Athens' Scenic Fall Foliage Trail Named 'Best Scenic Drive'

In 2012, the City of Athens Department of Tourism created a self-guided driving trail for visitors to take who were looking for places to see the fall colors of East Texas. Now just two years later, the Scenic Fall Foliage Trail has been named the best scenic drive in upper East Texas in the annual survey conducted by County Line Magazine.

The 55-mile self-guided driving trail includes several points of interests in Henderson County such as the NY-TX Zipline Adventures, the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center, the East Texas Arboretum & Botanical Society and Tara Vineyard and Winery. Visitors can zip through tree tops, walk the interpretive wetland trail, stroll through gardens and visit the oldest winery in Henderson County all while enjoying the beautiful fall foliage displays.

During the fall foliage season, fall foliage trail maps are available online at www.AthensTX.org and at the City of Athens Department of Tourism located at 201 W. Corsicana Street.

A couple of other local gems made the list including the East Texas Arboretum & Botanical Society for best afternoon stroll and Gallery 211 for best art gallery.

For more information about Athens including accommodations and upcoming events, please visit www.AthensTX.org or call 1-888-294-2847 to request a free visitor's guide.

Christmas Park Land of Lights Open for Holiday Season through Jan. 3

Open nightly through January 3, Christmas Park Land of Lights is a drive through Christmas Park in Athens with over four million lights, 2,000 wood cut outs, more than 60 scenes over one mile long! There are 50 motion controlled lighted scenes, seven tunnels, fourteen arches and a concession stand.

Christmas Park Land of Lights opened in 1998 and has grown each year with visitors from all 50 states and many visitors from out of the country. All the wood cut outs and the majority of the metal art were designed and constructed on the park grounds. Each year they try to add new scenes, new art, and new music in hopes that it will bring out the child in all of us and help everyone to remember and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.

Christmas Park Land of Lights is open from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. through Jan. 3. For more information including prices, please click here.

Athens Christmas Parade Winners Announced

Congratulations to all the winners of the Athens Christmas Parade. Pictured here are Athens City officials and parade judge presenting the first place winner, Eye on the County, a check for $500. Second and third place winners are Athens Tractor and Equipment and Grace Bible Church. The second place winner will receive a check for $300 and third place $200. Prize money is sponsored by Republic Services and Kevin Lilly's McDonald's. The annual lighted Christmas Parade, sponsored by the City of Athens, took place on Saturday, Dec. 6 in downtown Athens.

Athens Christmas Parade Scheduled for December 6

Plans are in full swing for the annual lighted Christmas Parade, Magical Christmas in downtown
Athens, sponsored by the City of Athens.

The annual lighted Christmas Parade will kick off at 6:30 p.m. in downtown Athens on Saturday, Dec. 6.

Parade winners will be announced downtown at the judges' staging area 30 minutes after the parade. Prizes will be awarded to the first, second, and third place winners, sponsored by Republic Services and Kevin Lilly's McDonald's. The first place winner will receive $500, second place $300 and third place $200.

The fun doesn't end yet; stick around for the Christmas Parade Street Celebration, sponsored by local churches, which will include a petting zoo, bounce houses and displays that will take place around the square in downtown Athens.

Come early for Holiday on the Square, sponsored by the Light Up Athens committee, that will take place downtown on the Courthouse Square from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and will feature a Holiday Market, arts and crafts for children, visits with Santa, and the lighting of the Christmas Tree. Keep Athens Beautiful will have a food booth with pulled pork sandwiches, hot dogs and Frito pie, while supplies last.

Bring the entire family and join us for a Magical Christmas in downtown Athens.

For more information, please click here.

Scenic Fall Foliage Driving Trail

Cool, crisp temperatures of the fall season are arriving in Athens and with that comes an onset of autumn color. Each autumn in Athens, the picturesque landscape transforms to vibrant colors throughout the East Texas woodlands.

The City of Athens Department of Tourism offers a scenic driving trail for visitors to take this fall season to view the fall foliage of East Texas. Here you will find beautiful autumn color displays of the deciduous trees including oaks, maples, sweetgums and sumacs.

