Athens-Clarke County (ACC) is the center of our universe. Home to the University of Georgia, this county was named for Revolutionary War hero Elijah Clarke. The allure of this area has been far-reaching for a long time, but it has only continued to accelerate in recent years. We Athenians take pride in our vibrant art and music scene, delicious local restaurants, and of course, our beloved Georgia Bulldogs!
ACC is made up of five distinct areas: Downtown, Normaltown, Five Points, East Athens, and West Athens. Each one of them is full of local shops, tasty food/drink options, and interesting landmarks; each one as diverse in its architecture as it is in its shopping and dining choices. You really cannot go wrong anywhere.
You can always go, Downtown. There are several live music venues, including the Georgia Theatre. There is all the food and drink you can ask for across the various restaurants and bars, but we really love The Five, Last Resort Grille, DePalma's, and Utage. We are also no strangers to a delicious, late-night slice from Little Italy, a crepe at Pauley's Crepe Bar, or an incredible donut from Zombie Donuts.
Nestled into the South-Southwest corner of the UGA campus, Five Points is a paradise for walkers. You are in close proximity to many forms of UGA athletics, such as football, baseball, basketball, and track. Residents enjoy walking to games of course, but also to the myriad of local businesses and restaurants. Some really great visits include Condor Chocolates, Independent Baking Co, and Athens Running Company. Dining offers its own cornucopia of great places including Marker Seven Coastal Grill, Five And Ten, The Pine, Cali N Tito's, The Royal Peasant, and el Barrio.
This is one of the oldest sections of town and it is also in close proximity to downtown and the UGA campus. It is a tough choice when deciding where to eat between Automatic Pizza, The Grit, Marti's At Midday, Heirloom Cafe, and Agua Linda. If you are instead looking for a cold cocktail as an experience, local favorites include The Old Pal, Hi-Lo Lounge, and Normal Bar.
Argueably the best Chinese food anywhere is Peking restaurant in West Athens, which has been an institution for 30 years. We are also lucky to have Akademia Brewing Company on the West side as well. Each side has enjoyed locations of favorites like Loco's Grill & Pub, DePalma's, and The Blind Pig. One of our absolute favorites is George's Lowcounty Table, which is a newer addition to Athens' best restaurants. If all this food has been just too much, a beautiful walk at the Botanical Gardens on the East side is just what you need.
We are proud to announce that Oconee County has been voted the number one school district in the state of Georgia! Located just eight miles southwest of Athens, and a mere hour east of Atlanta, Oconee has quickly become one of the most popular communities around. As part of Georgia's Heartland region, there is a wonderful sense of pride in the local art, farms, farmers markets, and historical sites.
Watkinsville is the county seat of Oconee, but neighboring communities also include Bishop, Bogart, Farmington, and North High Shoals. Oconee itself has really grown an immense amount in the last decade, with a robust market full of new construction homes.
The City Center in downtown Watkinsville is a picturesque hub of activity. Popular restaurants are Chops & Hops, Classic City Eats, Mama Ning's Thai, and The Traveling Hobo Cafe. Other fantastic local spots include Catch 22, Molly's Cafe, Mama's Boy, and Fully Loaded Pizza. When you are having a slice at Fully Loaded, make sure to walk next door to Classic City Aquariums to see the coral. They are one of the best fish stores in the entire Southeast and the inside is like a gallery.
Veteran's Park (pictured top right) has an absolutely stunning memorial. It honors the Veterans of the Armed Forces from Oconee County. The park also has 197 acres of trails, sports fields/courts, picnic areas, a pavilion, and a dog park. If you cannot find a good excuse to get out and play on these grounds, you are not going to find one anywhere!
Not only can you pick your own produce at some of the local farms like Washington Farms and Damn Good Dawgs Farm, but you can also find yourself admiring Clydesdale horses from up close at Classic City Clydesdales Farm. Through the various seasons, farmers markets will sprout up, and you can also catch one of the several great art exhibitions throughout the year. Oconee is known to have all things shopping from antiques to boutiques.
