Helpful Information

    Important Phone Numbers

     Emergency  911
    Athens-Clarke Police  706.613.3330
    Athens Convention and Visitors Bureau  706.357.4430, 800.653.0603
    Classic Center convention center  706.208.0900, 800.918.6393
    Community Connection health and human services  211
    Directory Assistance  411
    Hospital: Athens Regional Medical Center  706.475.7000
    Hospital: St. Mary's Health Care System  706.389.3000
    Time and Temperature  706.548.2253
    Tourist Information: Athens Welcome Center  706.353.1820, 866.455.1820
    University of Georgia Directory Assistance  706.542.3000
    University of Georgia Police  706.542.2200
    University of Georgia Sports Tickets  706.542.1231

    Getting Around Town

    There are plenty of good ways to get around town.  Athens Transit and UGA Campus Transit operate bus routes from the new Multi-Modal Transportation Center on Broad Street behind The Classic Center.  Athens is small enough to encourage walking and bicycling, but it is hilly.  There are several parking decks downtown and along the perimeter of the UGA campus.  For street parking, don't forget to feed your meter during weekday business hours before 6 p.m.  (You've been warned.)  Call ahead for local taxi service.  For more details, see our transportation page.

    What to Wear

    We're not fussy here.  Casual attire rules for most places and most activities.  A light jacket or sweater for cooler evenings is in order in fall and spring.  A mid-weight jacket should suffice for all but a few winter cold snaps.  Athens typically will see only a day or two with snow or ice each year.  There's no getting around it; summers in Athens are hot!  Shorts can comfortably be worn April through October.

    Taxes

    Sales tax in Athens-Clarke County is 8%.  Hotel-Motel tax is an additional 7%. The state of Georgia also has a $5 per room per night hotel fee.

    Staying on the Right Side of the Law

    Don't light up indoors in a public place, or in a public park for that matter.  
    Don't walk around with an open container of alcohol, even on game days.
    Watch those red lights!  Some intersections have cameras. 

    Click here for a handy flyer describing local ordinances that will keep you on the right side of the law.

    Here for the beer?  Click here for the scoop on alcohol sales, from Athens-Clarke County Municipal Code 6-3-5.