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:

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. 
   

Lunch

• Dine on refined southern cuisine at The Place- the upstairs dining area overlooks UGA’s historic North Campus!
• Or, head straight to the:
   

State Botanical Garden of Georgia

• Start with a light lunch at the garden’s Donderos' Café, then 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.
• 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.​
  • Bonus: the wonderful garden gift shop at the State Botanical Garden, featuring a wide range of local products!!
     

Museum Mile

• Athens’ four historic house museums represent different architectural styles from different decades of the 19th century.
• Download a self-guided tour, pick one up at the Athens Welcome Center or Convention & Visitors Bureau, or make a reservation for a guided Classic City Tour.
• Choose the Athens Heritage Tour – a 90-minute driving tour of historic districts and landmarks--or the “Museum Mile” – a two-hour tour of all four antebellum interiors. Don’t miss seeing the authentic period gardens at each house museum. 
   

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.