Athens
Huntsville Choices™
Neighborhood: Decatur
Neighborhood: Meridianville
Zillow
Real Estate
Downtown Athens features several distinctive homes built in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Surrounding the area are a number of residential subdivisions, each with their own unique characteristics. Some notable examples include Bainbridge, Westgate, Abbey Brook, Town Creek Trails, and Cambridge Place. Offering championship golf and more, Canebrake Club is a gated community where residents can enjoy country club perks in an elegant atmosphere.
Education
Elementary students living in Athens can attend Athens, FAME Academy at Brookhill, Julian Newman, and Spark Academy at Cowart elementary schools. Athens Intermediate School, Athens Middle School, and Athens High School cater to older students. Additionally, two private schools – Athens Bible School and Lindsay Lane Christian Academy – are located in Limestone County. Athens State University, the oldest institution of higher learning in Alabama, also serves the community.
Health & Wellness
Athens residents primarily seek out medical care at Athens-Limestone Hospital, a 71-bed hospital with more than 150 physicians. Primary care and family physician groups, along with urgent care facilities, are also available in the city.
Sports & outdoors
The City of Athens maintains seven public parks, the Athens Recreation Center, and several trails – including the shaded and scenic Athens Greenway and the Swan Creek Greenway Trail. The Richard Martin Trail is another popular spot for hikers, runners, bikers, and horseback riders. The Athens Sportsplex is a state-of-the-art facility that offers a number of recreation activities for Athens residents. Private club Canebrake caters to area golfers, while a short 20-minute drive provides fishing opportunities on the Elk River.
Arts & Entertainment
The Square in downtown Athens provides a venue for many art and music events. The Athens Arts League supports artists and cultural initiatives. Several local events and festivals, such as the Athens Storytelling Festival, are held throughout the year.
Dining
More than a dozen local restaurants dot downtown Athens, with offerings ranging from pizza and burgers to seafood, salad, and sandwiches. The city also welcomes plenty of national and regional favorites.
Shopping
Downtown Athens offers unique shopping opportunities, while chain stores and trendy shops can be found in the surrounding areas. A local favorite is the Athens Farmers Market that is available from June through September. Big-box stores such as Walmart Supercenter, Lowe’s, Big Lots, and Tractor Supply and factory outlets are nearby.
