Athens Georgia has unquestionably lived up to the reputation of its namesake as a hub of academics and scholarship. It was given that designation in noy then Governor John Milledge in 1805 after the capital of Greece. When Milledge gave the city its name, the University of Georgia, the first accredited university in the state, had already been founded, with its first graduates receiving their degrees the previous year, in 1803.
Today's visitors may see the university's influence everywhere. The university has left its stamp everywhere, from its social, cultural, and economic life to its architecture and design (both the old and the contemporary). You won't be able to resist the youthful mood that permeates the city's entertainment, food, music, and arts scenes because 37,000 students enrol each year and establish temporary homes in this community of about 125,000 people.
The Georgia Antebellum Trail, a beautiful 100-mile road that makes its way to the similarly attractive city of Macon, begins in Athens due to the city's reputation for its well-preserved antebellum buildings. Modern museums, gorgeous parks and gardens, and renowned sports stadiums like Sanford Stadium are all more recent but nonetheless interesting.
Check out our list of the top things to do in Athens, Georgia, to ensure you make the most of your trip to this exciting college town.
1. Go to the Georgia State Botanical Garden.
The State Botanical Garden of Georgia, a university-run attraction that spans 313 acres, gives visitors an excellent reason to spend a few hours learning more about the local plant life. Features include a perennial and annual garden, a dahlia garden, and a must-see heritage garden, all of which contain species that can survive in Georgia's humid subtropical climate.
There are also lots of fruit-bearing species, like pear and apple trees. The same goes for cash crops like cotton, tobacco, and peanuts, all of which have contributed significantly to the economy of the state. There is also an international garden with sections dedicated to herbs and medicines.
But don't only spend your time here strolling the gardens. Also, the park has a five-mile network of nature paths, which makes it quite simple to extend your visit. The entertaining 2.5-acre children's garden should be added to the agenda of families vacationing with children.
the ideal time to go? Although many species, of course, flower in the spring, the garden is open all year round and offers a variety of interesting interior activities and exhibitions.
2. Attend a match and tour Sanford Stadium
Since its opening in 1929, Sanford Stadium, which dominates the grounds of the University of Georgia, has been the site of thrilling football games. The ninth largest stadium in the US has managed to keep its college-town vibe, especially on game days, while being significantly bigger and able to host audiences of just under 100,000 spectators.
Whether you enjoy sports or not, it is a striking location that is definitely worth seeing, even if all you do is walk around the outside of it as part of a self-guided campus sightseeing tour. If you do manage to enter for a game or as part of a guided tour, you'll quickly realise why the stadium has been dubbed the most picturesque on-campus stadium in the United States due to the campus vistas.
The university's gymnastics and basketball teams play their home games in the 10,000-seat Stegeman Coliseum, which is also worth a visit.
3. Bring your children to Bear Hollow Zoo
A trip to Bear Hollow Zoo is a fun expedition for people of all ages and is unquestionably one of the best free things to do in Athens for families. This tiny zoo, which is home to a variety of native animals that can't be released back into the wild, has a number of elevated observation platforms and walkways that give you a bird's-eye perspective of the creatures under its care.
The zoo is located within the sizable Memorial Park, a lovely 72-acre green area with pleasant walking trails that is only a short distance from the botanical garden. Here, kids can get a reasonably close-up view of black bears, otters, bobcats, owls, and even alligators that are housed in an environment that is as natural as possible.
From the zoo's official website, you can obtain a map for the self-guided tour.
4. Look about Athens' Downtown
Downtown Athens is a terrific area to explore on foot and is plenty of interesting things to do. It is bordered by the University of Georgia to the south, Dougherty Street to the north, Pulaski and Foundry Streets to the west and east, and Dougherty Street to the north. Together with some of the city's oldest buildings, including numerous beautiful antebellum-style residences, you may discover here some venerable old theatres, churches, and commercial establishments.
Due to the campus's rapid southerly expansion during the more than 200 years since it was founded, it also houses some of the university's oldest structures. You won't easily get lost if you set off in an easy-to-follow grid pattern, especially if you keep the lofty dome of the former City Hall in view.
The neighbourhood is lively and busy, especially on weekends when students leave university. There are many chances for shopping and dining, and upscale versions of traditional sweet treats are offered by coffee shops and cafés like the renowned Zombie Coffee and Donuts. And for a terrific lunch or dinner, try the buttermilk chicken at the Porterhouse Restaurant. It's great any time of day.
Downtime Activities for Your Guests in Athens, Georgia PC: Epting Events https://t.co/krGP8biLfd #weddingsinathens #athensga #botanicalgardens #georgiatheatre #creaturecomforts #georgiamuseumofart pic.twitter.com/OvVOsVWOqe
— Weddings in Athens (@wedinathens) June 26, 2018
5. The Georgia Museum of Art will inspire you.
The Georgia Museum of Art, which is housed on the University of Georgia campus, is a must-see and serves as just another illustration of the wonderful impact the school has had on this charming city. Almost 18,000 pieces of art from various fields are part of the museum's sizeable permanent collection, which was collected since the institution's founding in 1945.
