Go Dawgs! Things to Do in Athens, Georgia, With One Day 

Athens is the quintessential college town. You’ll see evidence of its allegiances in their shops and impressive street art — once you spot your first bulldog you’ll know what I mean — but you also feel those youthful vibes when you’re there.

I’m not saying you’ll be surrounded by coeds. I am saying that you’ll be spoiled with choice when it comes to options for budget-friendly grub, craft beer, and more artistic pursuits. 

Explore all of the best things to do in Athens, Georgia, with this itinerary to the perfect day in bulldog country.

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Visit Athens: Tips Before You Go

What is Athens, Georgia, known for? Athens, Georgia, is known as the home of the University of Georgia, first and foremost. It’s also a music hub that gave us R.E.M. and The B-52s. 

Why is Athens, GA, called the Classic City? Athens is called the Classic City because it was named in honor of Athens, Greece, a hub of classical learning. No, this isn’t Greece, but the town holds its own, at least in Georgia.

Is Athens, Georgia, worth visiting? Athens, Georgia, is absolutely worth visiting, whether you’re a fan of college sports or not.

It’s perfectly situated for all kinds of outdoor activities along the Middle Oconee River, boasts some delicious food and beer, and has a vibrant music scene. Georgia is more than Savannah, people! (I really really love Savannah, though.)

How do I spend a day in Athens, GA? To spend a day in Athens, wander the downtown and University of Georgia campus, sip on a beer or two at one of the best breweries in town, and lounge away the afternoon at Sandy Creek Park.

Interested in a map of everything I’ll highlight here in Athens? Follow the Google link below.

GIMME MY MAP OF ATHENS, GEORGIA

Things to Do in Athens, Georgia

We left our base in Augusta early for a full day in Athens, complete with brunch. You should do the same so you don’t miss out on the first very delicious spot!

Note: If you time your visit right, the Athens Farmers’ Market runs March through mid-December on Saturdays in Bishop Park and on Wednesdays from April through mid-November at Creature Comforts Brewing.

Stop 1: South Kitchen + Bar

Time your arrival for brunch at one of the most delicious places we’ve eaten at during our Georgia travels: South Kitchen + Bar. If you know what’s good for you, order the Green Tomato Benny. Two poached eggs + fried green tomatoes + thick-cut bacon + WHITE CHEDDAR GRITS = mouth bliss. 

I’m making that a thing. Mouth bliss. 

Brian ordered the BBQ Skillet, which wasn’t a slouch, either. Pulled pork over a healthy helping of mac ‘n cheese? Yes, please.

Reservations are available online, but we just walked in and sat at the bar at peak brunch time on a Saturday.

Want more options? The Last Resort Grill is a classic Athens establishment with brunch on weekends.  

Stop 2: Downtown Athens

After that hefty brunch, walk around downtown Athens not only to burn some calories but to take in the shops and college bars that make the city center a vibrant one. The Trappeze Pub was bumpin’ when we strolled by. Their outdoor patio looked quite fun if you’re looking to follow up brunch with more of a liquid experience. 

Don’t miss the double-barreled cannon outside Athens City Hall. The unique Civil War-era relic never saw battle. Rumor has it that it failed test runs and proved more dangerous to its users than it was worth.

If you have more time, the Lyndon House Arts Center is just north of downtown Athens. Rotating galleries fill the visual arts complex. Visit just to see the impressive exterior if you’re just passing through.

Stop 3: University of Georgia

Enter the University of Georgia campus through the arch — it’s a lot smaller than expected but nice nonetheless — for lovely green spaces adjacent to downtown Athens. We had ourselves a little stroll to check out the campus buildings, if only to pay our respects to an institution that runs so many places of note in town.

If you’re here for longer, I hear a home game at Sanford Stadium is one of the most exciting experiences you’ll have in the state.

Stop 4: Georgia Theatre

The Georgia Theatre is an important stop if you have any interest in the history and significance of Athens as a music hub.

This is where R.E.M. shot their video for “Shiny Happy People.” (John Mayer also filmed “No Such Thing” here, but I’m not sure that’s as impressive. He didn’t treat Jessica right.)

Interested in other R.E.M spots of note? Head to Weaver D’s Delicious Fine Foods, a soul food restaurant that grew in popularity after Michael Stipe asked to use their slogan, “automatic for the people,” for one of their albums.

He asked permission and it was granted, everyone.

The railroad trestle featured on their Murmur album has since been torn down, so if you think you’re on a mission to find that one, you’ll end up out of luck.

Stop 5: Morton Theatre

Stroll past the Morton Theatre on your way to beer at the next stop if only to pay homage to this historical space. The theatre was one of the first vaudeville theaters in the country owned and operated by Black Americans. That’s a big deal.

