When you think of college towns in Georgia, your mind may go immediately to Athens. The Classic City is an amazing quintessential college town: the economy runs around the University of Georgia and football games are practically a city-wide holiday. However, there are several other colleges in Georgia, which, of course, means there are several other college towns. One that we think deserves a little more recognition as a weekend destination is Statesboro, the home of Georgia Southern University's main campus. The city is growing in leaps and bounds, and is no longer the middle-of-nowhere rural location it was just a few decades ago. There are plenty of things to do in Statesboro, GA, from dining to museums and more. Check it out:
Georgia Southern has around 22,000 undergraduates enrolled, making it one of the largest universities in Georgia. The main campus is in Statesboro, but there are also satellite locations in Savannah and Hinesville.
Statesboro is the county seat of Bulloch County, located in the southeastern corner of the state about an hour or so north of Savannah. This area was once quite rural, but the city is now home to more than 30,000 residents.
The Center for Wildlife Education has a 12-acre wetland with several ponds, plus an additional five acres with birds of prey, snakes, beavers, and other native species. There's a Children's Discovery Trail that's great if you're traveling with kids. A variety of programs are offered throughout the year.
Feel like a walk in the park? The Botanic Garden at Georgia Southern is for you.
Georgia Southern's Botanic Garden features 11 acres of carefully-manicured native plants. There are trails to explore and many rare heritage plants to admire.
If the weather's not cooperative or you'd just like to remain indoors, the Georgia Southern Museum is a great option.
This water park in Statesboro, GA has a variety of attractions for kids and adults alike. Whether you're a fan of relaxing on the lazy river or want to enjoy more of an adrenaline rush on a water slide, there's something for everyone here.
One unique store in Statesboro is Charlie's Funky Junk Shop. This place is quite hard to pin down: it sells antiques, weird things, and, well, funky junk.
Gnat's Lnding is a fun-filled restaurant and bar with a college atmosphere. Brunch, lunch, and dinner are served here, and the calendar includes karaoke, live music, and trivia nights.
If you'd like to finish up your meal with something sweet, it doesn't get much better than a visit to Jonny Boy Cookies.
When it came time for me to move away from my hometown of Savannah to attend college, I had a number of options of places to go thanks to good grades in high school. To appease my parents and stick relatively close to home, I went four hours north to Athens for the University of Georgia. Little did I know I'd never end up leaving the area!
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Athens is often thought of as purely a college town, and, in truth, it is heavily influenced by being home to the state's flagship university. Local businesses are well aware that their annual sales follow the school calendar, and you literally can't even go half a block without seeing that big G somewhere. The university owns a great deal of land in Athens proper, particularly in the downtown area, and it's impossible to ignore the college's influence on this mid-sized city.
ATHENS, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 5: A member of the Georgia Bulldogs redcoat band performs prior to the game against the Auburn Tigers at Sanford Stadium on October 5, 2024 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
However, writing the Classic City off as "just a college town" is doing this place a great disservice. Ironically enough, I hated my four years at UGA – I had no friends, was miserable, and couldn't wait to get the heck out of Athens. Life had other plans for me and I've now lived in the area for more than a decade and have really grown to love the city now that I see how much more there is to it than just fraternities and football.
Downtown of Athens, Georgia, USA.
Living in a college town provides a number of benefits to all residents of the area, not just students. The UGA campus is practically one huge botanical garden, and I absolutely love strolling around North Campus on a beautiful day. The general public also enjoys access to the UGA Main Library, and there are often lectures and film screenings hosted on campus that are open to the public.
It's not just spots related to the college that make this city so special, though. It's got an incredible array of parks within its borders. When I first moved here, I was excited to be in such close proximity to so many great Georgia state parks, but I've found that the Athens-Clarke County parks are so numerous and varied that I don't even have to leave town to enjoy hiking opportunities and time outdoors.
From Sandy Creek Park (pictured above) to Ben Burton Park, there's so much green space all over the city just waiting to be enjoyed. The State Botanical Garden of Georgia is located in Athens and has miles of trails, plus beautiful gardens to stroll through at any time of year – it's one of my favorite free things to do in the city.
I don't have kids, but another great aspect of life in Athens is how many activities there are for children. It's kind of an unexpected benefit because the college's reputation as a party school means that it gets a bad rap as an "adult" area, but there's actually a lot of family-friendly activities to enjoy in Athens. The library system here is incredible and puts on a number of fun events throughout the year, and spots like Memorial Park's free Bear Hollow Zoo are always popular with the little ones. The Georgia Museum of Art is admission-free and has plenty to entertain kids and adults of all ages.
