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FOOTBALL FANS CAN GO BEYOND THE HEDGES THIS FALL
Athens, Georgia- July 21, 2010- Football fans thinking of hitting the road to Athens for the big game at The University of Georgia this fall will find one of the most vibrant, entertaining college towns on the schedule this year.
A football weekend in Athens involves much more than action at Sanford Stadium and tailgating. Located just across Broad Street from the famed UGA Arch on North Campus, Athens' restored Victorian-era downtown bustles at all hours of the day and night with art galleries, trendy and quirky shops, world-renowned nightclubs and distinctive dining. In addition to music history, Athens is home to 16 neighborhoods on the National Register of Historic Places, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation named Athens one of its Dozen Distinctive Destinations in 2009. No visit to Athens would be complete without sampling a bit of Athens' renowned music scene. Known worldwide as the birthplace of R.E.M. and the B-52's, hundreds of bands still call Athens home. Venues throughout downtown attract rising stars and old favorites. Music fans interested in the history of Athens music can discover its roots through a self guided music history walking tour. The tour brochure is available at the Athens Welcome Center or online, http://www.athenswelcomecenter.com/.
Athens Food Tours are an exciting new addition for those looking to dine like a local in Athens. Run by Mary Charles Jordan, a UGA graduate who conducted food tours in Chapel Hill, N.C., 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. For more information, visit http://www.athensfoodtours.com/.
For more local flavor, fans can check out The Grit, located on Prince Avenue. A favorite of Michael Stipe, lead singer of R.E.M. and owner of the building that houses the restaurant, the menu features an all-vegetarian lineup that is visually beautiful and exciting to the palate. Win or lose, football fans will flock to The Last Resort Grill on Clayton Street for Sunday brunch and white chocolate cheesecake. Fans in the mood to sample a beer from somewhere besides a game day keg should visit Terrapin Brewery. Founded by two brewers who share a commitment to creating world class beers unsurpassed in character and flavor, Terrapin Brewery has won countless awards and released new beers including its Golden Ale, Rye Squared and All-American Imperial Pilsner. Athens visitors can enjoy Terrapin's brewing facilities featuring live music, beer samples and tours every half hour. A $10 beer glass secures eight tasting tickets. Tours run Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit http://www.terrapinbeer.com.
Football weekends offer an exciting opportunity for a getaway to Athens, and the Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) offers special discounts, online hotel reservations and featured overnight packages. For complete Athens travel information, visit http://www.visitathensga.com or contact the Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau at 706.357.4430, toll-free 800.653.0603. |
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About the Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau
The Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau is a proactive sales and marketing organization whose primary goal is to increase the economic impact of the hospitality and visitor industry by attracting individual visitors, group tours, and meetings and conventions to Athens. Tourism WORKS for Athens, contributing $218.98 million in spending, 2,500 jobs, $46.23 million in wages earned, $8.09 million in state tax revenues and $6.58 million in local tax revenues in 2008.
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CONTACT:
Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau
706.357.4430
Hannah Smith
Communications Manager
Writer: Allison Cairns
PR Intern
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