Seven Days: Dates In The Classic City

by Stephanie Allerdice
02/09/2008

So you're done with the honeymoon period in your relationship, huh? Or are you looking for that memorable first date? Or are you just tired of the same old rendezvous all the time... some restaurant and then the latest movie every Friday night? Well shape-up lovers, because here are seven exciting options that will blow sushi and Superbad out of the water.

Date 1: Art Anyone?

We all know that Athens is one of the most-happening college music towns in the U.S. But what many of you might not know is that Athens is also bursting at the seems with art. There are painting and sculpture galleries all over the place.

One such spot is Good Dirt, ocated on N. Thomas Street. The Gallery @ Good Dirt displays work by professional potters and new artists The Gallery is open from 12pm to 6pm Wednesday through Saturday.

But that’s not all. Every Friday night from 7pm to 9pm they have a beginners session called Try Clay. It is $20 per person and you get to sculpt, paint and glaze terra cotta clay. So why don’t you grab your sweetie on a Friday Night, go check out the gallery, get inspired and make matching coffee mugs.

Date 2: Fuzzy Feelings with Furry Friends

Do you or your significant other have a dog? If yes, then this date is for you. There are three local dog parks in Athens-Clarke County. The two closest to the University of Georgia are Memorial Park Dog Park located on Gran Ellen Drive and “Wiggley Field” in Southeast Clarke Park Dog Park located on Whit Davis Road.

This would be the perfect daytime date. Pack a picnic and you and your guy or girl can take your dog to one of their “leash-free” zones and let Fido run free in the parks’ fenced in area while the two of you enjoy a lovely lunch. It’s a double plus, you have a new place to go with your girl/boyfriend and you get to have fun with your furry friend.

Date 3: I Love You Beary Much

Are you and your guy or gal wildlife nuts? Well then a date at Bear Hollow Wildlife Trail is for you, my friends.

Bear Hollow is the closest thing Athens has to a zoo. Located in Memorial Park, it is open everyday from 9 a.m. to sunset. Admit it, you love seeing furry creatures up close. The park houses a variety of animals including bobcats, otters, alligators and - you guessed it - bears.

Every first and third Sunday of the month Bear Hollow has guided feeding tours where you can feed the animals, or watch them have their food stolen my squirrels and raccoons, which inhabit the Trail as well. So take your honey and feed the wildlife one Sunday morning.

Date 4: You Came to Dance

There are plenty of opportunities in Athens to shake your grove thing. Heck, you probably couldn’t count the number of clubs there are downtown. But if the only words in your dance vocabulary are “bump” and “grind” (not that there is anything wrong with that) here are some more traditional, and sometimes more fun, options for you.

The UGA Swing Club provides students with plenty of opportunities to get their swing on. And the best part is you don’t have to know anything about dancing to participate. At most of their events they have a dance lesson where they teach you the steps to a dance such as the West Coast swing, followed by a social dance where you can put what you learned to good use.

The Swing Club meets every Monday night at 8 p.m. in Memorial Hall Ballroom. But the real date night is on Tuesday at The Ritz on Broad Street. The Cover is $3; the lesson is at 9 p.m. and the dancing begins at 10 p.m. So guys grab your girls and sweep them off their feet by spinning them around the floor.

Date 5: Nerd Love

Georgia Museum of Art, Georgia Museum of Natural History, Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall Sports Museum. Need I say more?

Athens is chock full of Museums for all people. Relationships are about compromise right? So, you could plan a his-and-hers museum day.
Currently the Georgia Museum of Art is displaying a show called A Glimpse into 20th-Century Fashion. The exhibit demonstrates the changing fashion of the 20th century.

And Guys, for you, we have the Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall Sports Museum. The museum features over 100 years of UGA sports history, including a display of Heisman trophies and touch-screen video displays full of famous football highlights. But let's face it - any girl who goes to UGA will appreciate both museums.

Date 6: They Rocked Athens Before They Rocked the World

Ahoy, music nuts! Can’t get enough of Athens’ crazy music scene? Well how about you go back to the roots? The Athens Welcome Center has compiled a list of famous, historical music sites in Athens and made a walking tour. Most of the sites have to do with R.E.M., of course, but there are other some other bands featured such as 10,000 Maniacs and Widespread Panic.

The tour also includes fun facts about the actual music scene of Athens. For example, did you know the 40 Watt has moved six times and its original spot was where The Grill is now? This is just a taste of what loving music lovers will get on the Tour.

You can print out the tour here: Athens Music Walking Tour.

Date 7: Dinner Done Right

Want to do dinner with you darling? Well why don’t you do it right? Even better why don’t you cook it together? Cooking classes can be expensive but here in Athens, businesses realize that most college students are broke. That is why Earth Fare offers free cooking classes every month.

On January 30, Earth Fare is hosting a class called College Cooking. Not only do you get to learn a fun new skill, but the food you make is actually good for you. Spaces are limited though you will have to plan ahead to arrange this date but I’m sure your baby is worth it.

More Info can be found here: Earth Fare.

Well there you have it, seven cool new things to enjoy with your guy or girl. Sushi and Superbad is looking kind of sad now isn’t it?