Glorious Gardens

Day One

Morning: Start your day with a guided walking tour of the historic North Campus of the beautifully landscaped University of Georgia.  Make one of your stops the Founders Memorial Garden and House, commemorating the establishment of the first garden club in the United States.  Your driver will take you to South Campus where you can see the UGA Horticulture Gardens, research gardens designed to evaluate annual and perennial cultivars for the Southeastern climate.

Afternoon: For lunch, head to nearby Social Circle (30 min.) for a delicious Southern meal at the world-famous Blue Willow Inn, where you'll enjoy Southern comfort food in a beautiful antebellum mansion.  On your way back to Athens, visit one of the area farms.  Pick peaches at Thomas Peach Orchard, take a hayride at Washington Farms or tour the largest specialty hellebore nursery in the country, Piccadilly Farms.  After a short rest at your hotel, you'll be ready for dinner in one of our unique Downtown eateries.

Evening: Contact the CVB or visit our online Events Calendar for evening entertainment options for your dates.

Overnight in one of Athens' fine properties.

Day Two

Morning: Spend the morning exploring the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, a 313-acre preserve featuring a stunning three-story tropical conservatory and gardens showcasing both native and international flora.  During your visit, your guide can take you through the Garden Club of Georgia Headquarters, featuring a decorative art museum.

Afternoon: Enjoy a delicious lunch at Café Trumps, overlooking the State Botanical Garden's International Garden.  Before returning home, pick up a living souvenir to commemorate your visit to Athens.  Stop at one of these popular nurseries on your way out of town and choose from a variety of options:

Thyme after Thyme - An award-winning retail plant nursery with multiple browsing gardens and a unique gift shop or Pinebush Farm and Nursery - A nursery of landscape plants, gardening library and gift shop.

Contact Amy Clark at the Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau to make itinerary and accommodation arrangements, 706.357.4430, toll free 800.653.0603.