Lisa Sammons/Only In Your State
After football, the thing that Athens is probably most famous for is music. The city has been known for decades for its thriving music scene, and world-class venues like 40 Watt Club and Georgia Theatre host local and national acts throughout the year. Take a stroll downtown, and you'll see decorative guitar picks all over the sidewalk showing off the Athens Music Walk of Fame, honoring local names like The B-52's and R.E.M. that made it big. AthFest is the city's biggest event of the summer, and the free music and arts festival draws big names and plenty of crowds.
Lisa Sammons/Only In Your State
There are some pretty spectacular places to dine here, too. You can find just about every chain restaurant under the sun in Athens, but with so many great options for dining locally, I almost always end up at a mom-and-pop place instead. Mannaweenta is tucked away on Athens's east side and serves superb Ethiopian eats. Independent Bakery is the place to go for breads. Other hot spots include Kelly's Authentic Jamaican Food and Donderos'.
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Since the town attracts so many visitors during football season (go Dawgs!), there's no shortage of places to stay here. From hotels to vacation rentals, there are plenty of choices of spots to rest your head at night. I love this rustic studio Airbnb that's nestled just outside of town: it looks so peaceful!
I actually live about 25 minutes outside of town now in a suburb of Athens, but I still think of the Classic City as home. It's such a wonderful place, whether you're staying for an afternoon or a lifetime, and it drives me up the wall when I see it referenced in the media as "just a college town" – there's so much more to Athens than the University of Georgia!
Best Travel Gifts of 2024, Hand-picked by Our Travel Experts
If you're looking for gifting ideas for the travelers in your life this holiday season, check out our list of our favorite, tried and true travel gifts.
Welcome to Hand-Picked, a curated series highlighting the travel gear and goods our staff truly love. From practical essentials to playful extras, these are the items that make travel fun—and shopping even better! Each pick is independently selected by our editors, and if you make a purchase through our links, Only In Your State may earn a commission.
There is nothing that makes me happier than picking out the perfect gift. Friends often ask me for ideas of what to gift to their family, children, partners, friends... the challenge of finding that special item (or experience) is my favorite kind of adrenaline rush. And because of this, the holiday season is like my version of sky diving.
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Our team of travel experts here at Only In Your State joined me in selecting our favorite travel gifts of the season. We've hand-picked 24 gifts that we own and love and would joyfully wrap up with a shiny bow for other travel lovers in our lives. We've chosen a variety of options, from candles to books, to the perfect travel shoes and bags. There is also a wide range of prices for any gifting budget. Pick out a few to gift this season and maybe even send some of these ideas to those who are shopping for you. It may be the holiday season, but it is also always travel season in our minds.
Why We Love Them: How fun is this candle? I love picking out meaningful gifts and this one is perfect for the woman in your life who can't help but plan another trip. Or, maybe this is you and this candle needs to make its way into your own stocking! The LEADO store on Amazon actually has several unique gifts and it's worth checking out. Where to Buy Them: Shop this candle and more on Amazon. Price (at time of publication): $16.99 Bonus: Manager of Editorial Megan Shute swears by these rechargeable USB lighters – add one to your favorite candle lover's stocking, and they will not be disappointed.
Why We Love It: We've tried some pretty spiffy eye masks, but have you ever experienced an eye massager? The Bob & Brad EyeOasis 2 is as relaxing as it gets. With adjustable pressure & heat settings, this is a must-have if you want to tune out the world and treat yourself. It's the first thing we reach for when we feel a migraine coming on! Where To Buy It: Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $59.99 (normally $74.99)
Why We Love Them: It's safe to say I am in my sneaker era and I know I'm not alone. When I discovered Kizik shoes, especially their sneakers, I felt like I discovered gold at the end of the rainbow. I love that the brand is size inclusive (I have big feet) and you literally just slip these on and go. Hands-free shoes! This makes them perfect for travel and the fact that these go with everything means no over-packing necessary. Where to Buy Them: Check out the Milan sneaker and several other styles (boots, too!) on the Kizik website. Price (at time of publication): $149
Why We Love Them: I discovered Frankie Jean while in Austin with my daughter and once I saw the Y'ALL Baseball Cap, I knew it would make the perfect souvenir -- and travel hat! I always travel with a baseball hat; they're handy for post-plane hair and offer protection from the elements. Frankie Jean has an array of adorable caps for non-y'allers, too, with all 50 states represented in the web store. Where to Buy It: Visit Frankie Jean online for this hat and many others! Price (at time of publication): $32
