THINGS TO DO IN ATHENS
The State Botanical Garden of Georgia UGA - Georgia's official botanical gardens, a 313-acre preserve considered the most visited botanical garden in Georgia; includes hiking trails and is considered an important birding area; free admission
Bear Hollow Zoo and Park - Located in Memorial Park and contains a variety of non-releasable wildlife species like black bears, river otters, alligators, white-tailed deer, and more! Free admission
UGA Horticulture Trial Gardens - Trials new varieties of annuals from top plant breeders from all over the world and puts perennials to the test to find those that stand up to southeastern heat and humidity. Free admission
UGA Founders Memorial Garden - This garden is dedicated to the twelve founders of the American garden club movement, which was established in Athens, Georgia in 1891, and is also dedicated as a memorial garden to those who served in the US Armed Forces. This is a 2.5 acre garden with over 300 species of plant. Free admission
North Oconee River Greenway Trail - This paved trail winds its way along the North Oconee River from Sandy Creek Nature Center to Bailey St and Carriage Lane. Along the way you will see views of the North Oconee River, North Oconee River Park, Aguar Plaza, and Dudley Park. This trail connects several hiking trails like Claypit Pond Trail, Cook's Trail, Levee Trail, Kestrel Trail, and several others. Free Admission
Sandy Creek Nature Center - The Sandy Creek Nature Center connects to the North Oconee River Greenway Trail and includes a loggerhead sea turtle, snakes, salamanders, lizards, frogs, fish, and even an indoor glass honeybee hive! There are interactive natural history exhibits. Free admission
Sandy Creek Park - 782-acre Sandy Creek Park surrounds 260-acre Lake Chapman and offers a variety of activities like boating, swimming, hiking, horse trails, dog parks, fishing, disc golf, and more. Admission: Ages 4-64: $2 per person, Under 4 / 65 & older: Free, Disc golf: extra $1 per person
Ben Burton Park - 32-acre wildlife preserve located off Mitchell Bridge Road; includes hiking trails, picnic areas, fishing, and boat launch. Free Admission
Georgia Museum of Art at UGA- Art museum with permanent and temporary exhibits. The permanent collection consists of American paintings, primarily 19th- and 20th-century; American, European and Asian works on paper; the Samuel H. Kress Study Collection of Italian Renaissance paintings; and growing collections of southern decorative arts and Asian art; not open on Mondays; Free Admission but must sign up online to reserve a ticket.
Georgia Museum of Natural History at UGA- An important center of natural history and research and a consortium consisting of 14 important natural history collections supported by six departments at UGA. Open Monday through Friday; Free Admission
Photo by: Dr. Kevin Keel
71st Annual International Conference
of the
WILDLIFE DISEASE ASSOCIATION
“People, Passion, & Purpose: The Pathway to Wildlife Health”
July 29-August 4th, 2023; Athens, Georgia