Thanks to GA 316 and U.S. 78, Athens, known locally as "the Classic City," is almost an Atlanta suburb. Via either of these routes, one scampers to Atlanta from Athens in little over an hour. But Athens, since 1991 merged with Clarke County to form a consolidated government, has a population of about 100,000, and doesn't need to append itself to the big city for appeal. It has plenty going for itself.


A classic college town, Athens is home to the University of Georgia, chartered in 1785, making it technically the oldest land-grant college in the nation. Today, the University is the city's largest employer, contributing almost one-third of its employment base. Athens' downtown, after being a bit bedraggled until the 1980s, now hums with student life and retail energy. Restored buildings brim with antique shops, coffeehouses and restaurants.


Besides lofty academic heroes, Athens has lately seen the production of numerous nationally and internationally important music groups, among them the B-52s, Widespread Panic and REM. No wonder Rolling Stones magazine named Athens the No. 1 College Music Scene.


Today, young people jam venues to hear rising bands that might be the next nationally famous groups. AthFest, an annual music and arts festival held in June, showcases more than 100 bands on indoor and outdoor stages for a lively concert festival.


The performance venues in Athens are of such high quality that not only do they attract high-caliber local and traveling companies, but also such professional organizations as the Atlanta Ballet and the Atlanta Symphony, both of which have performed in Athens. The Classic Center is a major venue hosting such performances as Miss Saigon and Mozart's The Magic Flute. And on campus, the performance facilities are without peer.


To stay current on what's going on in performance at any given moment, grab a copy of the free publicatoin Flagpole to see dates and times.


Not to be undone, Athens' art scene is equally vibrant. AmericanStyle magazine ranks the Clssic City among the country's top 25 arts destinations. Galleriy exhibitions downtown and on campus are regular events. Such venues as the nonprofit Athens Institute for Contemporary Art (ATHICA); the Georgia Museum of Art on campus, the state's official art museum with an 8,000-piece permanent collection; and UGA's Lamar Dodd gallery are "must" stops on any tour of the Athens' art scene.


The term "fine dining" today denotes a number of excellent restaurants. Canadian-born Hugh Acheson's Five & Ten, with an American regional menu, has achieved national recognition. Traditional Southern fare still holds strong at The Mayflower and Weaver D's, the latter especially known for fried chicken. Late night dining is standard at The Grill, a popular student hangout open 24 hours.


Athens is and always has been a whirl of academic and intellectual life focused around the University, but it's also all about the past. Founded as a tiny community known as Cedar Shoals, the future university town, incorporated in 1806, lies at a point where a historic Cherokee trail crossed the Oconee River. Classical models held intellectual sway in that day, so the name was changed to honor classical Greece as a center of learning. Numerous 19th-century historic include the Greek Revival Taylor-Grady House (1844) and the 1808 Church-Waddel-Brumby House, Athens' oldest extant residence.


Southerners generally revel in their gardens, and Athens' garden-focused citizens have magnificent resources for fostering their interest in growing things. The Garden Clubs were founded in Athens, and today the State Botanical Garden is on the outskirts of town. On South Campus, the Horticulture Trial Garden is open to the public.


And not to be left out, the big games brings to town a whole host of enthusiasts to the University's sports facilities. "The Bulldogs," as the teams are known, play NCAA Division 1-A sports in football, basketball, baseball, golf and tennis, the big five of the total 21 varsity sports played at the University. Fans often arrive early for football games and set up their tailgate parties well in advance of kickoff. Athens wouldn't be Athens without the sport-filled life its citizens also enjoy.