Tuesday, April 22, 2008

All right, I'll admit it. I was one of the happiest people around when Utah's gymnastics team qualified for the NCAA Championships in Athens, Ga. There is nothing like visiting your old college stomping grounds on your boss' dime, I say.

I know the Utes are going to have a large following of fans traveling to the Classic City to see them compete.

The town is going to be hopping, especially with the Twilight Criterium bike race going on Saturday night. The event is one of the premier bike races in the country drawing around 25,000 people to Athens alone for the weekend of fun. After watching the individual competition, try to snag a spot and watch this race, preferably near one of the corners where the real action is, lots of bloody, crashing action.

Also make sure you take time to tour Georgia's Butts-Mehre building if you are a sports history buff. The new gymnastics training center adjacent to the coliseum is worth touring too. A sculpture by Minnesota coach Jim Stephenson lords over the hallway. Enjoy the history of North campus, but don't walk through the arches unless you are a graduate of UGA, it will make you sterile, so the legend goes.

If you find yourself near Finley Street, take a little detour up one of Athens' last cobblestone streets to the see the 'tree that owns itself.' It really does, thanks to a deed by Colonel W.H. Jackson back in the late 1800s (the one that stands now is a seedling of the original).

Here is a little area food guide for you from yours truly.

First, Athens is known for it's music, whether it is R.E.M, Shawn Mullins, John Mayer, the B-52's, Widespread Panic, Jack Logan, the Indigo Girls or Magnapop, the little town has produced and helped foster some of the best musicians associated with the Athens/Atlanta area. Check out some of the local bands yourself, no visit is complete without a stop at the 40 Watt.

Best breakfast - The Bluebird Cafe. Gotta have a biscuit with apple butter. Yum.

Best late-night stop that isn't a Waffle House - the Grill downtown. Feta cheese dressing over fries has never been so good and the milk shakes are the real deal. The people watching can't be beaten in this area either after the bars let out.

Best greasy place - the Varsity

Best vegetarian food - The Grit. The Golden bowl is heaven, even the meat lovers won't miss the meat, I promise.

Best quick Mexican - Taco stand downtown, quick and easy.

Best coffee downtown - Espresso Royale Cafe (even if you don't go here there are plenty of local, independent shops so check them out and support the independent folks and stay away from the chain with the green canopy)

Best coffee not downtown - Jittery Joe's in Little Five Points - good coffee and you get to support one of the top bike teams in the country.

Best place just to hang and grab a beer - the Globe.

Strongest drink in town - It used to be at the Roadhouse, I can't imagine anyone makes them stronger now. Pure firewater.

Best place to buy the oddest souvenir - the Junkman's Brother's Daughter. It's cool, it's odd, it's bizarre and filled with things you never knew you needed.

Best restaurants to visit if you aren't on a poor student's budget - Harry Bissetts, the Last Resort, East West Bistro.

Best place to get a bunch of southern sides - the Mayflower. Don't forget the sweet tea!