The Globe, Athens, Georgia

The Globe is the most unique bar in Athens and serves excellent drinks and food.

by Matthew Rathel | July 28, 2010

In the center of downtown Athens there is a restaurant that doubles as a bar and sometimes triples as a hangout for scholars and locals interested in practicing their foreign languages. At The Globe, you are likely to find an excellent meal, superb beers and wines, and a crowd of all ages that come to experience an atmosphere unique to college towns.

If you enter the bar on a busy Friday night, …

Peppino’s Pizza, Athens Georgia

Peppino's Pizza in Athens, Georgia, serves some of the best slices in town.

by Matthew Rathel | July 25, 2010

Ask one of the local college kids which pizzeria serves the best pizza in town, and you are bound to get a philosophical response questioning what criteria make something “pizza”, a lengthy response chalk full of words like “objectivity.” However, if you happen to get hungry during the seemingly pointless discussion, you should consider eating a Sicilian-style pizza at Peppino’s.

Although Peppino’s serves both traditional and Sicilian-style pizza, I have found that their Sicilian …

The Tree That Owns Itself, Athens, Georgia

The Tree that Owns Itself is one of the more peculiar landmarks in Athens, Georgia.

by Matthew Rathel | July 21, 2010

On the outskirts of downtown Athens, there is a tree that is among the most famous arbors in Georgia for the simple reason that it was deeded to itself by Colonel William Henry Jackson. According to the story that was printed in an 1890 Athens Weekly Banner, Jackson loved the tree so much that he put a note in his will that gave the tree its freedom upon his death. The date when the transaction …

Sandy Creek Park Nature Center, Athens, Georgia

Sandy Creek Park Nature Center is a wonderful museum where children can learn about the local wildlife.

by Matthew Rathel | July 18, 2010

Of all of the many attractions where one might take his or her children in Athens, there are few that provide the fun and learning experience offered by the Sandy Creek Park Nature Center. The center has over 225 acres of woodlands and wetlands in which a family can wander and explore the outdoors in a natural environment long the side of 441 just north of the city, and there is also an …

The College Rock of Athens, Georgia

Athens Georgia provides a diverse group of musical genres and is the top city in the country for College and Indie Rock.

by Matthew Rathel | July 12, 2010

A few years back I was driving down Broad Street with my windows down when a song came on the radio that pretty much summarized the music scene of Athens, Georgia, or at least the music scene as I have come to understand it. The truth is that whatever it was that played for those three minutes might not have even been music; it sounded like a broken harpsichord jamming with a kazoo and an …

The Georgia Theater, Athens Georgia

The Georgia Theater is a musical landmark in the city of Athens.

by Matthew Rathel | July 12, 2010

There are few places in Athens that have the history of the Georgia Theater, but the theater represents more than just a landmark to those who live in the city; it is a symbol of the culture and artistic value our city offers everyone who visits.

Although it had been a cinema until the late 1970’s, the Georgia Theater quickly became a part of Athens’s growing music scene and was even visited …

Good Dirt, Athens, Georgia

Good Dirt in Athens Georgia is a pottery studio where the community goes to learn the art of ceramics.

by Matthew Rathel | July 10, 2010

For most people pottery is something that merely performs a role and easily slips into the subconscious purgatory that swallows up common items such as book ends, candle holders, and bed skirts. The vast majority of pottery sold in the United States is machine crafted, banal terra cotta that could just as easily be made out of plastic. However, at Good Dirt in Athens, Georgia, members of the community come together to practice …

Sandy Creek Park, Athens, Georgia

Sandy Creek Park is a public park and camp ground located miles from downtown Athens, Georgia.

by Matthew Rathel | July 05, 2010

Slipping out of town to spend a week or weekend at a lake has long been one of the classic American vacations. If you find yourself in Athens, then you will not have to go far to find that perfect getaway, as Sandy Creek Park offers a 782 acre park on Lake Chapman where you can relax and have a great time with family or friends.

