Glorious Gardens

2 Day / 1 Night Group Tour Itinerary

Day One

Morning: Start your day with a guided walking tour of the historic, tree-shaded North Campus of the beautifully landscaped University of Georgia. Make one of your stops the secluded 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: Pick up a picnic lunch to enjoy at the State Botanical Garden's International Garden. Spend the afternoon strolling the trails and gardens on the 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.

Evening: A true "farm to table" experience, Farm 255 makes its menu from locally-raised food for you to savor at dinner--most of it traveling less than ten miles to your plate. The associated Full Moon Farm locations in the Athens area supply most of the menu--including biodynamically grown vegetables and meat. Each night, live music, much of it from local musicians, provides a soundtrack for diners.

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: Head out of downtown to see where you dinner came from - a visit to the co-op Full Moon Farms will allow you to see first hand the freshness of your dining experience. In surrounding areas of Athens you can sample peach ice cream at Thomas Peach Orchard, take a hayride or pick berries in season at Washington Farms, or tour the largest specialty hellebore nursery in the country, Piccadilly Farms. On Saturday mornings, stop at the Athens Farmers Market to meet local growers selling the fruits of their labor and enjoy fresh juice, homemade granola, and live music.

Don't forget to stop at one of region's popular nurseries on your way out of town and pick up a living souvenir to commemorate your visit, including Pinebush Farm and Nursery, a nursery of landscape plants, gardening library and gift shop.

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.