The 55-mile self-guided driving trail includes several points of interest such as the NY-TX Zipline Adventures, located atop the highest point in Henderson County; the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center, where visitors can walk the interpretive wetland trail and learn about the hatchery; next visitors can stroll through the gardens at the East Texas Arboretum & Botanical Society and visit Tara Vineyard and Winery; the oldest winery in Henderson County.

Autumn color is expected through late November. Please click here to check foliage reports or call 1-888-294-2847 to request a free visitor's guide.

Haunted Trail at the East Texas Arboretum Oct. 21-25

The East Texas Arboretum will be a frightful place to visit Oct. 21-25 during the Haunted Trail.

The Haunted Trail will be open at 6 p.m. for small children for $4 per child. Tickets for performances after dark are $8, and will be geared toward older kids. Children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.

Starting at 6 p.m., small groups will be led down the trail by their own Zombie tour guide. As guests enter a darkened world, they will encounter fog and flashing lights that will reveal live and animated creatures including ghosts, more zombies, as well as a series of other scary, very active, night creatures.

A best scream and best costume contest will be held on Saturday, Oct. 25.

A concession stand under the gazebo will have edible treats for sale. Frito pie, hot dogs, popcorn, hot chocolate and other drinks of True Blood will be on the menu. Scary movies will be playing for viewing while you eat.

For more information, please click here.

Halloween at the Hatchery Coming Up Oct. 30

Halloween at the Hatchery provides a safe trick-or-treating atmosphere for thousands of guests
annually.

Local businesses and organizations will hand out free candy, and the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center will be decorated throughout with a Halloween theme.

The Anglers Pavilion will be the site of a fright-free area featuring prizes and game booths for small children. Parents wishing to visit this area should park in the overflow parking lot on Peninsula Point Road and enter through Gate C.

The event will take place from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30. Cost is $1 admission, donation to local charities.

For more information, please click here.

Celebrate the beginning of fall at the East Texas Arboretum's Fall Festival Oct. 11

Join the East Texas Arboretum and Botanical Society on Saturday, Oct. 11 for the annual Fall Festival, celebrating the end
of summer and the beginning of fall.

The Fall Festival is an anticipated event each year! Enjoy arts and crafts, vendors, a dog show, art show, entertainment, games for the kiddos and much more. It's fun for the entire family.

Don't miss special appearances by Elmo, Spiderman, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle and Elsa from Frozen.

For more information including a schedule of events, please click here.

Bluegill Family Fishing Tournament Sept. 27 at Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center

Join the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center for a fun-filled day of trying to catch the biggest Bluegill at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center and on Lake Athens.

The annual Bluegill Family Fishing Tournament will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 27.

The cost is $15 per family team, entry includes family admission.

Numerous prize packages will be awarded, including an X-Box or Play Station with game, fishing equipment and gift cards from local businesses. More than $2,500 in prizes will be awarded.

The tournament awards prizes for the heaviest stringers of sunfish, but the event is really about adults and children having fun fishing together.

Teams must consist of one adult 18 years and older and one child under 18 years of age. Each team can weigh in a maximum of four fish. Multiple teams can fish from the same boat, making it possible for both parents to partner with different children and still fish as a family. Team members are not required to be related.

Teams may choose to fish either on Lake Athens, which is adjacent to TFFC, or in the TFFC's ponds and streams, some of which have been stocked with bluegills.

All species of sunfish or bream, except largemouth bass, are allowed. For information on identifying them, please click here.

For additional details or to pre-register, please contact Craig Brooks at 903-670-2222 at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center. You may register in person on the day of the event by going to the admissions booth at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center after 7 a.m. Fishing will take place from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., with weigh-in at the Anglers Pavilion at TFFC at 2:30 p.m.

For more information about this event, please click here.

Uncle Fletch Hamburger Festival slated for September 20

"Athens, Texas boasts a strong claim to being the original home of one of the nation's favorite foods, the
hamburger. Although accounts differ as to the origins of this American classic, the staff at McDonald's management training center has traced its beginnings back to the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, where it was sold on the midway; a reporter for the New York Tribune, writing about the fair, made note of the new sandwich in an article and commented that it was the vendor's own creation." (Texas House Resolution) That vendor was none other than Uncle Fletch.

Come enjoy the day in downtown Athens for the Uncle Fletch Davis Hamburger Festival that will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 20 on the historic downtown Courthouse Square.

