Everyone knows college is the best four (or five or six ) years of your life, and why not relive those wonderful years in the eclectic college town of Athens, Georgia? Home of the Georgia Bulldogs, Athens is a perfect combination of a small southern town with a lively college atmosphere. Its vibrant, restored Victorian-era downtown teems with art galleries, trendy boutiques, renowned nightclubs and distinctive dining. Historic architecture and impressive gardens complete the unique blend of traditional heritage and trend-setting Southern culture.

The downtown scene is great for college students and those who wish they still were in college. There are hundreds of bars and restaurants, including The 40 Watt and Melting Point (both listed as "Top 40 Music Venues in America" in Paste magazine, May 2007) and The Globe (named one of the "Best Bars in America" by Esquire magazine, October 2007). Music fans come from around the world to discover the roots of legends such as R.E.M., the B-52s, and Widespread Panic, as well as hear the current crop of hundreds of bands playing downtown nightly.


Before hitting the town to go to a bar or live music show, stop for a bite to eat at one of the unique restaurants featured in historic buildings downtown. Some of my personal favorites are Last Resort Grill, East-West Bistro, and Speakeasy, but you honestly can't go wrong with the diverse atmospheres and menus you will find. Farm 255, which opened in the summer of 2005 by Full Moon Cooperative Farm, is also a good choice as it strives to bring the story of local sustainable farming to the table and connect people to the source of their food.

With red and black everywhere, fan shops full of Georgia gear, and artistic bulldog statues throughout downtown, it is hard not to become a Bulldog fan when you visit this town, especially if you are lucky enough to be there on a home football weekend! Saturdays seem like holidays when the population doubles, people celebrate from 7 a.m. on, and everyone in town is dressed in UGA colors.