Page 65 - Athens New Comers Guide 2023

FOODIES COME HOME ARTS ALIVE
Athens is experiencing a revving up of Creativity and culture permeate everything Athens Cultural
its culture – with new places to shop, in Athens. The performing arts are alive Celebrations
eat, drink, and be merry. It’s all here to and thriving at places like The Classic
experience, but now there’s more: an Center, UGA’s Performing Arts Center, The
upscale steakhouse in the Five Points Morton Theatre, Athens Creative Theatre, The official state museum of
neighborhood, healthy comfort food, wine and East Athens Educational Dance art, Georgia Museum of Art is
and apertivo-focused bar, Ecuadorian Center. Broadway productions combine celebrating its 75th anniversary in
brewed coffee. Yum. with movie complexes and alternative 2023. In honor, art aficionados can
FUN
Walk through downtown, FUN cinemas that enjoy captivating blog stories on its
More than 100 bars, restaurants
history and future, an interactive
bring the
FACT
and shops are tucked into the
Normaltown, Five Points, FACT world to visitor response wall, “March
Athens.
or any of Athens’ vibrant walkable city blocks. Madness,” and social media
neighborhoods and it’s easy voting for favorite works of art.
to see why Southern Living has The Morton Theatre is one of the first, and
named The Classic City one of “The the oldest surviving vaudeville theatre in Founded in 1945, Georgia Museum
South’s Best Food Cities.” With more than the United States, owned by an African- of Art at University of Georgia
600 area restaurants, Athens’ diverse food American entrepreneur in 1910 and now houses a permanent collection of
scene is an eclectic culinary masterpiece. listed in the National Register of Historic works of art and more than 20 art
Places. The Morton operates as a rental exhibitions a year. The Jane and
There are numerous award-winning facility hosting live theatre, music concerts, Harry Willson Sculpture Garden
restaurants in Athens offering church services, weddings, community hosts rotating exhibitions of work
internationally inspired dishes to events, and more. The theatre, which
great acclaim. From soul food spots to seats 500, is a unit of the Arts and Nature by women sculptors. Strengths
pizza parlors, barbecue joints to tasty Programs Division of Athens-Clarke include American painting, works on
taquerias, and internationally influenced County’s Leisure Services Department paper, Southern decorative arts,
bistros to health-conscious cafés, Athens and is managed by the nonprofit Morton and self-taught art, as well as works
area restaurants have plenty of flavor Theatre Corporation. by African American artists and a
and character. Samuel H. Kress Study Collection
Visitors can also stroll through a gallery of Renaissance and Baroque art.
Visit Athens Farmers Markets. The Saturday of stimulating paintings and sculptures, Always free with timed ticketing
market at Bishop Park is the larger of two or be inspired by talented musicians entry. Open Tuesday through Sunday.
at 705 Sunset Dr. and is open from 8 a.m. playing rock, country, jazz, roots music,
to noon with more than 40 vendors. The and more across town. It’s no wonder UGA East Campus in the
Wednesday market is a smaller market Athens is annually touted as one of the Performing and Visual
at Creature Comforts Brewing Co. from top destinations for arts and culture in Arts Complex
5 to 8 p.m. with 15-plus vendors. the Southeast. 90 Carlton St., Athens, GA 30602
(706) 542-4662 | georgiamuseum.org

The films and arts programs
shown and delivered by Ciné
are widely recognized. Ciné’s
vital role in Athens cultural life
was recognized in 2022 as one of
10 centers honored by the annual
Georgia Governor’s Award for the
Arts and Humanities. As a nonprofit
organization, Ciné is operated
under the stewardship of an all-
volunteer board with The Athens
Film Arts Institute. Ciné reflects and
celebrates the complex tapestry of
the Athens area with the mission
to inspire, educate, and build
community through art and culture.

234 West Hancock Ave.
Athens, GA 30601
(706) 353-3343 | athenscine.com
The Place Restaurant

Athens Area Chamber of Commerce • www.athensga.com • (706) 549-6800 Things to Do 61