So Much To Do, So Little Time!

It wasn't until this past summer that the realization that I was about to embark on my fourth and final year at the University of Georgia. Naturally, all the thoughts of graduation and the "real world" entered my mind...Will I find a job? Where will I end up? Do I even know what I want to do?

Then, the real question hit me, and I started to feel a wave of panic. I only have one more year left in Athens?!

 

Those familiar with Athens, GA will understand my concern; there's so much to experience here, and of course you can't do things just once! There is the great variety of restaurants that cater to the most diverse range of tastes as well as the famed music scene filled with incredible talent. You can't forget the athletic events that bring in thousands of the most devoted fans nor can you ignore the nightlife that provides young and old alike with the perfect way to unwind after a long week.

 

Debbie at locally-owned
Silver Lining Cupcakes!



My name is Debbie Kuo, and as one of the two new interns for the Athens Convention and Visitors Bureau, I hope you will join me in my journey to pack in as much of what Athens has to offer as I can in these next several months.



As I mentioned before, I'm starting my senior year studying Marketing and International Business at UGA. I'm a big fan of food, travel, music, and trying new things, which makes Athens a wonderful city for me. I'm looking forward to finding new favorite places as well as revisiting old ones, and sharing all my experiences with you!



But before I get started exploring around Athens, I'm interested in your experiences with the city. Where are your favorite places to go? What do you love most about Athens?

- Debbie





Let the Athens Discovery Begin!

It was love at first sight. The charm of downtown's historic landscape surrounded by dynamic creativity, unique shops, and friendly passerbys caught me off-guard. I hadn't expected my first college visit to be my one and only. But while visiting the University of Georiga four years ago to explore the Classic City, I immediately knew that Athens, Ga was exactly the town I wanted to call home.

My name is Katie Strasberg, and Athens, Ga is more than a home to me these days. Now a senior, my love for the southern charm and vibrant artistic scene of this Georgia town has flourished over the past four years. This amazing city has a personality of its own offering everything from farm-fresh fare at local restaurants to eclectic knickknack and gift shops that can be explored for hours. The music traditions of the town are unlike anything else, with a wide-variety of tunes played downtown at historic venues every night of the week and local musicians adding their personal touch to the ever-changing Athens culture.

 

Luckily for me, I have the opportunity to combine my love for this city with my passion for public relations as a PR and social media intern at Athens Convention and Visitors Bureau this semester. As a public relations major earning a sociology minor and new media certificate, it's a perfect fit. Even though I have already savored a wide array of experiences in the Classic City, I cannot wait to explore and learn even more about its rich history and diverse attractions and pass it along to you.

I hope you are as excited as I am to begin discovering all that makes Athens, Ga. the culturally rich, uniquely creative, and always-vibrant southern town that so many have grown to love.

Let me know where I should be sure to visit this fall in Athens, Georgia!

Bun Voyage: A Search for the Best Burger in Athens, Georgia

There are so many reasons why I have enjoyed college more than high school. Aside from the obvious (new-found independence, dining halls that are open 24/7, etc.), one of my favorite things about college is that I find, more often than not, that I actually enjoy my class assignments. Gone are the days of pulling my hair out over chemistry and calculus problems, and in their place: projects and assignments that I would actually describe as fun, and that I look forward to working on. Bun Voyage was one such assignment.

I took a social media seminar last semester, and one of our assignments was to keep a blog on any topic that we wanted. Because I had been blogging about my personal life for years now, I wanted to try something different. I wanted to take my readers on a journey, and also write about my love for food. After a little brainstorming, I came up with Bun Voyage, a journey to find the best burger in Athens, GA.

I spent all of my spring semester going out to eat at different Athens restaurants, eating burgers, and then writing about them and giving them a rating to help me determine just exactly what makes a great burger. My criteria included quality of the meat, freshness of ingredients, creativity, presentation, and then an overall rating.

Below are three of the best-rated burgers from my semester-long search:

1) Five Guys Burgers and Fries

Five Guys is about as traditional as a burger place can get. With a fairly simple menu of burgers and hot dogs, there's really no question on what you're going to get. I ordered a Bacon Cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, ketchup and mustard and an order of Cajun fries.

The burger was cooked right there before my eyes and delivered hot to my table. The meat was extremely juicy (although it could have used a touch more salt), and the ingredients were all very fresh. The burger was huge, and way more than I could eat, but for only $5, that is hardly a problem.

For being ready in a flash, and for giving me a great value (and then some), I gave the burger at Five Guys an 8.5.

To read the full post, check out Party of Five.

2) Clocked
The burger that I had at Clocked in downtown Athens was on the other end of the spectrum when compared to Five Guys. I had heard tale of a Peanut Butter Bacon Burger at Clocked, and it had gotten rave reviews from my fellow burger fans, but I wouldn't believe it until I tried it for myself.

