Athens
Around Athens
Photo: Harrison Keely · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · Georgia · 223k people
Athens
“The Classic City”
Live music, Southern soul, and Bulldog pride in the Classic City.
UGA Bulldog redArch black
Welcome to Athens, where the music never stops and the dogs are always barking. Whether you're here for a show, a game, or just to soak in the classic college-town vibe, you'll find a porch with a cold sweet tea waiting for you. Go Dawgs!
Clubs for Athens
No clubs for Athens yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Athens. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Athens. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Sanford Stadium The iconic home of the Georgia Bulldogs, famous for its hedges.
- University of Georgia Arch Historic cast-iron entrance to UGA's North Campus.
- The Georgia Theatre Restored 1930s theater hosting live music and events downtown.
- The 40 Watt Club Legendary rock club that launched R.E.M. and many other bands.
- State Botanical Garden of Georgia 313-acre public garden with trails, collections, and a conservatory.
- The Classic Center Convention center and arena hosting concerts, shows, and conventions.
- Outdoors Walk the Oconee River Greenway
- Outdoors Bike the Firefly Trail
- With kids Bear Hollow Zoo
- With kids Sandy Creek Nature Center
- Evenings Catch a show at the 40 Watt Club
- Evenings See a band at the Georgia Theatre
- Locals love Live music venues
- Locals love Coffee shops
Through the year
- AthFest Music & Arts Festival June Three-day downtown music and arts festival with local and national acts.
- Athens Twilight Criterium April Fast-paced downtown bike race that draws top cyclists and big crowds.
- UGA home football Saturdays Fall Sanford Stadium fills with red and black for a full day of tailgating and football.
- Athens Jazz Festival October Local and regional jazz musicians perform across downtown venues.
- Athens International Film and Video Festival Spring Annual film festival hosted by UGA showcasing independent and international works.
Athens has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters. The best times to be out are spring and fall, when temperatures are comfortable and the city's outdoor scene is in full swing. Best: Spring and fall are perfect for being outside—mild temperatures and low humidity.
Talk like a local
- “The Classic City”
- Athens' nickname, referencing its status as a classic college town.
- “The Arch”
- The iconic UGA campus entrance; also a meeting spot.
- “Sanford”
- Sanford Stadium, home of the Bulldogs.
- “The 40 Watt”
- The 40 Watt Club, the legendary music venue.
Getaways
- Jefferson Historic small town with antique shops and a classic courthouse square.
- Gainesville Lake Lanier water sports, the Gainesville Theatre Alliance, and a lively downtown.
- Cornelia Home of the famous 'Big Red Apple' water tower and a charming depot.
- Toccoa Toccoa Falls, a stunning 186-foot waterfall, and hiking in the foothills.
Local flavour
Teams
- Georgia Bulldogs NCAA Division I (SEC)
- Athens Rock Lobsters Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL)
Eat and drink
- Southern soul food (Weaver D's) Iconic spot known for its 'Automatic for the People' connection and hearty plates.
- Pimento cheese A Southern staple served in sandwiches and at tailgates.
- Sweet tea The default beverage at any local diner or barbecue joint.
- Vegetarian comfort food (The Grit) A beloved local vegetarian restaurant that became a cultural institution.
Where people go
- Live music venues 40 Watt Club, Georgia Theatre, and other downtown stages.
- Sanford Stadium and UGA campus The historic college football stadium and the surrounding Classic City campus.
- Granite quarries and monuments Elberton, the 'Granite Capital of the World', with its quarries and stonecraft.
- College-town diners and coffee shops Dive bars, breakfast spots, and independent cafes that define the local hangout culture.
Heritage and traditions
Athens-Clarke County is proud of its vibrant music and arts scene, its historic college-town charm, and its Southern hospitality, all wrapped in a creative, progressive spirit.
This time of year in Athens
- UGA football season Fall Fall brings tailgating, the Dawg Walk, and the iconic hedges at Sanford Stadium.
- Athens Greek Festival Fall October celebrates Greek heritage with food, dancing, and church tours.
- Athens Greek Festival October Greek food, dancing, and music at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.
- OCAF Art Festivals Spring and Fall Watkinsville's Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation hosts periodic art fairs.
Say it like a local: “fixin' to” — About to do something.
Festivals
- Athens Greek Festival October Greek food, dancing, and music at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.
- Athens Pride June LGBTQ+ celebration with a parade, vendors, and entertainment.
