|
Links to Other Print Versions:
|
Known as "The Classic City," Athens is located approximately 70 miles northeast of Atlanta and offers something for everyone. University of Georgia students, staff and visitors enjoy the quaint tree-lined streets, the relaxed pace of life and the excitement of this wonderful college town. Athens offers a variety of visitor sites and dining, shopping and lodging options for it's visitors.
Adjacent to downtown Athens is the University of Georgia's North Campus, filled with rich history of the University and the region. The campus, divided into four main sections, offers interesting sites for visitors of all ages. Whatever you are intersted in, UGA is a great place to visit!
CULTURAL
THE GEORGIA MUSEUM OF ART
Designated as the state museum of art in 1982, the Georgia Museum of Art contains more than 7,000 works in its permanent collection. The Museum is host to several traveling exhibits a year featuring the works of world-class artists. The museum is free (a small donation is suggested) and open to the public every day except Monday. The museum also contains a cafe and a gift shop. For more information, check out their web site at www.uga.edu/gamuseum/home.html.
THE STATE BOTANICAL GARDEN OF GEORGIA
The State Botanical Garden of Georgia is a 313-acre preserve under the direction of the University of Georgia. The Botanical Garden boasts over five miles of nature trails intertwining through a variety of gardens where flowers and plants bloom year-round. A Visitors Center/Conversatory provides an indoor habitat for tropical and semi-tropical plants and houses a gift shop and the Garden Room Cafe. For more information, check out their web site at www.uga.edu/~botgarden.
PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
The university's Performing Arts Center boasts two acoustically claimed concert halls, Ramsey Hall (seating 380 people) and Hugh Hodgson Hall (seating 1,100 people). The concert halls have been host to such world-renowed acts at the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Harlem Boys Choir, the Vienna Boys Choir and the San Francisco Opera. Tickets to each performance are available to both the Athens and university community at a discounted rate. For more information or for a list of upcoming events, visit the Performing Arts Center online at www.uga.edu/pac.
GEORGIA MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
The primary mission of the Georgia Museum of Natural History is to collect and preserve evidence of the natural and cultural heritage of Georgia and beyond. With over 14 collections ranging from Archaeology to Arthropods to Mammalogy, the museum offers an array of exciting and significant collections that are the largest of their kind in the state and some even in the region and nation. The museum is unusual in that it has no exhibit halls but tours are available by calling in advance (706) 542-1663. For more information, visit the museum's website at www.museum.nhm.uga.edu.
THE MAIN LIBRARY
The University of Georgia Main Library, also known as the Illah Dunlap Little Memorial Libray, was originally completed in 1953, with a larger seven floor annex built in 1974. UGA boosts three libraries on its campus, the Main Library, the Scince Library and the Law Library, hosting over 3.5 million books, serials and documents. A computer system encompasses the entire catalog of resources and can easily be accessed by students. The Main Library is also home to the Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, containing a variety of works including writings by Margaret Mitchell, author of Gone With the Wind, hieroglyphic tablets and the original Confederate Constitution. For more information, please call (706) 542-7501 or visit www.libs.uga.edu.
CAMPUS
THE ARCH
This cast-iron landmark has stood at the entrance to the University's North Campus since 1857. Modeled after the Great Seal of Georgia, it is one of the primary symbols of the university. Many traditions and legends surround the Arch including students not graduating on time if they walk under the infamous iron gate.
THE CHAPEL
Nestled on the original campus quadrangle, the Chapel, built in 1832, is one of the finest remaining examples of Greek Revival architecture in Athens. In the early days of the university, religious services, commencements and assemblies were held in the Chapel. Presently the Chapel is used for guest speakers, lectures, presentations and weddings. The Chapel Bell located behind the building, once rung to signify class change, is now rung to signify athletic victories.
HERTY FIELD
Once the site of the original athletic field, Herty Field has been recently restored from an asphalt parking lot back to its original grassy state. Herty Field is a popular spot among students who can often be found studying, reading or relaxing next to the cascading fountain that serves as the centerpiece for the field. Herty Field is also the first wireless internet site at the university in the installment of a new wireless network that will be constructed on campus over the next several years.
TATE STUDENT CENTER
Named for William Tate, the long-term Dean of Men, the Tate Student Center sits in the center of campus and serves as a resource for students, staff and visitors of the university. The student center contains an information desk,a movie theater, study lounges, meeting spaces for student organizations, a game room, a U.S. Post Office, the Bulldog Cafe and a Chick-fil-a Express.
THE UNIVERSITY BOOKSTORE
The University Bookstore is located across the plaza from the Tate Student Center and contains Georgia souvenirs, books, UGA apparel, supplies and more! For the bookstore hours and for more information, visit www.bookstore.uga.edu.