Several events are planned for the day including the hamburger cook-off contest, to decide who can cook the best burger. Burgers will be judged on flavor, texture of meat, aroma and presentation. Other events include a contest to see who can eat the most hamburgers, a bob for burger, a contest to see who can best imitate the "moo" of a cow and a dine 'n dash race around the square.

For more information about the Uncle Fletch Hamburger Festival, please click here.

Cain Center's Ready, Set, Glow Run July 26

Join the Cain Center on Saturday, July 26 for Ready, Set, Glow Run. This is an evening fun run that is
family-friendly.

Come enjoy the warm summer night in a colorful display of glowing sticks, necklaces, glasses, bracelets, and lights along with lots of cool stuff. Refreshments and entertainment are provided at the end of the race.

To register online, visit www.active.com or contact the Cain Center at 903-677-2000.

For more information about this event, please click here.

July 4 Blues Concert featuring "Beautiful Bobby" Blackmon

National blues artist "Beautiful Bobby" Blackmon will make his first blues concert in Athens since 1960, that will take place from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on July 4 on the Courthouse square. Also international blues recording artist, Zac Harmon and his band will perform.

"Beautiful Bobby" Blackmon will be singing songs from his CDs. He has appeared on shows with Buddy Guy and BB King as well as numerous other blues acts at festivals in Florida where he resides. Bobby is a graduate of Fisher High School Class of 1960, which will be celebrating their class reunion in Athens July 3-6.

This is a free concert and open to the public to attend, so come on out and have some fun. 

For more information, please click here.

Fourth of July Fireworks at Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center July 4

One of the biggest fireworks displays in East Texas will light up the skies over the Texas Freshwater
Fisheries Center and adjacent Lake Athens on Friday, July 4.

The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for regular paid visitation. Free admission for the fireworks show will start at 4 p.m.

Visitors are encouraged to fish in the stocked casting pond until 8:30 p.m. while waiting for the fireworks, which will begin about 9 p.m. No license is required to fish, and bait and tackle are furnished for free as long as supplies last.

Food and beverages will be available for purchase, and people are encouraged to bring picnics. KCKL (FM 95.9) will broadcast patriotic music during the show.

Pets, alcohol, tobacco products and private fireworks, including "snap caps" and sparklers, are not allowed.

The event has become an area tradition, with many people dressing in red, white and blue in keeping with the holiday theme.

Parking is available in the main TFFC parking lot and in an overflow parking area on Peninsula Point Road. Persons using the overflow parking may enter through Gate C, which is across the street from the parking area.

For more information, please click here.

National Fishing Day at Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center June 7

The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens will kick off National Fishing and Boating Week on June 7 by making a family fishing trip affordable with free admission for kids 12 and under plus free fishing for the whole family.


Free hot dogs, chip and drinks will be served from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Families may also win prizes in a catfishing tournament at TFFC’s casting pond. Anglers may fish as individuals or as teams with an adult assisting a child.

In addition to fishing, visitors can walk the wetlands trail; see a diver hand feed fish; learn about the history of fishing in the freshwater fishing museum; shop for gifts in the Flat Creek Bait ‘n Goods Gift Shop and watch the alligator feeding at 3:30 p.m.

National Fishing and Boating Week comes at the start of the summer vacation season and is designed to encourage families to spend time together on and around water. No fishing license is required anywhere in the state on the first Saturday in June, which is designated Free Sportfishing Day.

For more information about National Fishing Day, please click here.

83rd Annual Athens Old Fiddlers Reunion May 31

The 83rd annual Old Fiddlers Contest and Reunion is known nationwide, and as far as we know it, is the oldest such contest that has run continuously year after year.

The big attraction is the Fiddlers Contest, which is broken down into 5 divisions, Senior Ages 66 & over, Adult Ages 30-65, Young Adult Ages 19-29, Youth Ages 18 & Under and the Open Division which is All Ages. There will be a playoff between the 1st place winners of each of the five divisions. This will be the Grand Champion and this person will get a Grand Prize of $600, in addition to the $200 which he or she has already won by being the 1st place winner of his/her division.

At 6 p.m., there will be an Acoustic Guitar Picking Competition for all ages. The Fiddlers Contest will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning, May 31st and will run throughout the day. Beginning at 8 p.m., there will be a country western band with professional musicians playing until Midnight for the famous Street Dance.