- Athens Human Rights Festival April Music, speakers, and community activism for social justice.
- Athens Book Festival April Author readings, panels, and book signings at various venues.
- Athens Science Festival March Hands-on science exhibits and talks for all ages.
- Elberton Granite Festival September Celebrates the granite industry with food, music, and quarry tours.
Landmarks with a story
- Morton Theatre One of the oldest surviving African American theaters in the US, built in 1910.
- Tree That Owns Itself A white oak that legally owns itself and the land around it.
- Double-Barreled Cannon A Civil War-era cannon on UGA's campus with two barrels.
- Eagle Tavern A restored 19th-century stagecoach stop in Watkinsville.
- Taylor-Grady House A Greek Revival mansion built in 1844, now a historic house museum.
- Oconee Hill Cemetery A historic cemetery with many notable Athens residents, including UGA founders.
Food traditions
- Greek food traditions The Greek community's culinary heritage—baklava, gyros, and lamb—is celebrated at the Greek Festival and local eateries.
- Southern 'meat-and-three' plates Local diners offer a choice of meat with three sides, a staple of Southern home cooking.
- Boiled peanuts A roadside snack throughout the South, often sold at farmers markets and gas stations.
- Farm-to-table dining Athens' proximity to farms and the State Botanical Garden supports a strong local-produce movement.
- Gameday tailgate food Before UGA games, fans grill burgers, chicken, and sides like pimento cheese and sweet tea.
Music and arts
- Indie rock and alternative music scene Athens is internationally known for its influential indie rock, with R.E.M. and the B-52s leading the way.
- DIY punk and underground music culture A thriving DIY ethic supports small venues, house shows, and independent labels.
- Visual arts community Galleries, studios, and public murals, especially around West Washington Street.
- Southern folk art and crafts Local artisans continue traditions of pottery, quilting, and folk painting.
A little history
- 1785 University of Georgia founded
- 1860s Civil War era; the Double-Barreled Cannon was built in Athens
- 1880s Elberton's granite industry begins, earning the title 'Granite Capital of the World'
- 1886 Ty Cobb born in Royston, later becomes a baseball legend
- 1970s–80s Athens becomes a hub for alternative rock with R.E.M. and the B-52s
Rivalries
- Georgia vs Georgia Tech The 'Clean Old-Fashioned Hate' football rivalry.
- Georgia vs Auburn The Deep South's Oldest Rivalry, played annually.
- Georgia vs Florida The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party in Jacksonville.
- Game day Dawg Walk
- Game day Chapel Bell ringing
- Outdoors Hike the Whitehall Forest trails
- Outdoors Play disc golf at Sandy Creek Park
- With kids Tree That Owns Itself
- With kids Double-Barreled Cannon
A Southern accent with a college-town twist. Locals drawl slightly, use 'y'all' and 'fixin' to', and often refer to Athens as 'the Classic City'. The accent is softer than deep South varieties, with a touch of academic influence from the university.
Only here
- The Tree That Owns Itself legally owns itself and the land around it.
- The Double-Barreled Cannon on UGA's campus was a Civil War experiment that never worked.
- Athens is known as 'The Classic City'—a nickname that reflects its historic and cultural significance.
- Sanford Stadium's hedges are iconic and have been around since 1929.
New here? A few tips
- Embrace football season: learn to say 'Go Dawgs' and enjoy the tailgating culture—traffic and crowds are heavy on home game days.
- Expect hot, humid summers and mild winters; pack accordingly and stay hydrated.
- Try sweet tea and pimento cheese—local staples you'll find everywhere.
- Explore the live music scene at venues like the Georgia Theatre and the 40 Watt Club—it's the heart of the city.
- Use the Firefly Trail for biking and walking; it connects downtown to the greenway.
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Part of Atlanta area
Nearby
Every areaJeffersonGeorgiaWhere the foothills meet the fast lane.ElbertonGeorgiaGranite quarries and antebellum charmGainesvilleGeorgiaWhere the lake meets the mountains.HartwellGeorgiaWhere the red clay meets the lakeCorneliaGeorgiaWhere the mountains meet the apple orchards.ToccoaGeorgiaWhere the falls meet the mountain.SenecaSouth CarolinaWhere the mountains meet the lakes, and every day feels like a getaway.AtlantaGeorgiaWhere Southern charm meets a modern beat.
Athens-Clarke County, GA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.