Things to do (and/or eat) in Athens, GA

Other things to do in or near Athens:

Bear Hollow Zoo:  https://www.accgov.com/bearhollow; 

• located within Memorial Park, 293 Gran Ellen Dr., Athens, GA 30606

• FREE 

• Phone: 706-613-3580

• hours of operation - daily 9 am to 5 pm

UGA State Botanical Gardens: https://botgarden.uga.edu/ 

• 2450 S. Milledge Avenue, Athens, GA 30605

• FREE

• Hours: 

  • Grounds - Mon-Sun: 7 am to 7 pm; 

  • Visitor Ctr, Art Museum, Gift shop: Tues-Sat 9 am to 4:30 pm; Sun 11:30 am to 4:30 pm

  • Closed Monday

Sandy Creek Park Beach: https://www.accgov.com/7860/Beach

• 400 Bob Holman Rd, Athens, GA 30607

• $2 park entry fee

• Open during daylight Tue - Sun

Aquatics (5 pools, 2 splash pads): https://www.accgov.com/1333/Aquatics-Pools-Splash-Pads

• Multiple pool locations in Athens - refer to website above for locations and addresses

• $1 daily admission

• Closed on Mondays

Stone Mountain Park: https://stonemountainpark.com/ 

• 1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd, Stone Mountain, GA 30083

• Lots to do (hiking, summit ride, scenic railroad, adventure golf, dinosaur explore, dinotorium, sky hike, 4-d theater, camp highland outpost, historic square, golf courses and more)

• Nightly laser show

• Daily parking pass $20 per vehicle

Chateau Elan Winery and Resort: https://www.chateauelan.com/ 

• 100 Rue Charlemagne Dr, Braselton, GA 30517

• Tour and Wine tasting: $48 per person

• Dining-several restaurants on-site (prices vary)

• Spa (prices vary)

Georgia Museum of Art: https://georgiamuseum.org/

• Free, but you will need to make a reservation for a time slot - refer to website above

• Hours of operation; Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 am to 5 pm; Thursday 10 am to 9 pm, Friday and Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm, and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.

Downtown Athens galleries, restaurants and boutiques

Athens tours: https://www.visitathensga.com/things-to-do/tours/ 

Recommended Restaurants

Brief listing, others may have great word of mouth ideas too.  Prices listed here are range of main dishes showing on the online menu as of May 2025, and do not include drinks, etc.

• http://donderoskitchen.com/ 

  • 0.4 mi / 8 min walk / 3 mi drive , $10 - $15

  • Breakfast / Lunch (cafe)

• https://www.mamasboyathens.com/

  • 1.5 mi / 6 min drive, $7 - $14

  • Breakfast / Lunch (Southern mostly breakfast joint)

• https://www.southkitchenbar.com/

  • 1.0 mi / 20 min walk / 4 min drive, $10 - $30

  • Lunch / Dinner (Southern)

• https://www.trappezepub.com/

  • 0.8 mi / 14 min walk / 4 min drive, $12 - $25

  • Lunch / Dinner (gastropub)

• http://www.catch22gp.com/

  • 4.5 mi. / 9 min drive, $14 - $24

  • Lunch / Dinner (gastropub)

• https://mellowmushroom.com 

  • 0.8 mi / 17 min walk / 3 min drive, $11 - $29

  • Lunch / Dinner (Pizza)

• http://taqueriatsunami.com/

  • 0.9 mi / 21 min walk / 4 min drive, $12 - $15

  • Lunch / Dinner (Asian fusion tacos)

• Cali N Tito’s

  • 4.7 mi / 11 min drive, $9 - $25

  • Lunch / Dinner (Pan-Latin)

• Punta Cana Latin Grill

  • 0.7 mi / 3 min drive, $9 - $25

  • Lunch / Dinner (Dominican)

• https://www.benjerry.com/athens

  • 1.0 mi / 15 min walk / 3 min drive

  • Ice Cream

• alumni cookie dough

  • 1.0 m / 5 min drive / 24 min walk

  • Ice Cream with various Cookie Dough Flavors

• https://insomniacookies.com/

  • 0.9 mi / 20 min walk / 4 min drive

  • Cookie place open until late night