Be In The Know Seasonal Picks For Athens, GA

Nearly 160 years old, the cast iron Arch stands as the defining border between the University of Georgia’s North Campus and Downtown Athens. The arch’s design and construction were inspired by the Georgia state seal, which features the three pillars of wisdom, justice, and moderation. The stately ironwork was most likely first constructed in 1857 when an iron gate was built to separate the north side of the campus from Broad Street. The pillars were made out of iron light poles throughout the city, and the wreath detailing is thought to have been inspired by the Lucy Cobb House porch’s own decorations. Throughout the years, the arch has become an infamous symbol of the University, and of Athens itself. But don’t walk through it—that’s saved for UGA-Grads.

So grab your friends, bros, or beer-drinking buddies and tour the town to get a taste of what Georgia has to offer. With six local breweries now concocting their own in-house craft beers—including favorites like Creature Comforts and Akademia Brewing—we’ve become pretty known around the Southeast as an up-and-coming locale for craft beer. No big deal. But that means there’s no better place for you to taste-test new flavors, meet the guys brewing the ales, or find a new favorite to take home. The week-long celebration of hops and barley includes exciting tours of local breweries, beer dinners, beer seminars, craft beer celebrations, special tappings, music from local bands, and more. To make sure you don’t miss a drop of fun, check out the full calendar of events which includes specialty pourings, live concerts, and beer tastings.

Join us as Hotel Indigo Athens hosts our “Fall in Love With Athens” evening, complete with a specially-curated menu and live entertainment from Athens’ very best. This romantic evening starts at six p.m., featuring delicious appetizers from Chuck’s Fish and Half Shepherd along with zesty cocktails and wine. A decadent 4-course meal will follow with select menu specialties from Athens restaurants including The National, Madison Bar & Bistro, Home.Made, Condor Chocolates, and Big City Bread. Yes, please! And since this is Athens, each course is paired with a limited-release beer from Creature Comfort. Pianist Grant Cowan will be providing beautiful live entertainment to set the mood. Sound like your kind of date night? Purchase your tickets and access your special rate today!

Ask any local why they love Athens, and they’ll no doubt mention our close proximity to so many wonderful outdoor adventures. Birchmore Trail, situated in Memorial Park, is one of our favorite trails and perfect for a morning or afternoon visit this month. The mile-long pathway is an easy walk for beginners, families, and couples looking to get outside and enjoy the fresh air. The trail will lead you through an urban hardwood forest, winding alongside peaceful creeks, bridges, and the Great Wall of Athens. Named for the creator of the Great Wall of Athens, Fred Birchmore was a local community leader, professor, and aviator who completed the wall in his 70s. Grab your friends and family, some water, and enjoy this slice of Athens history.

Join us in experiencing the excitement of the holidays in Athens by checking out the Downtown Parade of Lights on Thursday, December 5. This annual tradition is an absolute must, a time when locals and visitors alike come together to celebrate the holly jolly magic of the season. Starting at 7 p.m., the exciting event kicks off at the corner of Hancock Avenue and Pulaski Street with an impressive parade. With floats, performers, and music, the big bash will make its way down to City Hall, where the city will host its traditional tree lighting ceremony, hosted by none other than Mr. Claus himself! This year’s theme is “Home for the Holidays,” and we can’t wait to see you at your home away from home. 

This month, join the University of Georgia in celebrating this creative outlet at the annual Spotlight of the Arts festival. The festival, which runs from November 6 to November 17, will include dozens of events and exhibitions that explore history, culture, and creativity across all artistic mediums and expressions. With works created by UGA faculty, students, and visiting artists from around the world, the festival is a true celebration of community, arts, and self-expression. During your stay, keep a lookout for the exciting performances and exhibitions happening, including visual, literary, and performing arts. Highlights include a collaborative project from the theater and film studies departments that explores issues of incarceration and race through a variety of mediums.

This annual two-day affair is not only popular among locals, but known nationwide for its festive fun. Enjoy live music, exciting street performers, and the annual parade through downtown Athens. With over-the-top costumes and masks, The Wild Rumpus encourages people to express themselves creatively and tap into the spooky spirit of Halloween. Anyone in costume is welcome to join in the parade march and the event is family-friendly, so bring the little ones along with you, too! A place where creatives can come together in quirky Athens, The Wild Rumpus always aims to give back to the Athens community by supporting local businesses and fundraising for nonprofits. Come immerse yourself in the fun, fantastical spirit of Athens at Halloween!

But dig deeper into the history and you’ll see why The Tree That Owns Itself is such an important piece of Athens history. In a sleepy residential neighborhood stands a grand white oak tree that, yes, owns itself. Placed on the land once owned by Colonel William H. Jackson—once a professor at the University of Georgia—the tree became a special sign of home to the professor. His love for the tree went so far that he deeded it eight feet of land in each direction in perpetuity. Since then, no one has ever tried to move the tree. The original sadly fell in 1942, but it was replaced with a sapling from one of the original tree’s acorns in 1946. You won’t want to miss this Athens landmark!

