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OT Athens, Georgia and Muscle Shoals Alabama

YukonRon
YukonRon Posts: 16,984
Need some help folks.
I have some friends that have plans to hit these two great cities and the surrounding areas.
It will likely be the last trip they will ever take together, due to one losing the battle with the big C.
What I would like to know is the best places to experience; the food, the arts, music and culture. 
Both areas have significance to them, because of the music that evolved from those cities. It was, and remains a major part of their lives, together.
I would appreciate any insight you may have, as I would like to contact some of those places to make arrangements for them.
Thank you in advance. You all are the best.
"Knowledge is Good" - Emil Faber

XL and MM
Louisville, Kentucky

Comments

  • Kent8621
    Kent8621 Posts: 843
    ron since moving down here I have yet to make it over to muscle shoals but one of my employees is from that neck of the woods.  he recommended the Rattlesnake Saloon, its a bar/restaurant inside of a cave outside of muscle shoals.  that area is about and hour and half from here if you need help with anything let me know.  very nice of you

    2 Large Eggs - Raleigh, NC

    Boiler Up!!

  • epcotisbest
    epcotisbest Posts: 2,168
    edited June 2018
    Weaver D's in Athens for some serious soul food. The Last Resort is good, but kinda overrated, and Champy's has good fried chicken and sides. There is also a Varsity location in Athens for a chili dog and greasy onion rings...good stuff. Might as well walk tour the campus, visit the bookstore and buy a  Bulldogs t-shirt while there.
    There is the double barrel canon and tree that owns itself too.
    I would also drive a little bit south and visit Madison, Ga, a beautiful town.
  • GATraveller
    GATraveller Posts: 8,207
    edited June 2018
    First off - so sorry to hear about your friend and their losing battle.  Cancer is a terrible affliction and needs to be eradicated.  F it.

    As far as food goes in Athens I'd send them to Last Resort Grill.  Great food and ambiance.  Small space so they should make reservations.  http://lastresortgrill.com/
    5 Bar has really good food as well.  http://five-bar.com/bar-locations/athens-georgia/
    The Grill is a good place to get burgers/fries/shakes - it is always open. 
    Grindhouse has good burgers as well - http://www.grindhouseburgers.com/
    Mayflower is good for meat +3 - http://mayflowerrestaurant.weebly.com/index.html

    Lyndon House Arts Center has a gallery and exhibits.  Exhibits change so they may want to check and see whats going on during their visit.  https://www.accgov.com/lyndonhouse\
    If they like vinyl records they need to stop into Wuxtry.  It's legendary!  I've been in here before when Michael Mills and Peter Buck were thumbing through albums!
    http://wuxtryrecords.com/

    For music:
    Georgia Theater - https://eventbritesites.com/tf/georgiatheatre  
    40 Watt 
    Classic Center - usually has bigger artists
    Livewire - https://livewireathens.com/calendar/
    The Foundry - https://thefoundryathens.com/


    If they catch a show at Georgia Theater let them know that there are tables along the front rail of the upper deck so you can sit down and are almost right above the stage.  There's also a rooftop bar that has live music as well.

    Let me know if I can be of any help.  I'm happy to answer any questions.  


    "Social media gives legions of idiots the right to speak when they once only spoke at a bar after a glass of wine, without harming the community [...] but now they have the same right to speak as a Nobel Prize winner. It's the invasion of the idiots."

                                                                                  -Umberto Eco

    2 Large
    Peachtree Corners, GA
  • DoubleEgger
    DoubleEgger Posts: 17,128
    The State Botanical Gardens might be worth a look also. 
  • YukonRon
    YukonRon Posts: 16,984
    Kent8621 said:
    ron since moving down here I have yet to make it over to muscle shoals but one of my employees is from that neck of the woods.  he recommended the Rattlesnake Saloon, its a bar/restaurant inside of a cave outside of muscle shoals.  that area is about and hour and half from here if you need help with anything let me know.  very nice of you
    @Kent8621

    Thank you for the heads up. I will contact them and see what I can do.

    I really appreciate your help. It really means a lot.
    "Knowledge is Good" - Emil Faber

    XL and MM
    Louisville, Kentucky
  • YukonRon
    YukonRon Posts: 16,984
    First off - so sorry to hear about your friend and their losing battle.  Cancer is a terrible affliction and needs to be eradicated.  F it.

