a Visit Augusta kiosk on the second floor, which was a helpful backup for finding local information without leaving the hotel right away.
Check Out Downtown Public Art
One thing I liked about downtown Augusta was how much public art we came across.
The Augusta Sculpture Trail had several pieces around the Riverwalk and downtown area during our visit. That made walking around more interesting because there were different sculptures and photo spots along the way.
Public art is one of those things that can make a city feel more fun for teens because it gives you quick stops, photos, and something to notice while walking.
It also helps break up a downtown walk so it does not feel like you are just moving from building to building.
For my family, the public art made the Riverwalk and downtown area feel more memorable.
Visit the Augusta Museum of History
The Augusta Museum of History was one of the most important stops for me because of the James Brown connection.
After doing a school project about him, I wanted to see more of how Augusta connected to his story. The museum includes exhibits about Augusta’s history, local industries, transportation, the Georgia Railroad and Banking Company, and important people connected to the city.
It also has a major James Brown collection, which made it especially interesting for me.
For teens who like music, history, or learning about real people connected to a city, this museum is worth considering.
It also works well as an indoor activity if the weather is hot or rainy. That is useful in a city like Augusta, especially if you want a break from walking outside.
Look for James Brown History
The James Brown statue was the attraction I was most excited about before arriving in Augusta.
When we got to the area where it is normally displayed, the statue was not there because it had been temporarily removed during construction for the James Brown Linear Park. We later learned it was being stored at the Augusta Museum of History, but it was not publicly displayed when we visited.
I was disappointed, especially because I later found out I had missed seeing it by only about three weeks.
But even though I did not get to see the statue, the visit still helped me understand the city’s connection to James Brown. We found other tributes and references around downtown, and that made the trip feel connected to something I had already learned about in school.
That is one of the reasons Augusta stood out to me.
For teens, this kind of connection can make a city more interesting. It is not just about seeing a landmark. It is about understanding why that person mattered to the city and why the city still remembers them.
Cross the Fifth Street Freedom Pedestrian Bridge
The Fifth Street Freedom Pedestrian Bridge was one of the most memorable parts of our walk.
It crosses the Savannah River between Augusta, Georgia, and North Augusta, South Carolina. That meant I got to walk from one state to another, which was a first for me during the road trip.
The bridge has murals, seating areas, and views of the river, so it works well as a photo stop and a simple family activity.
For teens, this is one of those attractions that feels quick but memorable. You do not need a whole day for it, but it gives you a cool story from the trip.
I liked that it was different from a normal downtown walk. Crossing from Georgia into South Carolina on foot made the stop feel more unique.
Visit the Morris Museum of Art
The Morris Museum of Art is another downtown option near the Riverwalk.
It focuses on art and artists from the American South. I would consider this a good option for families who like museums, art, or quieter indoor stops.
It also pairs well with the Riverwalk because it is in the same general area, so you can add it to a downtown walking route instead of treating it like a separate drive.
For teens who like art, photography, history, or culture, this could be a good stop to add to a downtown Augusta visit.
See the Augusta Common Area
The Augusta Common area is worth knowing about if you are exploring downtown Augusta.
During our visit, this area was connected to our search for the James Brown statue because the statue is normally displayed nearby. Even though the statue was not there during our visit, we still ended up seeing more of the surrounding downtown area.
For families, Augusta Common can work as part of a larger walk through downtown. It connects well with Broad Street, public art, restaurants, and other nearby stops.
This is not something I would build a whole day around, but it works well as part of a downtown route.
Try a Casual Downtown Restaurant
A good teen-friendly downtown trip needs food.
For dinner, we went to Farmhaus, which is known for burgers and homemade-style milkshakes. My dad had the Farmstyle Burger, my mom had the Grilled Yard Bird, and I had the Original Grilled Cheese with fries.
Everything we tried was delicious, and it felt like a casual, relaxed place for a family dinner.
There were also other downtown restaurants nearby that looked like good options, including Mellow Mushroom, Nacho Mama’s, Knuckle Sandwiches, Groucho’s Deli, Tacocat, and Whiskey Bar Kitchen.
For families with teens, I think downtown Augusta works well because you can explore first and then find food without needing to drive far away.
Use Downtown as a Short-Stay Base
One thing that surprised me was how much we were able to do with only one night. For families planning a short visit, the best things to do in downtown Augusta with teens are close enough to combine into one walkable trip.
We walked the Riverwalk, explored Broad Street, visited Augusta & Co., checked out public art, crossed the Fifth Street Freedom Pedestrian Bridge, went to the Augusta Museum of History, and looked for James Brown-related stops.
That is a lot for a short visit.
If your family is only passing through Augusta on a road trip, staying downtown can make the city easier to experience. You do not need to plan every minute. You can pick a walkable area, explore nearby attractions, stop for food, and still feel like you saw part of the city.
That made downtown Augusta work really well for us.
Final Thoughts: Things to Do in Downtown Augusta With Teens
Downtown Augusta worked better for teens than I expected.
The Riverwalk gave us an easy outdoor activity. Broad Street gave us restaurants, murals, and local character. Augusta & Co. helped us understand the area. The Augusta Museum of History connected to the James Brown story I already cared about. The Fifth Street Freedom Pedestrian Bridge gave me the chance to walk from Georgia into South Carolina.
For a one-night visit, that is a lot.
So if you are planning a family road trip or a short stay in Augusta, I would not treat downtown as just a place to sleep.
There are enough things to do in downtown Augusta with teens to build a fun visit, especially if you stay somewhere walkable near the Riverwalk and Broad Street.
If you are staying at the hotel specifically, I also have a full guide to things to do near Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center.
For my family’s first visit, downtown Augusta felt like more than just another stop on the road trip. It gave us history, public art, river views, food, and a personal connection to something I had learned about before we even arrived.
— Mateo
This Teen Travelz