Words by Christiana Roussel
Photos by Mali Azima, Andrew Thomas Lee, Kathryn McCrary
If you spend any time at all in the South, you quickly learn that college football is something of a religion here. Couples know to avoid planning weddings on Saturdays when rival teams play one another. On game day weekends, college-town hotels sell out rooms for rates that sound like Monopoly money—and they still require a two-night minimum for reservations! And depending on which town you are in, there will be a surfeit of orange, red, or blue attire. But if you’ve always wanted to explore Southeastern Conference, or SEC, towns like Athens, Georgia, or Auburn, Alabama, a bye week (a scheduled week during football season when a team does not have a game) in the fall might be the perfect time.
Athens, Georgia
Home of the University of Georgia Bulldogs
STAY
Rivet House – This recently renovated (by acclaimed interior designer and creative director Jessica Whitley) former denim factory is now a hub of serenity and quietly gracious hospitality. Add an extra day to your stay so you can indulge in the hotel’s spa with a facial or massage.
The Bell Hotel by Kasa – An Athens landmark since 1916, this repurposed telephone building still buzzes with character, modern-day amenities, and an easy self-check-in.
EAT
Breakfast/Brunch
Last Resort Grill – Go for the shrimp and grits or Carolina crabcakes.
Mama’s Boy – Truck stop biscuits and gravy or the Georgia peach French toast will power you up for the day.
Lunch
Puma Yu’s – Nontraditional Thai dishes, made with seasonal ingredients, are the order of the day here.
Maepole – The self-described purveyor of healthy comfort food offers quick and easy food to go.
Dinner
Five & Ten – At this longtime local favorite, start with the oysters and green apple mignonette before ordering the seared pork collar or Carolina Gold risotto.
Osteria Olio – Here, within the Rivet House hotel, order the family-style chef’s tasting menu, then sit back and relax.
ZZ & Simone’s – Linger longer over pizza and pasta, or come back for Sunday brunch.
DO
Athens Beer Trail – What would a college town be without a solid beer lineup? Pick up a map (and a pint) at Akademia Brewing Company, Athentic Brewing Company, Creature Comforts Brewing Company, Terrapin Beer Company, or Normaltown Brewing Company. Visit all five, and then stop by the Historic Athens Welcome Center to claim your prize.
Stroll Through the Dearing Street Historic District – Lined with late-19th- and early-20th-century homes, Dearing Street is home to the Tree That Owns Itself (a great photo op!). This four-block walk exudes charm and architectural heritage.
Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery – Founded in 1882, this historic African American cemetery offers a poignant glimpse into Athens’ past. Wander through the serene grounds and reflect on the stories etched in stone.
See live music at the famed 40 Watt Club and the Georgia Theatre (part of the Athens Music Walk of Fame), which have hosted legendary bands like the B-52’s and R.E.M. The city’s annual Porchfest is scheduled for Oct. 19, when more than 200 concerts will take place on more than 150 local porches.
SHOP
Get your thrift on at Mother Lode and the Starlite Showroom.
Looking for something more upscale? Check out Heery’s Clothes Closet, DUKES Clothier, and Monkee’s of Athens.
Dick Ferguson’s Clothing Store has been kitting out Athens gentlemen traditionally since 1934, while Kempt takes a more modern approach with what they call “clothing for the other guys.”
Beth Hughes founded Little Light Co. to create all-natural, hand-poured candles with scents that give an olfactory nod to the town she calls home. To “capture the spirit and creativity in Athens,” she developed the Ginkgo candle, inspired by the golden yellow leaves of the iconic trees that used to line Prince Avenue. “When you light a candle, that first spark brings joy and peace.”
Auburn, Alabama
Home of the Auburn University Tigers
STAY
The Laurel Hotel & Spa – You’ll swear you’re at a Ritz-Carlton property with the level of service and amenities at this hotel, housed in the Tony & Libba Rane Culinary Sciences Center on the campus of Auburn University. Rooms are spacious, and meals are sumptuous with daily complimentary food and beverage presentations in the library. A preprandial visit to Walt’s on the Roof is all but mandatory.
The Graduate Hotel – One word of advice: You’d better be OK with a lot of orange and blue if you are staying here. There is a preponderance of those Auburn University Tiger colors, from the lobby to the guest baths.
The Collegiate Hotel – Owned and operated by a pair of Auburn alums, this hip, cool, fresh spot is within walking distance of so much. Bonus: The staff is happy to ferry you around with their on-site golf cart service.
If you spend any time at all in the South, you quickly learn that college football is something of a religion here.
EAT
Breakfast/Brunch
Byron’s Smokehouse – Locals love this old-school, home-style breakfast spot where you can build your own biscuit.
Botanic – Plan your Sunday morning around a leisurely, elegant brunch at Botanic; request a table with a lakeside view.
