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  • Things to Do
    • Attractions
      • Coupons & Deals
      • Heritage Attractions
      • State Botanical Garden of Georgia
      • The Tree That Owns Itself
    • Sports & Outdoors
      • Parks
      • Hiking Trails
      • Golf
      • Cycling
      • Gardens
      • Sandy Creek Park
      • Geocaching
      • UGA Football
      • Visit the SEC Pass
    • Free Things to Do
    • Neighborhoods
      • Boulevard
      • Cobbham
      • Five Points
      • Normaltown
      • Downtown Athens
    • Family Friendly Attractions
    • Arts and Culture
      • Museums & Galleries
      • Performing Arts
      • Public Art
        • Bulldog Statues
      • Creative Community
    • Shopping
      • Coupons & Deals
      • Local Products
    • Tours
      • Historic Athens Tours
      • Music History Walking Tour
      • Day Trips from Athens
    • Itineraries
    • Nightlife
    • Spas & Wellness
    • Pet Friendly
    • Women Owned
    • LGBTQ+ Things to do
  • Plan
    • Itineraries
      • Two Nights Open Spaces
      • A Day in Athens
      • Two Days in Athens
      • Three Days in Athens
      • Girlfriends Getaway
      • Family Fun Itinerary
      • Bands and Brews
      • Heritage and Garden
      • Art and Culture
      • Sports and Recreation
      • Foodie Itineraries
      • Romance Itinerary
      • LGBTQ+ Itinerary
    • Welcome Center
      • Pumpkins on the Porch Contest
    • Visitors Guide
    • FAQ
      • Trivia
      • Helpful Information
      • Alcohol Sales
    • Heritage
      • Attractions
      • History of Athens
      • Athens Historic Districts
      • Black Heritage
      • Genealogy Resources
    • Coupons & Deals
    • Enewsletter Signup
    • Blog
    • Getting Here & Getting Around: Transportation to Athens
    • Resources
    • Relocation & Retirement
    • Weather
    • About Athens
    • Ready Set Go Safely
    • map
  • Events
    • Annual Events & Festivals
    • UGA Football
      • Football Parking and Tailgating
      • Football Top 5
      • Football Hotel Availability
      • Bulldog Traditions
      • G-Day: UGA Spring Football Game
    • This Weekend
    • Concerts & Live Music
    • Foodie Events
    • All UGA Sports
    • Spring in Athens
    • Submit an Event
  • Restaurants
    • Outdoor Dining
    • Craft Breweries
    • Black Owned Restaurants
    • Downtown Athens Restaurants
    • Coupons & Deals
    • Award Winning Dining
    • Pet Friendly
    • Farmers Markets
    • Group Dining
    • Foodie Events
    • Foodie Itineraries
    • Open All Night
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    • Near UGA
    • Near The Classic Center
    • Downtown Athens Hotels
    • Pet-Friendly
    • Bed & Breakfast
    • Camping/RV
  • Music
    • Athens Music Walk of Fame
    • Concert Calendar
    • The Athens Sound
    • Where to Hear Live Music
    • Music History Walking Tour
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    • Summer Music & Festivals
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State Botanical Garden of Georgia @UGA

78 reviews
  • 2450 South Milledge Avenue, Athens, GA 30605
  • (706) 542-1244
  • E-mail
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Athens is the proud home to the state of Georgia's official botanical garden. This 313-acre botanical garden on the Middle Oconee River serves as a cultural, educational and recreational facility and is one of Athens' most-visited attractions. Numerous themed display gardens include the Flower Garden, International Garden, Heritage Garden, Shade Garden and more. The garden is an All-American Selections Garden, Southeastern Conifer Society Reference Garden, American Daffodil Society Display Garden and Audubon Society Important Bird Area.

Five miles of nature trails extend into the natural areas typical of the habitats and plant communities found in the Georgia Piedmont.

The Alice Hand Callaway Visitor Center & Conservatory contains a collection of tropical and semi-tropical plants providing a backdrop for concerts, lectures and art exhibitions.


The Alice B. Richards Childrens Garden is an interactive experience of wonder for all ages, and opened in 2019. The children's garden requires free timed tickets due to the pandemic. Unlike any other in the Southeast, it is an experience crafted in layers, for children to explore under, around and through.


The Porcelain & Decorative Arts Museum opened in March 2021.

The Garden Gift Shop offers plants, books, local gifts and art, jewelry, and educational toys.


PLAN YOUR VISIT:


Allow 30 minutes minimum to view the conservatory and have a quick view of the gardens; longer to read interpretive panels, take a lengthier look at the gardens, or walk through the five miles of nature trails.


*Fall 2022 Hours update: The garden closes at 5 PM in preparation for Winter WonderLights.
 


