Athens This Weekend: September 20 - 22

Autumn is almost here in Athens, Georgia! If you're heading to the Classic City this weekend, get ready to enjoy your last weekend of summer with some fun events! The 21st annual Insect-ival is coming on Saturday, not to mention so is UGA football, and so much more! If you're looking for something fun to do this weekend, look no further! Athens, Georgia has all you need to celebrate the end of Summer and kick-off fall just right!

This Saturday marks the 21st Annual Insect-ival at the Sate Botanical Gardens of Georgia. This is the perfect family festival, so bring the kids and get closer than ever before to all sorts of creepy-crawlies! There will be roach and beetle races, discovery stations, a puppet show and, of course, lots of live insects! You're also not going to want to miss the live butterfly release at 11 a.m.; the image of dozens of butterflies flapping their wings above your head is one your kids will never forget! Click here for more information!

The UGA Bulldogs are taking on the North Texas Mean Green this Saturday at Sanford Stadium! The Dawgs are coming off a bye week after their big win against South Carolina two weeks ago, so they should be fully rested and ready to take another win. If you've never experienced a Saturday in Athens on football game days, then you don't know what you're missing! And if you have, then you know that there is nothing comparable to spending the day with nearly 100,000 of your closest friends cheering on the Dawgs to a victory! Come out to Sanford Stadium this Saturday for the 12:21 p.m. kickoff! For everything else you need to know about UGA Football in Athens, click here!

After you've been celebrating the Dawgs' victory over North Texas, Bloody Mary Athens Food Tours is the perfect way to cure the post-game hangover! The tour includes stops at four favorite Downtown Bloody Mary locations with food - and drink- along the way. Athens Food Tours visits only locally owned, preferably locally sourced establishments. Bloody Mary tours are only offered the Sunday after UGA home football games, so catch one while you can. With only 5 a year, these tours sell out fast so make sure to reserve your spot well in advance! To book your tour or for more information, click here!

Football is finally back in Athens this weekend! With North Texas this Saturday, and a huge game against LSU after that, the Dawgs and their fans are taking over the city! Make sure to have your plans set before it's too late! For everything you need to know UGA football, including where to park, where to stay, or what to eat, check out visitathensga.com/football!

With so much going on this weekend in the Classic City, it's sure to be one you won't forget! With the UGA football game, the Insect-ival, and a Bloody Mary Tour through locally owned restaurants, there are so many opportunities to appreciate the uniqueness of Athens, Georgia. Get out with your friends and family, and explore this amazing city! Be safe, have fun, and GO DAWGS!

Athens This Weekend: September 13 - 15

While the UGA football team is taking a well-deserved break after beating down on the Gamecocks last Saturday, this weekend offers plenty of other fun things to do in Athens, Georgia! We are already half-way through September and that means that there are an abundance of cool events to keep boredom at bay! With so much going on, take the opportunity to grab your friends and family and try something new in the Classic City!

Last year's UGA team went undefeated in this two-day tournament and is back to defend their title in this year's Benson's Hospitality Group two day Invitational! Catch the UGA Volleyball team in their games against North Florida, Louisiana-Lafayette, and UNC Greensboro. All dedicated fans will be rewarded for their promptness, with prizes being given out each day to the first couple hundred fans to arrive at each game. Bring the whole family because the tournament with also be featuring a Carnival Day! Kids can enjoy carnival games, balloon animals, face painting and a bounce house on the concourses. Sports, carnival games, prizes, and halftime performances...what more could you ask for? The games are free so get there early and show your support!

 

If you're looking to see some good music this weekend, look no further than the Dirty Dozen Brass Band! They were once asked to play the main stage at the VERY FIRST Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival back in 2002, and I think that says all you need to know about this unique musical experience. Come witness the magic of this captivating act as they spread their authentic New Orleans sound and preach their brass blend up and down the country to the delight of audiences young and old. Head over to The Melting Point on Sunday night for a chance to breath in the rich sounds of the French Quarter! Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m.! Get your tickets here!

 

From the Beginning: The Art of Jack Davis is an all-new exhibit opening Thursday at the Gallery @ Hotel Indigo, with works by acclaimed illustrator Jack Davis, known for his masterful pen and ink work for MAD Magazine, EC Comics, TIME, Newsweek, TV Guide, and Esquire magazines, dozens of movie posters, hundreds of album covers, and of course beloved sports caricatures.

Other Events

Fit Family Fun Fest , Sat., 10 a.m. - 12 noon, Bishop Park 3rd Annual Keepin' It Clean Dirty Dance Party, Sat. 5:30 - 9 p.m., Little Kings Shuffle Club Galactic at Georgia Theatre, Sat. doors 8 p.m., show 10:30 p.m.; Georgia Theatre

 

Other Athens Events

Fit Family Fun Fest , Sat., 10 a.m. - 12 noon, Bishop Park 3rd Annual Keepin' It Clean Dirty Dance Party, Sat. 5:30 - 9 p.m., Little Kings Shuffle Club Galactic at Georgia Theatre, Sat. doors 8 p.m., show 10:30 p.m.; Georgia Theatre

There's so much going on this weekend so make sure not to miss out on the many things you can do around the Classic City! Take advantage of the UGA football bye week and check out all that Athens has to offer before North Texas comes to town next Saturday! Have a great weekend and GO DAWGS!

