Martinez and Evans don't have a castle or a monorail, but they do have a few things a Disney fan can build a really good day around. If you're searching for things to do in Martinez and Evans, GA as a Disney fan, whether you live in Columbia County or you're visiting family, this is the list I'd hand you across the counter.
I've been collecting long enough to have opinions about what makes a good Disney day. Some of these are Disney through and through, like browsing a full floor of vintage Disneyland souvenirs. Others are just good local outings with a little park spirit to them: a lazy lake afternoon that feels like Tom Sawyer Island, a walk along a historic canal, a concert on the lawn. Mix and match.
Key Takeaways
- Main Street Collectibles on Washington Road in Martinez is a full store of vintage and new Disney collectibles, open Tuesday through Sunday.
- Evans Towne Center Park, Lake Thurmond (Clarks Hill Lake) and the Augusta Canal make easy add-ons for a full Disney-fan day.
- Kids can start a first collection on a small budget with pins, glasses, plush and Little Golden Books.
- Masters week in April brings heavy traffic to Washington Road, so plan around it or come early.
Start on Washington Road: A Vintage Disney Store in Martinez
The most Disney thing you can do in Columbia County is walk through our front door, and I say that with full awareness that I'm the owner. Main Street Collectibles is at 4070 Washington Rd, Suite 2, in Martinez, about 10 minutes from Evans and 15 from downtown Augusta. We're Georgia's largest vintage Disney and Disneyland collectibles store.
What's on the floor changes every week, because we buy collections all the time. A typical visit turns up:
- Park souvenirs: Disneyland and Walt Disney World ticket books, maps, pennants, and opening-era pieces.
- Pins and buttons: trading pins, limited editions, and vintage park buttons.
- Ceramics and figurines: WDCC, Jim Shore, Lenox, vintage Japanese ceramics, and cookie jars.
- Paper: menus, brochures, posters, records, and old park guidebooks.
- Plush, toys and art: vintage plush, tin toys, board games, animation art, and lithographs.
Hours are Monday through Friday 11–6 and Saturday and Sunday 10–4, seven days a week. Our store visit page has directions and a map. If you're coming in for one specific thing, call (706) 267-0345 first so we can check.
It makes a good weekend ritual for a family: walk the aisles, let the kids pick one small thing, and see what came in since last time. It's still how I shop when I travel, one small find per stop.
Evans Towne Center Park: Concerts and Room to Run
Evans has a big, open community park at Evans Towne Center Park, run by Columbia County. It has a large lawn and stage, and through the year it hosts concerts, festivals, and community events. Check Columbia County's event calendar to see what's coming up, since the lineup changes season to season.
For Disney fans, the park works well as the second half of a store visit. Grab lunch, spread a blanket, and let the kids burn off energy. If there's an evening concert, it's about as close as Columbia County gets to a night on Main Street U.S.A. with the band playing in Town Square.
Lake Thurmond and Clarks Hill: A Tom Sawyer Island Afternoon
Head north from Evans and you'll hit Lake Thurmond, the huge reservoir on the Savannah River that most Georgians still call Clarks Hill Lake. It's run by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and has campgrounds, boat ramps, beaches, and picnic areas along both the Georgia and South Carolina shores. Mistletoe State Park sits on the Georgia side, in Columbia County.
The Disney link here is a stretch, but a fun one. When Disneyland added Tom Sawyer Island in 1956, the whole idea was a place for kids to explore woods, rocks, and water the way Mark Twain's characters did. A day of fishing, skipping rocks, and poking around the shoreline at Clarks Hill is the real version. Bring a picnic, and if you want a souvenir, an old Frontierland or Rivers of America piece from our shop makes a good match.
The Augusta Canal and Riverwalk, Down the Road
From Martinez, downtown Augusta is about 15 minutes away, and two of its best outdoor spots are worth the short drive.
The Augusta Canal was built in 1845 to bring water power to the city's mills, and today its towpath is a long, flat trail for walking and biking. It's shaded in spots, easy for kids, and a nice way to spend an hour.