Located to the Northwest of Athens is Jackson County. Its county seat is Jefferson, named after Thomas Jefferson. The first classes of Franklin College, which is now the University of Georgia, began back in 1801 in what was the original 40,000 acres of land donated for a state college.
Jackson County has a fascinating history. It can boast about being more than just the home of UGA, but also the home to many of its surrounding counties. In 1796, Jackson County saw its first total area of 1,800 square miles. Over time, territories were carved off to form what are now the counties of Banks, Barrow, Clarke, Gwinett, Hall, Madison, Oconee, and Walton.
The close proximity to I-85 makes getting around to various areas and activities a breeze for the majority of the county. It's a great walk around places like Sell's Mill Park or Hurricane Shoals Park. Shop until you drop at the Tanger Outlets in nearby Commerce, or peruse the antique galleries and boutiques in Braselton. While you are at it, you might as well take your dog and enjoy a beer at the Braselton Brewing Company.
There is a family fishing adventure waiting for you at Crow's Lake, or an adrenaline rush at the Atlanta Dragway. Those looking to treat themselves to a relaxing weekend also find solace at Chateau Elan Winery and Hotel. You can do everything from wine tastings and art classes to golf, yoga, and trail walking on the grounds here. It is a very popular destination and known world wide.
To the south of Athens, this county's roots go back to 1807, when it was formed and named after Revolutionary War general Daniel Morgan. Its county seat is Madison, in which the stunning courthouse (pictured in the header) stands today.
It is easy to see why Morgan County has seen a large surge in housing due to its close proximity to various other popular cities in Georgia, including Atlanta, Athens, Macon, and Augusta. It also provides easy access to commuting with its proximity to I-20 as well.
There are a couple of nice parks to explore named Indian Creek Park and William Wood Park. Morgan also houses many sports complexes/courts at various spots like the Madison Community Center & Gymnasium, Dupree Track & Field, and the Aquatic Center.
Barrow County sits to the west of Athens. Its county seat is Winder, which was actually originally named Jug Tavern before it was incorporated in 1893. It was named after David Crenshaw Barrow, Jr., a UGA engineering and mathematics professor.
In 1792, a frontier fort was built by the state to protect settlers here. Its name was Fort Yargo, and it still stands here today as part of a state park. This fantastic state park hosts 1,816 acres with a 260-acre lake. There are over 20 miles of hiking trails, over 45 tent, trailer & RV campsites, 16 cottages, 6 yurts, and many more walk-in campsites and picnic areas. There is also a seasonal sand beach, with summer rentals including bikes, kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards, and boat rentals. They also allow private boats at a 10 HP limit.
Located even further southwest of Athens, Walton County sits just 30 miles east of Atlanta. Its county seat is Monroe, and nearby Loganville is another very popular city. It was named after George Walton, a Georgia governor and one of the original signers of the Declaration of Independence.
There is an amazing amount of wonderful parks to explore that offer activities on trails, fields, courts, and playgrounds. Some of these include Bold Springs Park, Criswell Park, Felker Park, McGarity Park, Meridian Park, Rabbit Farm Park, South Walton Park, and Stephens Park.
One of the most popular events of the year is called Rivers Alive. Hundreds of local students and Scouts, along with supervisors and volunteers, patrol the ecological areas around town and thoroughly clean up any debris they might encounter. Their hard work and dedication is quite an inspiration!
Athens-Clarke County (ACC) is the center of our universe. Home to the University of Georgia, this county was named for Revolutionary War hero Elijah Clarke. The allure of this area has been far-reaching for a long time, but it has only continued to accelerate in recent years. We Athenians take pride in our vibrant art and music scene, delicious local restaurants, and of course, our beloved Georgia Bulldogs!
ACC is made up of five distinct areas: Downtown, Normaltown, Five Points, East Athens, and West Athens. Each one of them is full of local shops, tasty food/drink options, and interesting landmarks; each area as diverse in its architecture as it is in its shopping and dining choices. You really cannot go wrong anywhere.
