Greetings from the Historic Athens Welcome Center!

Make it your first stop.

Tours of Athens

  • Stroll through Historic Downtown Athens and UGA North Campus with a local, knowledgeable tour guide and learn about the history of the Classic City.

    Tours begin and end at the Historic Athens Welcome Center, where free parking is provided.

  • Begin your tour inside Athens’ oldest surviving residence and learn how this great college town began in the up-country that was once Native American territory. Then board the bus for an overview of magnificent pre-Civil War homes and historic neighborhoods. See our eclectic Downtown, UGA campus, the Double-Barreled Cannon, and the Cobbham and Milledge Avenue historic districts.

  • Take in sights and sounds that cultivated our rich musical heritage with Athens music historian Paul Butchart as he shares firsthand tales from back in the day.

  • Take a walk with local historian Jacob Richardson around the historic residences of Athens. See a century's worth of historical homes and architecture. Hear about some of Athen’s most influential families that lived there in this 1.5-mile walking tour.

    You will see homes from the Pre-Antebellum period through the Roaring 20s located within the Cobbham historic district. Tour groups meet at 489 Prince Ave. on weekdays at 10:30 am.

    Advance registration is required.

  • Need a fun activity to do on your own or with a group? Our self-guided tours are a great way to enjoy what the Classic City has to offer!

  • Schedule a private tour for groups of up to 14 people with a local tour guide who is knowledgeable about Athens history!

Gift Shop

Conveniently shop local gifts, books, music, and more at our downtown gift shop.

Moving to Athens?

Are you planning to relocate here? We've got you covered! Request a free Relocation Packet and discover everything Athens has to offer, from amazing neighborhoods to local services and business resources. Simply pick up your relocation packet on the next business day – it's that easy!

  • "We really enjoyed our van tour of Athens Highlights! We never would have found the spots on our own and it gave us a great overview of the city! The beautiful mansions were a highlight."

    — Deborah K.

  • "Excellent tour walking tour of Athens, gives a lot of history as well as a good orientation of the layout of downtown. Recommended way to start an Athens visit."

    — Kevin O.

  • "Wonderful tour for out-of-town guests, and I learned a lot even having lived here for 30 years..."

    — Doris K.

  • "We only had a few days in Athens and I am so glad that we took the tour... As we spent the next couple of days driving around the city, visiting the art museum and the botanic gardens, references popped up that tied back to the tour."

    — Elizabeth R.

  • My daughter and I visited Athens and had never been there. We had 2 days and thought that this tour would be good to give us an overview of Athens and give us ideas on what to see. The tour was TERRIFIC! We learned a lot of history of the city, saw the university and got good tips on things "not to miss." We finished our trip with a much better experience than we would have had if we had started without the Historic Athens Welcome Center. It was a highlight and I recommend it highly!

    — Bob H.

  • The Athens Welcome Center is an inviting and pleasant place. It's a full museum all by itself but when we walked in the door we were greeted by two people who asked us if we needed anything. One of them ended up being our tour guide and it was amazing! More people should be taking these tours they are inexpensive and packed FULL of fascinating information!

    — Brian F.

  • Fabulous tour and the tour guide was so enthusiastic and knowledgeable. It felt like a local friend (who loves history and Athens) was showing you the sites. Always fun to meet others who are passionate about what they do.

    — Jody R.