    As far as food goes in Athens I'd send them to Last Resort Grill.  Great food and ambiance.  Small space so they should make reservations.  http://lastresortgrill.com/
    5 Bar has really good food as well.  http://five-bar.com/bar-locations/athens-georgia/
    The Grill is a good place to get burgers/fries/shakes - it is always open. 
    Grindhouse has good burgers as well - http://www.grindhouseburgers.com/
    Mayflower is good for meat +3 - http://mayflowerrestaurant.weebly.com/index.html

    Lyndon House Arts Center has a gallery and exhibits.  Exhibits change so they may want to check and see whats going on during their visit.  https://www.accgov.com/lyndonhouse\
    If they like vinyl records they need to stop into Wuxtry.  It's legendary!  I've been in here before when Michael Mills and Peter Buck were thumbing through albums!
    http://wuxtryrecords.com/

    For music:
    Georgia Theater - https://eventbritesites.com/tf/georgiatheatre  
    40 Watt 
    Classic Center - usually has bigger artists
    Livewire - https://livewireathens.com/calendar/
    The Foundry - https://thefoundryathens.com/


    If they catch a show at Georgia Theater let them know that there are tables along the front rail of the upper deck so you can sit down and are almost right above the stage.  There's also a rooftop bar that has live music as well.

    Let me know if I can be of any help.  I'm happy to answer any questions.  

    It has been a while since I had been to Athens, and a few of these places are familiar, and I believe captures the essence of what this upcoming trip is about.

    I really, really appreciate your effort here, it definitely took some time to do.

    I can't begin to express to you my gratitude for your help on this project.
    "Knowledge is Good" - Emil Faber

    XL and MM
    Louisville, Kentucky
  • Kent8621
    Kent8621 Posts: 843
    no problem at all ron let me know.  I grew up on the Indiana side of the river near you so happy to help anyone out up there.

    2 Large Eggs - Raleigh, NC

    Boiler Up!!

  • theyolksonyou
    theyolksonyou Posts: 18,458
    First off - so sorry to hear about your friend and their losing battle.  Cancer is a terrible affliction and needs to be eradicated.  F it.

    As far as food goes in Athens I'd send them to Last Resort Grill.  Great food and ambiance.  Small space so they should make reservations.  http://lastresortgrill.com/
    5 Bar has really good food as well.  http://five-bar.com/bar-locations/athens-georgia/
    The Grill is a good place to get burgers/fries/shakes - it is always open. 
    Grindhouse has good burgers as well - http://www.grindhouseburgers.com/
    Mayflower is good for meat +3 - http://mayflowerrestaurant.weebly.com/index.html

    Lyndon House Arts Center has a gallery and exhibits.  Exhibits change so they may want to check and see whats going on during their visit.  https://www.accgov.com/lyndonhouse\
    If they like vinyl records they need to stop into Wuxtry.  It's legendary!  I've been in here before when Michael Mills and Peter Buck were thumbing through albums!
    http://wuxtryrecords.com/

    For music:
    Georgia Theater - https://eventbritesites.com/tf/georgiatheatre  
    40 Watt 
    Classic Center - usually has bigger artists
    Livewire - https://livewireathens.com/calendar/
    The Foundry - https://thefoundryathens.com/


    If they catch a show at Georgia Theater let them know that there are tables along the front rail of the upper deck so you can sit down and are almost right above the stage.  There's also a rooftop bar that has live music as well.

    Let me know if I can be of any help.  I'm happy to answer any questions.  

    I hit those bars 20+ yrs ago when I’d spend my weekends over there. Good choices. 
  • SonVolt
    SonVolt Posts: 3,314
    edited June 2018
    If they're interested in the music that evolved from Muscle Shoals then I would schedule tours at the music studios where it all happened.

    https://www.visitflorenceal.com/things_to_do/music-tour-of-the-shoals/

    https://www.fame2.com/recording-studios/studio-tours/
    South of Nashville  -  BGE XL  -  Alfresco 42" ALXE  -  Alfresco Versa Burner  - Sunbeam Microwave 
  • northGAcock
    northGAcock Posts: 15,164
    edited June 2018
    First off - so sorry to hear about your friend and their losing battle.  Cancer is a terrible affliction and needs to be eradicated.  F it.

