Courtesy Athens CVB
In Athens, the two Bs — bands and brews — flow generously, which makes it easy to design a day that’s focused on Athens’ best-known attributes.
With hundreds of bands in town, you are likely to run into musicians every where you go, especially at local favorites like The Grit or The Grill.
They are the ying and yang of Athens’ restaurants — the Grit’s all about vegetarianism; the Grill is mostly about hamburgers and milkshakes.
The Athens Music Walking Tour burns off all the calories. The self-guided tour’s 28 stops include plenty of places where once-local and now-world-famous bands like R.E.M., among others, practiced and played. It’s a good way to see the town and absorb the city’s impressive impact on the music world.
When it’s time for a break, Terrapin Brewery is a logical stop. In addition to tours and tastings — check with the brewery for a schedule — there’s often live music playing. Unusual gifts like dog-collar bottle openers make the gift shop worth a look.
Shoppers will want to visit downtown’s music stores and see the music memorabilia at OK Coffee.
Day’s end presents the challenge of choosing which of more than 20 live music venues to visit.
WIth options that include the 40 Watt Club, the Caledonia Lounge, the Go Bar and the Library make it easy to see why Rolling Stone said Athens has the No. 1 College Music Scene in America.
