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So you want to take in The Classic City? We’ve got you covered.
On any short list of elite college towns, you’ll find Athens, Ga. The home of the University of Georgia might currently be known for having the premier football program in America, but as any UGA student/alum/visitor will tell you, Athens is a special place.
It offers a unique cultural experience that’s rich with history and modern twists. Whether you’re seeking a quintessential Southern college town experience or you’re interested in the artistic side of town, Athens has it all.
Oh, and it has a food scene that’ll remind you why Southern comfort food is in a tier of its own.
(Insert College Town video here)
Here are 10 things you must do when visiting Athens:
1. Experience a Georgia football game
Duh. The word “experience” is a key verb there. Ideally, everyone who visits Athens should make their way into Sanford Stadium and experience one of the premier venues in college football. But it may not be in the cards for you to attend the game. No big deal. Attend a UGA tailgate. Bark like you’ve never barked before. Watch the game from a bar surrounded by Georgia fans. After all, ain’t nothin’ finer in the land than a … fall Saturday in Athens. Experience one and you’ll come away from it wondering why all college towns aren’t built like this.
2. Ring the Chapel Bell
Do you need an excuse to ring a bell that’s been around since the 19th century? I didn’t think so. While it’s known as a celebratory gesture for a UGA football victory — winning a national title or 2 makes that thing hum — the Chapel Bell can also be rung for academic feats like acing a test or graduating. Even students touring campus for the first time can ring the famed bell. At the same time, it’s a sacred UGA tradition that’s become a right of passage.
(Or if you’re like my UGA grad buddy, you rang the bell after Florida lost to Louisville in the 2013 Sugar Bowl. A troll bell? Why not?)
3. Sun up or sun down, get to Cutters
Whether you’re posting up for a fall Saturday afternoon or you’re looking for an ideal spot for a night on the town, Cutters Pub has you covered. Located in the heart of Downtown Athens, Cutters is the spot for student-friendly drink prices. $1 beers on Thursdays are a crowd-pleaser, as are the cocktails, the bourbon selection, the Skee-Ball, the pool tables and the viewing experience for a UGA game.
4. Attend a concert at The Georgia Theatre
How many college towns celebrate their music scene like Athens? Not many. It’s one thing to host a concert at a basketball arena or a football stadium, but having an iconic music venue in the middle of a college town is second to none. Since 1935, the theater has been a part of Downtown Athens. After the theater opened its doors for concerts in the 1970s, it became a popular spot for up-and-coming artists like Athens’ own R.E.M., the B-52’s and Widespread Panic, as well as national touring artists like Taylor Swift, who opened for Brad Paisley in 2007. A fire in 2009 destroyed the venue, but it was rebuilt thanks to an outpouring of local support. You can catch live music almost every day at the restored Georgia Theatre.
5. And while you’re at The Georgia Theatre, hit up the rooftop bar
You had me at “rooftop bar.” The scenic view of Downtown Athens is hard to beat, especially when it’s accompanied by an adult beverage. But the rooftop bar, which hosts intimate concerts on a regular basis, is not just for the night crowd. You can enjoy an afternoon coffee there Wednesday-Saturday, or you can rent out the space for events for 50-250 guests (on-site kitchen space is available). Whatever your preference, the Georgia Theatre has it covered.
6. Pile on the elite Southern cuisine at Mama’s Boy (with a biscuit)
It isn’t “Southern fine dining.” It’s “Southern fun dining,” as co-founder Cooper Hudson called it. There’s nothing more fun than stuffing your face with homemade biscuits that anchor jaw-stretching sandwiches. Come for the mouth-watering Southern breakfast dishes, stay for the … mouth-watering Southern breakfast dishes. If Georgia Peach French Toast doesn’t get you out of bed, nothing will.
7. Spend an afternoon hangin’ at Creature Comforts
If you’re looking for a relaxed, but still lively vibe, Creature Comforts is the spot. Drink local with the Classic City Lager or another one of their 19 beers on tap at the Athens brewery. Hang comfortably inside or take in the live music outside while playing a little cornhole. While it’s relatively new to the Athens scene (it opened in 2014), Creature Comforts has quickly become a go-to establishment for locals and visitors.
8. Game day or not, Magnolia’s is the spot
On the corner of Jackson and East Broad, Magnolia’s has been a local favorite for the past 15 years. It has that ideal college town bar feel to it with daily specials and affordable pricing, but it attracts both students and UGA alums returning to campus. Even better? It’s the closest bar to Sanford Stadium, which means it’s an ideal location to celebrate a Georgia victory. Or if you’re looking for an ideal place to catch the game, the 2-story bar has 3 projection screens and 7 large TVs to watch all the action.
9. Stroll through The State Botanical Garden of Georgia
If you’re looking to get away from the action downtown and want to take in the outdoors in a more tranquil setting, you can’t beat The State Botanical Gardens of Georgia. Admission and parking are free, though a small donation at the Welcome Desk is encouraged for visitors who want to experience the garden. Book a 90-minute garden tour for $5 per person (tours are for 10 guests) to get the full experience of the themed gardens.
10. Visit the Arch
If you’ve ever watched a Georgia sporting event, received a piece of UGA mail or looked at any sort of picture from campus since the structure was built in 1857, chances are, you’ve seen the Arch. Whether you’ve been there and walked under the Arch is a different story (the tradition was that you didn’t walk under it until you graduate or you’d have some varying form of bad luck). Located on Broad Street and College Avenue, it’s the iconic symbol (and entrance) of UGA’s campus with its 3 pillars representing wisdom, justice and moderation. No visit to Athens is complete without seeing the Arch.
Connor O'Gara is the senior national columnist for Saturday Down South. He's a member of the Football Writers Association of America. After spending his entire life living in B1G country, he moved to the South in 2015.