Among its collection's highlights are American painters' pieces, Southern decorative arts, and contributions by Black American artists. Also, there are some intriguing Renaissance and Baroque artworks.
The sculpture garden, with its emphasis on works by female artists, is particularly fascinating. Although there is no charge for admission, timed tickets must be purchased in advance. There are also guided tours offered.
6. Attend a performance at the Georgia Theatre.
The Georgia Theatre has hosted some of the biggest names in American pop, rock, folk, and alternative music since it debuted in 1978. Even before they were well-known, some of the greatest and brightest, including the B-52s and REM, got their start in Athens. The Police and other international recording artists also performed here.
The structure was once a basketball court for the university in the early 1900s. It later operated as a record shop, a Masonic lodge, and a furniture shop before becoming a music venue.
The venue is one of several significant musical sites in the city and is a part of the enjoyable self-guided Athens Music History Walking Tour that is highly recommended. For fantastic views of Downtown Athens, visit the venue's rooftop restaurant.
7. Take a stroll around the University of Georgia.
No less than 767 acres of the University of Georgia's grounds can be explored by guests. But, stop at the university's outstanding Visitor Center on College Station Road before exploring its extensive network of walking trails. It is a manageable 40-minute walk from Downtown Athens, but for those who would rather save their energy for the trails, there is plenty of visitor parking on campus.
The visitor centre provides a wealth of information on the university's past and has friendly staff and students on hand to assist with inquiries and give advice on where to go on campus. The Georgia Museum of Natural History, Sanford Stadium, the fascinating Trial Gardens, and other significant campus monuments can all be seen on self-guided walking tours.
8. See the Tree That Owns Itself
The Tree That Owns Itself is one of Athens' many unique and interesting tourist attractions, and it can be found in a neighbourhood with cobblestone streets on the intersection of Dearing and South Finley Streets. According to legend, this large white oak was given ownership of both its own eight-foot chunk of land and itself in 1890 by its original owner.
https://utravelo.com/en/incredible-cuban-american-dining
The inscriptions at its base make for interesting reading, even though it appears that this tree is the "son" of the original tree, which was planted after the first oak was blown down in 1942. In fact, the legacy is still upheld today, assuring the site's preservation.
9. The Double-Barreled Cannon of Athens
The Athens Double-Barreled Cannon is one more of the city's fantastic attractions, and it can be found in the downtown area near College Avenue. This intriguing-looking weapon was created in 1863 by a local businessman in the hopes of landing a contract with the Confederates for his invention. Unfortunately, the weapon was never used in combat.
The project was abandoned and the unusual but useless cannon was donated to the City of Athens for display after failing to impress during field tests (but supposedly succeeding in killing a cow). It can be found outside City Hall, menacingly pointing north.
10. Explore Your Creativity at Lyndon House Arts Center
The Lyndon House Arts Center is definitely worth a visit despite being only a short drive from the city's centre and being best reached by automobile. This expansive gallery not only hosts regularly changing modern art exhibits, but it also provides seminars and educational opportunities in a range of artistic disciplines. The children's wing, which offers enjoyable activities and events for children of all ages, is especially interesting to families.
The structure is situated in a lovely landscape. The venue also hosts a lot of festivals and events all year round. On-site there is a gift shop.
Don't forget to set aside some time to tour the charming Greek Revival-style Ware-Lyndon House, which was built in the 1840s.
11. Go to the TRR Cobb House in the Past
The 1842-built TRR Cobb House is regarded as one of the most distinctive and well-preserved antebellum residences to have survived in Northeast Georgia.
This unusual octagon house, which is situated on Prince Avenue and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places in the United States, is now a museum that explores the life of the controversial former politician who was a fervent advocate of the Southern Nationalism movement that resulted in the creation of the Confederate States of America.
Through a combination of genuine period furnishings, décor, and displays, this immaculately preserved mansion gives an intriguing window into this moment in US history.
12. Examine the Local Areas of Athens
Athens has a lot of intriguing areas in addition to its lovely downtown area, all of which are well worth seeing. These are simple to get from just about anywhere in the city and provide excellent justifications for venturing outside on foot.
Normaltown, which takes its name from a previous educational facility, is a hip area favoured by young people and creative types and offers a diverse selection of dining and shopping options. Northwest of the downtown area is a simple 30-minute walk.
The name of this affluent area of Athens, known as Five Points, comes from the busy intersection of Milledge Avenue and Lumpkin Street. This fact should not deter you, though. Park the car and stroll through this area, which is home to several university fraternity houses and big, historic homes.
The true lure, though, are the upmarket boutique stores and eateries that combined form a village-like neighbourhood that is well-liked by both locals and students. The Expat and The Café on Lumpkin are both excellent dining establishments.
The opulent ATH|BNB, The Rushmore, one of the top B&Bs in Georgia, is also located in the Five Points neighbourhood. This former fraternity house is a short walk from the Five Points intersection and serves as a great home base for exploring the neighbourhood, the university, and its many attractions.