Mother's Day and Graduation Weekend in Athens

Families from all over will be celebrating UGA Graduation and Mother's Day this weekend, and we have some suggestions to help families spend quality time together with great attractions, dining, and of course live music, right here in Athens GA.

Keep Mom Out of the Kitchen:

What better way to celebrate Mother's Day than to surprise her with a delicious meal? Forget slaving over a breakfast in bed for one and allow the talented cooks of Athens to treat the whole family. 

The Mother's Day meal at Foundry Park Inn & Spa is offering a buffet of cold and hot dishes, salads, herb crusted prime rib at the carving station, and desserts.  Foundry Park is charging $26.50 per adult, half off children ages 4-12, and children under 4 eat for free! Check out the menu and call 706-549-7020 to book your reservation between 11am and 3pm.  If you're feeling up to some additional pampering, the Foundry Park Inn Spa offers body, massage, skin, waxing, and nail services.

The Savannah Room Restaurant at the Georgia Center has also compiled a mouth-watering menu for Sunday.  From 11am-2:30pm, adults eat for $24.95 and children under 12 eat for $9.95.  With menu items like Mediterranean Tortellini Salad, Creamy Scalloped Potatoes, and Triple Chocolate Cake, this meal might keep you full all day!


Spend Time Together in Creative Ways

Enjoy getting creative and making a memorable piece of art at Good Dirt Studio or Artini's.

Good Dirt's Glass for Mom class from 2-4pm will demonstrate the basics of colored glass cutting and fusing in the kiln. $50 includes all materials and firing.  Book your spot now!

Artini's is offering two Mother's Day Sessions on Sunday from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and 2-4 p.m.  Kate Cook will guide you to paint a scene of beautiful yellow daffodils.  Materials are provided and each session costs $25 per person.

Exhibits at the Georgia Museum of Art  What a great opportunity to stroll through the expansive galleries at the Georgia Museum of Art! Exhibits include ancient and contemporary sculptures as well as a variety of other mediums from both the permanent and visiting exhibitions. The gallery is open Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.



Boogie Down

Bring everyone out and Boogie Down together to songs you all know the words to!  Join The Highballs on Friday for an evening of LIVE retro hits from the '80s at The Melting Point. Great food and totally awesome music for the perfect post-graduation celebration!

Long-time Athens favorite Randall Bramblett is performing Friday, May 10 at the Georgia Theatre, just in time for Graduation and Mothers Day weekend. A jewel of Southern music, Randall Bramblett shines on his latest release, The Bright Spots, due out May 14 on New West Records. Fresh off the inclusion of one of his songs on Bonnie Raitt's Grammy-winning album Slipstream, he has put together a masterful recording soaked with the soulful feel that has defined his music and that of his Southern contemporaries like Gregg Allman and Warren Haynes.

Or, take the family to hear  David Prince at Buffalo's Cafe Athens. Featuring a full menu and bar service as well as delicious Mother's Day specials, this is the perfect way to show your mom just how much you care. The show will be held Friday, May 10 at 7 p.m.

 

As always, be sure to check Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau's calendar of events for more ways to celebrate Mother's Day, Graduation, or any time of year.  We hope you enjoy this special weekend with your loved ones!

Adventures and Fun in 5 Points

As a local resident of the Five Points area in Athens, I get to enjoy the picturesque charm of the neighborhood on a daily basis. Families walking hand-in-hand enjoying a beautiful day is an everyday siting, and there are always visitors of unique shops and restaurants laughing and enjoying the company of friends. After living the in Five Points for over a year, I finally decided it was about time I experienced all of the adventures of my area.

My exploration began with a productive study session at Two Story Coffeehouse. The sense-awakening aroma of coffee welcomed me as I opened the door, and I immediately realized why the coffeehouse was such a hot spot. Tucked away in the trees off of Lumpkin St., the

comfortable atmosphere and friendly staff provided me with an inviting local twist in comparison to the normally intimidating national coffee chains. The Athens feel of the establishment was relaxing, and I could feel the sense of community and local loyalty to the store. With a first floor and porch that are perfect for conversation and a peaceful second floor for a quieter environment, Two Story is the ideal place for both chit-chatters and book-readers.

Next stop? Yoforia of course. While this delicious frozen yogurt bar may be a national chain, the Five Points location has definitely become a newly recognized Athens landmark. Because of the immense popularity of the store, I even provide directions to my house based on the shop's location. No matter the time of day or day of the week, the corner of Lumpkin and Milledge is buzzing with friends and family enjoying their large cups of Yoforia treats. With its seasonal flavors, self-served portions, and endless choices of toppings, this dessert corner has provided five points with a delicious sweet tooth.

After brainstorming for a new place to grab dinner and catch some football on Saturday, my friends and I decided to visit the Royal Peasant. The uniqueness of the restaurant and bar had attracted our curiosity many times in the past, and the quaint version of a English pub surpassed our expectations. Everything from the decor to the food and drink menus provided an authentic English experience. The walls were full of English sports paraphernalia, highlighting team achievements, team photos, and spirited scarfs. Once glance at the menu, and guests know this is not a typical American establishment. With extensive beer selection, featuring both regional options and European choices, the drinking atmosphere is well-suited for the beer connoisseur and sports fanatic alike. The food also offered distinct European entrees, such as their fish as chips or bangers and mash. But the more American offerings are delicious as well. I personally enjoyed a cheese burger and left pleased and very full. All in all, the Royal Peasant is a delightful and one-of-a-kind neighborhood pub that is full of culture, beer, and scrumptious food.

Last on my list for the weekend - Sunday brunch at the fairly new Local Jam. Located in the former Five Points Deli storefront, The Local Jam offers a new breakfast and deli experience for the area. The restaurant opened this past summer, and everyone is beginning to take notice of the deli's Athens' vibe and delectably simple fare. Proudly supporting its community, The Local Jam serves its neighbors' products, such as Jittery Joe's Coffee and Alfred's Bread using Terrapin spent grain. The family-friendly feel of the restaurant provides a strong sense of community as well. Tables topped with paper for coloring and decorated with mini pumpkins for the season gives guests a light-hearted dinning environment. I know I personally found my inner child when I noticed a cup of crayons on my table and began doodling all over the brown paper table cloth. But, once my meal was served, I was too distracted by my amazing macaroni experience to even remember I hadn't finished my flower drawing. As what one would normally consider a seemingly effortless dish, the

combination of twisted noodles and cheesy taste elevated the my well-crafted side into a full-blown macaroni experience. My dinning crew and I agreed- it was some of the best macaroni and cheeses we had ever tasted. The entire meal was simple and scrumptious, and I cannot wait to return to try out their more expansive breakfast and lunch menus.

The Five Points area has so much more to offer than just these locations. My Five Points experience will not be complete until I try the renowned culinary excellence at 5 & 10 and stop by some of the antique and clothing stores as well. What do you recommend trying around Five Points?