Shopping in Augusta
At the end of a day of shopping in Augusta, you’ll discover that you don’t need to make the long journey to Atlanta or some other chaotic, major metropolitan city to find your favorite things. It’s all right here. From designer purses to unique gift items, you can find whatever your shopper’s heart desires at one of the many shopping venues sprinkled throughout the area.

The loudest buzz among credit card swipers is the Augusta Mall, with 1,102,000-square-foot of retail space complete with your favorite big name retailers: Ann Taylor Loft, Banana Republic, Coach, Coldwater Creek, Chico’s, Walking Company, J. Jill, William-Sonoma, White House/Black Market, Apple Store, Barnes and Noble, Jared’s and Dick’s Sporting Goods. You’ll probably work up an appetite walking from store to store, so plan to enjoy lunch or dinner at one of the mall’s newest restaurants, such as P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, McAlister’s or the Chop House.

You can also take your spending money out to Columbia County, where shopping centers, local restaurants and national retail stores such as Academy Sports, Marshall’s and Kohl’s, have sprouted up practically overnight. Quaint coffee shops, boutiques and other small retail businesses are also finding their niche in Columbia County, giving shoppers and diners a chance to soak up a bit more local flavor.
Continuing over to the Hill, a beautiful section of town where historic cottages and mansions are tucked away in the lush foliage of large, mature trees, you’ll discover Surrey Center. Just off Highland Avenue, this collection of clothing boutiques, antique stores, restaurants and specialty interest shops is arranged in an intimate, open-air setting accented with fountains and gardens. The area also offers a great selection of fine dining at restaurants such as the Bistro 491, Polka Dot Pig, Calverts and French Market Grille.

Summerville, in mid-town Augusta, wows with more locally owned shops and restaurants. On the first Thursday of each month, Midtown Market presents customers with the opportunity to shop vendors for great deals, network with neighbors, sample foods from local restaurants and listen to superb local music talent. Many other quaint shops on Monte Sano Avenue and Kings Way participate in First Thursday, as well. After an evening of pulling at the purse strings dine at one of Summerville's fine restaurants, such as 5 O'Clock Bistro or Crums on Central.

Of course, no Augusta shopping spree would be complete without popping into the unique shops lining downtown Broad Street. Art galleries, jewelry and antique stores, a book shop, Southwestern or Italian cuisine—it’s all there. And if it’s the first Friday of the month, you’re in luck, as businesses will be open later than usual. In addition to extended shopping hours, you can also enjoy live art demonstrations or catch a bluegrass band in musical action at the Augusta Common. When it's time to gather with friends for dinner, downtown restaurants like Frog Hollow Tavern, Blue Horse Bistro, Blue Sky Kitchen and Boll Weevil Café & Sweetery, along with many other downtown dining establishments, provide everything from elegant to casual to international atmosphere and cuisine.

Another popular seasonal attraction in downtown Augusta is the Saturday Market on the River. On any given Saturday morning during spring and summer, locals and visitors browse their way through this fresh air market perusing fresh produce, baked goods, flowers and artwork offered for sale by area growers and artisans.

So you see? At the end of a day of shopping in Augusta, you’ll discover that you don’t need to make the long journey to some chaotic metropolis. We have you covered.