You can always go, Downtown. There are several live music venues, including the Georgia Theatre. There is all the food and drink you can ask for across the various restaurants and bars, but we really love The Five, Last Resort Grille, DePalma's, and Utage. We are also no strangers to a delicious, late-night slice from Little Italy, a crepe at Pauley's Crepe Bar, or an incredible donut from Zombie Donuts.
Nestled into the South-Southwest corner of the UGA campus, Five Points is a paradise for walkers. You are in close proximity to many forms of UGA athletics, such as football, baseball, basketball, and track. Residents enjoy walking to games of course, but also to the myriad of local businesses and restaurants. Some really great visits include Condor Chocolates, Independent Baking Co, and Athens Running Company. Dining offers its own cornucopia of great places including Marker Seven Coastal Grill, Five And Ten, The Pine, Cali N Tito's, The Royal Peasant, and el Barrio.
This is one of the oldest sections of town and it is also in close proximity to downtown and the UGA campus. It is a tough choice when deciding where to eat between Automatic Pizza, The Grit, Marti's At Midday, Heirloom Cafe, and Agua Linda. If you are instead looking for a cold cocktail as an experience, local favorites include The Old Pal, Hi-Lo Lounge, and Normal Bar.
Argueably the best Chinese food anywhere is Peking restaurant in West Athens, which has been an institution for 30 years. We are also lucky to have Akademia Brewing Company on the West side as well. Each side has enjoyed locations of favorites like Loco's Grill & Pub, DePalma's, and The Blind Pig. One of our absolute favorites is George's Lowcounty Table, which is a newer addition to Athens' best restaurants. If all this food has been just too much, a beautiful walk at the Botanical Gardens on the East side is just what you need.
We are proud to announce that Oconee County has been voted the number one school district in the state of Georgia! Located just eight miles southwest of Athens, and a mere hour east of Atlanta, Oconee has quickly become one of the most popular communities around. As part of Georgia's Heartland region, there is a wonderful sense of pride in the local art, farms, farmers markets, and historical sites.
Watkinsville is the county seat of Oconee, but neighboring communities also include Bishop, Bogart, Farmington, and North High Shoals. Oconee itself has really grown an immense amount in the last decade, with a robust market full of new construction homes.
The City Center in downtown Watkinsville is a picturesque hub of activity. Popular restaurants are Chops & Hops, Classic City Eats, Mama Ning's Thai, and The Traveling Hobo Cafe. Other fantastic local spots include Catch 22, Molly's Cafe, Mama's Boy, and Fully Loaded Pizza. When you are having a slice at Fully Loaded, make sure to walk next door to Classic City Aquariums to see the coral. They are one of the best fish stores in the entire Southeast and the inside is like a gallery.
Veteran's Park (pictured above) has an absolutely stunning memorial. It honors the Veterans of the Armed Forces from Oconee County. The park also has 197 acres of trails, sports fields/courts, picnic areas, a pavilion, and a dog park. If you cannot find a good excuse to get out and play on these grounds, you are not going to find one anywhere!
Not only can you pick your own produce at some of the local farms like Washington Farms and Damn Good Dawgs Farm, but you can also find yourself admiring Clydesdale horses from up close at Classic City Clydesdales Farm. Through the various seasons, farmers markets will sprout up, and you can also catch one of the several great art exhibitions throughout the year. Oconee is known to have all things shopping from antiques to boutiques.
Located to the Northwest of Athens is Jackson County. Its county seat is Jefferson, named after Thomas Jefferson. The first classes of Franklin College, which is now the University of Georgia, began back in 1801 in what was the original 40,000 acres of land donated for a state college.
Jackson County has a fascinating history. It can boast about being more than just the home of UGA, but also the home to many of its surrounding counties. In 1796, Jackson County saw its first total area of 1,800 square miles. Over time, territories were carved off to form what are now the counties of Banks, Barrow, Clarke, Gwinett, Hall, Madison, Oconee, and Walton.
The close proximity to I-85 makes getting around to various areas and activities a breeze for the majority of the county. It's a great walk around places like Sell's Mill Park or Hurricane Shoals Park. Shop until you drop at the Tanger Outlets in nearby Commerce, or peruse the antique galleries and boutiques in Braselton. While you are at it, you might as well take your dog and enjoy a beer at the Braselton Brewing Company.
