Athens: Practicalities

Greyhound, based at 220 W Broad St, has a regular service to Atlanta, while the Athens Transit System operates buses around town (every 30min; 75¢ flat fare). The visitor center is situated in the city's oldest surviving residence, the Church-Waddel-Brumby House (c.1820), a couple of blocks north of campus at 280 E Dougherty St (Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 12-6pm; tel 706/353-1820, ). Ask about their self-guided walking tour leaflet on Athens music history. An excellent ninety-minute bus tour of historic Athens (Classic City Tours; $10; tel 706/208-TOUR, reservations recommended), which includes the Church-Waddel-Brumby House, leaves from the visitor center daily at 2pm.

Lodging can be a problem during graduation or if there's a big football game on. Otherwise, choices include the good-value, business-oriented Courtyard by Marriott , 166 Finley St (tel 706/369-7000, fax 706/548-4224, ; $75-100); the trusty Holiday Inn Downtown , 197 E Broad St (tel 706/549-4433, fax 706/548-3031, ; $75-100); or Magnolia Terrace B&B, 277 Hill St (tel 706/548-3860, fax 706/369-3439; $75-100). For top-quality food , your best bet is Harry Bissett's New Orleans Café & Oyster Bar , a simulated French Quarter restaurant at 279 E Broad St (tel 706/353-7065), or the vegetarian specials at the inexpensive Grit , 199 Prince Ave (tel 706/543-6592). Five Star Day Grill serves good, cheap food in a funky setting; the daily pesto specials are a favorite. Athens has a thriving bar scene, although Georgia's blue laws require drinks-only bars to close on Sundays.

Among Athens' most hospitable bars is The Globe , 199 N Lumpkin St (closed Sun; tel 706/353-4721), where you can settle into an old rocking chair or leather sofa and select from a huge array of beers. The Burnstone Brewhouse , 140 E Washington St (tel 706/549-5999), is a first-rate microbrewery with a grill, open seven days a week.

Athens

• Athens
• Practicalities

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