Top 5 Things to Do on a Football Weekend Road Trip to Athens

A football weekend in Athens involves much more than action at Sanford Stadium and tailgating. When the dust clears at Sanford Stadium, what else is there to do in Athens? A road trip weekend visit to Athens should include some of these "Top Five" attractions and activities:

No visit to Athens would be complete without sampling a bit of Athens' renowned music scene. Known worldwide as the birthplace of R.E.M. and the B-52's, hundreds of bands still call Athens home. Venues throughout downtown like the famous 40 Watt Club and Georgia Theatre attract rising stars and old favorites.

• See who's playing - Events Calendar
• Take a music history tour

Head into town on Friday and take part in the UGA Special Collections Libraries' Friday Football Tours. You'll  hear tales and see memorabilia that will have you in awe. The 2016 season will feature the Redcoat Band, with special performances. Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall houses the Georgia Bulldog Hall of Fame, which is a must-see for any die hard Bulldog fan.

Looking to sample a beer from somewhere besides a gameday keg? Visit Athens' craft breweries: Terrapin Brewery, Creature Comforts, and Southern Brewing Company, to see how award-winning craft beer is made. Yes, it is okay to bring the whole family, as tours are open to all ages (21+ to taste, of course.) Tours include beer samples and perhaps even a little live music! All Athens breweries have Friday afternoon-early evening hours; check the brewery websites, at the links above, for gameday hours.

Athens has always served up a good burger, hot dog, or taco. More recently, the food scene has grown and matured, bringing visitors to town to sample food from chefs and restaurants making a name for themselves on the regional and national scene. Don't miss a chance to try them out when you're in town, at a celebratory meal after a Georgia Bulldog Victory or a decadent brunch on Sunday prior to heading home.

Who says a football weekend has to be nothing but football? Not that there's anything wrong with that, of course, but we highly recommend taking a little time on Sunday, or staying an extra night, to see some sights you may not have seen before, or have changed -- a lot -- since you were a student. 

• Athens Welcome Center and Classic City Tours offer guided and self-guided tours of Athens heritage.
• Georgia Museum of Art is the state's official art museum and has an extensive permanent collection plus acclaimed traveling exhibitions.
• State Botanical Garden of Georgia, the state's official garden, has five miles of nature trails, expansive gardens, a stunning conservatory, and is a designated birding area.