Athens Is The Perfect Georgia Day Trip Destination

There are an almost countless number of great towns in Georgia. It can be overwhelming when trying to choose one for a day trip, because what do you pick? The natural beauty and incredible history of seaside Savannah? The metropolitan glamor and endless attractions in Atlanta? One getaway in Georgia that we feel doesn’t get enough love is Athens. The town is best known as the home of the University of Georgia but there’s so much more to the city than UGA! Here are a few of our favorite must-see stops in Athens:

Sandy Creek Park: 400 Bob Holman Rd, Athens, GA 30607

A- Lane/Google Maps Sandy Creek Park is one of our favorite recreational areas in Georgia. This massive place spans nearly 800 acres. There’s a dog park, beach, disc golf, trails, 260-acre lake, and plenty more to enjoy here. There are many great parks in Athens, but this one is the biggest and best. Sandy Creek Park, Bob Holman Road, Athens, GA, USA

Sandy Creek Nature Center: 205 Old Commerce Rd, Athens, GA 30607

Jennifer Lewis/Google Maps The nearby Sandy Creek Nature Center is another great spot, particularly if you’re traveling with kids. There are four miles of trails, plus an educational center that’s got interesting exhibits on the local ecosystem. Sandy Creek Nature Center, 205 Old Commerce Rd, Athens, GA 30607, USA

The State Botanical Garden of Georgia: 2450 S Milledge Ave, Athens, GA 30605

Orion Maier/Google Maps If it’s great weather, you won’t want to miss the 313-acre State Botanical Garden of Georgia in Athens. It’s got a variety of gardens featuring plants from all over the world, and best of all, admission is free. The State Botanical Garden of Georgia, 2450 S Milledge Ave, Athens, GA 30605, USA

Bear Hollow Zoo: 293 Gran Ellen Dr, Athens, GA 30606

Bear Hollow Zoo/Facebook Bear Hollow Zoo is yet another free destination in Athens. Here, you’ll see native animals that are unable to be released into the wild due to behavioral or health issues. There’s a short trail you can walk through and see various species like black bears, white-tailed deer, and more. Bear Hollow Zoo, Bear Hollow Wildlife Trail, 293 Gran Ellen Dr, Athens, GA 30606, USA

Georgia Museum of Art: 90 Carlton St, Athens, GA 30602

Georgia Museum of Art/Google Maps Athens is the reigning champion when it comes to free things to do in Georgia: the Georgia Museum of Art also has free admission (timed ticket required). The museum features all kinds of art exhibits, with everything from Renaissance painting to modern sculptures. You can also catch great programs and lectures here. Georgia Museum of Art, 90 Carlton St, Athens, GA 30602, USA

40 Watt Club: 285 W Washington St, Athens, GA 30601

Jeff Short/Google Maps Athens is famous for its music scene: it’s the hometown of bands like R.E.M. and the B-52’s. Many bands got their start at the fabulous 40 Watt Club, one of the most famous small venues in the country. Music aficionados will definitely want to check out the venue’s schedule and plan your trip around a show. The place has a completely unique dive bar feel and is unlike anywhere else in the state. 40 Watt Club, 285 W Washington St, Athens, GA 30601, USA

Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall: 1 Selig Circle, Athens, GA 30602

University of Georgia Sports fans already know Athens as the home of the University of Georgia (go Dawgs!). If you’re a football fanatic, you’ve got to make a quick stop by the Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall. You’ll find a small section of displays from previous years’ championship wins for all University of Georgia sports teams. Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall, 1 Selig Circle, Athens, GA 30602, USA

Little Italy Pizzeria: 125 N Lumpkin St, Athens, GA 30601

Jeff Short/Google Maps There are a ton of great places to eat in Athens, but when it comes to that old Athens charm, Little Italy Pizzeria is tops. It’s right in the heart of downtown and has been the late night hangout spot of many a college student. Does it get any better than good pizza at low prices? Little Italy Pizzeria, 125 N Lumpkin St, Athens, GA 30601, USA

