With year-round events and abundant outdoor fun, Lake Oconee is always in season. Nestled between Greensboro, Madison, Buckhead, and Eatonton, this oasis of fun and relaxation promises locals and visitors everything they need for a memorable experience.
Lake Oconee charms with us 400 gorgeous miles of shoreline, great restaurants, quaint Mainstreet shopping, 19,000 acres of lush green golf courses, and so much more, providing an uplifting escape to both vacationers and locals alike.
The Ritz Carlton Reynolds LakeOconee
Lake Oconee’s busiest time of year is July Fourth weekend, when there is no shortage of ways to celebrate the holiday. You could play with the kids on the beach, leisurely bask in the sun, or rent a boat for fishing, waterskiing, or for the fun of simply touring the lake and making new friends. Tubing, wakeboarding and jet skiing are all popular here, and there are plenty of places to rent equipment if you don’t have your own.
You can stay at The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee, where you can enjoy a summer concert, then watch the fireworks sparkle over the water from the comfort of your room’s private balcony. Countless boaters from all over the South flock to the lake for the Fourth of July weekend—some of them falling so hard for the community that they call areal estate agent to check out available homes before they go.
Oconee Brewing Company
When fall rolls around, the crisp weather is perfect for hiking and biking and makes golfing, boating, and fishing even more enjoyable. With over 30 square miles of surface area, Lake Oconee is one of the South’s best bass fishing lakes and plays host to a number of fishing tournaments.
If you aren’t into fishing, renting a pontoon boat will let you leisurely cruise the water, drinking in the beautiful homes and the colors of the autumn leaves, while keeping an eye out for local wildlife, including the bald eagles that nest all around the lake.
Food Festivals, such as the Taste of Eatonton and Taste & Jam, are popular this time of year, as are indoor and outdoor concerts, like those held at the Oconee Brewing Company or the Eatonton Cotton Warehouse.
Lake Oconee is a great place to escape from a harsh, northern winter—it’s too warm to require a snow shovel, but cold enough to enjoy a wood-burning fireplace. Dedicated fishermen will still hit the water at this time of year, but there are plenty of sheltered activities for those who prefer indoor heating.
Pleasantly while away the time browsing in our charming boutique shops, or at our museums and art galleries. In the evening, go out to a restaurant for some down-home cooking or elegant fine dining, then catch a show at one of the local theaters, such as The Plaza Arts Center in Eatonton, or the Madison Cultural Arts Center, where the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra puts on a holiday concert.
There are festivals for every season on the lake, and winter is no exception. Christmas in the Briar Patch takes over downtown Eatonton all day one Saturday in early December, with an arts and crafts bazaar, visits with Santa, and a lighted holiday parade in the evening.
Madison in May by Madison-Morgan Cultural Center
The weather warms up fast in Spring, bringing back all the swimming and water sports fun, but the lake has even more than that to offer. The Spring Tour of Homes in Madison lets architecture lovers tour the gorgeous antebellum houses and gardens within walking distance of the Cultural Center, and for families, the Fairytale Festival in Greensboro lets the kids enjoy fun activities like bouncing in an inflatable castle, eating yummy treats, and interacting with character lookalikes, from Frozen’s Anna and Elsa to Spiderman. You can also take the kids to the Seuss on the Loose Fun Run, where race participants are encouraged to embellish their running clothes with Seuss-ian accessories. After the race, head inside for games and crafts and a raffle benefitting the Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy.
Lake Oconee Food & Wne
The Masters Golf Tournament comes to nearby Augusta in the spring, and some fans choose to stay on Lake Oconee where they can challenge themselves to a few rounds of golf on one of the many award-winning golf courses, before driving a little over an hour away to watch the professionals play.
Spring is also the time to delight your palate at the Lake Oconee Food & Wine Festival at the Ritz-Carlton, a three-day celebration that brings together creative cuisine from stellar local chefs with over 200 wines from vineyards all over the world, as well as sought-after international liquors. An eclectic mix of visual artists and performers ensure that the entertainment is not limited to eating and drinking, while the lake provides a fabulous scenic backdrop for the festivities.
Whether you are a sun worshipper or the indoorsy type, a culture maven or sports lover, Lake Oconee can provide equal amounts of upscale sophistication and unspoiled nature at any time of year.
Whether you are planning on visiting for the first time or considering making Lake Oconee your new home, welcome! Please let me know how I can make your visit a great one.
Many Blessings,
Kathy
