Discover Athens Georgia

Many have heard of Athens, Georgia, home of the University of Georgia and the notorious Bulldogs football team. What many don’t know about is the town of Athens and all that is offers for visitors. The locals keep the town close to them because they know they have something special. As urban sprawl destroys once pristine communities around metro Atlanta the town of Athens is far enough away to be insulated from the problems of Atlanta. If you love travel and like to find the special places that are not at the top of the most traveled lists then Athens is for you.

Athens, Georgia was built around the University of Georgia which was the first state chartered school in the nation. The land for the school was chosen next to a river and on a hill. This hill now also holds downtown Athens, a place that happens to be a great destination for anyone interested in Georgia tourism as it’s a wonderful place to travel to without dealing with the normal tourist crowds you might find in other Georgia tourism hotbeds like Savannah.

If you are lucky enough to visit Athens there are several things you must do and see. The first thing to do when entering Athens is to park your car in one of the parking garages downtown and get out and walk. In the spring and fall this is such a fun place that can only be experienced on foot. From the downtown on a weekend night to a game day Saturday Athens is blast. Of course there are also laid back moments that can be found in the gardens, in the libraries, and on the historic streets.

For a fun time visit Athens on a football game day. The games start in late August and end around Thanksgiving. So you can pick a hot game day or a cold one. With Coach Richt heading up the UGA Bulldogs it’s been difficult to find affordable tickets but that doesn’t mean you still can’t enjoy the game. There are dozens of restaurants and bars playing the game on big screens allowing you to enjoy the festivities outside and sit down at a table and watch the game inside when it starts. If you really want a ticket wait until after the first kick-off and get one from a scalper that’s trying to unload his last few tickets for cheap.

If the craziness of a game day is too much for you try out one of the local gardens. From the Founders Garden on the UGA campus to the Botanical Garden, just outside of town, you’ll find peace in these old gardens that contain the best of the South’s plants and trees. From beautiful flowers in the spring to stunning foliage in the fall you’ll have your breath taken away. There are trails, benches, statues, and fountains that make exploring interesting and offer numerous photo opportunities.

One of the real treats of a town like Athens is the unique food. Some of the best soul food in America can be found in Athens. Check out Weaver Ds for the best fried chicken anywhere. Folks love the squash casserole and mac & cheese. Another favorite is The Grill located in the heart of downtown Athens. You must get a burger, home fries with blue cheese dressing, and a hand-dipped milkshake. The Grill is open 24 hours so you can visit anytime.

This is only a small taste of Athens. The best way to explore this fascinating town is to get a room at the Foundry Park Inn and Spa and spend a few days walking and driving streets like Baxter and Milledge; eating at local restaurants like The Grit; and going to shows and plays on the campus and downtown. Athens is a true Southern place that is still modern enough to be called the Europe of the South. Come on down. You’ll love it.