What strikes most newcomers to Athens is the area鈥檚 dedication to cultivating community. Founded in 1797, Athens was an important stop on the Underground Railroad, and the United Mine Workers of America started as a gathering of coal miners in the area.
A nationally recognized local food scene, a location near some of the state鈥檚 best hiking trails and parks, a place in the Top 100 Art Communities in America, and a long history of campus and city activism related to sustainability and social justice have all helped to establish Athens as one of today鈥檚 鈥50 Best College Towns to Live in Forever.鈥 Annual local events like the Pawpaw Festival and the Nelsonville Music Festival celebrate the area鈥檚 natural beauty and reputation for not only being a growing tourist destination, but also a family-friendly and safe place to live.
