Athens, Ga. — Most of the students are gone and the Georgia football team is in New Orleans, but Athens has created opportunities for folks to paint the town (drum roll) red on New Year's Eve.

(ENLARGE)

Looking for some fun in Athens for New Years? How about The Melting Point, where you can celebrate the '70s in style.

Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau (ENLARGE)

Check out the tribute to Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. at The Classic Center.

RELATED LINKS: • Read more Travel stories • Check out the Holiday Guide for more ideas

Athens tourism officials are trying to lure revelers with last-minute packages incorporating dining, concerts, shopping and hotel accommodations.

During the holidays, downtown Athens sparkles with lights as crowds subside, creating a much different experience than joining Bulldog Nation on Saturdays in the fall. The city's quaint hub has about 40 nightspots, 55 restaurants and 65 retailers, offering a variety of spots to ring in New Year's Eve, but not too far from home.

COUNTING DOWN: The "Ringin' It In with the Rat Pack New Year's Eve Celebration" is a tribute to Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. at The Classic Center. It also includes dinner, casino-style games, dancing, a champagne toast, ball drop and more. Accommodations are offered at Hilton Garden Inn, Athens' newest downtown hotel. The package starts at $330, 800-864-4160 (Classic Center box office) or book online at www.christmasinathens.org.

There's a '70s theme with the "Funkytown New Year's Eve 2007" party featuring the The Magictones and Funkle Ester at The Melting Point inside Foundry Park Inn & Spa. Tickets for the evening, which includes the 8 p.m. show, hors d'oeuvres, a champagne toast and midnight breakfast buffet are $157.70 per couple (or $78.85 per person), or $271.20 per couple with an overnight stay at Foundry Park Inn, 295 E. Dougherty St., Athens, 706-549-7020 or book online at www.foundryparkinn.com.

The "Shop 'Til You're Dawg Tired" package combines a $50 downtown Athens gift certificate, a "buy one get one free" pizza or pasta entree at Bischero, an Italian restaurant in The Bottleworks on Prince, a converted Coca-Cola Bottling Co. plant, and a night in the Courtyard by Marriott, starting at $145 for two. The package lasts through Dec. 31; 800-653-0603 or book online at www.christmasinathens.org.

Venues with New Year's Eve performances to check out include: 40 Watt Club (285 W. Washington St., 706-549-7871, www.fiveandten.com). If it's full, chef/owner Hugh Acheson's newest venture, The National, which also is offering a four-course meal for $60, or $95 with wine pairings (reservations accepted, 232 W. Hancock Ave., 706-549-3450, www.thenationalrestaurant.com). The restaurant has a Mediterranean-inspired menu with local ingredients. The organic and local focus also is evident at other Athens eateries, including Farm 255 (255 W. Washington St., 706-549-4660, www.farm255.com), which is taking reservations. Other funky or fine dining options include: nouveau Southern at Last Resort Grill (reservations not accepted, 174 W. Clayton St., 706-549-0810, www.lastresortgrill.com), New Orleans fare at Harry Bissett's Cafe & Oyster Bar (reservations accepted, 279 E. Broad St., 706-353-7065, www.harrybissetts.net) and pasta, seafood and more at The Basil Press (reservations accepted, 104 E. Washington St., 706-227-8926, www.acoyaas.com). If you need help to get going the next morning, get a jolt at Jittery Joe's Coffee, which has several locations around town (www.jitteryjoes.com).

MORE INFORMATION

Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau, 300 N. Thomas St., Athens 30601; 706-357-4430, 800-653-0603; www.visitathensga.com