With the longer days and warmer weather, the early signs of spring are showing. Nearing the end of my senior year, I have had the past three years to explore and experience what Athens has to offer. While the warmer weather means fest season is approaching, there is so much more to explore across campus and throughout the Athens area.
For more campus-focused spring activities, bring your homework or lunch to College Green and enjoy a sunny afternoon. Take a walk along the bike trail and admire the cherry blossom trees and bring your hammock to Emeriti Park. These options are all walkable distances from most dorms on campus, but if you have access to a car, there is much more to explore throughout Athens.
Only a ten-minute drive away from campus sits Strouds Run, a state park that offers a mix of hiking trails and water activities. The hilly, beautiful trails are a great escape from the busy life on campus without being too strenuous. During the warmer months, Strouds Run also offers boat rentals for paddle boards, kayaks and pontoon boats. My friends and I spent one sunny day renting a pontoon boat, cruising around the lake; no boating license needed!
Another Saturday could be spent at the Athens Farmer’s Market, located at the Athens Community Center on East State Street. Vendors sell here year-round, but during the warmer months, stands line the parking lot outdoors. This is a great opportunity to check out seasonal items and support the community. It’s open every Wednesday and Saturday with food, jewelry, art, music and more.
White’s Mill, a reassembled historic mill, is another great way to spend an afternoon. It now serves as a home-and-garden retail center, featuring local Athens products throughout, along with some semi-friendly, fluffy cats. You can check out the local treasures and enjoy some feline company.
Make the most of your time in Athens by enjoying the beautiful campus and experiencing all this city has to offer. Some of my favorite memories have been exploring this magical little town with my friends and family. The spring season can be especially busy, but try and squeeze in some time for venturing around Athens and making the most of the sunnier seasons.
Abbey Menza is a senior studying Journalism Strategic Communications with a minor in Fashion Merchandising and can be found on LinkedIn here.