Why We Love Them: The Yoto Mini is an excellent gadget for kids on the go. Physical cards allow children to expand their imagination through audiobooks, music, activities, and educational audio. Manager of Editorial Megan Shute purchased the mini-player for her daughter's 4th birthday earlier this year ahead of an overseas move and has been endlessly impressed: "Not only did it replace her standard sound machine with its white noise options, but it has given us another portable screen-free entertainment option for at home and while traveling. The Yoto is also perfect for anyone who asks what your child wants for the holidays — cards for their new Yoto collection, please!" Where to Buy Them: Yoto is available on their website and Amazon. Price (at time of publication): $69.99 for player
Why We Love Them: The Vuori Performance Joggers might just be the most comfortable piece of clothing we own. The buttery-soft, stretchy material is the perfect weight, and the slim yet relaxed fit is one of the most universally flattering styles we've tried. Engagement Editor Meg Archer has gifted these to many people over the last few years: "I have yet to hear anything but rave reviews (and a bit of friendly shaming for spawning new obsessions). Don't be surprised if these just so happen to, umm... multiply... in your closet. I couldn't stop at just one pair." Bonus: The matching Vuori Halo Performance Hoodie is one of our favorite lightweight layers for all types of travel! Where To Buy Them: Buy Now From Vuori Price (at time of publication): $94
Why We Love Them: If you have a friend or family member who loves to travel and loves bags (who doesn't?), then this Calpak tote bag is the ultimate gift. When I say ultimate, I mean it, because this is the ultimate bag. My own tote bag is pictured above, when used on an overnight trip. I've also used it as a carry-on bag on flights, to tote sports equipment around for my kids, and for a weekend getaway. It is much larger than it looks in this photo and keeps everything organized. It also wipes clean! Where to Buy Them: Calpak has countless travel bags, but you can find this particular one on their website. Price (at time of publication): $131.75
Why We Love Them: I've purchased two of these portable hammocks with lightweight frames throughout the years — one as a gift for my father and one for myself after realizing how fantastic the hammock was. While it's not a travel product, per se, it has made my everyday life feel more like a vacation, something we could all use a bit more of these days. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $69.99
Why We Love Them: All of the staff at Only In Your State loves to represent their roots and Wear Your Roots allows you to do that in a fashionable - and comfortable - way. We love the wears from this Montana-based company and we happen to believe that these hoodies, shirts, hats, and more make the perfect gift. Where to Buy Them: Shop now on the Wear Your Roots website Price (at time of publication): Varies by Product
Why We Love It: It's taken several trips for me to figure out my perfect "weekender bag that's TSA approved," but I've found my perfect carry on with the TOBIQ Colorado 30L. An Instagram ad caught my eye during a late-night scroll session and I was intrigued by the colorful compartments and versatility of the bag, which can be carried as a duffle or as a backpack (I prefer the backpack for even weight distribution and airport navigation.) Made of durable, weather-resistant recycled materials, I've stashed this bag under my seat and in the overhead compartment; it's easy to maneuver and the top zip pocket is perfect for easy phone/ID access. Bonus: I loved this carry on bag so much, I purchased TOBIQ's Toiletry Bag; it fits perfectly inside one of the Colorado's four compartments and has a smart, intuitive design with the brand's signature "plethora of zippered pouches and pockets."
Where to Buy Them: Visit tobiqtravel.com to purchase the Colorado 30L and/or Toiletry Bag. Price (at time of publication): $199 (Colorado 30L)/$69 (Toiletry Bag)
Why We Love Them: The Zestt Dreamsoft Travel Scarf doubles as a blanket, making it the perfect travel accessory for year-round adventures – especially on airplanes! Made from organic cotton and easy to wash and care for, we have even used this piece as a makeshift picnic blanket while traveling. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $50
Why I Love It: This raincoat is absolutely perfect: it's light (12.4 ounces!) and super packable, "self stuffing" into one of its pockets in a Houdini-like feat. The hood is generously sized to fit over a hat and has a cord-and-hook design that keeps rain out (seriously -- this photo was taken after a trip to Portland, Oregon, where its water resistance was put to the test!). I purchased my Torrentshellfive years ago and it still looks brand new, the fabric has never snagged or ripped despite being put through the ringer! Bonus: The Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket comes in men's sizes, too! Where to Buy It: Buy it now on REI. Price (at time of publication): $179 (both men's and women's)
Why We Love Them: I love gifting books. Maybe it's the writer in me or the nostalgia I feel every time I sit down and open up an actual book. Coffee table books make for great gifts and I absolutely love this collection of photography of New York City. Whether you know someone who loves NYC or has a wanderlust for the Big Apple, this gorgeous book just needs a bow on top and it's ready to gift. Where to Buy Them: Buy this book and others in the collection on Amazon. Price (at time of publication): $19.78
Why We Love Them: A well-stocked first aid kit is essential for any traveler, and we love these small Welly kits. They're the perfect option to keep in your car, diaper bag, or carry-on for accidents on the go. Another excellent stocking stuffer for anyone in your life. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Walmart Price (at time of publication): $9.70
