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HISTORIC ATHENS TOURS
Take a tour of Athens, Georgia! The Historic Athens Welcome Center provides a full range of tour and transportation services for individuals and groups.
Visit the Historic Athens Tours website for downloadable self-guided tours and more information on reserving a guided tour of Athens, described below:
Athens Heritage Tour:
Historic Athens guided tours depart daily from the Historic Athens Welcome Center, downtown on E. Dougherty St. Choose from a morning walking tour, or an afternoon driving tour. Or why choose; select both! Tours begin and end at the Historic Athens Welcome Center, where free parking is provided. Reservations are required.
Dig deeper into what makes Athens THE Classic City of the South as Classic City Tours introduces you to this vibrant mecca of the arts, culture and classic Southern living. Begin your tour inside Athens’ oldest surviving residence – the home to two University Presidents – and learn how this great college town was birthed in the up-country that was once Native American territory.
Walking Tour, 10:30 AM daily:
Stroll through Historic Downtown Athens and UGA North Campus with a local, knowledgeable tour guide and learn about the history of the Classic City. Tours run rain or shine. 90 minutes. $15 per person.
Driving Tour, 1 PM daily:
You'll begin your tour inside Athens’ oldest surviving residence and learn how this great college town began in the up-country that was once Native American territory. Then board the bus for an overview of magnificent pre-Civil War homes and historic neighborhoods. See our eclectic Downtown, UGA campus, the Double-Barreled Cannon, and the Cobbham and Milledge Avenue historic districts. Tours run rain or shine. 90 minutes. $20 per person.
Reservations: Purchase tickets at www.athenswelcomecenter.com/tours. Advance booking is highly recommended, as it is the only way to guarantee your spot on a tour. This is important to ensure you are not disappointed in the event you arrive to a tour that is already at capacity. In the event you choose to pay on site without a reservation, you may do so only if a tour is not full.
Groups: Please call 706-353-1820 to inquire about group rates.
Other Historic Athens Tour Services:
Shuttle Services
Professional shuttle service on the tour bus is available for weddings, events, meetings, and conferences. Call for availability and details.
Custom Group Tour
Reserve the Shuttle for your group of up to 14. An expert local tour guide will take you on a guided tour of Athens. Allow one-hour for the Athens Heritage driving tour or spend all day in Athens and craft a special itinerary for your group. Other specialty and custom tours are available and a one-hour bus tour can be combined with step-off visits to local house museums, the State Botanical Garden, Georgia Museum of Art, and other local attractions. Call for availability and details.
Specialty Tours and Corporate Tours
Yes, you can craft a memorable experience for your family reunion, wedding guests, meeting or conference. There are many options: Choose a walking tour of historic downtown and the UGA North Campus, and tours of Athens Music History, African-American History, Athens arts, and gardens. Any tour can be combined with visits to a number of local museums and attractions. Ask about seasonal tours such as the Athens History & Hauntings Tour.