Top 5 To Do List in Athens, Ga on Football Weekends

This fall when you and thousands of others head to Athens, Georgia to cheer on the Dawgs in the Sanford Stadium, be sure to check out all that the Classic City has to offer beyond the hedges. With so many available activities, the Athens Convention and Visitors Bureau has decided to compile a "Top 5 Things To Do in Athens on Football Weekends" list!

1: Explore VIBRANT DOWNTOWN

Just a short walk from Sanford Stadium, downtown Athens is bursting at its seams with stylish and quirky shops, a variety of bars and music venues, unbeatable dining, and more. The Victoria-era architecture creates an inviting atmosphere for both visitors and locals to take a leisurely stroll and explore the local shops. Athens nightlife is one of a kind- especially on game days. You'll have to experience it for yourself! While you're checking out the town, keep a look out for the world's only Double-Barreled Cannon on the corner of College Ave. and Hancock Ave and the Tree That Owns Itself, which is a few blocks away on the corner of Dearing St. and Finley St. Bordering downtown, the University of Georgia's beautiful North Campus, which also makes for a beautiful walk, begins at The Arch on Broad Street.

2: Catch a LIVE MUSIC show

Named the "Number One College Music Scene in America" by Rolling Stone Magazine, Athens is gushing with awesome music!  The local venues attract rising stars, old favorites, and everything in between. Not only have world-renowned bands such as R.E.M., the B-52's, and Widespread Panic originated from the Classic City, but hundreds of new and upcoming bands make their debut in Athens each year. Between famous Athens venues such as the Georgia Theatre, The Melting Point, and 40 Watt Club, and intimate venues such as Caledonia Lounge, Little Kings Shuffle Club, and the Green Room, there is always a great show to be seen. Check out the performance schedule here!

3: Indulge in LOCAL FOOD

No football fan will be underfed this season with dozens of delectable restaurants lining the streets of downtown Athens. The Classic City's food scene is booming and has recently caught the attention of national media. Among the most recognized eateries are Five and Ten, Top Chef Hugh Acheson's restaurant, and The Last Resort Grill on Clayton St., which is always a family favorite. Mama's Boy, Heirloom Cafe, The Grit, Porterhouse Grill, and East-West Bistro are also popular choices for weekend brunch. There is no shortage of traditional "tailgating food" such as pizza, burgers, and wings, which can be found downtown at Amici Italian Cafe, The Volstead, and Dirty Birds. A complete list of Athens restaurants can be found here.

4: Taste and tour TERRAPIN BREWERY

While in Athens, fans will want to try local Athens beer. Known for its unsurpassed flavor and character, Terrapin beer is quickly winning over the nation. Adding to their collection of awards, Terrapin Beer Co. recently claimed a spot on The Best 25 Craft Breweries in the U.S. list, and visitors will understand why. The whole family, including leashed four-legged friends, is invited to tour the brewery on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Live outdoor music, free tastings, lawn games, and brewery tours every half-hour make for a pleasant, relaxing environment for all. A $10 souvenir beer glass secures eight four-ounce tasting tickets for visitors ages 21+.

5: Enjoy ATHENS ATTRACTIONS & TOURS

Did you know? Athens is home to Georgia's official state museum of art and the official state botanical garden. The Georgia Museum of Art, located on UGA's East Campus, is home to a permanent collection of more than 9,000 works of art as well as a variety of traveling exhibitions and is open to the public every day except Mondays. The 313-acre State Botanical Garden of Georgia is open seven days a week and is the perfect place to have a picnic, take a walk on miles of nature trails, or participate in an interesting lecture, class, or hike. Neither of these attractions  have an admission fee but do accept donations.

For visitors interested in learning about the historical components of Athens, guided tours are available. The Classic City Tour of Athens is offered daily through the Athens Welcome Center, along with free self-guided brochures/maps, audio tours, and pod tours. Details can be found at here.
 

Athens Food Tours are a delicious and exciting option for those wanting to learn about and taste local and regional cuisine. Lastly, the self-guided Athens Music History Walking Tour focuses on the history of Athens music and the locations that made the music scene into such a success. The tour brochure is available at the Athens Welcome Center or online.

This fall, visitors should expect much more from Athens, Georgia than just a good football game. With the beautiful downtown, award-winning food, beer, and music, and interesting cultural elements, the Top Five Things To Do in Athens on a football weekend may require a second trip! For information on last-minute hotel availability, parking, tailgating, plus an event calendar and special deals, click here or call the Athens Convention and Visitors Bureau at 706-357-4430.

