Have the dog days of summer got you down? If the long hot days are bringing nothing but complaints of I`m bored, Mom to your ears, then why not pack up the kids, gas up the car and head out on a weekend road trip to Georgia , known for its Southern hospitality and its lusciously sweet Georgia peaches. While you are there, cruise on over to the Northeastern part of the state to one of Georgia`s most happening college towns, the hip city of Athens zip code 30606 .
Athens is a fresh and funky escape from the everyday, where something special can be found right around the corner from wherever you happen to be. Home to a major university, Athens is for the dogs – bulldogs that is. This brawny university mascot can be found everywhere; on signs, on clothing, and captured in statue form throughout the bustling streets of Downtown, thirty six of them to be exact! These dawgs, as they are affectionately called, represent the youthful demeanor of college life in Athens , with its playfulness, strength and tenacity.
Deriving its name from the city in ancient Greece that was home to early philosophers Athens , Georgia has a population of just over one hundred thousand residents, and a total land area of just under 120 square miles. There are many notable and architecturally unique historical buildings in the area, alluding to the rich historical heritage of the South. Folks are friendly here, family values are strong, fun is the norm and there are plenty of things to see and to do when you decide to drop in for a visit.
The weather in Athens changes with the seasons, with summers faring hot and winters generally mild. The fall foliage is a beautiful segue into the cooler months and in spring, wildflowers bloom rampant across the land. No matter what time of year that you come to visit, you are sure to have a tail wagging good time.
One of the first family stops along your road trip might be one of the many guided tours that the city of Athens offers. Take a trip back in time as you step over the thresholds of historical southern mansions, and catch a glimpse of the only remaining double barreled cannon in the country, pointing north, of course. Made in Athens for use in the Civil War, the two original cannons did not seem to work all that well, but nevertheless, the one that now remains is a great focal point that is steeped in Southern history.
Athens , Georgia zip code 30606 is home to some doggone good museums, too. A trip to an old doctors office built in the 1800`s, now a historical museum, will have you thanking your lucky stars for the modern medical conveniences that we now have. Coming face to face with the more primitive, and somewhat barbaric tools of the trade that were used over a hundred years ago might give you the willies, but other than that, this visit to the doctor’s office should be relatively painless.
Surround yourself with beautiful works of art, specifically American paintings, at the art museum in Athens . With over 9000 works of art in their collection, ranging from paintings to charcoal drawings, this museum experience is definitely a treat. Or try the museum of natural history in Athens for a glimpse into the wide and wonderful world of insects, arthropods, birds, reptiles and mammals that are common to the region.
If you are looking to find outdoor recreation that will make you howl, then look no further than Athens , Georgia . With parks and nature reserves galore, you are sure to get your nature fix, and perhaps even a few wild animal sightings on your trip. Take a walk among the many hiking trails in the area, and be on the lookout for cardinals, woodpeckers and red-shouldered hawks soaring amongst the tall, leafy treetops.
Or take a stroll through a nearby old growth forest, converted for public use, with walking trails, dirt bike paths and a fifteen acre lake. With over sixty acres of pristine park to explore, you are not likely to run out of trail too soon. Try your hand at disc golfing, take a cool, refreshing swim, have a picnic with the kids or just play a rousing game of fetch with your canine pals. Outdoor recreation is all fun, and all good in the lush and beautiful natural parks of Athens .
Do you fancy flowers? If you are sniffing out fragrant, colorful blooms, whether for the smell or just the photo shot, then a visit to the State botanical gardens in Athens , Georgia zip code 30606 should be at the top of your list. In the evening, come summertime, live bands in the gardens create a relaxed yet lively atmosphere. Bring your blanket, sit amongst the sweet smelling scenery and enjoy some toe tapping tunes as the sun sets. This incredibly beautiful 313 acre park has several different themed gardens to choose from, and no two look the same. The International Garden hosts flowers from countries all over the world, and the Shade Garden is aptly named, with plenty of overhanging vines and blossoms; an emerald paradise. Be sure to bring your camera.
If you feel up for it, take advantage of one of the areas local berry farms, where you can pick juicy strawberries, sweet blueberries, and tart blackberries straight from the bush, depending on the season. With flavors so fresh you will be eating them in the car on your way out, it will be a berry good experience. In the fall, peruse the pumpkin patch to find your jack-o-lantern to be, and be sure to take a stroll through the corn maze on your way out.
When the grown ups are dog tired, no doubt the kids will still have energy to burn. Let them skate it out at a place that was created just for them. The immensely popular skate park in Athens has over 1000 feet of ramps, rails, edges, bowls and steps, perfect for skate boards and bmx biking enthusiasts. But no whining, helmets and pads are required.
After a long day of fun in this historic Georgia city, zip code 30606 you will be practically begging for a good meal. In Athens , you will not have far to look. There are literally dozens of restaurants here to satisfy a hungry palate, regardless of what your are hankering for. Get greasy with some tangy, award winning hot wings, or enjoy a thick steak cooked on a wood fired grill. Scarf down a pizza with all of your favorite ooey-gooey toppings, fired in an Italian wood burning oven or grab a healthy vegetarian wrap along with a sweet smoothie. Whether you are craving sushi or Southwestern, the choice is yours. With food so good that you will want to save some for later, you might want to ask for a doggie bag.
When night time rolls around, the streets of downtown Athens , Georgia heat up. This city has some of the best live music that you will find in the country. More than a handful of bands from this area have made substantial names for themselves in the music industry, and the trend continues. Downtown Athens serves as a mecca for indie bands, eclectic beats and grooving music for anyone who has ears to listen. All styles and musical influences are represented here, from rock and jazz to electronica and country. You can get your groove on in any number of night clubs and music venues in Downtown Athens .
With so much to see and so much to experience in Athens , Georgia zip code 30606 , you may want to make plans for an extra day or two in order to accomplish it all. Before your long drive home, though, stop in to one of the premier local day spas, where you can relax into a world class massage and aromatherapy facial wrap, and treat body and soul to a rejuvenating experience that you will not soon forget. This kind of prelude to a long trip home may just save your sanity.
On your way out of Athens be sure to make one last stop at one of Americas most randomly unique tourist attractions; the tree that owns itself. Growing at the corner of Finley and Dearing streets in Athens , Georgia it is rumored that this majestic white oak was willed the deed to itself as well as the land eight feet out from its base on all sides, by the previous property owner. No one knows why a man would leave a deed to a tree. Perhaps it was a favorite childhood picnic spot. Unfortunately, the original tree fell back in 1942, when an acorn from said tree was planted in the same spot, hence the tree that owns itself is actually the son of the tree that owns itself. Nevertheless, it is an interesting story, and a worthy snapshot memento.
Once you have livened up your family’s summer vacation with a trip to the funky, cool city of Athens , Georgia you will most definitely be out of the dog house, at least until winter break. From Blues bands to blackberries to build-your-own bloody Mary bars, the wild, yet friendly atmosphere of this southern college town blends culture, diversity and a spirited sense of adventure, no matter what season of the year it is. In Athens, you can let you inner dawg off its leash and catch fun no matter which way that you run, no bones about it.
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