On Friday night, before the Fiddlers Contest, a Jam Session will take place on the courthouse lawn at 7 p.m. There will be concession stands along the sidewalks, and a carnival will be set up just off the Courthouse Square.

Schedule: Saturday, May 31

9 a.m. Invocation, Welcome Address, Western Swing Band

10 a.m. Seniors 66 and Over Contest

11 a.m. Adult Ages 30-65 Contest

12 noon Western Swing Band

1:30 p.m. Adult Ages 30-65 Contest Continued

2 p.m. Young Adult Ages 19-29 Contest

3 p.m. Youth Ages 18 & Under Contest

4 p.m. Open Division, All Ages Contest

5 p.m. Grand Champion Playoff

6 p.m. Acoustic Guitar Picking Contest

8 p.m.-12 Midnight Street Dance

For more information about the event, please click here.

Athens Mayor Jerry Don Vaught Signs Proclamation Declaring Tourism Week

Athens Mayor Jerry Don Vaught signed the proclamation declaring Tourism Week May 3-11, 2014. The travel industry is one of Texas' largest industries with visitor spending generating $65 billion and directly supporting 568,000 jobs with earnings of $18.9 billion. Henderson County generated $125.5 million in visitor spending and supported 500 jobs with earnings of $19.5 million. National Tourism Week is annually recognized the first full week in May, a tradition first celebrated in 1984. Pictured from left to right are Pam Burton, City Administrator; Sherri Skeeters, Tourism Coordinator, showing the two-page ad promoting Athens that is in this month's issue of Texas Monthly; Mayor Jerry Don Vaught; and Lisa Fields, General Manager at Best Western Plus Royal Mountain Inn & Suites.

East Texas Arboretum's Annual Spring Gala May 3

The East Texas Arboretum & Botanical Society presents its annual Spring Gala and this year's theme is Beer, Brats and Boot Scootin'!

Get Gussied Up and join the Arboretum at 6:30 p.m. on May 3 for food, drinks, dancing, a silent auction and a roaming garden party. Visit Oma's Haus for Brats, Beans & Beer, Yellow Rose Saloon for Boot Scootin' and Aunt Tessa's Boarding House will be the location for the silent auction and dessert station.

Tickets are $50 and are all-inclusive. Tickets may be purchased online atwww.easttexasarboretum.org or at the East Texas Arboretum. Tickets are also available at the Athens Chamber of Commerce 903-675-5181 or at Redline Power Equipment 903-677-2100.

It's the most fun you can have with your boots on! For more information, please click here.

Athens Farmer's Market Opening Weekend May 3

This Saturday, May 3 marks opening weekend at the Athens Farmer's Market. The Market takes places
every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. May-October in the city parking lot located in downtown Athens, one block north of the courthouse. This year, in addition to Saturday's the Market will be open from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday's during Market season.

You'll find everything from baked good (breads, fried pies, sweetbreads and pies), tamales, jams and jellies including strawberry pineapple, peach, blackberry, blueberry, wild plum, picked vegetables, salsas, relishes and soups to locally handcrafted wines from Athens own Tara Winery.

Don't forget about organic free-range eggs, fresh grown herbs, local raw honey, granolas and sugar scrubs. The market also features local artisans handcrafted items such as wood cutting boards, screen printed t-shirts, handcrafted natural gemstone jewelry, girls tutu and hair bows.

For more information about the Athens Farmer's Market, please click here.

Cinco de Mayo Celebration May 3 at Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center

The Athens community will celebrate the joint heritage of Texas and Mexico with a day of dance, food and fishing at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center on Saturday, May 3.

The event will feature performances of traditional Mexican dances in the Hart-Morris Conservation Center beginning at 11:30 a.m. The Blackland Prairie Raptor Center will present a hawks and owls show at 1 p.m. Athens area restaurants will compete in a salsa contest, which will be judged at 2:30 p.m.

All Cinco de Mayo activities are included with regular admission to the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center.

Highlights are the dance performances by Tyler Ballet Folklorico, Athens area elementary students and Las Tapatias, Athens' own folkloric dance group.

The Blackland Prairie Raptor Center will do walk-around displays of birds including owls and hawks throughout the day. Visitors will be able to see the birds at close range and learn about their abilities and habits.