Seated outside the diner with a cream soda and a cool breeze, I waited eagerly for a burger with a topping I had previously only reserved for toast. When it arrived, I was shocked by how delicious it was. The meat was flavorful and juicy, and the peanut butter added the perfect sweet accompaniment to the crispy bacon. Not to mention the tater tots with the blue cheese dressing. I remember feeling like I needed a nap after this burger, but before it made me sleepy, I thoroughly enjoyed every single bite.

For introducing me to the unsuspecting harmony of peanut butter and meat, and for being off the wall in general, I gave the burger at Clocked a 9.5.

To read the full post, check out Rock Around the Clocked.

3) Farm 255
I have never been bashful about my adoration for this lovely farm-to-table restaurant, but I had never thought of it as the kind of place I would go for a burger. However, one night at dinner with friends, I decided to see what kind of spin Farm 255 would put on a burger. With locally sourced meat and vegetables from nearby farms, I was expecting a burger that would be sure to please. And please it did.

The meat had that wonderful grassy flavor that only comes from cows happily chewing cud on a local farm, and the caramelized onions and sharp Tillamook cheddar provided the perfect sweet and salty flavors. The rosemary french fries were delicious as well, and the homemade pickles on top of the burger really emphasized just how much effort was put into producing the humble hamburger.

For homemade toppings, locally sourced ingredients, and giving me thoughts of happy cows on a nearby farm, I gave the burger at Farm 255 a 9.5.

To read the full post, check out Down on the Farm.

If you visit any of these restaurants and try one of these burgers, let us know what you think! Or is there a delicious hamburger in Athens that we didn't mention? Tell us what you think we're missing!

The New Kid in Town: Athens,GA, Welcomes Menchie's Frozen Yogurt Shop

If there's one thing that residents of Athens, Georgia, can't get enough of, it's frozen yogurt. In the three years that I have lived in Athens, I have witnessed not one, not two, but three frozen yogurt shops pop up all across town. And now the Classic City is home to a new face on the frozen yogurt block: Menchie's Frozen Yogurt.

Menchie's follows several aspects of the the typical yogurt shop model: a variety of flavors of frozen yogurt, as well as a wide array of toppings that you add yourself. Like other shops in town, you don't pay by the toppings or flavors you get, but by how much your frozen treat weighs at the end. This gives you the freedom to pile on toppings to your heart's content.

Menchie's puts a fresh spin on just about everything they do.  Menchie's rotates its flavors multiple times during the week, so you're never going to get bored of the same old chocolate and vanilla. And to suit those with special dietary preferences, they also feature no sugar added, dairy free, and low carb options. The list of flavors ranges anywhere from Chai Tea and Island Banana to Chocolate Espresso and Blueberry Cheesecake.

On top of that (literally) comes the options for different toppings. Every snack imaginable (mini pretzels, rainbow sprinkles, animal crackers, etc.) combined with fresh, seasonal options like strawberries, pineapple, kiwi and blueberries. In case that wasn't enough, you can also add a drizzle of hot peanut butter or fudge sauce to top it all off.

And we all know that a big part of what makes going out for a meal (or for frozen yogurt) enjoyable is the experience you have while you're out. Ricky Steele, owner of the newly opened Menchie's at the Beechwood Center in Athens, GA, takes great pride in the quality of its employees and the customer service he makes sure to show each and every customer. In addition, the bright decor and fun atmosphere of the shop make it a place where everyone from young children to college students to parents can kick back, relax, and enjoy a delicious frozen treat.

Although the Menchie's at Beechwood in Athens has been open for several weeks, they have planned a fabulous, three-day grand opening to introduce themselves to the Athens community in the hopes to become Athens' next favorite frozen yogurt shop. The festivities will take place on Friday, Aug. 19 and continue through Sunday, Aug. 21. If you're in town that weekend, come check it out!

The festivities will include:

Friday, Aug. 19 :   - 7 p.m.-Ribbon cutting ceremony with Athens Chamber of Commerce and Mayor Nancy Denson at 2 p.m.

-20% of proceeds will be donated to the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 20:  11 a.m. - 5 p.m.-Free gift bags to the first 20 families at 11 a.m.
-10% of your yogurt purchase and 10% of proceeds will be donated to the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia when you bring in two canned food items from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
-Free games and hourly raffles from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
-Free magnet photo frame for the first 30 families from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 21:  11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
-10% off your yogurt purchase and 10% of proceeds will continue to go to the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia when you bring in two canned food items from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
-Free gift bags for the first 20 kids at 12 p.m.
-Free face painting from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
-Raffles for merchandise, gift bags and iPod shuffles from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
-Photos with Menchie and the UGA mascot "Hairy Dawg" from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
-Performance by the UGA marching Redcoat Band dancers, the Georgettes, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
-Balloon art from Mr. Clown from 4 p.m to 5 p.m.

To learn more about Menchie's at Beechwood, visit their Facebook page here. And if you visit Menchie's during their grand opening, report back to us and let you know what you think!

Menchie's Beechwood
Beechwood Shopping Center
196 Alps Road, Suite 5
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 208-7223

Hours of operation:
Mon. - Sat. 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Sun. 12 p.m. - 11 p.m.

Athens Music and Art in the Garden!

