Things to do in Athens, GA

MKR

Checking out the local Barnes and Noble is a given, but I'm looking for other things to do while I'm there tomorrow. Photogenic, fun, and cheap are positive qualities.

tardcore

Check out the UGA campus.

MKR

Is there anything I need to do to get in, or do I just go to the campus and get a visitor pass?

Grundlterror

Athens is awesome, downtown is great late at night... I'm pretty sure you can just walk around the campus without a pass.

MKR

Grundlterror wrote: »

Athens is awesome, downtown is great late at night... I'm pretty sure you can just walk around the campus without a pass.

The person that's taking me isn't too keen on exploration, so I need targets. :P

We'll inevitably deviate, but I need checkpoints to get us through without him getting bored and driving back home.

ASimPerson

Not only can you get around UGA's campus without a pass, they'll probably toss you a degree while you're there.

An economical trip all around.

MKR

Almost two years later, I have independent mobility.

This means my options are wide open. I would be coming from Winder (entering at the west side of Athens). I'll be driving to Athens, and going the rest of the way on foot (though driving in the city is fine since I'll have a GPS system). If I want a maximum amount of fun within a mile radius, where should I park, and where should I walk?

I don't know what the transit situation is in Athens, but buses and trains are fine.

Jinn

Athens is not that big. If you park downtown somewhere along Broad, Clayton or Washington St. (all run east - west) you can pretty much walk to all the cool places. You can freely wander the UGA campus. Between downtown and Sanford Stadium is the prettiest part. There's a peculiar junk store called Junkman's that is kind of interesting. School Kids Records and Wuxtry are two local record stores. I think upstairs Wuxtry has comics. If you like sushi, there's a great (although kind of expensive) sushi place called Shokitini on the east end of downtown. Do you like beer? For a huge selection of all kinds of imports and exotic beers, check out Trapeze or Blue Sky bars. Copper Creek is a local micro brewery/bar. Also the Terrapin Brewery is open for drinking and tours on Thurs/Fri/Sat evenings. There is a used book store that I've been meaning to check out for years on Jackson St. On that note I'd skip the B&N as its not located downtown and its pretty much just like every other B&N out there. Depending on what type of music you like, check out the 40 Watt, Caledonia Lounge, New Earth Music Hall to name a few. While downtown, pick up a free Flagpole (you'll see them scattered about in newspaper dispenser box things). That will list all the local happenings and what not for the week. This town is really mostly about the night life, so stick around for that on a Thurs, Fri, or Sat. Most people will be more than happy to point you in the right direction if you're looking for some place in particular.

MKR

Jinn wrote: »

Athens is not that big. If you park downtown somewhere along Broad, Clayton or Washington St. (all run east - west) you can pretty much walk to all the cool places. You can freely wander the UGA campus. Between downtown and Sanford Stadium is the prettiest part. There's a peculiar junk store called Junkman's that is kind of interesting. School Kids Records and Wuxtry are two local record stores. I think upstairs Wuxtry has comics. If you like sushi, there's a great (although kind of expensive) sushi place called Shokitini on the east end of downtown. Do you like beer? For a huge selection of all kinds of imports and exotic beers, check out Trapeze or Blue Sky bars. Copper Creek is a local micro brewery/bar. Also the Terrapin Brewery is open for drinking and tours on Thurs/Fri/Sat evenings. There is a used book store that I've been meaning to check out for years on Jackson St. On that note I'd skip the B&N as its not located downtown and its pretty much just like every other B&N out there. Depending on what type of music you like, check out the 40 Watt, Caledonia Lounge, New Earth Music Hall to name a few. While downtown, pick up a free Flagpole (you'll see them scattered about in newspaper dispenser box things). That will list all the local happenings and what not for the week. This town is really mostly about the night life, so stick around for that on a Thurs, Fri, or Sat. Most people will be more than happy to point you in the right direction if you're looking for some place in particular.

I put all these spots in a Google map and then started looking around on the map. There's a lot more stuff there than I thought.

Thanks for the suggestions. I've never had sushi, so that's something I'll try while I'm there.

MKR

I finally got around to going over there. I didn't get to see much due to timing shenanigans, but I did get to Junkman's Daughter's Brother. It's kind of an aggregator for the local culture. They have indy comics, music, art, and all kinds of stuff.

They had this giant wooden komodo dragon that I would have bought in an instant if I had $100 to blow.

RisenPhoenix

Junkmans is one of the few treasures out that way. I've been taken to it every single time we've made it out that way and I've managed to find something to buy every single time.