I’m really excited to interview US Paralympic Track and Field Athlete Jarryd Wallace about Athens, Georgia. Jarryd’s tips for the best things to do in Athens are awesome because he was born and raised in Athens and now he’s raising his family here while training for track competitions. He loves the small-town feel and how supportive the community is for local entrepreneurs.
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Mama’s Boy has one of the best breakfasts in Athens. Timothy had the bacon egg and cheese on a biscuit, while I ordered the French toast. And don’t forget to grab a cinnamon roll to share!
Athens, Georgia
We share a lot of resources and local suggestions in today’s podcast, but you should also check out Visit Athens, the local visitor’s bureau. They are a wealth of information and can help you plan an itinerary based on your time, budget, and interests. I learned about the Athens Beer Trail and grabbed my passport from the Visit Athens office. And, after I got it stamped at all the breweries, I went back there to collect my collectible mug.
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Our first stop on the Athens Beer Trail was Creature Comforts.
Getting around Athens
The local airport is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which is in Atlanta. Jarryd says the easiest way to get to Athens is to rent a car and make the 1.5 hour drive to the city. Use our Expedia tool below to find flight, hotel, and rental car options.
Jarryd says that, even if you’re staying downtown, it’s a good idea to rent a car. There is plenty of parking in the area. For the best offers, visit Avis, Budget, or Hertz.
Uber and Lyft are excellent ways to get around.
When you only need a car for a couple of hours, you can rent by the hour with Zipcar. Join now to get $25 loaded into your account.
Jarryd recommends stopping by Ted’s Most Best for pizza and beer.
Places we talked about on the podcast
Here is a map of all of the places we talked about on the podcast episode with Jarryd Wallace about Athens, Georgia. You can zoom into the map and click on each dot to explore the city.
- Red dots = best places to eat in Athens, Georgia
- Green dots = best things to do in Athens, Georgia
- Yellow dots = best places to stay in Athens, Georgia
Who is Jarryd Wallace?
Jarryd Wallace is not your typical high school track star turned professional athlete. That’s because Jarryd’s pursuit of world-class athletics took a detour at age 18 when he was diagnosed with Compartment Syndrome. In what should have been his first year as a Division 1 athlete, Jarryd faced the stark reality of the amputation of his right leg.
While most people saw tragedy, Jarryd came to understand his circumstances in different terms. Jarryd views life as a process of discovering one’s own potential. This potential is not defined by stopwatches, Gold Medals, or financial windfalls. Instead, it is the spirit of living life to the fullest regardless of challenging circumstances. This is a virtue we can all pursue, a shared part of the human experience.
Since his amputation, Jarryd has competed in two Paralympic Games, set four World Records, and become the nation’s fastest amputee. In fact, his speed surpasses that of many NFL running backs. On his amazing journey, the words Jarryd has come to live by are “My body is as able as my mind is willing.” Too many people, unfortunately, allow life’s challenges to define their existence. Jarryd made the decision never to let “disability” define him.
Through his work speaking to communities across the country, Jarryd is exposing others to the untapped potential they have inside. “Most people can’t even begin to realize how much they are capable of,” says Jarryd, “until they find themselves in a situation that requires them to do unimaginable things. My aim is to help people realize how much more is possible, so they can lead lives of incredible fulfillment and value to others.”
Jarryd and me at Creature Comforts enjoying a beer.
Here are a few articles about Jarryd:
- Losing a Leg, Regaining a Life: Sprinter Jarryd Wallace Joins Atlanta Track Club
- How Paralympians Are Adjusting for the Delayed Tokyo Games Amid Coronavirus Restrictions
- Jarryd Wallace | Team USA Olympics 2016 | Sports Illustrated | Sports Illustrated
You can connect with Jarryd on his website and on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Click here to download our one-page guide of Jarryd’s tips for Athens.
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Get your Beer Trail passport stamped at Normaltown Brewing and enjoy some of the craft beers.
Stay tuned for our next episode
Listen to the next episode when Katrina Julia of Fit Life Creation shares the best things to do in Tulum, Mexico. In this episode, Katrina and I talk about swimming in cenotes, exploring the Coba Ruins, and riding bikes around the city. We hope you’ll join us when We Travel There.
What’s your favorite part of Athens? Send us a Tweet, let us know in the comment section below, or continue the discussion in our Facebook group!
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Related episodes
To learn more about the interesting attractions within Georgia, please listen to our other episodes:
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