Athens
Athens is a charming city situated in Limestone County in the northern part of the state. Downtown Athens is designed with a traditional square configuration and is even called “The Square” by locals. It’s extremely easy to walk from restaurants, shops, coffee shops, and even Big Spring Park in Downtown Athens.
Athens
Since 2008, Athens has truly re-invigorated itself. New restaurants, a brewery, boutiques, and more businesses plan to open Downtown by the end of the year. Discover the small-town charm and why so many have chosen Athens since 1818.
Join In On The Community Fun In Athens
Getting out and meeting the local business owners, neighbors, and visitors to Athens is one way to truly immerse yourself in the city. So many events throughout the year offer ample opportunities to do so.
The Chocolate Walk every February is one of the most anticipated events. With a limited number of tickets sold, those lucky few are invited to take a self-guided tour through the Downtown businesses to collect chocolates and sweets on display. The 2023 event sold out in 3 minutes!
When you need a new spring wardrobe, you don’t want to miss the annual Spring Boutique Crawl. For every $20 spent at shops and boutiques, you’ll be entered in to win a $500 shopping spree! This event isn’t limited to clothing and gifts, however. A few restaurants also get in on the fun with food and drink specials. This event also tracks the economic impact of the event by recording the amounts shown on the receipts submitted for the drawing. In the inaugural year of 2023, over $30,000 of sales was reported.
More Fun In Athens
The summer months bring a special kind of fun to Downtown Athens. The Athens Farmers Market brings local produce, goods, and more to The Square every Tuesday and Saturday. The Farmers Market is an Alabama-certified market, meaning that everything that is grown and sold comes from the local area. There’s always live music, food trucks on Tuesdays, and breakfast items on Saturdays.
To continue the summer fun, on Fridays, The Square comes alive with Fridays After Five. The shops open their doors late, food trucks line the streets and live music fills the air. It’s also important to note that The Square is a designated entertainment district, so you can take beverages with you as you shop and enjoy.
As the weather turns cooler, the fun heats up. The annual Sippin’ Cider Festival is the best way to get your Christmas shopping completed. Shop at the great businesses and sample their unique ciders, so you can vote for your favorite! It’s all in good fun- someone will take home the Cider Cup and bragging rights for the next year! Sippin’ Cider is held the second Saturday in December.
You sure don’t want to miss Merchants Alley Happy Hours! From September to mid November, the alleyway on Jefferson Street will come alive every Friday night. From 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., residents and visitors will be serenaded by a diverse array of musical acts, providing the perfect backdrop to the downtown atmosphere.
Spending A Day In Downtown Athens
Whether you have a list of errands to run or just want to spend a fun Saturday with no real place to be, The Square is the place to do it. Start with grabbing coffee or breakfast at one of the great coffee shops, Revive Cafe or Hi-Plane Coffee Company. Grab a new outfit for yourself, the kids, or the whole family at one of several boutiques, Boutique Bliss, Epiphany or BeanBeans Boutiques. Stop by UG White Mercantile for provisions, dry goods, and gear of great quality. Drop clothes off at the dry cleaners, take care of banking needs, get a haircut, and more in Downtown Athens.
Some amazing restaurants you won’t want to miss in downtown Athens include Athens Alehouse and Cellar for a craft beer and charcuterie board, Wildwood Deli for one of the best deli sandwiches in the state, Village Pizza for a gourmet pizza pie and a brew, Lucia’s Cocina Mexicana for delicious all day specials, the Salty Cod for British cuisine, and Old Black Bear Brewery.
Athens Has More To Offer
Located at the edge of Downtown Athens is Athens State University. ASU is an upper-division university, meaning it serves junior and senior-level students in completing their degrees. With more than 50 majors and a variety of classes offered online, ASU may be the answer to getting ahead.
Athens is located just off Interstate 65 and has easy access to both Birmingham in the south, Nashville to the north, and Huntsville to the east. It’s the perfect compromise for those who want to be in a central location to all of the area’s major cities.
Athens Main Street
Discover the charm of Downtown Athens, where history and modernity blend together! We invite you to explore the unique shops, delightful eateries, and vibrant cultural scene from the efforts of Athens Main Street. Experience the warmth of our community and the allure of our historic sites. Join us for a day of exploration and enjoyment in the heart of Athens!
Our Main Street Success Story
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