Rome, Georgia is a quaint town full of charm and activities, and it just so happens to host college students from four different universities. With its historic flare, open air, and artsy vibe, Rome provides a home away from home for thousands of college students.

With that being said, here’s our list of 7 things that should make every college student’s Rome bucket list:

1. See the Arts

Downtown Rome is home to the city’s biggest arts destinations, including the Rome Symphony Orchestra (romesymphony.org), one of the oldest in the southern United States.  The Rome Little Theatre (romelittletheatre.com) presents a variety of dramatic, comedic and musical shows in the historic DeSoto building.

Rome also hosts several arts festivals and fairs annually; these include the Rome Shakespeare Festival, the Winter Art Market, and the Chiaha Harvest Fair, just to name a few.

There are a plethora of activities where college students can experience fine art while getting to meet local artisans.

2. Explore the Outdoors

Rome’s rivers are home to some of the best outdoor recreation Rome has to offer. You can catch Romans boating, kayaking, canoeing, floating, and paddle boarding down Rome’s three rivers (Paddle and Float Rome’s Rivers). Rome’s Big Float is hosted annually and provides river-goers the chance to compete for best float as they spend a day out on the water enjoying community, food, and live music.

Some of the area’s best fishing and hiking can be found within the 73 acres of land around the Coosa River. Myrtle Hill Cemetery makes our hiking list (and sledding list when we see enough snow).

Rome’s multiple parks provide a place where all can explore and enjoy the lush greenery of Rome’s outdoors.

3. LIVE Music

Need we say more? Rome provides live music year round! So if you’re a music junkie or even enjoy music in the background as you eat or sip your coffee, Rome’s got it all. The town is the site for annual music festivals, of which include Rome River Jam (Old Dominion performed last May!). The streets of Rome shut down for select months during the summer for a Roman block party which is a FREE summer concert held the first Friday of each month.

Downtown eateries regularly host artists and bands. This makes for a fun atmosphere for hangouts and a chance to experience well-known and new artists in the music scene.

4. Sports

During baseball season, catch the Rome Braves (romebraves.com) — Yes, they are a branch of the Atlanta Braves — playing at State Mutual Stadium. Several golf courses are located around Rome, of which include the Stonebridge Golf Course, named one of Georgia’s top 20 courses by “Golf Digest”.

The universities also extend exciting sports action! Shorter University athletics is home to some of the top teams in the nation, and Berry College also provides a great showing of athletic competition. Regardless of the time of year, a sporting event is always taking place. Rome recently hosted the 2017 ACC Tennis Championships which displayed the top collegiate tennis teams from around the nation.

Rome’s Barron Stadium has hosted the NAIA National Football Championship, NCCAA Track and Field National Championship, and regularly hosts the NCAA SEC Track and Field Conference Championship.

Basically, there’s always a sport to be involved in or to watch when in Rome!

5. Eat!

Rome is home to almost any national restaurant you can imagine and many local favorites. From Thai, to Mexican, to Greek, to Wings, Rome offers it all. College students can find PLENTY of budget-friendly options as well as more up-scale restaurants for when their parents come to town. Rome offers monthly food tours for locals and tourists alike to get a taste of the flavor Rome has to offer.

Each eatery provides its own unique atmosphere. Coffee shops, bakeries, and gourmet popsicles are just a few of our favorites. Whether you’re looking for the perfect place to study off campus or meet up with some friends, Roman restaurants have you covered.

Local eateries like Chick-fil-a host community events and contests, and many local eateries provide FREE food for those celebrating their birthdays!

6. Historic Rome

Rome has a rich history. Many local organizations honor this history in creative ways. The Rome Area History Museum offers a walk-through exhibit of Rome’s history. Other historic sites on the top of our list include: Rome’s historic clock tower, Oak Hill (the movie Sweet Home Alabama was filmed here!), Myrtle Hill Cemetery (a former first lady is buried here!), and Cave Spring where more than 90 buildings are on the register for historic places and you can swim in a Georgia-shaped pool supplied by an underground spring!

7. See a Roman Sunset

Rounding up our list is a definite must if you spend any time in Rome. Nestled along the Appalachian Mountains the hills of Rome provide great viewing spots for the incredible sky displays. Year round the sky lights up with spectacular colors as each day comes to a close. This is an occurrence that is sure to be seared in your memories after an evening spent with friends.