How to Spend a Weekend in Athens, GA

Athens is home to the University of Georgia and some picturesque sights all around town

Known to locals as the Classic City, while to others it's the best college town in America, almost anyone can enjoy a weekend or longer in Athens, Georgia, home to the University of Georgia and a few well-known musical acts. Whether you are an avid Dawg fan, a future college student, a music junkie or just somebody looking for a good party scene, you can find something to do in Athens. The city is filled with sporting events, lots of music and food, a blooming visual art scene and family-friendly activities.

Instructions

1. 

   Catch a game. If you are in town the weekend of a UGA football game, you should try to experience it by going to the game at Sanford Stadium (if you can score a ticket) or watching it at a tailgate party or local bar. When you to go a UGA football game, you will catch Hairy Dog jamming to the band or greeting fans on the sidelines. You'll also see Uga, the University's bulldog mascot, who is usually in his dog house or on a bag of ice. Any other weekend you might be able to catch a UGA baseball game or gymnastics game or several other sports at UGA.

2. 

   Take a campus tour. Even if you don’t have a connection to the University, it offers some pretty amazing sites. Walk around North Campus to see the Arches, the University chapel and some other historical buildings; afterward, walk or ride around the rest of the large campus to explore Sanford Stadium and Stegeman Coliseum, the Tate Student Center, Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall Sports Museum and other points of interest.

3. 

   Go downtown. Just a few steps from the UGA campus is several blocks of Downtown Athens filled with restaurants, bars, music venues and shops. Walk down Broad Street between the campus and Downtown for some interesting historic stops and entertainment, but also check out what’s happening on Clayton and Washington Streets, College Avenue, Lumpkin Street and Prince Avenue. Don’t forget to get a picture with some of the colorful Bulldog statues around all of Athens too.

4. 

   Get a drink. If you are inclined to drink, Athens is the place to do it. It’s home to a wide variety of bars and some of the cheapest drinks, especially during Happy Hours and Ladies’ Nights. It’s also home to the Copper Creek Brewing Company and Terrapin Beer Company, among others.

5. 

   Attend a show. At least one venue in the downtown area will have a concert going on every night of the week. See a local band, a cover artist or a traveling act play at such venues as the Georgia Theatre, the 40 Watt Club, Tasty World, the Melting Point or any of the other dozens of bars, clubs and music venues—you could be watching the next R.E.M. or B-52s, which got their start in the town. You also could catch a theatrical performance at the Morton Theatre, the Classic Center or at the UGA Performing Arts Center.

6. 

   Get artsy. See some original, local art or popular artists at several galleries and shops in the downtown area or at the Georgia Museum of Art.

7. Brush up on your history. Through almost any area of Athens—downtown, on campus and off the beaten path—you will see historical markers, statues and other signs of history to learn more about the Indian habitat in the 1700s, the Civil War and the opening of the University in the 1800s.

8. Eat a good meal. Grab a bite to eat at a few of the many local restaurants in town. Get a cheaper meal at places like Transmetropolitan and the Taco Stand downtown or the Varsity on Broad Street; have a fancy dinner at Porterhouse Grill or the Last Resort Grill downtown; or head to Five Points at a local deli. Athens is home to hundreds of local and chain restaurants all over the town, including Eastside eateries like Depalma’s Italian Café or Westside restaurants near Georgia Square Mall. Eat at one of the University dining halls if they are open as they are award-winning and fairly affordable.

9. Relax. Get a spa treatment at one of the several spa locations in town, such as Arbor Salon & Spa, City Salon & Spa, Urban Sanctuary Day Spa and the Spa at the Foundry Park Inn, which also offers lodging, dining and live entertainment at times.

10. Step outside. Enjoy nature by visiting one of the many parks and gardens on campus or around the city or head out to the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, which features a variety of gardens, classes and special events.

11. Branch out. If you have time, visit a neighboring city. Watkinsville is about 10 miles away from the city center and offers a variety of local restaurants, antique shops and small-town culture. Commerce, about 20 miles away, offers a large area of outlet shops and shopping centers and some restaurants.

Tips & Warnings

• For an easier tour, hop on a bus or grab a map. The University campus is large and often complicated for some visitors, and getting lost can cost you a lot of time and a good work out.

• If you are interested in attending a sporting event, especially a football game, look into reserving your seat before your visit as popular events like football and gymnastics often sell out before the game.

• Athens is definitely a pedestrian-friendly town, so expect to find a parking deck or lot or park on the street and walk to most locations, especially Downtown and on North Campus. If you don’t stay at a nearby hotel, decks or parking lots with flat-rate fees are the best places to park your vehicle if you plan to be out a while, as street spaces have a time limit.