Arts Unleashed

3 Day / 2 Night Group Tour Itinerary

Day One

Art Dawg

Morning: Come learn why AmericanStyle Magazine has named Athens a "Top 25 Arts Destination" every year since 2002. Your tour of Athens begins at the Lyndon House Arts Center, which encompasses the historic Ware-Lyndon House (c. 1856). Your guide will take you through the house museum and Athens history room, and then your group can take some time to browse the exhibits in the vast gallery spaces or purchase local art in the gift shop.

Afternoon: Have lunch in one of Athens' many unique eateries that showcase local art, such as DePalma's Italian Cafe. Take an after-meal stroll and delve into the shops and galleries in our Historic Downtown. Spend the afternoon on an artist studio tour or a gallery crawl--you could explore a high-end, stylish gallery in the Hotel Indigo building, get a look at provocative contemporary art with commentary from the curator, or watch hand-molded pottery take shape in a studio-shop. Take a short break at the hotel before a fantastic evening on the town.

Evening: Dinner and a movie? Athens offers a true art house cinema experience to follow an exquisite Mediterranean-inspired meal, all in the same urban renewal building at Cine and The National. For other options, contact the CVB or visit the Calendar section of www.visitathensga.com  for evening entertainment choices for your tour dates.

Overnight in one of Athens' fine properties.

Day Two

Morning: Begin the day with a guided tour of the Morton Theatre. One of the first vaudeville theatres in the U.S. built, owned, and operated by an African-American, the Morton opened in 1910 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Afternoon: Lunch at Big City Bread Cafe, where outside on the shaded terrace you can admire the chalk drawings of Athens' youngest artists, and in the rear of the building take a look at the Blue Tin Studio Gallery, where instructional classes take place in the working studio space. After, your driver will take you to the newly-expanded Georgia Museum of Art (reopening January 2011), the state's official art museum, which recently added space to display more of its permanent collection, including 19th and 20th century American art, southern decorative arts, and Asian art. Be sure to stroll through the sculpture garden, a new addition, or stop in the museum shop.

Evening: Dine in Five Points at Five & Ten, the acclaimed restaurant of chef Hugh Acheson. After dinner, take a stroll on streets lined with fine antiques galleries and gift boutiques, or stop at Aromas for a glass of wine.

Overnight in one of Athens' fine properties.

Day Three

Morning: Head down 441 to the artists' community of Watkinsville, where you'll lunch. One ofWatkinsville's most popular attractions is Happy Valley Pottery, a sprawling regional artist colony and gift shop featuring demonstrations by potters, glass blowers and sculptors. Make one last stop at theChapelle Gallery and purchase a last-minute gift for someone back home.

Contact the Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau to make hotel room block arrangements, 706.357.4430, toll free 800.653.0603 or Request a Destination Planning Guide.

Art Scenes