Greats like Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington both performed here.

It looks like a beautiful place for a live show. The events calendar looked eclectic when I took a look, with everything from musicals to tribute acts.

Stop 6: Creature Comforts Brewing Company

Creature Comforts is the one that resembles an old Michelin shop, not the spot with the sandpit outside. You’ll know what I’m talking about once you’re there.

Sample a selection of small pours or grab a pint in their airy warehouse space or large outdoor patio. The dog-watching here is pretty great, as it seems everyone in Athens enjoys bringing their pup along for all the beer drinking.

Fun fact: If you’ve yet to see any of the bulldog statues around town, there’s one right across the street from the brewery.

Stop 7: Lunch (as needed)

I’ll be honest. We were still full from brunch to worry about lunch spots, but if you’ve already worked up an appetite, grab something downtown, home to the best eateries in Athens.

Here are a few lunch options that sounded yummy:

• Depalma’s Italian Cafe
• Lindsey’s Culinary Market
• Mama’s Boy

I’ll mention this again later, but this is UGA country. If you’re visiting on a game day, expect crowds at the more popular spots downtown and close to campus.

Stop 8: The Tree that Owns Itself

Athens could compete with the Austins and the Portlands around the United States with this quirky stop.

The Tree That Owns Itself is a descendant of a white oak that apparently had legal ownership over itself and the 8 feet around its trunk thanks to Colonel William Jackson. Jackson gifted the tree to itself back in 1890 as I way to show…his love for it, I guess? The plaque that sits in front of the tree proclaims that love.

Fun fact: The tree you’ll see here today is a junior version. The original tree fell over in a bad storm in 1942. A local garden club planted a new tree by 1946 to keep the tradition alive.

The tree is in a residential area at Dearing and Finley Streets. We walked there from downtown, but be warned that there’s a steep hill you’ll need to tackle on the way up and on the way back down.

Stop 9: State Botanical Garden of Georgia

The State Botanical Garden of Georgia is lovely and free, making this one of the best free things to do in Athens, Georgia. There are lots of little paths to take throughout the park where you must avoid bees and things flying at your mouth while taking it all in.

Something crashed right into my upper lip at one point. It’s all in the name of research, right?

Don’t miss the Heritage Garden for heirloom roses and the International Garden for plants and etc. from around the world. It really is delightful despite the insects.

Alternative Stop 9: Morris Museum of Art

If flowers aren’t your jam or they’re just making you a little sneezy, you have options for indoor activities in Athens. The Morris Museum of Art is a popular choice as the oldest museum in the United States dedicated to art from the South. It’s free, which I find always adds to the good time I’m having.

If museums are what you’re after or if you’ve caught Athens on a rainy day, here are a few more options:

• The Georgia Museum of Art is run by the university and also offers free admission.
• ATHICA, or the Athens Institute for Contemporary Art, is a hub for contemporary art in the region. Hours are limited at this one, so check the website before you head out.
• The free Georgia Museum of Natural History is also run by the university. See 11 different collections of research about animal and plant species in Georgia.

Stop 10: Sandy Creek Park

Sandy Creek Park is nearly 800 acres of trails, beaches, and green space for you to enjoy to your heart’s content. We strolled the Lakeside Trail for a bit to get up close and personal with Lake Chapman. (It’s about 7.5 miles the entire way, by the way, if you’re looking for hiking in Athens.) Decent sneakers are a good idea if you’re interested in that endeavor, as it did get muddy in a few parts.

Admission is only $2/person. If you’re here in the summer, I’m sure the beachfront gets busy. There were already quite a few folks in the water on a balmy day in March.

Traveling with your pup? There’s a dog park, too. We noticed that it didn’t offer any shade, so bring plenty of water if you’re traveling with a pet.

Note: This is not the same as the Sandy Creek Nature Center. Yes, it’s quite confusing. We didn’t visit the nature center, but it looks lovely if you’re seeking additional hiking trails in Athens and over 200 acres of wetland preservation. Maybe next time!

Stop 11: Southern Brewing

Southern Brewing Company has an excellent outdoor space featuring 48 barking dogs at any given time and comfy chairs you can borrow for beers on the huge lawn. Their lactose beers were delicious while I was drinking them but did a number on my belly after the fact.

Worth it.

If you want a few more options, Terrapin Beer Co. and Akademia Brewing Company both came highly recommended to us. Akademia even has a little bus that rides around town, I imagine picking people up who want delicious beer.

I may have made that last part up.

