A weekend in Athens, Georgia. Please note, this post is sponsored by Graduate Hotels.
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I know, I know.
Athens, Georgia…not THAT Athens. You know the one.
In fact, I’ve never been to Greece, but the little city of Athens here in Georgia is simply delightful.
Perhaps I love it so much because I have an affinity for ‘college towns’. You see, I worked in higher education for just over two years upon graduating from Northeastern University. In fact, I worked AT Northeastern University.
A Weekend in Athens, Georgia
Maybe it’s just me, but there’s something refreshing about being on a college campus. There’s learning happening EVERYWHERE. I realize that with my two post-high school degrees, my previous sentence could afford to be a bit more grammatically correct (or at least it sounds/reads funky to me), but it’s the best way I know how to describe it.
Even though most students may grumble and groan their way through college, it’s really a wonderful time. The start-of-fall-semester vibe is one I’ll always love. While we were in Athens in January, that same feeling was emanating the sizable campus. And – we were treated to a January day in the mid-60s. Yes! Can you even believe it?
What to do in Athens, Georgia
- Visit the University of Georgia: If you’re spending a weekend in Athens and you don’t visit the University of Georgia (UGA), did you even go to Athens? UGA is the heart of Athens (and seemingly, Georgia) and its campus is surely hard to miss. To give you an idea – nearly 40K students attend UGA and it covers over 760 acres. Meanwhile, my university back in Boston covers a meager 76 acres. I know. Crazy, right?
Where to eat in Athens, Georgia
- Mama’s Boy: Thanks to a recommendation from a friend who both lives in Atlanta AND attended UGA, we set out for Mama’s Boy for brunch on our Sunday in Athens. We were certainly not disappointed. In fact, I think we could have sat at that table until dinner, eating the entire time – if only our clothing (and stomachs) could handle all that food.
- The World Famous: I’m still unsure on whether this spot is called ‘The World Famous‘ or ‘This Is It’. Either way, the street food-inspired menu is divine. It may look like a simple dive bar of sorts on the outside – and let’s be real, on the inside, too – but the food is so. so. good. We grabbed the pretzels and a friend chicken biscuit. When in the south, am I right?
- White Tiger: If you’re in Georgia, I hope you’re ready for some barbecue. While Georgia isn’t one of those states that’s known for its barbecue – we still have some quality spots. Taking a note from another friend who attended UGA, we hopped on over to White Tiger as soon as we checked in at Graduate Athens. We went with the bbq plate and a side of pimento cheese with ritz crackers, for obvious reasons.
Where to hang out in Athens, Georgia
- Creature Comforts: Creature Comforts, hands down, is my favorite spot in Athens. Their beer is fantastic and their space is even more impressive than their menu! Major plus: it’s dog friendly. I repeat, DOG. FRIENDLY. I don’t have a dog, which makes heading to Creature Comforts like my very own trip to Disney. Dogs and beer? Yes, please. I’ll take two of each.
- Iron Works: Tucked away in the ‘lobby’ of Graduate Athens is one of the cutest little cafés I’ve ever seen. Iron Works is major #coffeeshopcorners inspiration. It’s got bright colors, an awesome community table, and….lots of treats to go with your coffee. That’s all you really need, right? If you plan on spending a weekend in Athens (whether you’re staying at Graduate Athens or not), stop by Iron Works for your morning coffee – and a treat, too!
- The Old Pal: Funny enough, we happened to be in Athens on the same day as a friend of mine (who recommended Mama’s Boy!). We met up with her for spontaneous drinks at The Old Pal, and oh boy – I really did want to order the entire menu. The cocktail menu, that is. They’ve got a mix of classic cocktails and some new-to-me creations that were positively fantastic.
Where to stay in Athens, Georgia
- Graduate Athens: I know this post is sponsored by Graduate Athens, but I can truly and honestly say that this is one of my favorite spots yet. Graduate Athens plays off the theme of being located in a ‘college town’, and the execution is perfection. Even our room keys looked like vintage student activities cards! Come on. The suite we were lucky enough to stay in was divine – it was about two times the size of our apartment. Clearly we were spoiled for the weekend. There was even a vintage arcade game in our room! Major score. Now, if you’re heading to Graduate, you must simply book a massage at their Spa. I took Tim with me for his first massage ever, and I’m fairly certain that we’ve got a new massage convert on our hands. Not that I blame him because that hour at The Spa at Graduate was divine.
Thinking about spending a weekend in Athens, Georgia? Well (1), you should! And (2), let me know! I’ll have to follow along via social, of course.
And if it’s an Atlanta city guide you’re looking for – look no further, y’all!
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