One of our favorite places around town who are doing just that is Ciné, Athens’ only independent art-house cinema. This indie treasure is housed in a restored historic venue with two cinemas, a full bar, cafe, and versatile event space for larger groups. As the only non-profit, community-based art house movie theater in the region, Ciné focuses on showing films and arts projects meant to inspire and educate audiences from all over. Here, you can catch mainstream films, munch on popcorn, and take in the rich history of this beautiful venue, all in one place. Afterward, swing by Creature Comforts Brewing Co. across the street for a beer tasting or nightcap on this perfect date night in Athens.

One of our favorite places to enjoy the great outdoors is at Sandy Creek Park. Home to over four miles of nature trails and a shimmering lake, this 225-acre wildlife sanctuary is one of the best places in Athens to visit and unwind in with family. Be sure to stop by the Education and Visitor Center to check out their new exhibits and learn more about the wildlife that calls this region home. For a fun day out on the water, there are kayaks and paddleboards available to rent and take out on the lake. Otherwise, relax on the sandy shore with a good book and plenty of sunscreen. This is a local favorite, so plan ahead to avoid crowds during the summer. The nature center is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

June 21-23, watch the downtown area come to life with art installations, activations, performers, and so much more. Creative by nature, Athens has always been a pillar for artists drawn to all mediums. Whether it’s music, fine art, dance or sculpture, this festival is all about celebrating art in all its forms in the city’s community. Over the course of three days, plan your visit to catch local and regional musicians perform at venues across Downtown. In between, check out the many artistic showcases, demonstrations, and booths to purchase a keepsake to remember this fun, family-friendly weekend. AthFest Educates, which puts on the event, is a nonprofit that provides funding for youth music and arts education across Athens. Artists and art-lovers alike, we’ll see you there!

Located on the campus of the University of Georgia, the museum is equal parts academic museum as it is the official art-focused museum for the entire state of Georgia. Here you’ll find many traveling exhibits of inspiring collections in a number of mediums, as well as a permanent collection of paintings that span over the 19th and 20th centuries. Spend an afternoon slowly perusing these impressive collections of American, European, and Asian works, Italian Renaissance paintings, and southern decorative arts—each unique in detail and bright in meaning. Though it’s located in Athens, the Museum of Art is reflective of the fascinating history of the entire state of Georgia and attracts visitors from all over the state and beyond. No matter what kind of art calls your name, you’re sure to fall in love with the works at the museum.

Bring along the brew aficionados of the group and have fun as you make the rounds at our awesome local breweries including Terrapin, Creature Comforts, Southern Brewing Company, and more! All week long you can take tours of the breweries, partake in beer-focused dinners, try out special taps, and enjoy refreshing flights of the city’s very best brews. Check out the full calendar of events to plan the perfect week of craft beer fun. We don’t mean to brag, but over the years our city has blossomed into one of the highly anticipated up-and-comers in the southeast craft beer scene. Be one of the first to check us out during this exciting and delicious week.

Head over to one of Athens’ most popular venues, The Foundry, for a totally cool evening of music, performances, and great food and drink. The live music venue is putting on an Irish show in honor of the holiday that provides a more intimate, unique experience away from the typical parties and parades that takeover this holiday. Watch performances from groups including Green Flag Band & The Gentry and The Company Store, and cheer on Irish dancing from the Athens Drake School of Irish Dance! While the show goes on, you can enjoy a delicious and traditional Irish meal and Guinness beer to pair. The event is a great way to celebrate the holiday in a way that is uniquely Athens.

Start your day off by exploring the city’s local shops, like Condor, Athen’s first specialty chocolate shop in Five Points. Stop in for some sipping chocolate and delicious truffles to enjoy throughout the rest of your trip. Your next stop is the Georgia Museum of Art, where you can admire their gallery of over 10,000 permanent works and traveling exhibits. On a budget? Even better! The museum doesn’t charge for admission. To wrap things up in the evening, we suggest one of the many amazing restaurants in the city. Check out James Beard award winner Chef Hugh Acheson’s Five and Ten, where you can indulge in a delicious menu of southern cooking with a modern twist—don’t forget to save room for dessert!

During your visit, on January 21, join Athens in celebrating MLK Day with the city’s annual parade and music fest—it wouldn’t be an Athens celebration without a little music, after all. Attend the festivities throughout the day and catch guest speakers, live entertainment, tasty food vendors serving up Soul, Caribbean, Latin, and Asian cuisine, and more! The march begins promptly at 3 p.m. and will be immediately followed by a ceremony to honor African American elders in the community. MLK brought a sense of togetherness to a country divided, this annual parade and festival carries on his legacy by shedding a light on his life’s enormous work and connecting the Athens community.