El San Luis Restaurant will serve food in the Hart-Morris Conservation Center.

Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of the joint heritage and history of Texas and Mexico. It honors an important victory of the Mexican army, led by Texas native Ignacio Zaragoza, over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. The victory helped preserve Mexican independence.

Schedule of Events:

11:30 a.m. Tyler Ballet Folklorico adult dance performance

12 p.m. Dance performances by Athens ISD students and Las Tapatias

12:30 p.m. Tyler Ballet Folklorico children's dance performance

1 p.m. Blackland Raptor Center Hawks and Owls presentation

1:30 p.m. Athens ISD students dance performance

2 p.m. Tyler Ballet Folklorico regional dances performance

2:30 p.m. Salsa contest judging and Las Tapatias dance performance

For more information, please click here.

Athens EggFest 2014 Set for April 12 at Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center

The fourth annual Athens Eggfest is scheduled for Saturday, April 12, at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC).

The event will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cooking will end at 3 p.m. Tasting will continue until all the food is gone.

Regular admission to TFFC will be charged. Those who preregister will be allowed to taste for a $5 donation to the Friends of the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center.

Persons who do not preregister can still taste by making a $10 donation to the Friends of the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center at the event entrance.

Both cooks and tasters may preregister at http://athenseggfest.wordpress.com/. There is no fee to cook.

This year’s Eggfest will feature guest cook Tyron Smith, known to Dallas Cowboys fans as Number 77. The TFFC Eggfest can be thought of as an ultimate tailgate cookout. Dozens of Eggheads will fire up Big Green Eggs and bake, smoke, grill and serve everything from breakfast casseroles to pork bellies to wild game to blueberry muffins to pig candy. It will all be cooked on the iconic ceramic cookers, and samples will be available for tasting.

The theme for this year’s Athens Eggfest is “Grillin’ and Chillin’.” An Eggfest is not a cooking competition, it’s a tasting frenzy accompanied by cooking instruction. Food will be coming off the Eggs all day long, starting with breakfast-type items in the morning and progressing to heartier foods as the day goes on. While tasting, you can learn how to cook on a ceramic cooker yourself.

“The basic idea behind the Eggfest is to get people outdoors, and what better way to do that than by offering them delicious food,” said Allen Forshage, TFFC director. “And while they are here, we hope they will take time to fish in our ponds, walk our Wetlands Trail and learn about the role TFFC and TPWD play in keeping fishing great in Texas.”

Demo eggs used at this event will be available for purchase at the end of the day. Click on the link above to reserve a once-used ceramic cooker prior to the event. For more information about Athens Eggfest, please click here.

Outdoor Fools Day Packed with Fun Activities

Learn a variety of outdoor skills and engage in activities such as archery, fishing and kayaking. Improving your outdoor skills is the focus of Outdoor Fools Day. The event showcases outdoor recreation opportunities in East Texas while teaching some of the skills needed to enjoy them, such as fishing, outdoor cooking, birding, and more.

Staff from Purtis Creek State Park will teach camping and kayaking skills. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department aquatic education staff will teach the basics of fishing. Fly-fishing expert Bob Cappallo will help you catch a rainbow trout from TFFC's casting pond, and then a volunteer will help you clean it and cook it on a Big Green Egg. Volunteers from Project Healing Waters will demonstrate fly-tying in the Anglers Pavilion.

Live animal displays will let you get up close to reptiles and raptors. Wildlife on the Move will present a variety of interesting creatures at noon followed by a see-and-touch session at 3 p.m. The Blackland Prairie Raptor Center will present a raptor show at 1 p.m. and also conduct a walk-around displays on the grounds. Staff from Sea Center Texas will be on hand with their popular salt-water touch tank.

Other stations will let you sample tasty foods cooked in a Dutch oven; see fish swimming in a glass-bottomed stream; see skins, tracks and skulls of predator and prey animals and learn how people lived in the Middle Ages.

Sky Ranch will be on hand with their popular rocket-making and shooting station and the Big Woods Archery Club will be handling the archery range.

Regularly scheduled dive shows in which a diver hand-feeds fish will take place at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Guided bird walks will take place on the hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Outdoor Fools Day takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 29 and is free with regular paid admission to the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center. Click here for more information.

