Let's take you there...

Orange and red rays cascade across the edge of the rooftop bar where you rest your ice-cold mojito. The sun is dripping golden hour across the city, illuminating the historic architecture lining the streets below. People wander the sidewalks popping in and out of bars and shops. A friendly stranger bumps into you, smiles apologetically, and hustles back to their friends. Roaring cheers rip through the bar behind you- the DAWGS have scored another touchdown. You can hear the chanting from the stadium a few streets away. It drifts over the buildings, mixing with the music and chatter around you. It's Saturday in Athens and electric energy is pulsating through everyone in the city tonight.

My alma mater (Go DAWGS), home to my favorite ramen joint, and streets lined with memories of life with my best friends...I have a lot to say about this town. I'll do my best to keep it short, sweet, and to the point. Athens isn't one of those places I'd recommend you visit for vacation, but if you're a young adult looking for a college-town or a place to lay down some roots with incredible home-town spirit, Athens is the place for you. From a "local" perspective these are a few things you can't miss when in Athens. Don't worry- we'll cover more than football and UGA.

Downtown Shopping

The main streets of downtown are E Broad, Clayton, Washington, and Hancock Ave. The area is home to over 100 shops, bars, restaurants, and cafes. You know how a lot of historic downtowns boast "there's something for everyone"? In downtown Athens, there really is something for everyone. Which means everyone's favorits are going to be a little different, but let's start it off with the boutique ranked The Best In Athens consistently.

Cheeky Peach: The best stop for trendy women's apparel and pieces you'll continue wearing past the occasion. Not to mention, it has an incredible start-up story with a driven, inspiring owner. Click here to check it out!

Pitaya: For affordable, chic pieces this is the place to shop. I bought my favorite pair of sandals ever here and wore them until they fell apart, literally. I even superglued them at one point. You can't miss this one walking downtown because they always have the cutest window displays! They frequently have large sales sections in the back- don't forget to wander to that part of the store!

Fringe: When you're at that in-between stage, you may want to head to this trendy shop that prides itself on continuing to carry basics. When in college we have plenty of sweats outfits for early classes and even more going-out sets, but at some point we want to start looking a little more sophisticated. Thankfully, Fringe can be a one-stop shop for both styles to help make that transition a little easier.

Dress Up: The name almost says it all- this is the best dress boutique for that chic, summer look that helps beat the southern heat. You can shop dresses by length, style, trend, and color to help you find the perfect addition to your collection. Along with dresses they have skirts, tops, and sets/rompers. I would describe most of the styles as boho or southern belle.

Downtown Dining

JINYA. That's it.

Just kidding- truthfully I could stop there, but there are a few other honorable mentions. This one however is an absolute must visit when you are in Athens. This place is typically busy- it's not a hidden gem and pretty much everyone in town knows how incredible it is at this point. If you can handle a little heat, and I mean teeny weeny, order the Tonkotsu Red Spice Level 1. If you can handle a lot of heat, bump that spice level up as much as you want. Heed this warning- Japanese spice is not the same as American spice so proceed with caution. You can always add more heat, but you can't take it out.

South Kitchen + Bar: Another popular restaurant, for good reason. The fried green tomatoes alone are worth the wait. Years later and these are still the best I've ever had.

Taqueria La Parilla, Athens East: This is a nostalgic pick more than anything but the food really is delicious. The salsa + queso is a must-have appetizer and the Tacos Mexicanos are my go-to. Fun fact- I had to have a colonoscopy while I was living in Athens. When I woke up I was hungry and the first thing I said was "La Pa", which is our short name for this fabulous restaurant.

Paloma Park: This visit is more for the atmosphere and less for the food. There's a large outdoor area featuring cornhole and a big screen on game days. The bar on the inside opens to the outside so you can walk right up and order! If you get a flight, mix the drinks yourself before you start sipping. Check their schedule for trivia night and head over with some friends to enjoy the evening weather and games!

