1. The Hill Is Where Old Homes Go To Retire
Just past the perimeter where Prince Avenue becomes Jefferson Road, there's a pastoral, private parcel of land on the left known as The Hill. The property contains a collection of antebellum and early 20th century homes, including the Armstrong-Dobbs house, one of Athens' oldest homes built in the late 1700s.
Most of the homes have been moved from other places and restored to their former glory. Owner Lee Epting calls The Hill his orphanage for old homes. It's also the home base for his company Epting Events.
2. This Mysterious Wooded Trail Next To The Bypass Leads Nowhere In Particular
For some reason there's a well-worn 1.5-mile footpath leading from a drainage ditch by Riverbend Road to the railroad tracks near the Milledge Avenue exit of the bypass. The trail is oddly scenic even though it's within yards of a major thoroughfare on either side.
Perhaps it's a shortcut for students without cars heading to campus, but they'd have to walk a long way along the railroad tracks after getting off this shady trail through no-man's land. Someone recently chainsawed some trees along the trail, presumably making it more amenable for riding mountain bikes.
3. The Tree Room Has Its Own Canopy Cover
Most developers who come into possession of an old industrial space with no roof and a tree growing inside its walls would probably raze it and start over. Not so at the hip, artsy and off-the-beaten-path Chase Park Warehouses on Tracy Street.
This building, known as The Tree Room, has been turned into a bucolic gathering spot. The trees have spread out so much that they've created a canopy cover, so it feels like you're indoors in this relaxing, roofless space.
4. And The Tree That Owns Itself Has A Son
Everyone in Athens knows about the Tree That Owns Itself at the intersection of Dearing and Finley streets (the latter street still paved with bricks), but what many may not realize is that the tree isn't the original Tree That Owns Itself. That one was felled by a storm in 1942. Its offspring now stands in the same spot.
The Son of the Tree That Owns Itself came from an acorn of the original oak that was deeded ownership of itself sometime in the late 19th century. That original tree was once said to have been the largest tree in Athens.
5. UGA Has Its Own Version Of The Illuminati
UGA has a few secret societies, but Gridiron is like the South's own version of Yale's Skull and Bones, except it's more secret because the university has no official affiliation with it. Interestingly enough, UGA's first president, Abraham Baldwin, went to Yale and was a Skull and Bones member.
Founded in 1908, no one knows much about Gridiron or its operations, but some of its membership is widely known. It reads like a who's-who of important and powerful figures from the South, including Jimmy Carter and Sam Nunn. Both of those men, incidentally, have either a child or a grandchild running for important political offices in November of 2014.
6. There Used To Be A Fence Specifically For Keeping Livestock Off Campus
Athens was still a rural and agricultural place in the days before the horseless carriage, so horses, donkeys, goats, and other livestock were a common sight roaming around downtown and the perimeter of the campus. A wooden fence was erected to keep the livestock off campus. Later, it became an iron fence along Broad Street and the arch was put in place.
Freshmen had to climb the fence to avoid walking under the arch. This can only mean that at one time errant livestock had more mobility rights in Athens than UGA underclassmen.
7. UGA's Mascot Could Have Been A Goat
It may sound like sacrilege to hardcore Bulldog fans today, but UGA's first mascot was actually a goat. Back in the late 1800s, when football was a new sport and the university surrounded by livestock, a goat was a natural and easy choice for a mascot. Goats were everywhere back then.
Contests were held to see which goat got to represent the team on the sidelines. It wasn't until much later that a bull terrier was selected as a more appropriate mascot, which eventually led to the reign of a bulldog named Uga.
8. One Of The World's Largest Framed Oil Paintings Is Inside UGA's Chapel
UGA's imposing Greek Revival white-columned chapel is passed by multitudes of students, faculty, football fans and the general public on a daily basis, most of whom never bother to go inside.
If they did venture into this acoustically perfect structure they would get a gander of one of the largest oil paintings in the world. The painting, set behind the stage, is of the interior of St. Peter’s basilica in Rome, and it's easy to get lost in.
9. You Won’t Find Any Two-For-One Drink Specials Here
Being a college town, Athens has no shortage of bars selling cheap beer and cocktails. One thing those bars can't sell: two drinks for the price of one. The local government frowns on such drink specials, so much so that it's made the practice illegal.
Also prohibited under the same law: all-you-can-drink-for-one-price specials. No one seems to notice or complain, though, because it's not hard finding bars selling cheap booze in Athens, nor thirsty patrons to fill them.
10. The Best View In Town Is From The Top Of A Parking Deck
Even though downtown Athens is situated on top of a hill, it's hard to get a good view of the surrounding area from a public place. The best place to take in the view from on high is from the seventh level of the parking deck across from city hall.
Take the elevator up to the sixth level and walk up the final flight of stairs to the open-air top level. Not only do you get a good view of downtown, but on clear days you can see the mountains of North Georgia faintly in the distance. But remember, no loitering.
11. There’s An Observatory On Top Of The Physics Building
I call myself an amateur astronomy buff, but in all the years I lived in Athens I never knew there was an observatory open to the public on campus. It's on top of the physics building.
Once a month the Department of Physics and Astronomy conducts an open house where the general public is invited to come and view the night sky through their 24-inch telescope. In case of inclement weather, you'll have to settle for an enlightening lecture in the auditorium.
Featured Image Source: Flickr user Patrick Denker
Did we miss anything? Tell us your favorite secret spot in Athens in the comments below! 