Fly Fish Texas March 8 at Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center

Learn to tie a fly, cast a fly and catch a fish all in one day during the annual Fly Fish Texas event on March 8 at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center.

Throughout the day, experienced fly-tiers will be demonstrating and teaching fly-tying in the Anglers Pavilion on a one-on-one basis. In addition, group instruction in beginning fly-tying will be offered in the Hart-Morris Conservation Center beginning at noon. Both are offered on a walk-up basis.

Beginning casting instruction will take place all day in the Conservation Center parking lot, again on a walk-up basis. Scheduled sessions will teach single- and double-hand Spey rod casting.

For a complete schedule of activities and seminars, visit www.tpwd.state.tx.us/tffc and click on the Fly Fish Texas link.

Vendors will be displaying and selling fly-fishing gear, and seminars will brief visitors on where and how to fly-fish in fresh and salt waters for a variety of species. The program will include presentations on fly-fishing the Llano River and Colorado’s backcountry canyons and high-meadow streams.

Other sessions will focus on caring for fly-fishing equipment, choosing a fly rod, fly-fishing for carp, tying flies for spring bass fishing, tying trout flies, tying flies to take advantage of fish senses and rigging for trout.

Kayaks and instruction on how to use them for fly-fishing will be available on the casting pond. Do-it-yourself fly-fishing for rainbow trout, sunfish and catfish will be available all day in TFFC’s ponds and streams. Bass and rainbow trout fishing will be available in the fly-fishing pond at the end of the Wetlands Trail.

Food service will be available onsite, or attendees may bring a picnic. TFFC’s regularly scheduled dive shows will take place in the dive theater at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and will be followed by tram tours of the hatchery.

Show hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. All Fly Fish Texas activities are free with regular paid admission to the center. For more information, please click here.

Spring Break Fun in Athens

Conveniently located within a few hours drive from most major cities in Texas, Athens offers the perfect place to get away and spend quality time with your family without breaking your pocketbook.

Athens is known for its natural beauty with lush, rolling hills, expansive ranches and nearby lakes, including Lake Athens. The outdoors is the major draw for Athens with opportunities for fishing, golfing, bird watching, biking, boating and water skiing.

The City of Athens Department of Tourism offers a few suggestions on how families can spend time together in Athens this Spring Break.

Day 1

Henderson County
Historical Museum

Get in touch with your cultural side. Spend time downtown while in Athens and stop by the Henderson County Historical Museum to learn more about the history of Athens and Henderson County. Exhibits on the first floor continue to emulate a turn-of-the-century dry goods store while the second floor is a re-creation of an early law office, parlor, bedroom, bath, kitchen, and schoolroom. Take a step back in time and experience life the way it was at the turn-of-the-century.

Next, visit the art galleries in downtown Athens, located one block east of the museum and go shopping in quaint boutiques and antique stores. Stroll through downtown and stop for lunch at one of Athens' downtown restaurants.

Did you know that Athens is home of the original hamburger? Athens native "Uncle" Fletcher Davis introduced this wonderful new sandwich at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis. A historical marker on the downtown square pays tribute to the originator of this all-time favorite American food. In honor of Athens' hamburger history, enjoy an old-fashioned hamburger while in town.

Day 2

Texas Freshwater
Fisheries Center

Take the family to the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center for a day of fun. The 1.2 acre lake is stocked with plentiful numbers of catfish and sunfish year-round and rainbow trout are stocked from December through March. The friendly TFFC staff will provide a brief orientation to fishing and choice of bait. The staff will also untangle a fishing line and replace lost hooks or bobbers or any other equipment problems, leaving visitors free to concentrate on fishing.

In addition to fishing, the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center offers 300,000 gallons of aquariums with native Texas fish, a daily dive show, an alligator exhibit, tram tours, and the interpretive wetland trail where kids can go turtle-spotting, see bees at work and walk off stream. Join the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center, the second Saturday of the month, for a Bird and Nature Walk and expect to see 25 or more different species on the outing. These outings are perfect for both beginning and advanced birdwatchers.

Day 3
Head out to New York, Texas for an adventure at NY-TX Zipline Adventures, the "Best Adventure Tour in Texas." Located 15 minutes east of Athens, NY-TX Zipline Adventures is atop the highest point in Henderson County. The zipline offers guests a panoramic view of the beautiful rolling hills and trees of East Texas and they have the longest zipline in Texas at over 900 feet. NY-TX Zipline offers six lines and nine lines for a thrilling zipline experience.

