Life at University of Georgia

Athens is home to a variety of popular shopping destinations. The Georgia Square mall is only a short bus ride away, and contains a variety of department and retail stores. If you are looking for something a bit more unique, downtown Athens has an abundance of local boutiques and specialty shops. You might also want to stop by the Farmer's market on a Saturday morning for some local food and crafts.

Dining/Bars

Just a walk away from the University of Georgia campus is Downtown Athens! With over 100 bars, restaurants, and venues Downtown Athens is the place to be at any given time. Whether you’re grabbing a midweek lunch or dancing your Saturday night away, you can also find the perfect place to go. Here’s a list of top picks to check out!

Best Restaurants:

Mama’s Boy
Last Resort Grill
The National
Cali N Tito’s
Home. Made

Best Bars:

Trappeze Pub
Allgood Lounge
Normal Bar
Blue Sky Bar
High-Lo Lounge
Outdoor/Recreation

Activities in Athens, GA

Sports, fitness, and outdoor recreation are a big part of the campus culture at the University of Georgia. All UGA Students have access to and should take time to check out and become a member at the Ramsey Student Center. This massive facility provides students with a fitness center, multiple sports courts like racquetball and volleyball, swimming pool, climbing wall, 25,000 sq of weight-training space, and even the Oconee Park that includes an outdoor challenge course and access to Lake Herrick Beach.

At the State Botanical Gardens, students can spend the day, for free, walking the many indoor and outdoor paths through the different gardens and sculpture exhibits. To take a break from classes and relax, the Sandy Creek Nature Center and Park is a great place to hike or bike several trails, take a stroll down the boardwalk, or canoe down the river!

Things To Do in Athens, GA

For University of Georgia students, attending sports games are one of the top, if not the top, things to do on campus! Grab your black and red gear, tailgate, and help cheer on the Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium, Stegeman Coliseum or Spec Towns Track. On campus, students really like getting involved in the never-ending activities and clubs to join. Whether that be catching a movie, having a picnic on the north campus lawn or joining one of the hundreds of clubs, there’s always something for students to get in on!

Since UGA borders Downtown Athens, students often head there to hang out with each other and shop, eat, drink, or just stroll the streets. Athens has a lot to offer students and there are tons of things to explore off-campus. For nature lovers, the State Botanical Gardens and the Sandy Creek Nature Center are two great places to visit. Students can spend a day at the Bear Hollow Zoo or visiting the Georgia Museum of Arts. Since the statue was moved, make sure you take the small outside of Athens to snap a pic with the Iron Horse too!

Highlights Include:

Cheer on the “Bulldawgs” at the Stanford Stadium
Visit the State Botanical Gardens
Spend a day at the Bear Hollow Zoo
See the Iron Horse