Belair - Augusta, GA Area Guide

In colonial times, Augusta was settled as a port city at the headwaters of the Savannah River. The town developed rapidly as a market town and a producer of textiles and paper. Visitors can explore the city's past with a trip to the Augusta Museum of History, which contains artifacts ranging from prehistoric times up to the Civil Rights Era. The museum also manages the Ezekiel House, a tobacco merchant's home built in 1797, which has been restored and decorated with period furniture.

The Morris Museum of Art houses a large collection of American art and also features rotating exhibitions. The museum hosts events throughout the year, such as book signings, concerts and film screenings. The annual Paddlefest features canoe and kayak races along the Savannah River. A unique part of the festivities includes a race of homemade rafts, which always makes for an entertaining spectacle.

Diablo's Southwest Grill serves burritos and quesadillas made to order. You can go through the line and custom-order the toppings you want. Vegetarians enjoy meatless substitutions like grilled vegetables and tofu. Don't forget to pick out handmade salsa from the salsa bar to go along with your complimentary chips. Diablo's also offers speedy service, making the restaurant a popular option for a quick lunch or a to-go meal.

Enjoy a bowl of Fettucine Alfredo or spaghetti at Giuseppe's Pizza and Italian Specialties. The chicken Nicky with sun-dried tomato sauce served over pasta also remains a popular selection. People also visit the restaurant to have a thin-crust pizza covered in fresh toppings like eggplant, artichoke hearts and broccoli. To get the most bang for your buck, stop by for the lunch buffet where you can sample all of the restaurant's offerings at an affordable price.

Rae's Coastal Cafe specializes in fresh seafood like grilled salmon and crab cake sandwiches. This is also a great place to sample Low Country favorites like shrimp and grits or Frogmore stew, a dish made with sausage, shrimp and potatoes. You will also find island-inspired fare such as jerk chicken and coconut shrimp. The full service bar also makes the restaurant a great place to grab a drink while socializing with friends.

Nightlife options in Belair consist of a few bars. Bar West Martini Lounge is an upscale neighborhood bar where locals go to socialize. People enjoy live music in addition to karaoke and games; the restaurant also serves as a popular destination for parties. Locals make the short drive to downtown Augusta for more nightlife options.

Getting around Belair requires a car, which means plenty of free parking at local businesses. Most roads have neither sidewalks nor bike lanes, which precludes walking or biking as a reliable means of transportation. Augusta Public Transit only operates one bus line that services the neighborhood. Uber does not operate in the area, but you can call a taxi company to arrange a cab ride. The proximity of Interstates 20 and 520 make it easy for residents to leave town.

Augusta Soccer Park contains seven lighted soccer fields where games and tournaments regularly take place. People also enjoy eating lunch in the covered picnic areas. Blanchard Park provides additional recreational opportunities with baseball diamond and tennis courts. The area also contains many public golf courses, which include Forest Hills and the Augusta Municipal Golf Course.

Residents of Belair can access many nearby natural areas to explore the Low Country wilderness. Hamilton Branch State Park contains hundreds of acres of nature, including Lake Thurmond. People visit the park to enjoy swimming in the lake and to take boats and kayaks out on the water. You can also pitch a tent in one of the campsites to spend the weekend along the lakeshore. Bird-watchers bring along binoculars to catch a glimpse of one of the rare bird species that inhabit the park. Vines of blooming wisteria in the spring make for beautiful views and great nature photography. Entering the park requires a small fee, and dogs are permitted in most areas.

Residents of Belair enjoy a cost of living 1 percent lower than in Augusta and 16 percent lower than the national average. Gas prices remain 8 percent lower than the national average, and the median monthly rent for a one-bedroom residence runs around $728. A single ride on the Augusta Public Transit costs $1.25 and you can expect to pay about $5 for a pint of beer at a local bar.

Residents of Belair have easy access to many nearby shopping opportunities, but high-value retailers outnumber high-end boutiques in the vicinity. Many retailers lie along Interstate 520, including Augusta Mall, anchored by Macy's and Sears. High-value stores such as Target, Walmart and Best Buy also operate in the area. Locals shop for groceries at Kroger and Publix; however, a farmers market takes place at Riverwalk in downtown Augusta on Saturday mornings.

Treasure hunters enjoy searching through Mema Had One to find unique and vintage items. The inventory includes a little bit of everything like china, vintage apparel and collectible soda bottles. People also look through the collection of old furniture to find pieces to restore.

Before heading out to Georgia beaches, people stop by The Book Tavern to pick out a cheaply priced used book. The store has a well-stocked science fiction section, and the organized selection of books makes it easy to find what you want. People also bring in books to exchange them for something new to read. The store holds social events throughout the year, such as poetry readings and sketch parties.