There is a family fishing adventure waiting for you at Crow's Lake, or an adrenaline rush at the Atlanta Dragway. Those looking to treat themselves to a relaxing weekend also find solace at Chateau Elan Winery and Hotel. You can do everything from wine tastings and art classes to golf, yoga, and trail walking on the grounds here. It is a very popular destination and known world wide.
To the south of Athens, this county's roots go back to 1807, when it was formed and named after Revolutionary War general Daniel Morgan. Its county seat is Madison, in which the stunning courthouse (pictured in the header) stands today.
It is easy to see why Morgan County has seen a large surge in housing due to its close proximity to various other popular cities in Georgia, including Atlanta, Athens, Macon, and Augusta. It also provides easy access to commuting with its proximity to I-20 as well.
There are a couple of nice parks to explore named Indian Creek Park and William Wood Park. Morgan also houses many sports complexes/courts at various spots like the Madison Community Center & Gymnasium, Dupree Track & Field, and the Aquatic Center.
Barrow County sits to the west of Athens. Its county seat is Winder, which was actually originally named Jug Tavern before it was incorporated in 1893. It was named after David Crenshaw Barrow, Jr., a UGA engineering and mathematics professor.
In 1792, a frontier fort was built by the state to protect settlers here. Its name was Fort Yargo, and it still stands here today as part of a state park. This fantastic state park hosts 1,816 acres with a 260-acre lake. There are over 20 miles of hiking trails, over 45 tent, trailer & RV campsites, 16 cottages, 6 yurts, and many more walk-in campsites and picnic areas. There is also a seasonal sand beach, with summer rentals including bikes, kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards, and boat rentals. They also allow private boats at a 10 HP limit.
Located even further southwest of Athens, Walton County sits just 30 miles east of Atlanta. Its county seat is Monroe, and nearby Loganville is another very popular city. It was named after George Walton, a Georgia governor and one of the original signers of the Declaration of Independence.
There is an amazing amount of wonderful parks to explore that offer activities on trails, fields, courts, and playgrounds. Some of these include Bold Springs Park, Criswell Park, Felker Park, McGarity Park, Meridian Park, Rabbit Farm Park, South Walton Park, and Stephens Park.
One of the most popular events of the year is called Rivers Alive. Hundreds of local students and Scouts, along with supervisors and volunteers, patrol the ecological areas around town and thoroughly clean up any debris they might encounter. Their hard work and dedication is quite an inspiration!
Timothy Elementary
Chase Street Elementary
Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary
Barrow Elementary
Judia Jackson Harris Elementary
Barnett Shoals Elementary
Whitehead Road Elementary
Whit Davis Road Elementary
Winterville Elementary
Cleveland Road Elementary
Howard B. Stroud Elementary
High Shoals Elementary
Alps Road Elementary
Fowler Drive Elementary
Gaines Elementary
Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle
Coile Middle
Clarke Middle
Hilsman Middle
Clarke Central High
Classic City High
Cedar Shoals High
Malcom Bridge Elementary
Colham Ferry Elementary
Rocky Branch Elementary
High Shoals Elementary
Dove Creek Elementary
Oconee County Elementary
Oconee County Primary
Athens Academy
Prince Avenue
Malcom Bridge Middle
Oconee County Middle
Athens Academy
Prince Avenue
North Oconee High
Oconee County High
Athens Academy
Prince Avenue
East Jackson Elementary
Gum Springs Elementary
South Jackson Elementary
West Jackson Intermediate
North Jackson Elementary
Maysville Elementary
West Jackson Middle
East Jackson Middle
Jackson County High
East Jackson Comprehensive High
Athens and its surrounding areas are absolutely brimming with recreational activities and facilities. Whether you are looking to go hiking, play sports, or engage in the arts, there is something for you here.
The official websites of Athens-Clarke County and Oconee County have compiled incredibly detailed and robust lists of all that the area has to offer.