SPORTS
SANFORD STADIUM
Home of the Georgia Bulldogs football team since 1929, the stadium seats over 86,520 screaming fans on Saturdays during the Fall. At the west end of the end zone is the burial place of the bulldogs who have served as team mascots. The stadium was also the site of the medal rounds for the 1996 Olympic Soccer Games. The hedges surrounding the playing field (it's Georgia's tradition to play "between the hedges") were removed in order to have a big enough playing field for soccer but they have been replaced by descendants from the original hedges. Sky suites were an addition to the stadium in 1994 and 2000, with more renovations and expansions expected in the future. For an upcoming football schedule or more information, please visit out the website at www.georgiadogs.com
STEGEMAN COLISEUM
Stegeman Coliseum is home to the UGA men's and women's basketball teams and the second most popular sport on campus, women's gymnastics. This multi-purpose building also hosts a wide-range of events from rodeos to concerts to commencement. In 1996, the coliseum was the site of the 1996 Olympic Volleyball and Rythmic Gymnastics Competitions. For an upcoming event/game schedule for basketball or gymnastics, check out georgiadogs.com
THE RAMSEY STUDENT CENTER FOR PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES
This 420,000 square-foot building is a true state-of-the-art student recreation center. Housing a myriad of facilities including four gyms, a 10,000 square-foot weight training/conditioning room, an Olympic-size swimming pool, racquetball courts and a 44-foot high climbing wall, the center offers a broad diversity of physical activity options to students, faculty and staff. The Ramsey Center also houses the School of Health and Human Performance.
BUTTS-MEHRE HERITAGE HALL
Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall, named after two of UGA's most famous football coaches Wallace Butts and Harry Mehre, houses athletic offices, locker rooms, the Georgia Athletic Association and a sports museum. This unique building of polished red granite and black glass houses a collection of memorabilia from the University's sport history, including Heisman Trophies won by Herschel Walker and Fran Sinkwich.
THE COLLEGIATE TENNIS HALL OF FAME
Built in 1984, the Collegiate Tennis Hall of Fame is adjacent to the Dan Magill Tennis Complex and Henry Field Stadium, home of the University's tennis team. The Hall of Fame has over 800 pictures and over 150 racquets used by the inductees. Tours are available by curator and former Head Coach Dan Magill by calling in advance (706) 542-0864 or (706) 542-9348.
ATHENS
HOTELS
From downtown hotels to campgrounds, there are several lodging options located both in and around the city of Athens. The University of Georgia offers its own accomodations at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education. This on-campus hotel
and conference center offers a 200-room hotel for university guests and visitors. For reservations at the Georgia Center, please call 1-800-774-2760. For additional information on other Athens' lodging options, please call the Visitors Center at (706) 542-0842 or visit www.visitathensga.com/accommodations.html.
RESTAURANTS
Eating in Athens is truly a unique experience. Wherever your tastes lie, you are sure to find a restaurant that can address those needs without emptying your wallet. Downtown Athens offers an array of distinct eateries, most locally owned and operated. For a complete list of restaurants, please visit www.visitathensga.com/guide-athens.html#dining.
MUSIC SCENE
Athens, Georgia is home to a diverse and prevalant music scene. Quoted in the New York Times as "Live Music Central", Athens is home to such world-renowed acts as The B-52's, REM and Widespread Panic. Local and mainstage acts come from around the world to play at one of Athens infamous clubs such as the 40 Watt Club and the Georgia Theater. The Flagpole magazine publishes weekly schedules of bands and a local music guide at www.flagpole.com.
ATHENS' EVENTS
Something is always going on in Athens, Georgia! Athens is home to an array of music acts, speakers, theatrical performances and annual festivals. Some of Athens' annual events are listed below. For a weekly guide to Athens' music and community events, please visit www.flagpole.com.
Spring -Athens Human Rights Festival
Great Southland Stampede Pro Rodeo
Athens Twilight Criterium Cycling Festival
UGA International Street Festival
Summer -AthFest Music and Arts Festival
Fall - Kudzu Film Festival
UGA Homecoming Parade and Pep Rally
Winter -Christmas in Athens- featuring over 100 holiday events
ATHENS' WELCOME CENTER
The city of Athens abounds with historic and unique sites. The Athens Welcome Center, housed in Athens' oldest surviving
residence,the Church-Waddel Brumby House, is a great place to gather information about Athens and the surrounding area. The center also offers guided tours of historic Athens and historic homes and self-guided tours of Downtown Athens and the Athens Music Scene. For more information, call (706) 353-1820 or to make a reservation for a historical tour, call (706) 208-TOUR (8687).