Sandy Creek park is located off …

Weaver D’s Delicious Fine Foods, Athens, Georgia

Weaver D's serves excellent soul food and is an important part of Athens's musical history.

by Matthew Rathel | July 01, 2010

Athens has been regarded as the Mecca for Indie Rock performers for over twenty years, and because it is in the heart of the South, the city also boasts an excellent selection of traditional Soul Food that draws from the heritage of Georgia’s diverse ethnic history. If you are looking for a landmark that represents both the artistic and culinary flavors of Athens, then you have little choice but to treat yourself to a wonderful …

Golf Etc., Athens, Georgia

Golf Etc. in Athens, Georgia provides professional level golf equipment and advice for players of all levels.

by Matthew Rathel | June 29, 2010

My golf handicap is so high they often let me park in the special spaces directly in front of the clubhouse, but the sport is one of those games that provide incredible amounts of satisfaction for people like me who would probably shoot a lower score if allowed to use a croquet mallet on the green instead of a putter. At Golf Etc. in Athens, Georgia, golf players of any level can find …

Farm 255, Athens, Georgia

Farm 255 is a Restaurant that strives to sell the freshest local foods while bringing the community together.

by Matthew Rathel | June 25, 2010

Given the fact that the last century saw our country turn from a nation of farmers to a nation of city dwellers, many people have never eaten an entire meal that was harvested, prepared, cooked, and served by the same group of people. Such concepts seem foreign in today’s world where a “free-range” turkey sees less of the outdoors than an inmate at Angola prison. However, at Farm 255 in Athens, Georgia, the …

Terrapin Beer Co., Athens, Georgia

Terrapin offers some of the best beer available and is a local favorite in Athens, Georgia.

by Matthew Rathel | June 21, 2010

In recent years good American beer has gone from being as rare as a winning lottery ticket to so plentiful that one is forced to read a magazine just to know which micro brew to chose out of the hundreds available at the local liquor store. In Athens, we have our own microbrewery, and if you are looking for an excellent, locally-crafted beer, then you will be satisfied with the selection products from

Athfest June 23-27, Athens, Georgia

Athfest is the Premiere Music Festival in Athens, Georgia. The festival draws bands from around the country.

by Matthew Rathel | June 19, 2010

If you are looking for an activity in Athens for the end of June, then you have no better choice than Athfest. Athfest is a festival that takes place in Downtown Athens each year and allows music lovers to walk down the streets enjoying the sounds of a multitude of local and national artists. This year’s lineup includes bands and performers from nearly every genre of music and will also have booths and …

The University of Georgia Golf Course, Athens, Georgia

The University of Georgia Golf Course offers an excellent choice of holes and beautiful scenery at a convenient location.

by Matthew Rathel | June 15, 2010

If you are looking to play golf in Athens, the UGA Golf Course is an excellent place to spend a few hours out in the sun. The course is conveniently located just off of the loop on Riverbend Rd. , allowing those who are not familiar with the city to find the course easily while dodging the traffic of busier parts of town. And being far away from the traffic also makes this …

Athens Farmers Market, Athens, Georgia

The Athens Farmers Market brings together local farmers and growers to provide Athens with fresh, natural food.

by Matthew Rathel | June 12, 2010

Perhaps one of the strangest sights I have seen in a while came last week when I visited the Athens Farmers Market at Bishop Park. While I was shopping for produce and looking at the wide variety of fruits and vegetables the local farmers were displaying in their booths, I happened to notice that the band playing had accumulated a large number of tips in the open case in front of the lead …

The Star Spangled Classic 4th of July Celebration, Athens Georgia

The Star Spangled Classic is a 4th of July celebration at Bishop Park that provides family entertainment and fireworks.

by Matthew Rathel | June 07, 2010

If you find yourself in Athens, Georgia, on the Forth of July, there are few activities more entertaining that the firework show at Bishop Park. The firework display is the only show close to downtown Athens and draws a large crowd of families and students each year.

In recent years, I have opted for the Star Spangled Classic over the downtown and party scene, and I feel that the holiday is much more enjoyable …

Yoguri, Athens, Georgia

Yoguri in Athens, Georgia, Serves Tasty, Low-Fat Desserts That Satisfy Hunger While Improving Overall Health

by Matthew Rathel | June 05, 2010

When most people think of dessert, they are automatically bombarded by feelings of guilt, yet at Yoguri, there are many choices on the menu that allow patrons to eat delicious frozen yogurts without getting a days worth of saturated fats. Until recently, I had gone more than 10 years without eating yogurt of any kind. For the most part, I have always held the opinion that dessert is meant to taste good and …

The University of Georgia Chapel, Athens, Georgia

Located on North Campus, the UGA chapel is one of the university's oldest and more revered structures.