Lunch
Hey Day Market – In this upscale food hall, there is something for everyone: burgers at Little Darling, SoCal tacos from Wildchild, crepes, poké bowls, and gelato.
The Irritable Bao – The line forms early, and the menu changes daily. However, the wait is worth it; the buffalo chicken dip bao is always in demand. First-time visitors often get a photo taken for social media.
Dinner
Lucy’s – There’s a neon sign at the back of Lucy’s that reads, “Smile Eat Laugh Talk Kiss Drink Shout,” all of which will invariably happen on any given night in this hip, happy spot. Order the 32-ounce, koji-aged tomahawk rib-eye steak for the table and a bevy of sides to share.
The Depot – This former stop on a rail line is now the place for spicy blue crab dip and shrimp and grits.
1856 – Billed as “the world’s finest teaching restaurant,” this culinary gem is the crown jewel of the Auburn University Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management program. Here, students work alongside a James Beard Award-winning chef to turn out five-star-level dining experiences.
DO
Visit all 18 murals on the Auburn-Opelika mural trail and snap a selfie at each.
Be a student again and take part in a weekend workshop at the Rane Culinary Sciences Center. Learn alongside chefs and sommeliers to master new techniques and up your wine selection game.
Grab a fresh-squeezed lemonade at Toomer’s Drugs.
Explore the Kreher Preserve & Nature Center. Fall is the perfect time to take to the butterfly garden, waterfall, pond, and 6 miles of walking trails here. Check kpnc.auburn.edu for special fall events.
Take in an exhibit at the Jule Museum, located on the Auburn University campus, where visual arts take center stage. The Dale Chihuly chandelier is wow-worthy.
SHOP
TLR Clothiers (aka The Locker Room) – A college-town staple, The Locker Room has been dressing men in everything from tuxedos to game day attire since the original location was founded in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1977.
10,000 Hz Records – This record store is as kitschy as they come and gives off all the cool vinyl vibes.
Wakefield Home – Housed in the former Alabama Office Supply Co. building, owners Joan and Wake Asbury offer a curated selection of home interiors and lifestyle goods.
Auburn Oil Co. Booksellers – This independent bookstore specializes in great stories, not just great books. Check their calendar for upcoming author events.
Knoxville, Tennessee
Home of the University of Tennessee Volunteers
STAY
Hyatt Place Knoxville /Downtown – The SEC was founded here in 1932 when this downtown hotel was formerly known as the Farragut Hotel. Don’t skip the hotel’s rooftop bar.
Oliver Hotel – This boutique hotel in the heart of Market Square is as charming as it gets. After hours, suss out the hotel’s speakeasy, the Pete Kern Library, for custom cocktails.
EAT
Breakfast
Potchke – The vibe here is Jewish deli in the heart of Miami Beach. Come for the chocolate babka, but don’t sleep on the “rip ‘n’ dip” with house-made, sunflower-bean spread and labneh with your everything bialy.
Pete’s Restaurant & Coffee Shop – This quintessential downtown diner exudes local charm.
Lunch
Curious Dog – The menu at this Old City deli features dozens of creative spins on the traditional hot dog and sandwich. Grab an India pale ale from the cooler and settle in.
Calhoun’s on the River – Calhoun’s has been serving up barbecue in Knoxville for four decades. When the weather is just right, grab a seat on the deck of the riverfront location.
71 South – This repurposed church has been transformed into the perfect spot to grab a bite in the Baker Creek Bottoms area, a haven for lovers of the outdoors.
Dinner
Lilou Brasserie – Step inside this Gay Street restaurant, and you’ll swear you’ve been transported to the 11th arrondissement in Paris. Owners Aaron and Jessica Thompson also own Brother Wolf and Osteria Stella in the Old City.
J.C. Holdway – Chef Joseph Lenn transforms and elevates the old-world Appalachian fare he grew up with into award-winning cuisine.
DO
Sip and stroll downtown Knoxville. Plan a First Fridays kind of night, where shops, art galleries, and venues stay open later to make the most of a long weekend.
History buffs can download the VoiceMap app for a self-guided walking tour of downtown.
Amble the Ale Trail for brewery stops. Xül (“zool”) Beer Company is a particular highlight. Download a digital passport for the Ale Trail at visitknoxville.com/aletrail.
Get out there at Ijams (“i-ams”) Nature Center, explore their Navitat adventure park, or check out Mead’s Quarry.
See the skyline from atop the Sunsphere, erected for the 1982 World’s Fair.
Take in a show at the Tennessee Theatre.
SHOP
Maker Exchange – This public, creative hub is equal parts gallery, retail shop, gathering spot, and event space.
M. S. McClellan – This men’s clothing store is the place for the nattily-dressed.
Mast General – These regional shops carry everything, from penny candy and hiking boots to home goods and carabiners. Their dedication to reclaiming historic sites in downtowns makes them committed community partners, as well as a fun place to shop.
