Just 75 miles southeast of Dallas/Fort Worth, Athens combines the charm of a small southern town with many amenities offered by larger cities. With its rolling hills, lakes and streams, Athens is a favorite getaway for picnics, country walks, fishing and boating, scuba diving or just plain relaxing.

At The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center visitors enjoy aquatic displays, interactive exhibits, tram rides, dive shows, and a fishing pond where instruction & equipment are provided. The East Texas Arboretum offers 100 acres of wild and cultivated plants and water gardens. The Henderson County Fair Park Complex offers rodeos, horse shows, cowboy concerts, and much more!

For novice and experienced divers, visit Athens Scuba Park. This park has crystal blue water and visibility up to 70 feet. Along with fish, discover Ray Price’s tour bus, Clint Eastwood’s houseboat, caves, airplane, buses and other surprises.

Did you know the hamburger is said to have originated in Athens? “Uncle” Fletcher Davis introduced his sandwich at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. For more on the early life in East Texas, be sure to visit the Henderson County Historical Museum.

For more information about our city, come by our Visitor Center on the square, call 903.677.0775, or visit us at www.athenstx.org