Avid Bookshop: 1662 S Lumpkin St, Athens, GA 30606

Avid Bookshop/Google Maps Avid Bookshop is one of our favorite independent bookstores in Georgia. Avid readers (pun intended) and those looking to read more will both be delighted by this spot. The employees are super-helpful and love to provide recommendations. Avid Bookshop, 1662 S Lumpkin St, Athens, GA 30606, USA

University of Georgia Campus

Elisabeth Martin/Google Maps Strolling around UGA’s beautiful campus is a delightful experience all in itself. The campus has plenty of green spaces and tons of gardens that are worth a visit. University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA

Have you visited Athens, or did you attend college there? Share your favorite spots in the comments!

A- Lane/Google Maps

Sandy Creek Park is one of our favorite recreational areas in Georgia. This massive place spans nearly 800 acres. There’s a dog park, beach, disc golf, trails, 260-acre lake, and plenty more to enjoy here. There are many great parks in Athens, but this one is the biggest and best.

Sandy Creek Park, Bob Holman Road, Athens, GA, USA

Jennifer Lewis/Google Maps

The nearby Sandy Creek Nature Center is another great spot, particularly if you’re traveling with kids. There are four miles of trails, plus an educational center that’s got interesting exhibits on the local ecosystem.

Sandy Creek Nature Center, 205 Old Commerce Rd, Athens, GA 30607, USA

Orion Maier/Google Maps

If it’s great weather, you won’t want to miss the 313-acre State Botanical Garden of Georgia in Athens. It’s got a variety of gardens featuring plants from all over the world, and best of all, admission is free.

The State Botanical Garden of Georgia, 2450 S Milledge Ave, Athens, GA 30605, USA

Bear Hollow Zoo/Facebook

Bear Hollow Zoo is yet another free destination in Athens. Here, you’ll see native animals that are unable to be released into the wild due to behavioral or health issues. There’s a short trail you can walk through and see various species like black bears, white-tailed deer, and more.

Bear Hollow Zoo, Bear Hollow Wildlife Trail, 293 Gran Ellen Dr, Athens, GA 30606, USA

Georgia Museum of Art/Google Maps

Athens is the reigning champion when it comes to free things to do in Georgia: the Georgia Museum of Art also has free admission (timed ticket required). The museum features all kinds of art exhibits, with everything from Renaissance painting to modern sculptures. You can also catch great programs and lectures here.

Georgia Museum of Art, 90 Carlton St, Athens, GA 30602, USA

Jeff Short/Google Maps

Athens is famous for its music scene: it’s the hometown of bands like R.E.M. and the B-52’s. Many bands got their start at the fabulous 40 Watt Club, one of the most famous small venues in the country. Music aficionados will definitely want to check out the venue’s schedule and plan your trip around a show. The place has a completely unique dive bar feel and is unlike anywhere else in the state.

40 Watt Club, 285 W Washington St, Athens, GA 30601, USA

University of Georgia

Sports fans already know Athens as the home of the University of Georgia (go Dawgs!). If you’re a football fanatic, you’ve got to make a quick stop by the Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall. You’ll find a small section of displays from previous years’ championship wins for all University of Georgia sports teams.

Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall, 1 Selig Circle, Athens, GA 30602, USA

There are a ton of great places to eat in Athens, but when it comes to that old Athens charm, Little Italy Pizzeria is tops. It’s right in the heart of downtown and has been the late night hangout spot of many a college student. Does it get any better than good pizza at low prices?

Little Italy Pizzeria, 125 N Lumpkin St, Athens, GA 30601, USA

Avid Bookshop/Google Maps

Avid Bookshop is one of our favorite independent bookstores in Georgia. Avid readers (pun intended) and those looking to read more will both be delighted by this spot. The employees are super-helpful and love to provide recommendations.

Avid Bookshop, 1662 S Lumpkin St, Athens, GA 30606, USA

Elisabeth Martin/Google Maps

Strolling around UGA’s beautiful campus is a delightful experience all in itself. The campus has plenty of green spaces and tons of gardens that are worth a visit.

University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA

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Address: Athens, GA, USA