IN THE NEWS:



  • Alice H. Richards Children's Garden  to open in March 2019. Update from OnlineAthens.com.

  • New official entrance to Garden & Visitor Center planned


ADMISSION: No admission charge; donations accepted.
No pets.


 


TOURS: The State Botanical Garden offers tailored field trips and educational tours to school children and adults of all ages. Programs on Healing Medicinal Plants, Edible Gardening, Stream Ecology, and many other topics are available. Check out Field Trip offerings or Adult Programs directly on the web site.

FACILITIES/RENTAL INFORMATION:
Four buildings set within the Garden offer unique facilities for a diverse range of events.

Callaway Building Designed to blend into its natural setting, the Callaway Building serves as administrative headquarters for the Garden. The upper level houses an auditorium, reception area, conference room, and kitchenette. Weather permitting, the front plaza provides additional informal meeting and break space. This facility is ideal for meetings, receptions, conferences, workshops, and retreats.

Visitor Center & Conservatory The Visitor Center & Conservatory serve as a stunning centerpiece for the Garden. The building includes a gift shop, Garden Room cafe, classrooms, offices, and a 3-story conservatory. Changing art exhibitions are on display in the foyer. The great room, overlooking the conservatory, is well suited for receptions, parties, and other gala events. Portions of the building overlook the expansive International Garden. Weather permitting, the front and rear plazas provide additional space for evening events.

Day Chapel Modern in design, the Day Chapel contains an eclectic blend of architectural styles and decorative details. Special features include custom-made, hand-tufted rugs and a magnificent set of carved mahogany and glass doors separating the vestibule and sanctuary. The lower level includes dressing rooms, a full catering kitchen, and a reception hall overlooking a beautiful woodland ravine. The adjoining garden terrace provides a pleasant outdoor space as well as a stunning view of the chapel. The facility is well suited for weddings, memorial services, retreats, small concerts, and recitals.

Garden Club of Georgia State Headquarters (Terrace Room) The newest building at the State Botanical Garden, this traditional design facility contains offices, work spaces, archives, and formal reception rooms on the upper level. The lower level, available for rental, contains a catering kitchen, restrooms, storage, and a large meeting/reception room, which opens on to an expansive brick terrace. The attractively appointed Terrace Room is ideal for meetings, conferences, receptions, and retreats.

Hours

Mon

7:00am - 7:00pm

Tue

7:00am - 7:00pm

Wed

7:00am - 7:00pm

Thu

7:00am - 7:00pm

Fri

7:00am - 7:00pm

Sat

7:00am - 7:00pm

Sun

7:00am - 7:00pm

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General Accommodations
  • Complimentary Newspaper:
  • Exterior Corridors:
  • Free Parking:
  • Handicapped Accessible Rooms:
  • High-speed Internet Access:
  • Miles from Classic Center: 5
Additional Property Information
  • Credit Cards Accepted:
    • American Express
    • Mastercard
    • Visa
    • Discover
  • Dining Style: Cafe
General
  • Catering Services:
  • Handicap Accessible:
General
  • Guided Tours:
  • Handicap Accessible:
  • Kids Programs:
  • Onsite Restaurant/Food Vendor:
  • Parking Available:
General
  • Handicap Accessible:
  • Parking Available:
Outdoor Recreation
  • Dogs-leashed:
  • Trails-walking/hiking:

Meeting Facilities

Facility Info
Meeting Rooms
  • Exhibits Space
  • Description The Visitor Center is open to the public Tuesday to Saturday, 9:00AM-4:30PM and Sunday 11:30AM-4:30PM. It is available for rentals in the evenings.
  • Exhibits 1
  • Floorplan File Floorplan File
  • Reception Capacity 200
  • Banquet Capacity 300
  • Number of Rooms 5
  • Classroom Capacity 30
Cecil B. Day Chapel
  • Width: 40
  • Length: 120
  • Theater Capacity: 130
  • Banquet Capacity: 65
  • Reception Capacity: 130
Terrace Room
  • Width: 35
  • Length: 65
  • Banquet Capacity: 200
  • Reception Capacity: 130
Callaway Administrative Building
  • Theater Capacity: 90
  • Classroom Capacity: 15
  • Banquet Capacity: 150
  • Reception Capacity: 50
Gardenside Room
  • Banquet Capacity: 115
  • Reception Capacity: 75
Great Room
  • Width: 75
  • Length: 41
  • Banquet Capacity: 300
  • Reception Capacity: 200

Events

Mar 31

Student Art Competition Submission Deadline

State Botanical Garden of Georgia @UGA

March 31, 2023

Apr 07

April Friends First Friday

State Botanical Garden of Georgia @UGA

April 7, 2023

Apr 14

Spring Plant Sale

State Botanical Garden of Georgia @UGA

Dates vary between April 14, 2023 - April 15, 2023

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