Athens, GA: The Perfect Fall Football Weekend Getaway

Fall weekends at the University of Georgia bring thousands of sports enthusiasts to the campus, eager to enjoy a fun-filled Georgia Bulldogs football weekend in Athens, Georgia beyond the hedges of Sanford Stadium. There's nothing like SEC football, and we like to think Athens is one of the finest SEC towns on the schedule! With fantastic live music and entertainment, several unique tour options and award-winning dining choices, traveling fans of all ages are sure to be pleased. 

The game day energy circulating through fans crowded into Sanford Stadium continues long after the final whistle is blown. Downtown Athens, the heart of this historic college town's live music scene, boasts world-famous musical venues that big-name bands and artists, including Widespread Panic, the B-52's and R.E.M, can call home to. Weekend evenings are particularly exciting, as clubs like The 40 Watt, the Melting Point and the Georgia Theatre play host to various concerts and performances. 

Athens, Georgia Music History Tours offer an in-depth look at how the city became the musical mecca that it is today, by guiding fans through the Classic City's most influential music sites. The Athens Welcome Center has an extensive list of even more self-guided tour options exploring the town's local heritage. Of these include the Downtown Athens tour, the Milledge Avenue tour and the Civil War Tours of Athens. 

For a unique culinary experience, Athens Food Tours offer a wide variety of guided walking food tours for eaters of all fitness levels. Options include regularly-scheduled neighborhood tours of Athens, Georgia's Five Points, Prince Avenue, Downtown, or Normaltown areas, or partaking in specialty themed tours. Participants will enjoy an array of local and regional cuisine, prepared by many of Athens' most celebrated restaurants. 

To continue the tailgate even after the game is over, fans can take a trip to the award-winning Terrapin Beer Co. for a tour of the brewery, complete with tastings of the facility's house-crafted brews. Live music is performed each night, to be enjoyed by adults, children, and even pets. Terrapin offers tours Wednesday through Saturday evenings, beginning at 5:30 p.m., lasting until 7:30 p.m. The tour is free, with the option of purchasing a pint glass for $10, or a specialty glass for $12 for the tastings. 

Win or lose, hungry football fans cannot complete a visit to Athens without stopping in at any one of the city's acclaimed eateries. The Five Points area boasts the James Beard award-winning chef Hugh Acheson's upscale restaurant 5 &10. Downtown Athens is home to Farm 255, a unique dining experience that promises farm-to-table freshness, using only seasonal and sustainable food grown by local farmers. A terrific Sunday brunch can be enjoyed at Athens' favorite music-club-turned-restaurant, the Last Resort Grill. For a complete a list of the city's excellent dining options, visit  http://www.visitathensga.com/.

Whatever it is that you and your family want to do this fall during UGA football weekends, Athens, Georgia has a variety of activities, events, and locales that will make for the perfect weekend getaway!  Check out our 2012 UGA Football Weekend page at www.VisitAthensGA.com/football for more ideas and tips on where to park, where to eat, and what to do.

--Elizabeth Bertrand

Athens Food Tours

A few weeks ago I checked out a new attraction in Athens that should be especially tempting for foodies--Athens Food Tours. These walking tours are a great way to get to know some new people and neighborhoods and enjoy more food than is probably advisable. I detailed the experience in this video, but you should really check it out for yourself any Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.

Athens Food Tours On Sale

Here are three things you need to know.

One: DealMobs is an Athens-based company that offers one-day deals for local goods and services--provided enough people want in on the deal. For instance, since DealMobs has been operating, I've scored a typically $65-an-hour massage at Georgia Medical Massage for just $25 (it was GREAT, by the way), a normally $55-an-hour horseback riding lesson at Serenity Creek Equine Center for just $20 (haven't taken my lesson yet), and numerous vouchers for what is essentially half-price food at restaurants around town. With DealMobs you have to buy the deal on the day it is offered, but then you have a long window of time to use your voucher. You get your voucher if enough people buy in, but if they don't, the deal falls through. It's fun and saves money and is a great idea.

Two: Athens Food Tours is a really exciting new addition to the tour offerings in Athens. Run by Mary Charles Jordan, a UGA grad who conducted food tours in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, before returning to Athens to open her own company, Athens Food Tours does three regularly-scheduled neighborhood food tours (Downtown, Five Points, and Boulevard) which take participants through historic streets with stops at many restaurants to sample local and regional cuisine. I haven't been on a Food Tour yet, but I'm planning to go on one in the next couple of weeks--look for an update on my adventure soon.

And most importantly, THREE: Today only, you can get in on an Athens Food Tour for just $20 per person at DealMobs--that's $25 off the normal ticket price. They need five purchased to make the deal--three have already been bought. I might stockpile these for my out-of-town friends visiting soon. Get on it--and I'll see you on a food tour soon!