The State Botanical Garden of Georgia, in Athens, is one of our city's most scenic spots and is one of our most popular attractions year-round.  In summer, the Garden comes alive with music during the Sunflower Music Series, which brings some of Athens' best performers to the lovely lawn of the Flower Garden.  Spread out a blanket and relax with friends and family for a perfect summer evening. 

Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau intern Amanda Reyes headed out to the State Botanical Garden of Georgia and caught the sights and sounds of Modern Skirts, plus the new Garden Gates art exhibition.

Take a look, and we bet you'll save the date for the next concerts in the series:  Grogus will bring Latin flair on August 23, and the Arvin Scott Jazz Quartet performs on September 27!

Dog Days of Summer: Why Athens, Georgia, is the Pet-Friendliest Town Around

One of my best friends is named Daisy. She has long, wavy, absolutely beautiful golden hair, and she hasn't touched a curling iron in her life. She wakes up every morning looking like a million bucks, while I am in the bathroom, only hoping to achieve such effortlessly perfect locks. She has big, chocolate-brown eyes, and just one flutter of those golden-tipped eyelashes has every boy on the block staring. She is in amazing shape, which is no wonder considering the amount of running that she does every day; yet, somehow, I've never seen her sweat. And on top of that, she is one of the most loyal friends I have, and she treats every time she sees me like it's the first time we've been together in years, full of joy and enthusiasm and excitement.

...did I forget to mention that Daisy is my dog?

Whoever said that dog was man's best friend was right on the money. Daisy might be a one-year-old yellow lab mix that I found via petfinder.com, but she is one of the best friends I could have asked for. And as a resident of Athens, Georgia, I get the feeling that many of the people here also count their furry, four-legged friends among their best ones.

One of the things that stands out about Athens is just how pet-friendly this city really is. From restaurants that welcome pets to stores that put on fashion shows with canine counterparts, pets are welcome all across the city.

If you're visiting Athens from out of town and would like to bring your pet with you, there are plenty of hotels that cater to pets. If your pet is used to being treated like royalty (and let's face it, aren't they all?), then he will feel right at home at Hotel Indigo in downtown Athens. Not only is your pet given a warm welcome upon your arrival, he is also fitted with a stylish Hotel Indigo collar and given both a bed and bowls to make his stay as comfortable and luxurious as possible. If you happen to stay on a Wednesday night, bring your pet to Canine Cocktail Hour from 5-7 p.m. where your pet can mingle with other pets and where you can enjoy a delicious $3 Salty Dog or Greyhound beverage.

It can be frustrating to travel with a pet when it seems like you can't take them anywhere, especially to some of the city's best restaurants. But many Athens restaurants are pet-friendly, and you'll find that a great deal of the local eateries with outdoor seating will allow you to bring your furry guest along for lunch.

Big City Bread Cafe serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and their large outdoor patio is shaded by big, leafy trees. And we all know that shade is a dog's best friend on a hot summer day. Relax on the patio and enjoy a slice of their "Quiche of the Day" with local produce along with a bowl of Tomato, Goat Cheese and Scallion Soup. Or go for dinner and splurge a little bit on the Rabbit Cassoulet or Coq Au Vin. If you're too full for dessert, grab several of their home-baked desserts to nibble on later, because trust me, you won't be able to resist once you see them.

Even though the temperatures are reaching into the low 90's lately, it's still important for you and your pet to get some exercise, although early morning or late afternoon hours might be kinder to you both. Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services maintains over 2,500 acres at 41 different parks, many of which are open to pets as long as they're on a leash. If your pet wants to run free and wild, dog parks can be found at Memorial Park, Sandy Creek Park and Southeast Clarke Park.

Southeast Clarke Park is home to Wiggley Field, which accommodates both small and large pets with two smaller parks in one. And for the dog who wants to show off a little bit, Wiggley Field offers an agility course with tunnels, ramps, poles, and anything else you want to use to show off your pet's skills. Another cool thing about this dog park? A double water fountain, with a tall spout for those on two legs, and a shorter one for those on four.

But what if you don't have a pet, and all of this pet-friendly information about Athens is making you wish you had your very own canine companion? As many pets as there are in loving homes here in Athens, there are still many more in local shelters and humane societies that need a good home.

Whether you want to scout out your future pet, or simply volunteer a few hours to play with some of the cutest pups around, you can visit the Athens-Clarke County Humane Society every day (except Wednesday) from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. As a volunteer, you're welcome to take the dogs for walks around the grounds, play a little fetch, teach them a few tricks, or just give them a good belly rub while they nap in the sun. And if you find one that you just can't resist, well...what better souvenir to take back home from your trip to Athens, Georgia, than your new best friend?

Grammy-nominated musical artist Florence and the Machine soared to the top of the Billboard charts last year with her single, "Dog Days are Over." I hate to contradict you, Florence, but it seems as though the "dog days" of Athens are still in full swing.

Have we missed any of your favorite pet-friendly places in Athens, GA? Let us know if there's somewhere special you and your furry friend like to go here in the Classic City!