Athens: Nature, Trails and Art

Athens can be explored in several ways: themed gardens, forests and wetlands, campus tours, art collections and local offerings each provide a different focus. When planning a trip, you can combine nature experiences with art and the university campus. Which of these aspects you prioritize may also influence your choice of vacation rental.

Gardens, Forest and Trails

The State Botanical Garden of Georgia covers 323 acres and includes several themed gardens. Its outdoor areas are open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., except on UGA holidays. The different garden areas give visitors several places to focus their visit. Bear Hollow Zoo is home to native wildlife that cannot be released back into the wild and serves as ambassadors for their species. The zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A different landscape defines Sandy Creek Nature Center: its 225 acres include quiet forests and wetlands. Twelve trails provide a way to explore the natural area; one leads toward the confluence of Sandy Creek and the North Oconee River.

The Oconee Rivers Greenway System offers two types of trails: 3.1 miles of natural-surface hiking trails and 8 miles of paved, multi-use trails for non-motorized use. More than three miles of the Firefly Trail run through Athens-Clarke County; an additional 1.5-mile extension is planned. The trail allows pedestrians and cyclists to travel there away from immediate motorized traffic. When planning, it is worth distinguishing the existing route from the planned extension.

Campus and Art

The UGA Campus Visit Experience includes a 90-minute campus tour. UGA also provides a self-guided tour map that visitors can use to explore the campus at their own pace. This offers two different ways to discover the campus: a tour with a set duration and a map for independent exploration. Tour registration and availability may change.

The Georgia Museum of Art has a collection of nearly 20,000 works of art. The Lyndon House Arts Center offers a different focus, with changing exhibitions of contemporary art. It also offers art classes for all ages. The art offerings therefore include both an extensive collection and changing exhibitions and classes.

The Ware-Lyndon House Museum displays decorative art associated with Dr. Edward Ware and Dr. Edward Lyndon and their families. The house can be visited on a self-guided tour Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Its collection and the self-guided format make it a distinct stop for visitors interested in decorative art and the history of the house.

Breweries and Market

The Athens Beer Trail offers the opportunity to visit local breweries and discover their individual approaches to craft beer. Participating locations and how the trail operates may change. On Saturdays, the Athens Farmers Market offers locally grown fruit and vegetables, eggs, meat, baked goods, prepared and preserved foods, handmade art, fresh flowers and hot coffee. This gives the market a different focus from brewery visits: the emphasis here is on food and handmade goods.

Choose a Vacation Rental to Suit Your Travel Plans

Your planned activities can help determine your choice of vacation rental in Athens. If you mainly want to spend time outdoors and on trails, the gardens, nature area and trail options offer different points of reference. Those who place greater emphasis on the campus and art can include tours, collections and exhibitions in their plans; the market and breweries offer additional options. Set your main goals and check which accommodation location suits your daily itinerary. Before visiting, also check the opening hours of the garden, zoo and Ware-Lyndon House, as well as the latest information on registration and availability for the campus tour.

For the broader travel overview: Clarke County.