Three Day Athens Itinerary

Looking for a weekend getaway? Look no further than Athens, Georgia. There are so many things to do! We’ve got you covered with the perfectly curated itinerary to make your three days as intentionally filled with as much fun as possible. Start off with locally-roasted coffee and/or a huge biscuit. Stroll through Downtown and cross over Broad St. to the University of Georgia's historic North Campus. Browse through art galleries, bookstores, and galleries. Treat yourself to a craft beer, cocktail, and food that's to die for. Stay out late with live music, local theater and plenty of other entertainment. This three-day Athens Georgia itinerary includes all the best restaurants, live music, museums, gardens and shopping this college town has to offer!

 

Your Itinerary:

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Welcome to Athens!
craft beer iconHappy Hour
restaurant iconDinner
  • Foodies will of course have heard of Athens' two-time James Beard Award winner, Hugh Acheson of Five & Ten. Grab a reservation and you can say you've dined where it all began. Five & Ten is upscale, but not stuffy.

Evening- Late NightLive music icon
  • Athens is world-renowned for its music, and the live music scene today is bigger and more diverse than ever. On almost any night of the week, you'll find bands playing everything from rock to Americana to blues to hip hop. Pick a performer and a venue like Georgia Theatre, 40 Watt Club, or The Foundry from our live music listings, or plan to club hop to a few; small cover charges make that totally do-able!

Day 2:

restaurant iconBreakfast
  • Sweet or savory? Regardless of your breakfast preferences, Athens restaurants aim to please. Mama's Boy is a local favorite known for humongous biscuits, savory skillets, plus decadent choices like Chocolate Cake for Breakfast and seasonal French Toast. For lighter fare, check out 1000 Faces Coffee for the freshest brews and pastries.
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University of Georgia's Historic North Campus
  • Cross over Broad Street through the iconic Arch and you'll be stepping back in time over two centuries, to the birthplace of public higher education in America. The University of Georgia was chartered in 1789 and the Historic North Campus was modeled after Yale. Magnificent Greek Revival buildings date back to the start of classes in the first decade of the 19th century. Take a self-guided walking tour here, which includes the UGA Chapel, the Chapel Bell, and Herty Field and Fountain.
     
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UGA Special Collections
  • 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 of excellence in broadcast media, and vintage town films.
restaurant iconLunch
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Heritage Tour of Athens
  • Classic City Tours depart daily from the Athens Welcome Center. You'll begin your tour inside Athens’ oldest surviving residence, then board the tour bus for a one-hour overview of magnificent Antebellum homes and historic neighborhoods. [Don't forget to reserve your spot 24 hours ahead of time.]
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Shop & Stroll Through Downtown
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Firefly Trail
craft beer iconCraft Beer
Dinner

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Evening- Late NightLive music icon
  • Athens has a wonderful array of evening entertainment. Head back to the clubs for live music, or make it a lower-key night with a singer-songwriter at Hendershots, an acclaimed orchestra at the UGA Performing Arts Center, a Broadway show at The Classic Center, or a performance by a local theatre group.

Day 3:

Breakfast or Brunch

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  • Here on a weekend? You're in luck, because there is brunch happening! home.made chef Mimi Maumus offers an amazing brunch menu on Saturdays. Sunday brunch options abound, including Five & Ten, Last Resort, and The Expat.
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Georgia Museum of Art
  • Did you know? Athens is home to Georgia's official state art museum, with a permanent collection of over 10,000 works plus dozens of exhibitions per year. Don't miss out on visiting the Georgia Museum of Art while you're in Athens.
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State Botanical Garden of Georgia
  • Athens is also home to Georgia's official botanical garden. The State Botanical Garden of Georgia encompasses over 300 acres of themed gardens, nature trails, a tropical conservatory among other buildings, and a brand new Children's Garden. It's beautiful any time of year.
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Browse for Treasures
  • Athens shopping is not just confined along downtown's Clayton St. There are plenty of other treasures to find. Head to Five Points or Prince Avenue to Avid Bookshop, one of the top indie bookshops in America. Next door in Five Points, Condor Chocolates is a must-do. The Ecuadorian bean-to-bar chocolate shop takes chocolate to the next level. Just down the hill from downtown, R.Wood Ceramics Studio creates dinnerware that have graced the pages of many national magazines.Here's your chance to see the makers in action, plus pick up new patters and super bargains in the seconds room.