Athens Dining & Sights in October
 

My wife and I are escorting our high school senior to visit the campus of UGA in Athens on the weekend Oct. 20, 2006. There will be a home football game but we are not going. We are looking forward to enjoying some of the local restaurants, bars (for older adults), shopping, sightseeing etc. in and around Athens, GA while daughter enjoys the student scene. Any recommendations re: the above for the 2 of us?

Why not drive down 441 about 30 minutes and stroll around the beautiful antebellum town of Madison. It was the town too pretty for Sherman to burn. Actually, legend has it that Sherman's roommate at West Point was from Madison, so he spared the town during his slash and burn March to the Sea.

On the way, you could stop in Watkinsville for some wonderful gelato. ira has a couple of favorite restaurants in W'ville as well.

I'd rather be strolling in Madison than strolling in Athens on a football weekend.

For fine dining try East West Bistro[.com]. "World Cuisine" with Asian-Mediterranean influences. 315 E. Broad Street, Athens. Very good wine list. We've also enjoyed the Basil Press restaurant, a few blocks away from the maddening crowds. Harry Bisset's (back on E. Broad) is a popular bar cum restaurant. For culture, there's the university art museum and Stonehenge. We live in Atlanta and don't go to Athens much to shop, though there are some small town independent retailers, including leather goods, jewelry, clothing and tatoo emporia.

Thanks Starrs and Lex. You're right on target with your suggestions and we appreciate it!

I visited the state botanical garden the last time I was in Athens and enjoyed it very much.

I ate at Last Resort again and loved it as always.