Clocked: Last but absolutely not least. Clocked is a retro diner downtown serving specialty burgers, shakes, and if you're feeling adventurous- alcoholic malts. If you're looking for a recommendation the Blackberry Bacon Jam Burger is a delicious mixture of salty and sweet. There's indoor and outdoor seating, perfect for when the weather cools off and the evenings are pleasant.

The Botanical Gardens

These gardens are stunning and absolutely free. That includes the parking. There are very few cities that offer such a lush escape for residents and students at no cost. You can make monetary donations and volunteer to help keep the garden going, but if you're visiting from out-of-town, just go enjoy a stroll. There are 7 themed gardens to visit including a children's garden and an area with herbs and produce. Different events and concert series occur throughout the year so head to the garden's homepage to see what's going on during your visit!

See a Show at the Georgia Theatre, or Head Straight to the Rooftop

This place is always poppin' thanks to the rooftop bar and great performances. You can take an elevator to the top of the theatre and enjoy a few drinks with a city view. The bar faces south towards the gorgeous UGA campus and East toward downtown. Whenever we had visitors this is a place we always tried to get in. It's beautiful at sunset and the drinks were never too heavily poured.

Dudley Park

I've never seen anyone talk about this little gem and it's such a shame. This park is beautiful and well-deserving of a walk. I always started behind Mama's Boy Restaurant on the corner of Oak St. and S Poplar St. and made a big loop all the way around. The first area you cross is a bridge over an adorable stream surrounded by trees and wildlife. Joggers, bikers, and dog-parents are always hanging out at this park. You can walk along the water, stop to see what's happening at the pavilion, lounge on the large rocks in the open space, and enjoy a sunset behind the city over the North Oconee River. I think that's why I loved this walk so much- you get nature and beautiful city views as the sun goes down.

Support the Largest Student-Run Rodeo in the Nation

Growing up in the Midwest I've been to plenty of rodeos. If I didn't have a best friend in the Block and Bridle Club I never would have guessed this wasn't put on by professionals. It is a really good show. The Great Southland Stampede Rodeo isn't just an event, it's a tradition that started in 1974. For the first 29 years, members went through the effort of removing Stegeman Coliseum basketball courts and replacing them with 10" of dirt just to put on the rodeo. This is a 3-day event that's seen crowds of 5,000+ and supports an incredible group of young adults at UGA.

Spend Saturday Between the Hedges

If you're rolling your eyes I get it- before I moved to Athens I didn't care about football at all. Getting me to sit and watch sports was like pulling teeth. But you put yourself in that stadium and you'll very quickly realize the hype is well earned. DAWGS are DAWGS for life, and there's nothing more rambunctious than a DAWG between the hedges (aka the football field). It's impossible not to get caught up in the energy of the crowd. It's electric, it's rowdy, it's like the air is buzzing and you're constantly preparing for that next celebratory roar. On top of that, the stadium is impressive. Before the game you'll get a preview with a pump-up video and feel the thrill before the players are even on the field. If you have an opportunity to attend a game you absolutely should. There's nothing quite like a Saturday in Athens.

Cornerstone Church

What's better than church after a rowdy Saturday celebrating? Church with Dunkin', which is exactly how I spent my favorite Sunday mornings. Coffee aside, Cornerstone is worth waking up for. I'm not a habitual church-attendee and that's mostly due to the fact that I had never found a church that made me excited to be there...until I went to Cornerstone. The messages are delivered passionately, the baptisms are inspiring, the worship team is amazing, and the members are so welcoming. This is the first church that really made me feel like I had found my place.

Saying Goodbye to Athens...

Was one of the hardest decisions I've ever made. I had built and lived a life of my own there. It was full of growth, love, a little bit of heartache, but mostly happiness. Moving away from a small town where'd I'd spent my entire life was an incredible experience. There's so much to learn about the world and other cultures. They say the best way to grow is to get out of your comfort zone, and Athens is the perfect place to do that.

Ultimately I moved home for family, but pieces of my heart are still in Athens with the family I built for myself.