by Matthew Rathel | May 31, 2010

Among all of the buildings on North Campus of the University of Georgia, the UGA chapel truly sets itself apart. If you are looking for a place to have your wedding in Athens, the chapel serves as an excellent venue where you can have the beauty of  historic North Campus as the backdrop of your wedding photographs. For graduates of the univeristy or anyone who simply wants to have their wedding at one …

Redeye Coffee, Athens, Georgia

Redeye Coffee in Athens Georgia is dedicated to serving the best coffee available.

by Matthew Rathel | May 29, 2010

In my college days, I was utterly addicted to caffeine, and my idea of a good cup of java usually came from the big cauldron-like things that one finds at the local gas station, right beside the machines that make abhorrent “cappuccino” out of powdered milk and sugar.  The first time I visited Redeye coffee, however, I realized that it was more than the usual coffee joint by the fact that my coffee brewed …

A Tavola!  Athens, Georgia

A Tavola! in Athens, Georgia is a traditional Italian resturant.

by Matthew Rathel | May 28, 2010

In Athens, it seems as if there are as many Italian restaurants as there are banks, but there are few that actually have some relationship with Italy. Salvatore Bianco, who owns the local Italian restaurant, A Tavola!, was born in Naples and has created his establishment in an attempt to bring traditional Italian meals to an audience that has long been bombarded by Italian cuisine as traditional as Pizza Hut and SpaghettiO’s.

What …

The Georgia State Botanical Garden in Athens, Georgia

The State Botanical Garden of Athens, Georgia are a beautiful destination and provide hours of entertainment and relaxation

by Matthew Rathel | May 18, 2010

Of all of the attractions that Athens offers, I have probably spent the most time at the Georgia State Botanical Garden, wandering through the woods, reading by the Oconee river, and watching birds.

While I was a student at the University of Georgia, I would often bring my books to the gardens and find a quiet spot to study and enjoy the outdoors at the same time.

With no entry fee, …

Memorial Day at Memorial Park, Athens, Georgia

Memorial Day 5.32k run at Memorial Park in Athens, Georgia

by Matthew Rathel | May 18, 2010

Memorial Park in Athens, Georgia, might seem like the obvious place to take your family on Memorial Day, and there are many reasons to make it your holiday destination this year.

General admission is free, and the park contains walking trails, a dog park, a pond full of ducks and geese, and Bear Hollow, the only zoo in the city. At Bear Hollow you can find alligators, bears, various types …

The Sultan, Athens Georgia

The Sultan in Athens Georgia is a Great Restaurant Serving Middle Eastern Cuisine

by Matthew Rathel | May 11, 2010

Many college students and even some of us older citizens of Athens have never eaten at a Middle Eastern restaurant, and there are few places one can sample if he or she desires to give it a shot. In Athens, the only place one can get the true experience is at The Sultan off of Atlanta Highway.

Stuffed into a small shopping center among small shops that fail to bring much traffic, this quaint …

Hotel Indigo, Athens Georgia

Hotel Indigo in Athens Georgia is the Best Hotel in Town, Offering Great Amenities and Outstanding Service

by Matthew Rathel | May 11, 2010

An inspiring new addition to the various hotels in Athens, Georgia,  Hotel Indigo has shown itself to be innovative in its design as well as in its function. Rising high above the surrounding buildings in the increasingly trendy outskirts of downtown, the hotel presents a double apex structure that sets itself apart from the antebellum buildings that have defined the city's skyline for centuries.

However, what distinguishes Hotel Indigo from the competition …

The Grit, Athens, Georgia

The Grit in Athens, Georgia is the best restaurant for home-cooked food in the City

by Matthew Rathel | May 08, 2010

In Athens, Georgia, there are various restaurants that serve good vegetarian meals, but if you are looking for a vegetarian's paradise, there is no place to go but In Athens, Georgia, there are various restaurants that serve good vegetarian meals, but if you are looking for a vegetarian's paradise, there is no place to go but The Grit.

Located in the Bottleworks, The Grit is right on the outskirts of town, though …

Watson Mill Bridge State Park, Comer, GA

The best camp site near Athens, Watson Mill provides a cheap place for camping, fishing, canoeing, swimming, and hiking

by Matthew Rathel | May 03, 2010

If one feels like escaping the urban atmosphere of Athens, there are few places that offer a better experience than Watson Mill Bridge State Park in Oglethorpe County. Only 20 miles from Athens, the location provides excellent fishing, hiking, and boating activities at an incredible price, giving the family an excellent weekend vacation without burning a hole in the saving account.