    As far as food goes in Athens I'd send them to Last Resort Grill.  Great food and ambiance.  Small space so they should make reservations.  http://lastresortgrill.com/
    5 Bar has really good food as well.  http://five-bar.com/bar-locations/athens-georgia/
    The Grill is a good place to get burgers/fries/shakes - it is always open. 
    Grindhouse has good burgers as well - http://www.grindhouseburgers.com/
    Mayflower is good for meat +3 - http://mayflowerrestaurant.weebly.com/index.html

    Lyndon House Arts Center has a gallery and exhibits.  Exhibits change so they may want to check and see whats going on during their visit.  https://www.accgov.com/lyndonhouse\
    If they like vinyl records they need to stop into Wuxtry.  It's legendary!  I've been in here before when Michael Mills and Peter Buck were thumbing through albums!
    http://wuxtryrecords.com/

    For music:
    Georgia Theater - https://eventbritesites.com/tf/georgiatheatre  
    40 Watt 
    Classic Center - usually has bigger artists
    Livewire - https://livewireathens.com/calendar/
    The Foundry - https://thefoundryathens.com/


    If they catch a show at Georgia Theater let them know that there are tables along the front rail of the upper deck so you can sit down and are almost right above the stage.  There's also a rooftop bar that has live music as well.

    Let me know if I can be of any help.  I'm happy to answer any questions.  

    I hit those bars 20+ yrs ago when I’d spend my weekends over there. Good choices. 
    .....and landed his better half. Ain't that bitter sweet.

    Ellijay GA with a Medium & MiniMax

    Well, I married me a wife, she's been trouble all my life,
    Run me out in the cold rain and snow
  • YukonRon
    YukonRon Posts: 16,984
    SonVolt said:
    If they're interested in the music that evolved from Muscle Shoals then I would schedule tours at the music studios where it all happened.

    https://www.visitflorenceal.com/things_to_do/music-tour-of-the-shoals/

    https://www.fame2.com/recording-studios/studio-tours/
    Thank you. This place is the reason they are going. Kind of a trip to music Mecca for them.

    Very kind of you to support this effort. I appreciate your help.
    "Knowledge is Good" - Emil Faber

    XL and MM
    Louisville, Kentucky
  • DoubleEgger
    DoubleEgger Posts: 17,128
    The Allman Brothers Museum/House in Macon is about an hour forty-five away from Athens if they’ve got time. 
  • SonVolt
    SonVolt Posts: 3,314
    There's also the Alabama Music Hall of Fame museum a few miles down the road in Tuscumbia. 

    http://www.alamhof.org/
    South of Nashville  -  BGE XL  -  Alfresco 42" ALXE  -  Alfresco Versa Burner  - Sunbeam Microwave 
  • Salmonegg
    Salmonegg Posts: 79
    Athens resident, here. Most folks (though, oddly, nobody here) will say the sine qua non of Athens dining is 5&10, but the first place I take out-of-towners for dinner is almost always The National. Mediterranean-style food with southern ingredients. The bar serves the full menu and I prefer to sit there and chat with the bartender and other diners/drinker. If your friends are into beer, hit the Creature Comforts brewery across the street, first.

    If they're into seafood, hit Seabear oyster bar on Prince, too.

    The best BBQ in town is Pulaski Heights BBQ. Don't be afraid of the "inauthentic" items on the menu- the kimchi on the pulled pork tacos is a real highlight, as is Ramen on Wednesdays.  Other good choices in that neighborhood, called "Boulevard," are White Tiger and Heirloom. If you want to drink where the adults drink, skip downtown and hit Hi-Lo, The Old Pal, and Normal Bar, which are all on Prince Ave.

    Other good food options are Home.Made (on Baxter) and LRG Provisions in Five Points. You can make a nice evening in Five Points, actually, with LRG, Donna Chang's (killer American-style Chinese food), and Condor Chocolates, along with a bookstore and some boutique-y shops, but I'd avoid the new bistro that just opened near there, which is having rough shake-down phase.

    For breakfast: Mama's Boy, Big City Bread, or Heirloom for a meal; Ike & Jane or The Independent if you just want pastries and coffee.

    GAT's recs for music above are good. The Georgia Theatre is still the best place to watch music in town, though check the 40-Watt and The Caledonia Lounge, too.  Flagpole (flagpole.com) is the local alt-weekly, which will have the best music listings. I haven't seen the current shows, but the Georgia Museum of Art is usually a good stop- manageably sized and a good break from the heat.
  • northGAcock
    northGAcock Posts: 15,164
    The Allman Brothers Museum/House in Macon is about an hour forty-five away from Athens if they’ve got time. 
    I highly recommend this. Also go to the cemetery and see the graves of Duane, Gregg and Barry Oakley. Also (not easy to find) but the grave of Elizabeth Reed (In memory of Elizabeth Reed title of great instrumental).

    https://www.maconga.org/blog/post/5-places-to-visit-for-the-allman-brothers-band-fan/
    Ellijay GA with a Medium & MiniMax

