By Nancy Padberg and Hank Bailey

Home to the University of Georgia, the Athens area offers lots of activities, including symphonies at the performing arts center, sporting events, road shows, Broadway productions, and well-known guest speakers. A four-season climate, lower costs, and the college campus attract retirees to this vibrant Georgia town. The spotlight of the city is the college, which is in the center of town, drawing students internationally and providing a global environment.

The charming town is filled with restaurants, clubs, galleries, newsstands, and coffee shops. One restaurant, Weaver D’s, known for its collard greens, was the unofficial lunch spot of rock legends REM. Long a musical hub, Athens boasts a vibrant music scene that began gaining international recognition in the late 70s. Bands such as REM and the B-52s rose to the top during the 80s as other bands perfected their talents in area clubs.

From Athens blogger Hank Bailey's daily travels: As I traversed through my schedule this week, I had an opportunity to speak with a Colorado gentleman traveler to Athens. He said he was really just a visitor who had dropped into town, although he just took a position at the University of Georgia, and he asked what a 57-year-old could do in Athens for fun.

Considering my passion for my "Classic City," and through my experience with Best Boomer Towns, I was able to give him a few ideas.

• Athens Heritage Walks: Because of our status with the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of the 2009 Dozen Distinctive Destinations, tours are being conducted all season long that provide tour goers with a colorful, fresh perspective on our Athenian history. Visit the Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation Web site for more information and tour schedules.

Read more about Athens. . . .