To really appreciate everything Augusta is today, discovering its past is an absolute must. The Discovery Center at the Enterprise Mill on Greene Street is the ultimate place to discover the heritage of the city.
The Augusta Canal Discovery Center is an educational facility suited to families and tourists of any age. The exhibitions are interactive for younger ones to have fun exploring, and everyone gets the opportunity to watch the orientation movie before touring the canal.
The boat ride can be taken without touring the Discovery Center, but it’s best enjoyed when you take 10-minutes to view the orientation video before going on the boat tour.
The boat tour excursion is a guided tour that takes you along the Augusta Canal. Boat tours last from a half hour to an hour. There’s also a history and nature tour and a civil war tour available, both of which last longer, taking an hour on average. On Fridays, there are live music boat rides, and on Saturdays, the tours have tribute music of the iconic styles of the 20th Century.
It should be noted that boat tours are weather permitting. These are canceled for health and safety reasons if the heat index reaches 105oF.
Explore the Trails along the Augusta Canal
Surrounding the canal are four main trails and five side trails. These can be used for hiking, running, or cycling.
The main trails were used by mules to pull canal boats. These are the wider paths along the trail. The side trails branch off to offer more urban trails on narrower paths.
Bicycle rentals are available nearby if you’d prefer to cycle the trails.
Canoeing and kayaking
Canoes and kayaks can be brought onto the canal and along the trails, there are several low-points to pull in for a stop along the way.
The Augusta Canal Discovery Center is really a starting point to so much more.
Have fun learning about the history of canals with the interactive exhibitions, then watch the orientation video, then head out on the boat tour. Doing the tour in reverse (boat ride first, then the Discovery Center) won’t ruin your day, but it’s far more enjoyable when you have a general understanding of what the tour guide’s pointing out along the way.