Living in Athens has been a weird rollercoaster of mostly ups, but occasional dips- not necessarily harsh dips, but dips that definitely make you notice that sometimes, it may seem like there's nothing to do in this town. Not to get all deep and cynical right off the bat, but I promise, after 17 years here, I feel like I have the right to be a teeny tiny bit that way. And my mom would tell her she has every right in the world to say there's nothing to do here. I believe her. She does.
Anyways, when I was younger, the super popular places like the Varsity, 5 Points, Prince Avenue, and Downtown were enough to make me feel like I was in the biggest city there ever was. But now, every time I go to a place I'm familiar with, there's a billion memories I have from the countless times I have been there. And it's bittersweet, because I feel like I both know this town too well and need to start exploring somewhere else, and like I've had the opportunity of a lifetime to truly make this place my home. I try not to think too much about the first part.
That being said, 17 years is a long time to make a place your home. Which probably means you've been to all the popular or "touristy" places your home has to offer. And I have. So as I've slowly begun to tire of the usual hangout spots, I've started to discover a list of my eight favorite, underrated, and underused places in Athens. A lot of these are centered around nature, taking hikes/walk, or photographing nice shots, but there are a few unique entertainment spots that I love too. As usual, I'm incredibly indecisive, so there are likely not in order. And even though I think they might be, next week, that order will have changed. So just ignore the connotation that the numbered list gives you.
Lake Herrick
I can't even count the number of deep conversations I've had while walking all the trails at Lake Herrick. True, it is a part of the UGA campus, but usually as soon as you enter the trails, it doesn't really feel like you're still on a college campus. Unless you run into the cross country/running team. Then it's a bit crowded. But usually it's just students or Athens residents taking a nice jog or stroll with their precious dogs. And a few retrievers will probably be playing fetch in the shallow part of the lake. Maybe a few fishers too.
Ben Burton Park
I've heard the name a million times but I've only been twice. It's ridiculous how oblivious I've been. This is another fantastic park for hikes/walks, especially with your dog. The proximity to the river really makes this place one of my favorites. Ben Burton Park is primarily a 35 acre wildlife preserve, but it also have a great trail and picnic benches for those nice spring days. One of the vivid memories I have from one of my two visits there is about the river. When the waterline is low enough, the flat rocks that the current passes over are visible and accessible. I remember going there one day with my neighbor/babysitter and her dogs; we got to sit on the flat rocks and let the river run over us. I can't wait to do that again soon.
Sandy Creek Park/Trails
This park is a definite family friendly location and has a variety of outdoor activities available. I may be slightly biased because my face, well all of me, is on their nature center mural. Either way, I definitely appreciate the lake and trails here too. The only thing about the lake is once, when I used to go to their kids summer camps, the counselors took us swimming and I may or may not have seen a tiny minnow skeleton floating in the water and vowed to never step foot in that water again. But that's only a possibility. My family and I have gone on countless picnics and taken countless naps on blankets in the shade. It's definitely another underrated place in Athens that has shaped me as a person.
Birchmore Trail
Surprise, surprise. More trails! This trail is linked with the Memorial Park area and the Bear Hollow Zoo. And there's a nice little creek/mini river that runs through the trails- I've definitely caught a lot of tadpoles and minnows here too, thanks to the Memorial Park and Bear Hollow Zoo kids summer camps. I think you get by now that I've become a person who truly enjoys walking. Adults are right, friends. Taking strolls truly does clear the mind.
Trails at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia
At this point, I should just type "see above" but I think I do need to make a distinction here. I'm not saying that the Botanical Gardens is an underrated location. It's not. My high school prom was held here. I joined the Athens Lacemakers guild here. I'm talking about the trails, and the trails only. Don't just stop to look at the flowers. Use the trails that are perfectly maintained and kept usable by the staff at SBGA. Appreciate the little pockets of nature that we get in this crazy college town.
Lyndon House Arts Center + Ware Lyndon House
This is where we stop mentioning walking and actually refer to a beautiful place located in Downtown Athens, but one that often gets passed by college students. The community value of Lyndon House is seen by the older residents, but not so much the kids that occupy a lot of this town. I am also biased here when I say it's one of my favorite places in Athens. I had my Sandy Creek Park model photoshoot here. I was a very tall Christmas elf here. I probably joined every single summer art camp I could while I was young enough. And the people that still work there from my childhood are like my second family. But they have some amazing exhibits on a regular basis. Support your local artists and art museum! The attached Ware Lyndon house is also a part of my memory that holds both nostalgic and slightly terrifying stories ONLY because I may or may not believe in ghosts and have always gotten a spiritual vibe from that part of the center.
Ciné
Another underrated entertainment option among college students. The community of Athens outside of UGA is pretty aware of how amazing Ciné and the shows it offers are. Ciné is the only non-profit, community-based art house movie theatre in the region. It mostly shows film and arts that inspire and educate, and the documentaries/films I've seen there have changed me for the better. For example, Human Flow was a documentary I went to watch with my AP Human Geography class in high school that highlighted the refugee crisis in Europe. It didn't feel like a class- it felt like one of those cool things you do if you were an independent filmmaker attending a unique film festival. Maybe I'm exaggerating this, but I don't think I am. I actually leave the theater having felt productive, which doesn't really happen when I walk out of University 16 cinemas- probably because I went there to avoid responsibility and reality. But Ciné offers entertainment that makes you actively think and appreciate the things you have in your life. It's just good cinema, and you can't beat that.
The North Oconee River Greenway
The main reason this walking/hiking location is at the bottom is not because I don't think it's one of my top favorites, but because I honestly haven't been there yet. I know it's right by Mama's Boy downtown, but I have yet to explore it. But it borders the North Oconee river, so more river views and dog-friendly walks.
Thank you for reading this article by a new trail/park lover. Hope it wasn't too repetitive on the whole thing with "trails and walking and dog friendly and rivers."
