Athens, GA Heritage and Garden Itinerary

Cross over Broad Street in downtown Athens and venture back two centuries to the early days of America’s first state-chartered college, the University of Georgia. Get a glimpse into the lives and legacy of antebellum Athens as you tour historic house museums and accompanying gardens.
 

Your Itinerary:

Historic Athens Tour

• Historic Athens guided tours depart daily from the Historic Athens Welcome Center, downtown on E. Dougherty St. Choose from a morning walking tour, or an afternoon driving tour. Or why choose; select both! Tours begin and end at the Historic Athens Welcome Center, where free parking is provided. Reservations are required.

• Walking Tour, 10:30 AM daily: Stroll through Historic Downtown Athens and UGA North Campus with a local, knowledgeable tour guide and learn about the history of the Classic City. Tours run rain or shine. 90 minutes. $15 per person.

• Rather explore on your own? Download a self-guided tour or pick one up at the Athens Welcome Center.

UGA North Campus

• Take a stroll through historic North Campus, which is modeled after Yale University and is the setting of some of the oldest buildings in Athens, dating back to the start of classes in 1801. 
   

UGA Special Collections Exhibits

• Georgia’s history comes to life at the University of Georgia’s Special Collections building.
• Historic and cultural treasures are on display, including interactive exhibits, Georgia artifacts, even a full-sized replica of Senator Richard B. Russell’s Washington office. Audiovisual displays include the Peabody Award collection and vintage town films. 

Ware-Lyndon House & Arts Center

• The Ware-Lyndon House is a circa 1840s late Greek Revival home with Italianate influence. It is the last remaining house in Lickskillet, the once-fashionable 19th century in-town neighborhood. The interior has been restored and arranged with decorative art and furnishings of the period. The historic display room features artifacts (with informative labels) that are relevant to the historic house and to the history of Athens. The house has been completely restored as both a house museum and the centerpiece of the Lyndon House Arts Center complex.

Lunch

• Dine on refined southern cuisine at The Place- the upstairs dining area overlooks UGA’s historic North Campus!

Historic Athens Tour - Afternoon Driving Tour

• Driving Tour, 1 PM daily: You'll begin your tour inside Athens’ oldest surviving residence and learn how this great college town began in the up-country that was once Native American territory. Then board the bus for an overview of magnificent pre-Civil War homes and historic neighborhoods. See our eclectic Downtown, UGA campus, the Double-Barreled Cannon, and the Cobbham and Milledge Avenue historic districts. Tours run rain or shine. 90 minutes. $20 per person.

• Historic Athens guided tours depart daily from the Historic Athens Welcome Center, downtown on E. Dougherty St. Choose from a morning walking tour, or an afternoon driving tour. Or why choose; select both! Tours begin and end at the Historic Athens Welcome Center, where free parking is provided. Reservations are required.

State Botanical Garden of Georgia

• Afternoons are a beautiful time to explore the State Botanical Garden along with five miles of trails at the 313-acre preserve that is the state’s official botanical garden.
• A stunning tropical conservatory is surrounded by themed gardens showcasing native and international flora.
• Additional attractions at The Garden include the Porcelain & Decorative Arts Museum and an expansive and immersive Children's Garden.
• The grounds also include the Garden Club of Georgia State Headquarters and the lovely Day Chapel.
• Bring your binoculars; the Garden is an Audubon-designated Important Bird Area.​
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• Bonus: the wonderful garden gift shop at the State Botanical Garden features a wide range of local products!

Trial Gardens at UGA

• See horticulturists in action at the Trial Gardens at UGA, as they determine the “best of the best” plants for our region’s high heat and humidity.
  
   

Dinner

• Dine at Five and Ten, from nationally-acclaimed Athens chef Hugh Acheson.
• The restaurant is located along S. Milledge Avenue in the Five Points historic district, in a circa-1920 Colonial Revival home by architect Fred Orr.