There is nothing like a Saturday in Athens “Between the Hedges” to cheer on everyone’s favorite back-to-back National Champions, the Georgia Bulldogs! Whether your favorite thing to do on game day is to tailgate with friends, or cheer on the Dawgs at Sanford Stadium, dawg fans from everywhere ride on Traditions Highway to get to those fun destinations to celebrate our favorite team! From Folkston all the way to the Classic City, we have some fun stops along the way that would be perfect to check off of your game day Bucket List!
1.) Make a pit stop and stay at The Inn at Folkston!
This deluxe bed and breakfast is perfect to kick your long weekend off before heading to Athens to watch the Georgia Bulldogs take home another victory! As you arrive, you’re immediately greeted by innkeepers, Ted & Alease, who make you feel as if you’re right at home. You can choose from one of their four themed rooms and enjoy the warm friendly atmosphere of a bed and breakfast and the security of a private home. The innkeepers encourage you to explore the surrounding two acres of Inn property and Verandah during your stay. There are multiple sitting areas that make excellent places to bird-watch since Folkston is a designated bird sanctuary. Don’t forget to make plans to enjoy The Folkston Inn’s famous breakfast each morning! Talked about all over town and beyond, the locally sourced breakfast at the inn is to die for. It consists of coffee, orange juice, a hearty serving of fresh seasonal fruit, and a main course that includes “chicken George’s” fresh eggs, bacon or locally made “Wainwright’ ‘ sausage and breads.
2.) Stop at Dick’s Wings & Things to pick up tailgate food in Baxley!
It’s time to tailgate! This “King of Wings” restaurant is known for its varieties in wing sauce. Stop in Downtown Baxley for great food that travels well to any football tailgate. Not only do they offer wings on their menu, but they have burgers, sandwiches, salads, and wraps. The atmosphere is perfect to dine-in with family and friends, and to drink a cold beer and watch the game! On Saturdays, they have a special of Two-for-One Bud Light & Michelob Ultra Drafts! Whether you take your food on-the-go or stop in, you will not regret it! They are open on weekdays as well, but their hours on Saturdays are from 11:00 A.M.-10:00 P.M.
3.) Grab a coffee or a little “something sweet” for the road at S’moore Coffee Shop in Vidalia & Lyons!
Make one of your first stops on the road to Athens at either location along Traditions Highway at S’moore Coffee Shop! They are a family-owned business that serves regular brewed coffee, espresso-based drinks such as lattes and frappuccinos and pastry items. If you stop by their Lyons location, their S’moore Creation Boutique inside the coffee shop also has Georgia gear and items perfect to grab on your way to the game. Purchase a t-shirt and coffee, and head on Traditions Highway to a fun game-day in Athens!
4.) Visit Herschel Walker’s hometown, Wrightsville, GA!
There would be nothing cooler to do on a Georgia game day than to swing by the town of Wrightsville to see the field Georgia’s own Herschel Walker played on at the beginning of his football career before heading to play for the Georgia Bulldogs. In 1982, Walker won the Heisman Trophy and was the second Georgia Bulldog to win the title. Just being on Herschel Walker Field helps you imagine what it was like to watch him during the football game of a lifetime. If you listen closely, you can almost hear the roars of the crowd on a crisp, fall night underneath the Friday night lights!
5.) Take a picture at the UGA Football Barn Sign in Tennille!
It’s always a great day to be a Georgia Bulldog! Show your love for your favorite team in front of the UGA Football Barn Sign located in Tennille! Back in the 2000 football season, Ross Smith and his cousins got together and first painted the barn to voice their opinion on the QB battle at the time. Listen to the story of the UGA Barn Sign landmark here that was filmed two years ago by a local news station.
When driving through Washington County, grab your phone and snap a quick picture on your road trip to the Classic City. Crossing our fingers next year, this sign will say BACK to BACK to BACK National Champions!
6.) Pick out a Game Day outfit at Glow Boutique in Sandersville, GA!
If you need a last-minute game day outfit or accessories to go with your Georgia gear, Glow Boutique in Sandersville is the perfect place to stop. They have so many different pieces to sport, whether it be a t-shirt, earrings, or you can walk out with an entire outfit to wear to the game! Nothing screams “Go Dawgs” louder than red and black! On Saturdays, their hours are from 9:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M., so you can make an early morning stop just in time to hit Traditions Highway on the way to the stadium!
7.) Stop in for a drink with friends at Oconee Brewing Co. in Downtown Greensboro!
Oconee Brewing Company is located on West Street nestled beside the train tracks and Feed and Seed in Downtown Greensboro. Just forty-five minutes away from Sanford Stadium, it is the perfect place to stop to pre-game or to watch the game with friends. Even if you aren’t a craft beer enthusiast, we promise a frosty glass or can of an OBC beer will change your mind! Housed in a 6,000 square foot former mill warehouse, Oconee Brewing Company opened in 2017. Its casual and fun atmosphere will allow you to kick back and relax without a care in the world. You’ll have the opportunity to enjoy some of the finest craft beers in Georgia while experiencing a local delicacy. One of their customers said, “This is a craft experience worth going off the beaten path for”….and we have to agree.
8.) Bring your lawn chair & watch the game with friends at Wire Park!
On the outskirts of Athens in Watkinsville, Wire Park offers a fun opportunity every Georgia game day to watch the game on the big screen at their Pavillon. Bring your lawn chair, friends and family, and enjoy watching the game on Saturdays. A couple of days before, they announce what local restaurants will be on-site, so you will be set with some food options to choose from. Wire Park is new to the Watkinsville area, and is also home to many small businesses such as South Main Brewery and Birdawg Boutique; two great places to visit to get drinks and a game day outfit for the game!
Follow along on their social media for updates on events and what they offer on Georgia game days!
9.) Swing by The Iron Horse Nutrition in Watkinsville to fuel up to cheer on the Dawgs!
For your last stop, get fueled up to cheer on the Dawgs and stop by The Iron Horse Nutrition on the way to Sanford Stadium! From loaded teas, beauty drinks, specialty drinks and shakes, they have a variety to choose from. In honor of our beloved Georgia Bulldogs, they have added three drinks to their menu: “the Bulldawgs shake” with red velvet oreo flavor, a “UGA” loaded tea flavored with grape and strawberry, and a beauty drink with dragon fruit and pomegranate flavors called the “Boys of Fall.” Located in Watkinsville, you are not far from your final destination to watch some Georgia football!
10.) Grab a bite to eat & a cold beer at Fully Loaded Pizza Co. in Watkinsville!
Watkinsville has a variety of restaurants to choose from, but there is nothing like eating a hot slice of cheese pizza with an ice cold beer on game day! Whether heading to downtown Athens to cheer for the Dawgs in the stands or sitting at the bar to watch the game on ESPN, Fully Loaded Pizza Co. has the perfect atmosphere to pre-game and to hang with family and friends to watch the big game. Not only does Fully Loaded serve pizza, but they have many other items on their menu to choose from. They have the best wings, wraps, salads, pasta, hoagies, and more! Fully Loaded also has a second location in Athens on Milledge Avenue.
