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9 Things to Do Your First Year in Athens-Limestone County

Are you a newbie? Well, you must meet a Nubian! Here are some other fun activities in North Alabama to try as well.

By Livability on December 4, 2021

A Nubian goat in Alabama
Bookout Studios

So you’ve just moved to Athens and Limestone County. You’re eager to embrace small-town living and the joys of a slower pace, no traffic jams, friendly neighbors and a home you can actually afford.

But there’s so much more to this bucolic town in North Alabama. There’s so many things to do in Athens and around the region. So now that you’ve settled in, here are nine must-try activities to enjoy your first year here. Enjoy!

1. Pet a Nubian.

Head over to 1818 Farms in Mooresville and, yes, pet a Nubian goat! Named for the year Mooresville was incorporated, this farm is also home to sheep, pigs, chickens, barn cats and Great Pyrenees dogs. Once you’ve seen all the animals, consider taking a tour of the farm or stopping by the Garden House gift shop, which sells eggs, produce, flowers and handmade soaps, among other things. The farm also hosts farm-to-table dinners.

2. Go antiquing for your new home.

Ready to find a few decorations for your new place? Peruse some of the region’s antique stores like Garnets on the Square in Athens, The Willow Cottage in Athens, Paper Trail Antiques in Elkmont, and Country Traditions in Ardmore. You are sure to find an item or two that suits your style and helps make your new living space feel like home.

3. Enjoy an event to die for.

Attend the annual Athens Cemetery Stroll, an event that takes place in early October and features costumed reenactors who bring the voices of Limestone County’s history to life. This outdoor theatrical program occurs at Athens City Cemetery, and about 25 reenactors portray past prominent citizens, such as Gov. George S. Houston, Capt. Thomas Hubbard Hobbs, Judge William H. Walker and Margaret Beckham Nixon.

A marina near Athens, AL
Jeff Adkins

4. Savor a spectacular sunset.

Enjoy a gorgeous sunset over the Tennessee River at Joe Wheeler State Park in Rogersville. Before the sun sets, make sure you explore the park. It is home to Wheeler Lake as well as a 2.5-mile loop for hiking and biking, and an 18-hole golf course.

5. Step back in time.

There’s no better way to learn about your new community and state than to start at the beginning. Join the thousands of people each year who explore Alabama Veterans Museum & Archives, which opened in 2002 and honors veterans and their families with displays of memorabilia from the Revolutionary War to the present. Located in an old L&N freight depot in Athens, the museum is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Goat cheese
iStock.com/bhofack2

6. Say cheese, please.

Take a tour of Belle Chevre, a goat cheese creamery that has been churning out products in Elkmont for more than three decades. Some of the company’s cheeses have even been served at White House dinners. Give these creamy products a taste yourself by eating at the creamery’s café after your tour. We suggest you try one of their spreads – original, honey, roasted red pepper, garden veggie or fig.

7. Score fresh finds.

Spend a Saturday morning shopping for fresh fruits and vegetables at Athens Saturday Market, which is open from early June through August from 8 a.m. to noon at the Green Street Pavilion. While you are here, make sure to check out the baked goods, live music, and arts and crafts.

8. Become a sharp-shooter on the court.

Check out Noah Basketball – named after the biblical Noah’s Ark – an academy in Athens that helps basketball players of all levels become better shooters. Here, participants are encouraged to focus on the arc of their shot. The company uses machine vision technology and instant audio feedback as well as other techniques to help players improve.

9. Check out a classic.

Attend a classic car show in the region and marvel at these antique beauties. We suggest you try Ardmore Car Show or the Athens Car & Bike Show. Ardmore is an annual event that occurs in October and features more than 1,000 vehicles on display at Ardmore Ridge Road, while Athens Car & Bike takes place on the last weekend in April each year along the downtown public square.

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