Why We Love Them: The OluKai Pehuea Lī Sneaker is lightweight and breathable, but also extremely comfortable and surprisingly supportive. It's our go-to shoe when we know we're going to be on our feet all day! We love that they can be worn as either sneakers or slides, so they're easy to slip off when going through TSA checks. Plus, the style goes with just about everything. Where To Buy Them: Buy Now From OluKai Price (at time of publication): $110
Why I Love It: Fact: Airplanes are notoriously dry, dry, dry. No matter how much water I drink both before and during the flight, I always find myself in a hydration deficit for days. My skin feels so tight and parched during flights, and while I've been known to slap on a sheet mask at 12,000 feet, my 11 year old's mortification on a recent trip had me rethinking this strategy. My solution? BioRepublic's Lost Baggage biocellulose eye masks. These mini moisturizers contain an uber-hydrating cocktail of peptides, hyaluronic acid, squalene, rose water, and vitamin E that feel oh-so-refreshing on parched skin. Bonus: Each of these little masks has enough moisture that I'm able to massage the excess into the rest of my face after my brief, in-flight spa moment. Where to Buy It: I have a BioRepublic Lost Baggage Under Eye Emergency Repair Mask Subscribe & Save order through Amazon -- you'll get a slight discount if you set this up! Price (at time of publication): 3/$15.00
Why I Love It: I am a dedicated Stanley girl, but when I travel, I like to keep things as light and portable as possible. A recent trip to Washington D.C. had me singing the praises of my Hydaway Collapsible Water Bottle, especially after paying $6 for a tiny bottle of water the afternoon we arrived and embarked sans water. I love the bottle's muted color options (I have the Hydaway in Twilight), sturdy handle, and fuss-free cleaning; fully extended it holds 17 ounces of water, making this smart little number perfect for filling up on the go. Where to Buy Them: The Hydaway Collapsible Water Bottle is available at several online merchants; I purchased through REI. Available here on Amazon. Price (at time of publication): $27.95.
Why We Love Them: This is one of those things that we don't know how we traveled without them. Packing cubes keep things organized, save space in a suitcase, and take the pain out of the packing process. If you know and love someone who travels, this set would make the perfect gift. Where to Buy Them: There are so many options for packing cubes on Amazon, but we particularly LOVE this set. Price (at time of publication): $16.99 for 8 cubes
Why We Love Them: I've been a fan of Beis for years now, starting with the Weekender (it’s my absolute favorite travel bag for short car trips or flying and is surprisingly roomy). I recently purchased another Beis item — the backpack. With a padded interior sleeve, two water bottle pockets, and plenty of organization built-in — we’re talking zippered interior pockets, pen slots, a key leash, and more — this is the best backpack I’ve ever owned. It also has a full-zip opening, so it’s easy to pack, and the trolley pass-through makes it the perfect carry-on companion. This olive beauty is officially my new favorite personal item while traveling, and I’ve already brought it on several trips. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Beis Price (at time of publication): $88
Why We Love Them: We bought this set of two accessory organizers for a recent trip and think they would make a fun stocking stuffer filled with all sorts of small and useful travel goodies — chapstick, hair ties, mini lotions, bandaids, etc. The gift recipient can then use the organizers for travel. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $17.66
Why We Love It: The sleek style of the Away Everywhere Zip Backpack looks at home in just about any environment, making it a great transition bag if you need to hop right from a flight into a work meeting (or want to start exploring as soon as you land). It's water-resistant, has a padded laptop sleeve to keep your devices safe, and the full wrap-around zipper makes it incredibly easy to grab what you need in a cramped airplane seat. I love it! Where To Buy It:Buy Now From Away Price (at time of publication): $195
Why We Love It: Engagement Editor Meg Archer recently travel-testedthis high-end aluminum travel case, and it can only be described as the Lamborghini of Luggage: "The Sterling Pacific 40L Travel Case is hands down the best I've ever owned or reviewed. It's stunning inside and out, timelessly stylish, and rolls like a dream. Honestly, I didn't know luggage could move like this." It's undeniably a splurge, but if you're looking for a piece of eye-catching yet understated luxury-tier luggage, this is it. Where To Buy It: Buy Now From Sterling Pacific Price (at time of publication): $2,150
Why We Love It: Throw out all your assumptions about generators. The Anker Power Bank Portable Generator is all-electric (so it's totally silent), super compact, and has a massive 60,000 mAh capacity that can power multiple devices dozens of times on a single charge. It also retains an impressive 85% charge after a whole year of non-use, making it absolutely vital during emergencies. This bad boy kept us in touch with family during a multi-day blackout, but we also love it for camping trips and off-grid adventures. Where To Buy It:Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $149.99
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If you need anymore ideas for the best travel gifts of the season, we have you covered. Check out more of our travel-themed gift guides...