    Well, I married me a wife, she's been trouble all my life,
    Run me out in the cold rain and snow
  • jeffwit
    jeffwit Posts: 1,348
    I live about 20 miles from Athens. I’ll second Last Resort and LRG Provisions. LRG Provisions is a cool place- more tapas style and a good beer list. I’m not a wine guy, so can’t help there. Trappeze Pub has a limited menu, but it’s really good, and their truffle fries are outstanding. Good beer there, too. Creature Comforts makes some really good beer. Tritonia is my current favorite. 
    Jefferson, GA
    XL BGE, MM, Things to flip meat over and stuff
    Wife, 3 kids, 5 dogs, 4 cats, 12 chickens, 2 goats, 2 pigs. 
    “Honey, we bought a farm.”
  • DoubleEgger
    DoubleEgger Posts: 17,128
    The Allman Brothers Museum/House in Macon is about an hour forty-five away from Athens if they’ve got time. 
    I highly recommend this. Also go to the cemetery and see the graves of Duane, Gregg and Barry Oakley. Also (not easy to find) but the grave of Elizabeth Reed (In memory of Elizabeth Reed title of great instrumental).

    https://www.maconga.org/blog/post/5-places-to-visit-for-the-allman-brothers-band-fan/
    I think we might have to make an eggers day trip. @JRWhitee @bgebrent
  • bgebrent
    bgebrent Posts: 19,636
    The Allman Brothers Museum/House in Macon is about an hour forty-five away from Athens if they’ve got time. 
    I highly recommend this. Also go to the cemetery and see the graves of Duane, Gregg and Barry Oakley. Also (not easy to find) but the grave of Elizabeth Reed (In memory of Elizabeth Reed title of great instrumental).

    https://www.maconga.org/blog/post/5-places-to-visit-for-the-allman-brothers-band-fan/
    I think we might have to make an eggers day trip. @JRWhitee @bgebrent
    Count me in!
    Sandy Springs & Dawsonville Ga
  • theyolksonyou
    theyolksonyou Posts: 18,458
    @northGAcock she’s the real reason I was in town.  ;)
  • YukonRon
    YukonRon Posts: 16,984
    @northGAcock she’s the real reason I was in town.  ;)
    Kinda figured alcohol may have clouded her brilliance in judgement, at least on one occasion....
    Joking, of course....
    "Knowledge is Good" - Emil Faber

    XL and MM
    Louisville, Kentucky
  • GATraveller
    GATraveller Posts: 8,207
    YukonRon said:
    @northGAcock she’s the real reason I was in town.  ;)
    Kinda figured alcohol may have clouded her brilliance in judgement, at least on one occasion....
    Joking, of course....
    It had to help his chances......considering his school choice.   =)

    "Social media gives legions of idiots the right to speak when they once only spoke at a bar after a glass of wine, without harming the community [...] but now they have the same right to speak as a Nobel Prize winner. It's the invasion of the idiots."

                                                                                  -Umberto Eco

    2 Large
    Peachtree Corners, GA
  • REB17
    REB17 Posts: 152
    Been years since I spent time in Muscle Shoals area but the folks that make Dales sauce had a steakhouse in Florence, I believe, just across the river that we well worth the trip. 
    LGBE-1999, MBGE-2003, SBGE-2007

    Midlothian, VA
  • SonVolt
    SonVolt Posts: 3,314
    REB17 said:
    Been years since I spent time in Muscle Shoals area but the folks that make Dales sauce had a steakhouse in Florence, I believe, just across the river that we well worth the trip. 

    It's out of business now. Always thought it was a bit odd, at least by today's standards.  All the waiters were black men dressed in tuxedos and they'd say "Yessa" and "Nossa" like it was 1875. 
    South of Nashville  -  BGE XL  -  Alfresco 42" ALXE  -  Alfresco Versa Burner  - Sunbeam Microwave 
  • YukonRon
    YukonRon Posts: 16,984
    The Allman Brothers Museum/House in Macon is about an hour forty-five away from Athens if they’ve got time. 
    Totally will add this, thank you Michael.
    "Knowledge is Good" - Emil Faber

    XL and MM
    Louisville, Kentucky
  • YukonRon
    YukonRon Posts: 16,984
    Salmonegg said:
    Athens resident, here. Most folks (though, oddly, nobody here) will say the sine qua non of Athens dining is 5&10, but the first place I take out-of-towners for dinner is almost always The National. Mediterranean-style food with southern ingredients. The bar serves the full menu and I prefer to sit there and chat with the bartender and other diners/drinker. If your friends are into beer, hit the Creature Comforts brewery across the street, first.

    If they're into seafood, hit Seabear oyster bar on Prince, too.

    The best BBQ in town is Pulaski Heights BBQ. Don't be afraid of the "inauthentic" items on the menu- the kimchi on the pulled pork tacos is a real highlight, as is Ramen on Wednesdays.  Other good choices in that neighborhood, called "Boulevard," are White Tiger and Heirloom. If you want to drink where the adults drink, skip downtown and hit Hi-Lo, The Old Pal, and Normal Bar, which are all on Prince Ave.

    Other good food options are Home.Made (on Baxter) and LRG Provisions in Five Points. You can make a nice evening in Five Points, actually, with LRG, Donna Chang's (killer American-style Chinese food), and Condor Chocolates, along with a bookstore and some boutique-y shops, but I'd avoid the new bistro that just opened near there, which is having rough shake-down phase.

    For breakfast: Mama's Boy, Big City Bread, or Heirloom for a meal; Ike & Jane or The Independent if you just want pastries and coffee.

    GAT's recs for music above are good. The Georgia Theatre is still the best place to watch music in town, though check the 40-Watt and The Caledonia Lounge, too.  Flagpole (flagpole.com) is the local alt-weekly, which will have the best music listings. I haven't seen the current shows, but the Georgia Museum of Art is usually a good stop- manageably sized and a good break from the 





    @Salmonegg

    Thank you for your help with this project. I will certainly borrow from your insight to make this project have a pretty decent outcome.

    Just trying to help some folks out, after feeling pretty damn useless watching as they fade away.

    You are very kind to offer your assistance, and again, thank you so much.
    "Knowledge is Good" - Emil Faber

    XL and MM
    Louisville, Kentucky
  • YukonRon
    YukonRon Posts: 16,984
    jeffwit said:
    I live about 20 miles from Athens. I’ll second Last Resort and LRG Provisions. LRG Provisions is a cool place- more tapas style and a good beer list. I’m not a wine guy, so can’t help there. Trappeze Pub has a limited menu, but it’s really good, and their truffle fries are outstanding. Good beer there, too. Creature Comforts makes some really good beer. Tritonia is my current favorite. 
    @jeffwit

    Thank you for the information, I will make sure this will be part of the process as we move forward.

    There is no way on earth my friend will face this and just fade away, even though I witness the ravages brought on to his system.

    This is a trip they had always talked about. Hitting the cool places where so much music evolved. Their music, and others.

    In the last 3 years, I have lost 5 close friends to this disease. I went to listen to an author on his book tour, telling me how close we are to actually controlling cancer. He had lost his son and has become extremely involved in a global effort to beat this shid. I am hoping it happens.

    Thank you again for your assistance, it is valued greatly.
    "Knowledge is Good" - Emil Faber

    XL and MM
    Louisville, Kentucky
  • JRWhitee
    JRWhitee Posts: 5,678
    bgebrent said:
    The Allman Brothers Museum/House in Macon is about an hour forty-five away from Athens if they’ve got time. 
    I highly recommend this. Also go to the cemetery and see the graves of Duane, Gregg and Barry Oakley. Also (not easy to find) but the grave of Elizabeth Reed (In memory of Elizabeth Reed title of great instrumental).

    https://www.maconga.org/blog/post/5-places-to-visit-for-the-allman-brothers-band-fan/
    I think we might have to make an eggers day trip. @JRWhitee @bgebrent
    Count me in!
    I could do a day trip.
                                                                
    _________________________________________________
    Don't let the truth get in the way of a good story!
    Large BGE 2006, Mini Max 2014, 36" Blackstone, Anova Sous Vide
    Green Man Group 
    Johns Creek, Georgia
  • bgebrent
    bgebrent Posts: 19,636
    JRWhitee said:
    bgebrent said:
    The Allman Brothers Museum/House in Macon is about an hour forty-five away from Athens if they’ve got time. 
    I highly recommend this. Also go to the cemetery and see the graves of Duane, Gregg and Barry Oakley. Also (not easy to find) but the grave of Elizabeth Reed (In memory of Elizabeth Reed title of great instrumental).

    https://www.maconga.org/blog/post/5-places-to-visit-for-the-allman-brothers-band-fan/
    I think we might have to make an eggers day trip. @JRWhitee @bgebrent
    Count me in!
    I could do a day trip.
    Would be fun.
    Sandy Springs & Dawsonville Ga
  • oldmandawg
    oldmandawg Posts: 83
    Last Resort, Seabear in Athens.