HIMH (Athens, Georgia)

Hang in my Hood
A weekly series, introducing you to new adventures around someone elses' neighborhood!
{angie - life with ike}

Hi There!  Nice to meet you!

I'm Angie and this is my fantastic husband and three silly children.
 I'm an elementary school librarian, blogger and jewelry designer.

We live just outside of Athens, Georgia...home to R.E.M., B-52's, Widespread Panic and the University of Georgia.  I really wish that I could bottle up the vibe of Athens and somehow share it with all of you.  It is one of the most amazing cities ever.  Truly.  It has everything a city has to offer - great shopping, museums (like the Georgia Museum of Art...which is where we had our wedding reception), parks, etc.  but it also has this incredible small town feel.  And if you drive about 10 minutes outside of Athens in any direction, you'll be in the country.  Viola!

Even though I am not from Athens, I have adopted it and am so excited to show you around a little bit.

Perhaps we should start with my Alma Mater, the University of Georgia.  It is the oldest public university in the country, having been founded in 1785.  Located in the heart of Athens, the Arches open up onto Broad Street, welcoming visitors to North Campus.  But, don't walk under the arches unless you're a graduate!  :)

 {Chapel on North Campus, the Main Library on North Campus}

This is where the boys play in their silver britches between the hedges...Sanford Stadium.

I'm sure you'll also need to visit some places like this...

...to stock up on your Bulldogs merchandise.

And then there's the downtown area.  Oh, be still my beating heart!  Such cute little shops and some of the best places to eat!  Beautiful trees line the streets of downtown and in the winter they put white lights in them.  It is absolutely magical.

top left - the corner of broad st and college ave

top right - jackson street books (fabulous used book store!)

bottom left - Morton Theatre

bottom right - Clocked (famous for their tater totz.)

Although, when I'm downtown I always have a hard time choosing somewhere other than this place...

 Ahhhhhh...The Grill.  Diner food.  Complete dive.  One of my most favorite places ever.  I love their veggie melt platter with fries and a side of feta (...dressing...to dip the fries in.  It's a must.)  Their cherry cokes?  Heaven.  They pour the grenadine in right before they serve it.  Amen.

A few of my other favorites include...

 left - The National (Hooray!) with Cine conveniently next door.

right - The Grit (yum!  so yum!) with Go! Bar next door (if I'm gonna go to a bar, its gonna be that one.  Just sayin.)

Although, this bar also looks appealing...

It is the "air hockey, video games, foosball" that will rope me into this one.  And the "Booze."  Such clever advertising.  Athens is also home to several bicycle shops including Sunshine and The Hub. 

Some great live music venues include The 40 Watt...

...and the newly renovated (because of a fire) Georgia Theatre...

{source}

And speaking of music, if you're an R.E.M. fan, this place might mean something to you...

 {source}

I could, quite seriously, go on and on about Athens.  Like, this post could be a mile long.  Its a great town and if you ever get the chance to visit, you most definitely should.  I promise you won't regret it. 

Thanks, Heather... Hang in My Hood has been so much fun!