Athens, Georgia, is not only a beloved destination for University of Georgia alumni and football fans but also an emerging favorite getaway for visitors. Known for its vibrant food, music, and art scene this is the perfect town for anyone looking for a new cultural hub in the southeast. From live music to museums and gardens to creative chefs and artists, Athens has plenty to engage the senses every hour of the day and night.
Eat Your Way Through the Classic City
Athens is a rising star on the food scene with restaurants: Five and Ten, The Last Resort Grill, Weaver D’s, home. made, The National and more popping up each year. Each restaurant offers a unique menu to visitors that will leave a lasting impression in both presentation and taste. Menu options include Mediterranean, French, Southern-inspired dishes and many more. You can enjoy a nice outdoor meal on the front porch at Five and Ten or a nice indoor meal at home.made. There is never a shortage of dining options in Athens.
Have Beer at a Brewery
The craft beer scene in Athens continues to grow both in number and in prominence. Tastings and tours connect visitors with the brewers, local ingredients, stories and music. Athens has four breweries: Creature Comforts, Terrapin Beer Company, Akademia Brewing Company, and Southern Brewing Company with more breweries popping up every year. Marvel fans may recognize Creature Comforts beer as the beer that Thor drinks in the 2019 Avengers: Endgame film. Beer drinkers should plan to visit Athens in the spring for Athens Beer Week and Classic City Brewfest.
Enjoy a Live Music Performance
R.E.M., the B52s, and Widespread Panic are all popular bands that originated in Athens. A visit to Athens is not complete without seeing a live music performance at one of the music venues. The Georgia Theatre and 40-Watt Club attract up-and-coming musical acts as well as established headliners. You can enjoy a live music performance at the Georgia Theatre inside or hop on the elevator to dine as well as listen to more live music at the rooftop bar. If you are a true music lover, plan to visit Athens in June for the AthFest Music and Arts Festival or in October for Historic Athens Porchfest.
Take a Tour of the Town
Explore the heritage of Athens when you take a tour. Discover the hidden secrets of what makes Athens “The Classic City of the South” when you are introduced to this vibrant Mecca of the arts, culture, and classic Southern living during the Classic City Tours, Athens Heritage Tour or Museum Mile Tour. You will even have the opportunity to take a peek inside our four historic house museums, which are each decorated for a specific time period. Learn all about the spooky spots during the Athens Haunted History Tour, visit popular R.E.M spots during the Athens Music History Tour and taste Athens cuisine during a Bone Appetit Food Tour or Athens Food Tours.
Stroll through the State Botanical Garden of Georgia
Come visit the most visited attraction in Athens, the official botanical garden of the state of Georgia, free of charge. Stroll through the State Botanical Garden of Georgia’s various themed garden displays: the Flower Garden, International Garden, Heritage Garden, Shade Garden and more. Enjoy a live music performance in the garden during their Sunflower Music Series and Holiday Concert. You can explore other parts of the garden such as the Day Chapel, which is a popular wedding venue. Plus, bring your kids to explore the new Alice H. Richards Children’s Garden.
Explore the Georgia Museum of Art
The Georgia Museum of Art is the state’s official art museum. This museum was founded in 1945 and houses more than 10,000 works of art as well as 20 to 25 temporary exhibitions a year. Visit the museum free of charge and explore the various collections as well as the Jane and Harry Wilson Sculpture Garden, which hosts rotating exhibitions of work by women sculptors. The museum also provides guided tours every Tuesday of select collections and exhibitions, and events such as family day, yoga in the galleries and more.
Discover the Creative Art Scene
The creative energy radiates throughout the city from the murals to the bus shelters to the fire hydrants to the bulldog statues. You can visit our seven art venues for an event devoted to art in the evening hours on the Third Thursday of every month. Be sure to go to the VisitAthensGA.com website to get a map to explore the various murals and the other public art featured around town.
As you can see, there is so much to discover in Athens, Georgia. Go to VisitAthensGA.com to find more things to do and visit our events calendar to keep up with event news.
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