This is where we called it a day, and it was definitely a busy one. We had nearly a 2-hour drive back to Augusta ahead of us. If you have more time in Athens or are staying in town during your Georgia travel, you likely need some sustenance at this point.

Here are a few more restaurants in Athens, Georgia, that were on our list:

• The Grit
• The National
• Pulaski Heights BBQ
• Seabear Oyster Bar
• The World Famous

As always, check opening/closing times online before heading out. If you’re visiting on a game day, reservations are clutch if the eatery takes them. Prepare for a raucous atmosphere if you’re anywhere with TV screens.

Fun Things to Do in Athens, GA, With More Time

If you’re lucky enough to have more time in Athens, here are a few things we missed out on that we’d love to revisit our second time around. 

Memorial Park

Memorial Park is home to the Bear Hollow Zoo, one of the most popular family things to do in Athens, GA. See creatures native to the region, like black bears and bobcats. The park is also home to the Birchmore Trail, an easy trek of just over a mile that includes what looks like whimsical bridges over babbling creeks through the woods.

Taylor-Grady House

If you’re into historic homes, the Taylor-Grady House is a popular choice. The house is a National Historic Landmark that was once the home of Henry W. Grady. Grady was a journalist who helped come up with the idea of a “new” South after the Civil War. Unfortunately, that vision also included a dash of white supremacy, a reason why this one didn’t make the top of our list.

Oconee Forest Park

I definitely felt some FOMO over this one. Oconee Forest Park is 60 acres of nature trails, including a trek that’ll take you to the largest scarlet oak tree in Georgia. (It’s named as such for its brilliant leaves that I’m sure are pretty fantastic during peak fall foliage months.) Stroll around Lake Herrick, have yourself a picnic, and take in the fresh air of the hickory forest.

T.R.R. Cobb House

This pink home on the National Register of Historic Places was closed during our visit, but it’s worth a look outside just for a glance at its unique shape. The house is an octagon. Back in the day, it was the home of T.R.R. Cobb, a Confederate general. Today, it’s a museum dedicated to what life was like back then here in Athens.

The museum has been doing quite a bit of work to emphasize the lives of the enslaved families of Cobb, so I’ll allow it here.

Live Music in Athens

You’ve already seen some of the more iconic music venues in Athens if you’ve been following allow on my itinerary, if only from the outside. With a longer stay, you can actually see some live music to really take in the local vibes.

Here are a few venues to check out if you want to see a show while in Athens:

• The Classic Center hosts musicals and classical symphonies, in addition to rotating art galleries throughout the year.
• The 40 Watt Club is well-known as one of the top venues for rock and punk music. It was a frequent performance space for R.E.M. back in their Athens days.
• Hendershot’s is a cafe, eatery, bar, and live music venue all in one. Check out their calendar for live acts six days a week.

Have you been to Athens, Georgia? What are your favorite Athens, GA, attractions? Share them with me in the comments!

Ready for Athens?

Your Flight: I use a variety of tools to find cheap airfare, but if you’re looking to book during a particular period of time, you should use Skyscanner. It’s a great tool for when you’re more flexible, too, as it allows you to compare travel based on length of travel, departure date, etc. Another strategy is following the major airlines to catch good deals that may come up for your city.

To get to Athens, you’ll likely fly into Atlanta. We visited on a day trip from Augusta, but if you’re flying here, Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport will offer way better deals on airfare.

You’ll need a car for this college town adventure from there. Reserve a car ahead of time using a site like Hotwire or Priceline to find the best deals. You can search by car rental company, too, if you feel a loyalty there.

Your Accommodations: I typically recommend sites like Booking.com and Hotels.com for your accommodation needs. Both offer loyalty programs, and now offer listings that are more of the home or condo rental variety, which is great.

If you’re lucky enough to stay overnight or even for a weekend in Athens, check out these options from Booking.com for the best hotels in Athens, Georgia:

• Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Athens
• Hilton Garden Inn Athens Downtown
• Holiday Inn Express Athens — University Area
• Homewood Suites by Hilton Athens
• Hotel Indigo Athens — University Area

Vrbo has become my preferred Airbnb alternative. Check out these Athens Vrbo options if you want something more apartment-style:

• Cottage on Beech Haven in the Woods
• Cozy Cottage Near Sanford Stadium
• Explore Like a Local in This Cozy Home
• Remodeled Apartment in Gated Community
• Beautiful Townhouse in Heart of Athens

Seeking even more wallet-friendly accommodations? Try Hostelworld. Their picks are heavily vetted and reviewed to offer you a safe experience on a budget.

Etc.: For general travel goodies, visit my Favorite Things page. For more information on planning your travel, visit my Travel Tools page.

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