Are you feeling like there is nothing else to do in Athens besides go out and drink? Well, you aren’t alone. So many people in Athens feel there is almost nothing to do, especially on weekends, except go out and drink. I mean, much of Athens relies on bar and party culture, and it can be exhausting and difficult for those who aren’t looking to consume any alcohol. If any of this applies to you, look no further than this list, where I will tell you all the best things to do in Athens, no alcohol required.
Live Music
The live music scene in Athens is so incredible and diverse. So many people overlook it and have never even been to one show, even though it is so accessible. For starters, there are some shows (or at the very least DJ dance parties) almost every weekend at The Union, Casa Nueva, The Smiling Skull, and so many more places, all right by campus. I understand that most of these are technically bars and may require a fee to get in, but some are 18+, so you can still go if you are underage. If you don’t want to go to a bar, places like Donkey Coffee often host live shows, open mic nights, poetry readings, and more, all for free! I recommend checking these out if you still want to “go out” but don’t want to feel pressured to drink.
Good Eats
Everyone knows Court Street is home to some of Athens’ best and most famous food: O’Betty’s Red Hot, Big Mamma’s Burritos, Casa Nueva, Grab-N-Go, Jimmy Johns, and many more. My personal favorite is Souvlaki’s. Nothing is better than a Souvlaki’s falafel pita at 2 a.m., and I stand by that. If you’re craving pizza, there is always Goodfellas (my favorite) and Courtside. Even if you want to have a little night-in with your friends (or even alone), most of these places offer delivery, or at least carry out in one form or another. It is even fun to go out and sit in these restaurants for the night. It is fun to sit with friends (as long as you aren’t holding up tables). I cannot tell you how many nights I have spent in these establishments just chatting and chowing with my friends, and they are some of the best times I have ever had.
University Events
Especially during the week, the university holds many fun events for anyone to attend. Events ranging from movie nights to craft nights to build-a-bobcat, and so many more are all offered to give students a way to get out and connect with other bobcats. The best part is that these events often offer free food, so you don’t have to waste your money on going out to eat or using a meal swipe.
The university also often hosts concerts, magic shows, and a variety of performances. These events are often held in either MemAud (Memorial Auditorium) or Baker Theater (on the second floor of Baker). Often, you have to pay for tickets or at least RSVP in some way on the university website, which is a bit of a bummer, but it is usually not too expensive and a ton of fun!
Of course, another super fun examples of university events are any sports event. Students get in free to almost every game for every sport the university has to offer. For example, basketball, volleyball, baseball, football, JV Hockey (I am pretty sure that you have to pay for Varsity Hockey, which is lowkey ridiculous), and so many more. They usually send an email a day or two before the games or post a schedule online. Something else that is cool about these games is that they often have raffles and free food ( like Chick-fil-A and Canes) that are available to you just for going to the game. My favorite incentive is when they had out free merch, especially free shirts.
Walking and Watching
It might sound basic, but in the warmer months, my absolute favorite thing to do is walk around campus. OU has some of the most beautiful scenery in Ohio, and it is just amazing to walk down the bike path or up to the ridges and take it all in. It is also fascinating to walk down Court Street, Mill Street, or wherever and watch people make a fool of themselves. I love to sit on the steps of one of the Court Street churches on busy nights and watch people walk by. It might just be because I am as nosy as they come, but I love to see people out with their friends and get a little glimpse into their lives, and it reminds me that I am not the center of the universe. Sometimes, I need that because I have a touch of main-character syndrome.
Finally
I hope you found this list helpful and find the time to try some of these things. It might seem lame to go to university events or walk around campus, but I promise it is a blast if you have the right people by your side (or even the right playlist if you need a night to yourself). Just remember going forward to keep an open mind and remember you don’t need alcohol to have a good time.