Want some family and wallet friendly fun this summer? Try these Augusta-area outings

Miguel Legoas, Augusta Chronicle
·5 min read

Summer is on its way and with it comes all kinds of fun in the sun. But for many, especially large families, finding things to do can get expensive.

However, there are several local opportunities for outings that are family and wallet friendly.

Miniature water parks are spread across the area to splash around in. Downtown Augusta offers two walking trails with enriching views and stories. There are also multiple museums to avoid summer learning loss.

All of these activities are fairly cost efficient, some are even free. Here is a look at these and other cheap outings in the Augusta area:

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Splash Pads

Children frolic in the cool spray of the splash pad at Evans Towne Center Park in Evans, Ga., in this photo from June 2018.
Children frolic in the cool spray of the splash pad at Evans Towne Center Park in Evans, Ga., in this photo from June 2018.

There are a number of splash pads available for children of all ages. Many are attached to the local parks and are free to access. These are great spots for people who want some aquatic entertainment, but don't have access to a swimming pool and cannot afford to visit a full water park. Here are locations of nearby splash pads:

  • Memorial Gardens Park: 7022 Evans Town Center Boulevard, Evans

  • Charles H. Evans Community Center: 1886 Highland Avenue, Augusta

  • Gateway Park: 215 Partnership Drive, Grovetown

  • Evans Towne Center Park: 7016 Evans Towne Center Boulevard, Evans

  • Summerfield Park: 738 Old Edgefield Road, North Augusta

Walking Tours

Downtown Augusta offers plenty of views, but where to start? There are two free, guided walking tours that allow residents to get their steps in and take a ton of unique photos.

Augusta's Sculpture Trail consists of 15 handmade sculptures by artists from all over the U.S. Some are vibrant and impressionistic, while others are as simple as a giant set of popsicles. Here are the sculptures and where they are located:

  • Endeavour - Augusta Common and Broad Street

  • Duet’s Dance: Herons in Conversation - Augusta Common and Broad Street

  • What’s in the Queue? - Augusta Common and Reynolds Street

  • Popsicles - Augusta Common and Reynolds Street

  • Without Limits - 8th Street and Riverwalk

  • Unstoppable - 8th Street and Riverwalk

  • Maestro and Forever Young - Founder’s Overlook on upper level of Riverwalk

  • Hurrying Home - Upper level of Riverwalk

  • Book Bench: A Novel Idea - 6th Street and Riverwalk

  • Sun Lion – 5th Street Pedestrian Bridge entrance to the Marina

  • Tropical Dream – 5th Street Pedestrian Bridge entrance to Marina

  • Soccer Dude – 5th Street Pedestrian Bridge

  • Ruthless – 5th Street Pedestrian Bridge

  • Rise - Lower level of Riverwalk

  • Oraiste agus Liath - Lower level of Riverwalk

More information including a map is available at augustasculpturetrail.com.

For those wanting something with more funk, they can go on the James Brown Journey. This audio tour takes fans around downtown to spots and buildings that were significant to the life of the Godfather of Soul. The stops are marked by distinct graphics on the ground. QR codes are on site that, when scanned, provide brief lessons including music to enjoy an immersive learning experience. Here are the spots and where they are located:

The Soul Starts Here James Brown Journey is a walking or driving tour in honor of James Brown. At each location, an artistic depiction of a vinyl record is placed on the sidewalk telling the story the location had in the life of James Brown. This is the record that was unveiled along Broad Street near the 6th Street intersection in Augusta, Ga., Wednesday morning August 12, 2020.

  • Soul Bar - 984 Broad Street

  • Boss Radio - Corner of James Brown Boulevard and Broad Street

  • James Brown Statue - In front of Augusta Common

  • Imperial Theatre - 749 Broad Street

  • Augusta Museum of History - 560 Reynolds Street

  • Bell Auditorium - 712 Telfair Street

  • James Brown Arena - 601 7th Street

  • Dyess Park - 902 James Brown Boulevard

  • Lenox Theatre - 1128 9th Street

  • Silas X. Floyd School - 921 Florence Street

  • Mother Trinity CME Church - 8th and Taylor streets

  • Brown's Childhood Home - 944 Twiggs Street

More information including the full audio tour is available online at soulstartshere.com.

Vegetables from TOG Farms sit ready to purchase at the Augusta Farmer's Market on 8th Street on Saturday, March 18, 2023. The farmers market will be open every Saturday through November.
Vegetables from TOG Farms sit ready to purchase at the Augusta Farmer's Market on 8th Street on Saturday, March 18, 2023. The farmers market will be open every Saturday through November.

Farmers Markets

For those wanting some locally-grown food or just a chance to shop outdoors, there are several farmers markets scheduled throughout the summer.

While the merchandise is obviously not free, admission often is. Plus, many farmers markets also offer a great time for hanging out with live music from local artists. Here are some of the upcoming farmers markets:

  • Augusta Market: Saturday's in the 8th Street Plaza from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

  • Veggie Park Farmers Market: Thursday's at The Hub on Chaffee Avenue in Augusta from 4-7 p.m.

  • Laney Walker Farmers Market: First Friday of the month in Augusta at 850 Laney Walker Blvd. from 4:30-7 p.m.

  • Evans Market: Saturday's at Evans Towne Center Park from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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Mya VanDyke, then 2, checks out paintings by James Michalopoulos, which were on display as a special exhibition at the Morris Museum of Art in 2017.
Mya VanDyke, then 2, checks out paintings by James Michalopoulos, which were on display as a special exhibition at the Morris Museum of Art in 2017.

Museums

Some parents may want to fight against summer learning loss. The local museums are here to help in that fight. Most have general admission prices under $10 a person and let younger children in for free. Morris Museum of Art allows everyone in for free on Sunday's. Here is more info on these and other low-cost museums:

  • Augusta Museum of History: Open Thursday-Sunday. General admission is $5.

  • Lucy Craft Laney Museum: Open Monday-Saturday at 1116 Phillips Street in Augusta. General admission is $7.

  • Morris Museum of Art: Open Tuesday-Sunday at the end of 10th Street in Augusta. General admission is $5.

  • Discovery Center at Enterprise Mill: Open Tuesday-Saturday at 1450 Greene Street in Augusta. General admission is $6.

A turtle swims in the water at Earth Day Augusta at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park on Saturday, April 22, 2023. Hundreds of community members turned out for hayrides, vendors, and educational booths about sustainability.
A turtle swims in the water at Earth Day Augusta at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park on Saturday, April 22, 2023. Hundreds of community members turned out for hayrides, vendors, and educational booths about sustainability.

Phinizy Swamp Nature Park

One of the biggest hot spots for outdoor photography and getting back to nature is Phinizy Swamp Nature Park. More than 1,000 acres of natural swamp land provide a home to countless animal species from bald eagles and cranes to alligators and turtles. Guests can see much of it from more than 10 miles of trails to walk which feature plenty of natural shading from the sun. The park is also home to the Phinizy Center for Water Sciences which hosts multiple fun and educational events throughout the year. There are also playgrounds and picnic areas nearby.

Admission to the park is free, but there is a gift shop for anyone who wants to buy a souvenir. Phinizy is located at 1858 Lock and Dam Road in Augusta. It's open all week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Augusta area fun, low cost outings for families this summer