The Augusta Riverwalk runs along the Savannah River downtown, with brick paths, river views, and plenty of benches. It's a pleasant walk before or after lunch downtown.
Build Your Own Disney Day: A Sample Plan
Here's how I'd string a full day together for a family of Disney fans. Adjust for weather, nap schedules, and how long the grown-ups want to spend looking at cookie jars.
| Time | Stop | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Main Street Collectibles, Martinez | Browse the floor, pick a souvenir, ask about anything you're hunting |
| Lunch | Evans or Martinez | Plenty of options along Washington Road and around Evans |
| Early afternoon | Evans Towne Center Park | Picnic, play, check for events |
| Late afternoon | Augusta Canal towpath or Riverwalk | An easy walk or bike ride |
| Evening | Home | Watch a Disney classic and admire the day's finds |
If the weather is perfect and you'd rather be on the water, swap the afternoon for Clarks Hill Lake.
For the Kids: Starting a First Disney Collection
One of my favorite things about running the store is watching a kid find their first "real" collectible. It doesn't need to be expensive. It needs to be theirs.
Good starter collections for kids:
- Pins. Small, affordable, and easy to display on a lanyard or corkboard. Our beginner's guide to old Disney pins explains what to look for.
- Disney glasses. Fast-food and promotional glasses from the 1970s and 1980s are colorful and often inexpensive.
- Little Golden Books. Many vintage Disney titles are affordable, and kids can actually read them.
- Plush. 1990s Disney Store plush is easy to find and kid-friendly.
For more ideas, our guide to starting a Disneyana collection on any budget covers the basics, and our list of vintage Disney collectibles under $50 has plenty of kid-sized picks.
My one rule for kid collectors: let them choose. A kid who picks their own Goofy figurine will take better care of it than one who gets handed a "good investment."
Masters Week and Other Busy Times
Everyone in Columbia County knows this, but visitors don't: during Masters Tournament week in April, Washington Road gets very busy. Augusta National sits on Washington Road, the same road our store is on, and traffic can back up for miles around tournament days.
If you're in town for the Masters and want to stop by, come early in the day or plan your route to avoid the stretch nearest the course. Plenty of out-of-town visitors come in that week, and it's a fun time to be in the store. Just leave extra time.
The rest of the year, weekends tend to be livelier. If you like a quiet browse, try a weekday morning.
Rainy Day? More Hunting Around Columbia County
If it's pouring and the lake is out, make it a treasure-hunting day indoors. The Augusta area has antique malls, thrift stores, and flea markets, and Disney turns up in all of them. Look in housewares for glasses and mugs, toy bins for plush, and the locked glass cases near the register for small, valuable pieces.
Estate sales happen most weekends around the CSRA, and they're often the best source of fresh vintage Disney. Check online listings ahead of time and look closely at the photos for anything with a familiar pair of ears. For a statewide take on this, read our guide on where to find vintage Disney collectibles in Georgia.
FAQ
Is there a Disney store in Martinez or Evans, GA?
Yes. Main Street Collectibles at 4070 Washington Rd, Suite 2, in Martinez is an independent vintage and new Disney collectibles store, about 10 minutes from Evans. It isn't an official Disney Store and isn't affiliated with Disney.
What are some family-friendly things to do in Evans, GA?
Evans Towne Center Park hosts concerts and community events, Lake Thurmond (Clarks Hill Lake) offers swimming, fishing and picnicking, and the Augusta Canal towpath is a short drive away. Add a stop at our store for a Disney-themed day.
When is the best time to visit Main Street Collectibles?
Weekday mornings tend to be the quietest, and weekends are livelier. We're open seven days a week.
Is Washington Road busy during the Masters?
Yes. Augusta National is on Washington Road, and traffic is heavy during Masters week in early April. Come early in the day or allow extra time.
✦ A little Main Street in Martinez ✦
Stop by 4070 Washington Rd, Suite 2 to see what's new this week, or browse the online shop before you come. Have a box of old Disney at home? Our Sell Disney page explains how to get a free offer.