Built in 1885 near the site of a defunct power plant …

Jot Em Down BBQ, Athens, GA

The Best Barbeque in Athens Georgia, Jot Em Down is a Restaurant For College Students and Families Alike.

by Matthew Rathel | April 30, 2010

While one of my favorite barbecue restaurants in Kansas City offers fancy wines and gives each customer a linen for his or her lap, Jot Em Down BBQ in Athens, Georgia, is my favorite barbecue joint in the city because it takes the opposite approach. The restaurant looks like a country store from the early 20th Century, and the food matches this persona. When you walk in the door, you see groceries for …

Keba Spitfire Grill, Athens, Ga

Take a break from the typical sandwich at Keba Spitfire Grill in Athens, Ga

by Apryl Chapman Thomas | February 22, 2010

One of the many great things about living in a college town is there’s always something new and different to visit, try or experience.

A few days ago, I found myself on the eastside of town, a part of Athens I don’t visit too often. No particular reason why, just laziness on my part. Truthfully, I was very impressed to see all the different stores and restaurants that’ve opened since I been here.

One restaurant in …

Travel Guide to Athens, GA

Why You Should Visit Athens, Georgia

by Apryl Chapman Thomas | February 16, 2010

Those who travel to Athens for a game (football, basketball) or a gymnastics meet, and stay for the weekend, quickly discover there’s a lot more to this town than the University.

While UGA is definitely the focal point of Athens, if you were to remove it, the town wouldn’t have a problem standing on its own merits.

There are many reasons for you to spend a weekend in the Classic City, even when it’s not …

Locos Grill & Pub, Athens, GA

Watch the Super Bowl or any major sporting event at Loco's in Athens

by Apryl Chapman Thomas | February 01, 2010

In a town where football reigns supreme, sports bars tend to be a dime a dozen.

Therefore, it can be quite a feat trying to find out that fits all of your need.

However, it’s not impossible.

One place that everyone seems to agree upon that has all the necessary ingredients needed to watch the big game is Locos Grill & Pub.

From its modest beginning in …

Big City Bread Cafe, Athens, GA

Big City Bread Cafe is the place to stop in for meal and a taste of local life in Athens.

by Apryl Chapman Thomas | February 01, 2010

One theme, or perhaps it’s better to say idea that is prevalent throughout Athens is localism. For a town of our size, you’ll quickly discover there’s a great number of local establishments. This is especially true when it comes to eateries.

A favorite among locals and visitors (once they try it), is Big City Bread Cafe. Situated between Normaltown and downtown, the cafe resides in a non-descript brick building. However, you’ll find out …

Foundry Park Inn & Spa, Athens, Ga

Relax and reconnect with a little romance at Foundry Park Inn & Spa in Athens

by Apryl Chapman Thomas | January 26, 2010

Maybe it’s the intimate setting, the overall atmosphere or just the idea of being able to relax and reconnect. Whatever the reason (or reasons) may be, there’s definitely something romantic about staying at an inn for Valentine’s Day weekend. Of course, many will tell you there’s something romantic about staying at an inn period.

In Athens, you can test out these theories for yourself with a stay at Foundry Park Inn & Spa.

Serving as the Classic …

Your Pie, Athens, Ga

Give Your Pizza Routinue a Little Kick By Creating Your Own in Athens, Ga

by Apryl Chapman Thomas | January 21, 2010

I admit it, I’m not a typical pizza person. You’ll never see me order in a pizza on any night of the week.

That’s not to say that I don’t like pizza, I do. However, I like my pizza to be a little bit different than what is found at typical pizza places.

When I first heard about Your Pie, I was intrigued at the thought of a custom made pizza. I knew that …

Bear Hollow Wildlife Trail, Athens, GA

Athens' small zoo is big on animals

by Apryl Chapman Thomas | January 20, 2010

What do a bald eagle, a black bear and an alligator have to do with a town predominately known for football and music?

Actually a lot.

Bear Hollow Wildlife Trail just may be one of Athens’ best kept secret, and is definitely a must-see for anyone visiting the town. Tucked away in Memorial Park, located in the 5 Points area, Bear Hollow is a relatively small zoo, but big on the …