Day 4

East Texas Arboretum

Discover one hundred acres of wooded beauty, trees, flowers, and wildlife at the East Texas Arboretum and Botanical Society. Stroll through winding, spring-fed streams connected by a 115-foot suspension bridge. Experience life in early Henderson County at the historic Wofford House museum, built in 1850. Visit the newly constructed Henderson County Veterans Memorial Wall and Plaza honoring more than 9,000 military veterans from Henderson County beginning from the Civil War to present.

In March, it's still a little too cold to swim outdoors but visitors can still swim in Athens at the Cain Center. Guests staying overnight in Athens hotels are offered complimentary access to the fitness center and indoor junior Olympic swimming pool, simply by showing their hotel room key to the front desk attendant. The kids will enjoy jumping off the diving board and parents can relax nearby in the hot tub, dry sauna and steam room.

The Cain Center sits nestled in the heart of the beautiful 85-acre Cain Park, surrounded by beautiful oaks and pines. Cain Park is a great place to walk or jog, or even ride a bike. There is a playground, fishing pond, and tennis courts for guests recreational enjoyment.

The Henderson County Clint W. Murchison Memorial Library will have a Movie Marathon during Spring Break, March 10-14. The free movies begin each day at 2 p.m.

For more information about Athens including hotel accommodations, coupons and upcoming events, visit www.AthensTX.org or call 1-888-294-2847 to request a free visitor's guide.

Best Of the Upper East Side of Texas winners announced

Now in its tenth year, County Line Magazine features a Best of the Upper East Side of Texas to uncover the best in the region. Several popular places in Athens made the 2013 Best Of list:

Best Catfish - Lake Athens Marina

Located on beautiful Lake Athens, the Marina restaurant serves up "some mighty good hand-battered catfish with all the trimmings." Let's not forget their homemade desserts such as cherry, apple, coconut and chocolate pies or their famous Italian cream cake that is available by the slice or by the whole cake. Located at 5401 Marina Dr., 903-677-8774.

Athens Farmer's Market

Best Produce - Athens Farmer's Market
Open every Saturday May through October, the Athens Farmer's Market offers everything from baked
goods and produce to local artisans handcrafted items. "Visitors will find chemical-free peaches, gourmet heirloom vegetables and melons, squash, onions, watermelons, cantaloupe, tomatoes, fresh bread, cheeses and more. The Athens Farmer's Market is open from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. during market season in the city parking lot at the corner of N. Palestine and Larkin streets.

Best Sandwich - Railway Cafe, runner up
Chef Justin Boswell offers a variety of items to please the most discerning tastes. In additional to traditional items, the menu at Railway Cafe includes sandwiches such as grilled portobello on sourdough with roasted bell pepper, grilled onions, herb pesto and provolone or try the pan seared daily fish on open face sourdough with remoulade and red onion jam. Located in downtown Athens at 210 N. Palestine St., 903-264-7245.

Best Winery - Tara Vineyard & Winery, runner up

Tara Vineyard & Winery

Tara Vineyard & Winery is the oldest winery in Henderson County, established in 2004. Upon entering the grounds, visitors immediately notice the stately Murchison home, constructed in the 1880's. Tara's unique selection of premium wines are available for tastings. Tara's tasting room and wine shop is open daily during regular hours or take a guided tour of the winery, offered at 2:30 p.m. each Saturday. Located at 8603 CR 3914, 903-675-7023.

Best Nature Walk - East Texas Arboretum, runner up

East Texas Arboretum

One hundred acres of wooded beauty, trees, flowers, and wildlife await your discovery at the East Texas Arboretum. The forest appears to come alive as you meander along two miles of woodland trails. Make your way along winding, spring-fed streams connected by a 115-foot suspension bridge. Stroll through gardens and experience life in early Henderson County at the historic Wofford House museum, built in 1850. The East Texas Arboretum is also home to the newly constructed Henderson County Veterans Memorial Wall and Plaza. Located at 1601 Patterson Rd., 903-675-5630.

For more information about Athens, including the places mentioned above, please visit our website at www.AthensTX.org.