See one of two double barrel cannons from the Civil War
As a family, we love to take road trips. Our kids have become well seasoned travelers, even at a young age. Part of the allure of getting to a particular destination is enjoying the scenery while driving there. Georgia has some of the most interesting countryside you'll ever see.
Other experts have taken noticed what Georgia has to offer. A few weeks ago I wrote about Tybee Island being named America's healthiest beach getaway. I recently found another "best" just north east of Atlanta up in Athens, Georgia as Best American towns to visit by car by the writers of Forbes.com and MSNBC.
"Located about 90 minutes from Atlanta, Athens, Ga., has a thriving bike culture and live music scene culminating in the annual AthFest, a nonprofit music and arts festival held downtown. It's also home to the University of Georgia, which makes it a typical college town chock full of coffee shops and bars suitable for late nights of philosophizing."
Most know Athens of course for Georgia Bulldog football. (Better known as "Go Dawgs!") Music fans will recognize homegrown bands such as Indigo Girls, Matthew Sweet, R.E.M and the B52's who came out of Athens. But very few people would know of the architectural gems in Athens – there are 16 neighborhoods on the National Register of Historic Places, including four house museums open for public tour. Much of the architecture in Athens was spared during Sherman's March to the Sea because of the number of Confederate leaders whose homes were located in the area.
Athens is home to one of only two remaining two double barreled cannons produced during the American Civil War, at the Athens Steam Company in 1862. It's also home to the famous "Tree That Owns Itself" which is now "the son of" the original tree, the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, and the University of Georgia Campus Arboretum.
We've traveled parts of Historic 441, (also called Heritage Highway) a federal highway from Lake City, Tennessee to Miami, Florida that recalls the days of travel before interstates. As you drive the historic highway you run into Athens and find restored Victorian-era buildings that line the heart of the downtown area with a mix of more than 70 specialty retailers, 60 popular eateries and 50 taverns and nightspots.
Athens isn't just your average college town. There's far more to see and do. If you pack up the family and visit as America once did many years ago, you could find yourself in a different time, and a different era.
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