Girlfriends Getaway to Athens
Athens, Georgia, makes the perfect girlfriends getaway. Museums, shops, and gardens galore are enjoyable during the day, followed by plenty of happy hour options, award-winning restaurants, and a world-famous live music scene at night. Grab your best friends, your college roommates, your closest co-workers, your mama and your sisters and plan a girls' getaway to Athens!
Here is our itinerary for the perfect girlfriends getaway to Athens:
Your Girls' Getaway Itinerary:
Unwind
- You've left your job, your family, and your stress behind. You're in Athens with your girlfriends, and happy hour awaits! After checking in to your hotel or BnB, check out happy hour at The Lark Winespace for a wine tasting or to one of Athens' craft breweries to relax with a fun crowd. Then, head up to the Georgia Theatre or Hybar rooftop bars for an unbeatable view of the sunset over downtown Athens, or choose the Globe, Seabear, or The Old Pal for a top-notch craft cocktail. Athens' bartenders also have a wonderful selection of alcohol-free concoctions!
Dinner
- Athens is a true player in the southern food scene.
Go for casual but elevated southern fare at The Place, with a great view overlooking UGA's historic North Campus.
Feeling fancier? Check out Seabear Oyster Bar or The National for a high-end experience without the big city price.
Live Music
- With no kids to get to bed, and no job to wake up for, your night is just getting started! Athens' live music scene is more varied than ever, with bands playing everything from country to blues to classical to hip hop and of course, rock and roll. Explore Athens' music venues and performance calendars to see what suits your mood!
Sleep Well
- Athens has so many distinctive accommodations, including boutique hotels, bed & breakfasts, and national names you know and love. Choose a small upscale boutique hotel in the heart of downtown, like The Bell Hotel or The Athenian, or try Rivet House in the Normaltown neighborhood, a destination all its own. Bed & Breakfast options include the sleek Ath|BNB in Five Points, the bucolic and restful Lavender Hill off Milledge Ave, or Greek Revival countryside splendor of The Colonels.
Breakfast
- Yes, you were out late, but don't miss a chance at a good breakfast for your first morning in Athens. Mama's Boy is a local favorite, with humongous biscuits and plenty of other fun breakfast offerings. Other super breakfast menus include Big City Bread and Little City Diner. Or, for a lighter bite, check out 1000 Faces Coffee for an unforgettable brew and freshly baked goods.
UGA North Campus
- Time to explore! Any UGA alumnae in the crowd? They'll want to reminisce and show off UGA's historic North Campus to the rest of the group, plus grab a photo under the Arch. Whether you're a UGA alumni or fan or not, visitors will be impressed - North Campus is the birthplace of public higher education in America, and includes some of the oldest buildings in Athens. Be sure to enjoy shaded quads, 'hidden' gardens such as Founders Memorial Garden recognizing the first garden club in the US, and the fountain on Herty Field.
State Botanical Garden of Georgia
- Located on over 300 acres, the State Botanical Garden of Georgia offers more beautiful scenery, plus over five miles of trails to explore. Themed gardens include the Heritage Garden with native plants used throughout Georgia's history and the International Garden with flora from other parts of the world. Indoor attractions at the Garden include a soaring tropical conservatory and the Porcelain and Decorative Arts Museum.
- .Bonus: the wonderful garden gift shop at the State Botanical Garden is a hidden gem, featuring a wide range of local products!
Browse Awhile
- Athens has plenty one-of-a-kind shops that are definitely worth stopping by. Your shopping mission starts on Clayton Street, downtown. Wuxtry Records has been around for over 40 years-- vinyl has never been out of style in Athens! For more vintage finds and sustainable fashion, check out Community and Agora Vintage downtown, or broaden your search with more Athens vintage shops and thrift shop finds from our blog.
Sweet Treats
- If there's one thing girlfriends can agree upon, its the powers of world-class chocolate! Athens is home to a bean-to-bar Ecuadorian chocolatier and you can even watch the magic as the confections are being made. Everything at Condor Chocolates is delicious, but may we suggest truffles and the sipping chocolate? Don't forget to pick up the exclusive Visit Athens chocolate bar as a perfect souvenir.
Dinner
- Dine at Five and Ten, which has built its reputation on modern Southern cuisine. The restaurant is located along S. Milledge Avenue in the Five Points historic district, in a stately circa-1920 Colonial Revival home.
Evening Out
Brunch
- No girls' getaway is complete without an end-of-trip brunch. Before heading home, indulge in one last amazing meal in Athens.
- Downtown Sunday brunch spots include Last Resort and Big City Bread.
- Or, head a few blocks away to Five Points. The Pine pulls out all the stops with champagne brunch on both Saturdays and Sundays from 11 AM - 2 PM.
Relax
- What's your style of relaxation?
- Spa time at Urban Sanctuary could be just the ticket. Urban Sanctuary offers everything you need to feel rejuvenated including massages, facials, scrubs, and nail care.
- Or perhaps a stroll through the galleries of the Georgia Museum of Art, the official art museum of the state.
- Head outdoors to the North Oconee River Greenway, including the Firefly Trail.
Souvenier Time!
- If you didn't overindulge in yesterday's shopping exhibition, there's still time to take a piece of Athens home with you. Whether your tastes run towards UGA gear from Clubhouse or Red Zone or the UGA Bookstore, lovely jewelry from Aurum, or yummy treats from Independent Baking Company, Athens will satisfy your craving for something special.
More Girls' Getaway Fun:
