15 Free Things to do in Athens, GA With Kids
We took a road trip to Athens in 2020 and never left. My husband and I both went to school at the University of Georgia (go Dawgs!) so this city is near and dear to our hearts.
From our school days to now, we have created a pretty lengthy list of free activities. Now that we have kids, our list has grown even longer. These are our top 15 FREE things to do in Athens, GA.
1. Bear Hollow Zoo
A road trip is not complete without a trip to a zoo. If you have checked out ANY one of our other posts then you have seen another zoo mentioned. It is one of our favorite things to do with little kids because the pace is yours to set, there is something new and exciting in each exhibit, and they are encouraged to roam. Bear Hollow Zoo is the official zoo in Athens, GA!
The Hollow, as its referred to by native Athenians, houses a variety of animals native to Georgia that have been injured or have needed to be re-homed. The list includes black bears, a red fox, a skunk, deer, turkeys, bald eagles, owls, vultures, snakes, turtles, lizards, river otters, and an alligator! That list does change from time to time as more animals need to be rehabilitated or animals are released.
Bear Hollow Zoo is completely shaded which makes it a wonderful summer spot for kiddos. It is also completely free to enter. They operate solely on sponsors from businesses and individuals in the Athens community!
Bear Hollow Zoo contains a paved path that winds through the zoo and allows you to see everything the zoo has to offer, including the reptile house. It takes us 30-45 minutes to walk through the zoo with two toddlers. We have friends who can make it last an hour or more, depending on how slowly they walk.
One thing I highly recommend you to do is to ask questions! All of the people who work or volunteer there love these animals and are more than happy to share their knowledge with you. We’ve learned the names and ages of many animals there, as well as their background stories or favorite snacks.
Bear Hollow is also attached to Memorial Park, which sets the stage for a whole day of fun! Scroll down to see what Memorial Park has to offer. If you are planning a trip to Bear Hollow Zoo, know that it is jogging stroller friendly, there are public restrooms right outside of the entrance (there are none inside the zoo), and bring a snack/water with you (there are no concessions offered).
Most of the questions we get asked about the zoo involve some form of these two:
How much is Bear Hollow Zoo? ITS FREE GUYS! Totally 100% free. Parking is free, Entrance is free. Its alll free.
When is Bear Hollow Zoo open? It should be noted that their hours/days of operation do change seasonally and in response to COVID spikes. Generally, they are open 9AM-5PM daily.
Are dogs allowed at Bear Hollow Zoo? No, pets are not allowed at Bear Hollow. Service animals are permitted!
2. State Botanical Gardens of Georgia
The State Botanical Gardens of Georgia in Athens is really a two for one experience (both of which are absolutely free). First, you can walk through the actual gardens which is a really cool experience that is divided into different themed gardens.
My kids love to see all of the different plants and follow all of the different trails. There are plenty of photo opportunities along the way and quite a few “run and play” green spaces that are great for when plants get boring.
However, the real bread and butter is the Children’s garden which includes a water play area, a live pond with shaky bridge, caves, a seasonal garden, and two playgrounds! We have spent many hours in this one area of the Athens Botanical Gardens.
When you arrive at the parking lot, you can park in either the upper or lower lot; they both lead to the same place. There is a set of stairs and a parallel dirt/nature path that lead you down to the main level of the garden where you can walk straight into the children’s garden. If you prefer not to travel down bumps with a jogging stroller, head to the left side of the parking lot to the paved entrance that leads to a tall tower. Its an elevator-you’re welcome.
Address: 2450 S Milledge Ave, Athens, GA 30605
Hours: Every day, 8AM-7PM
Website: Get more info here.
3. Sandy Creek Nature Center
Some of the best free things to do in Athens also involve animals, which my kids do not hate. Sandy Creek nature Center is a really neat place that has rolled and educational center, a zoo, and a playground all into one FREE experience.
First things first, make sure you use “Sandy Creek Nature Center” when using any maps app. There is also a Sandy Creek Park (which is fun too-see below) but it has a separate address and entrance.
Sandy Creek Nature Center has a ton of cool exhibits inside. They have a planetarium, specific exhibits for each Georgia habitat, as well as interactive toys for kids to play with. You can find a live honey bee home, snakes, lizards, a loggerhead sea turtle, and more within the different areas.
The toys feature some awesome learning activities like a grocery scanner (that actually scans barcodes and beeps) with wooden grocery items, a garden with play food growing in it, and a set of ViewMaster slides that features native species!
The animal exhibits are also all placed on a level that is convenient for kiddos to interact with, which makes them that much more fun. My kids loved this timber rattlesnake and that he was “staring at them.” Don’t worry-he was safely contained in a glass enclosure.
When you are finished with the inside, you can walk straight through the building to the playground/garden area. The wonderful thing about the Sandy Creek Nature Center playground is that it was built of all naturally occurring materials. The seats are carved out of old trees, there are stepping stones made of different sizes stumps, and the slide is half of a giant hollowed log! It is such a neat experience.
Address: 205 Old Commerce Rd, Athens, GA 30607
Hours: Tues-Sat 8:30AM-5:30PM
Website: Check their Facebook page for daily updates.
4. Feed the ducks and turtles at Memorial Park
Okay, so technically this is not completely free. But, the duck food dispenser only requires a quarter so it is pretty darn close to free! The walk around the park and the view of the ducks and turtles is totally free though!
Memorial park houses some pretty awesome wildlife that is naturally occurring. Because of its pond, you will frequently see geese, duck families, tons of turtles, and a few random species that pop in and out throughout the year.
They have duck food dispensers posted on the edge of the parking lot as you walk towards the pond so bring your quarters (and maybe something to carry the food in). The turtles LOVE this food and come swarming up to the top of the water when the pellets are first dropped in. The quality of this picture is not great, but it does show the variety in turtles you will likely see.
Beware-all of these animals disappear during the colder months, so plan accordingly.
In addition to a great walking path, tons of butterfly bushes, birds and turtles, you will also find a pretty great playground at Memorial Park!
The playground features two separate play areas, a rock climbing wall, swings for older kids and for babies, and three slides. It also sits right next to the bathrooms (not pictured-to the right) and a pavilion with picnic tables (not pictured-to the left).
Address: 293 Gran Ellen Dr, Athens, GA 30606
Hours: Every day, 8AM-5PM
Website: Check out the Visit Athens guide to Memorial Park!
5. Georgia Museum of Art – Kids’ Activities
The Georgia Museum of Art is located on the University of Georgia’s campus on the east side, and sits right across the railroad tracks (don’t miss the entrance when you cross over!). First and foremost, admission to the museum is free. If you’re like me, you immediately thought of 13 reasons why your children should not be in a museum of art, but hear me out!
The Georgia Museum of Art offers a ton of free family programs. They were literally created for children and the museum wants your kids there! The first is Art Cart, an art class that you choose the theme of and occurs after school hours during the week.
They also offer backpack tours that you can check out at the front desk. The backpack tours give parents a way to make a museum tour a really fun, interactive experience while you go at your own pace.
Lastly, they offer Family Day one Saturday per month from 10am-noon that allows families to bring their children to a fun, free experience. Family Day includes a free, kid-appropriate art activity, demonstrations by local artists, and fun gallery activities.
Address: 90 Carlton St, Athens, GA 30602
Hours: Tues-Sat, 10AM-5PM, Sun 1PM-5PM
Website: Check out all of their free offerings here.
6. North Campus
As a student, I would have never seen this coming. North Campus is where I went to sit under a 100 year old tree on a blanket and catch up on some reading or homework. Now, it’s where I take my kids to run freely on really soft grass while we watch all of the downtown happenings across the street. Seriously. It is one of their favorite places.
North Campus offers large shady areas in the dead of summer which makes it a great spot to go hang out at any time of day. Bonus: most students are gone during the summer months so North Campus is completely available from May-August.
Another bonus: Chick-fil-a and Ben & Jerry’s are both directly across the street! We almost always buy a picnic dinner from CFA to eat on the lawn while we watch all of the diverse happenings in downtown Athens.
Places to park: UGA uses the ParkMobile app for their parking lots now so any lot that does not say “Permit Only” is available for you to pay to park. You can try to park on Broad St. but it usually takes a few laps around before you find an empty spot within walking distance to the lawn.
We recommend the North Campus Parking Deck and Jackson Street North parking lots (N04). You literally cross the street, walk up a small flight of stairs, and you are on North Campus.
Here is a link to UGA Parking Maps and Fees.
If you are looking for the deck or the parking lot, you can use any map app to find “North Campus Parking Deck, Athens, GA 30602”. The Parking lot is right next door!
7. World of Wonder Playground
The very appropriately named World of Wonder playground is one of the largest playgrounds we have ever had the pleasure of exploring. It has three completely separate playscape that each offer multiple types of slides. They also have two different sets of swings, a modern day (safe) merry-go-round, and a variety of other entertaining activities.
The thing we love most about this giant playground is that it is gated and there are bathrooms attached to the gate so you can logistically stay here (safely) for a good portion of the day. There are plenty of benches and also a few covered tables and large multi-person gliding swings.
We easily spend 2-3 hours here just exploring every nook and cranny. There is also a really nice paved walking path that goes around the perimeter of the playground within the fence boundary. I have definitely told my kids they had to walk/ride laps with me before they could play. The path is great for bikes/scooters! Truly one of the most interactive free things to do in Athens, GA with kids.
Address: 325 Whit Davis Rd, Athens, GA 30605
Hours: 8AM-8PM, every day
Website: Check it out here!
8. Walker Park Splash Pad
A splash pad is a wonderful way to beat the Georgia heat that historically begins in early May and does not start to subside until September. That’s a long time to be hot. I love splash pads, personally, because you can choose how wet you want to be.
I do not always want to be submerged and my kids do not always like to be floating (as nice as a pool is during the summer). The splash pad gives me the freedom to sit and gives them the freedom to run!
Walker Park splash pad in Athens has historically offered family free days throughout the summer. If you are looking to go on a specific day that does not happen to be a free day, then admissions is $1 per person. How’s that for a cheap date?
The Athens splash pad has overhead sprinklers, from the ground sprinklers, and water tables for smaller kids. We always bring a ball with us and usually some water squirters as well. I also recommend bringing water shoes because the splash pad is on pavement which usually rubs the skin off of my kids’ tiny toes.
Address: 200 Trail Creek St, Athens, GA 30601
Hours: Tues-Sun 10AM-5:30PM
Website: Check out their website for seasonal updates.
9. Bishop Park Playgrounds
Bishop Park is a really cool place that features the Athens Farmer’s Market, swimming pools, tennis courts, baseball fields, basketball courts and playgrounds. They also have a beautiful shaded grassy area with walking trails throughout that can double as bike paths for younger riders!
The Bishop Park playground features 5 slides, swings, ramps, activity centers, and a tire swing! The playground is pretty much always in the sun, regardless of time of year. However, directly behind the playground (follow the walking path past the playground) there is the large shaded area I referred to. This is a great place for a picnic, a bike ride, or just playing in the grass.
Bishop Park actually has two playgrounds but the second playground is much smaller and is a bit more of a hike from the parking lots. We usually stick to the one in the picture, but if you are up for a walk, know that you have options!
Address: 705 Sunset Dr, Athens, GA 30606
Hours: Everyday 8AM-9PM
Website: Check out they website here.
10. The Beach!
Looking for beaches near Athens, GA? How about visiting the beach IN Athens, GA! Sandy Creek Park (the same Sandy Creek mentioned above) has a wonderful little beach area that also happens to be directly in front of a playground. We have spent hours out here swimming, building sand castles, and playing on the playground.
When you pull into the main entrance of Sandy Creek Park off of Bob Holman Road, turn to the right and continue around the circular road. You will drive around the soccer fields and through dog parks.
You will see Lake Chapman ahead and the beach parking will be directly in front of the beach. We park on the far left side of the parking lot (if you’re looking at the beach) because it is closest to the beach AND playground.
They do have a few rules (no glass, no pets, no fishing, etc) and there is not a lifeguard on duty. There is also an entrance fee for older kids and adults of $2. Other than that, relax and have fun at the closest beach to Athens (because its actually in Athens).
Address: 400 Bob Holman Rd Athens, GA 30607
Hours: Tue-Sun 8AM-730PM
Website: Check out their website here.
11. Athens-Clarke County Library
I know what you’re thinking-the library is always free so this isn’t a mind blowing item on the list. But, hear me out! The Athens-Clarke County Library is huge and has the coolest kids area. Not only do they have a ton of books (and I mean a ton), but they also have little stations throughout the children’s area to keep kiddos entertained. They have arts and crafts tables, crayons and coloring pages at the kids’ tables, activity centers, and tons of comfy benches to read on.
They also have two very clean and convenient restrooms (with free diapers, if needed, from the Athens Diaper Bank) and a nursing room!
The library also features story times, craft days, and special experience days like legos, pokemon, etc. See their website (linked below) for specific days and times. This truly is one of the best free things to do in Athens, GA with kids, especially on a day with story time and activities.
Address: 2025 Baxter St, Athens, GA 30606
Hours: Mon-Thurs 9AM-9PM, Fri-Sat 9AM-6PM, Sunday 2PM-6PM
Website: Check out updates on their website here.
12. Avid Bookshop – Story Time
Avid Bookshop is a fun locally owned bookstore in Athens that features a children’s story time twice per week. On Thursdays at 10:30 you can enjoy story time with Miss Hannah.
On Saturdays at 10:30 you can enjoy story time with Miss Rachel. Both ladies are wonderful story tellers and are very engaging for younger kiddos.
In addition to regularly scheduled story time, they feature special story telling guests/authors from time to time! You can check out their calendar page here for more details on special events.
Address: 1662 S. Lumpkin St Athens, GA 30606
Hours: Tues-Sat 11AM-6PM
Website: Check out their website here.
13. Bulldawg Statue Scavenger Hunt
This does not sound like it would be that fun but my kids loved it! You do need some back story before you embark on your journey though. Athens, GA is home to these large, bulldawg statues that are basically around every corner.
No matter what side of town you are on, you will see these statues at parks, ice cream shops, hotels, and fire stations. They are literally everywhere!
Originally, back in the early 2000s, there were 36 statues created that stand 4 feet high and were all painted by local artists. They were auctioned off for charity and have since been placed around the city. There have also been a variety of new statues added to the original group.
Every statue looks different and my kids love to sit on them and take pictures with them! You can find a full list, complete with pictures and addresses, at Visit Athens GA.
14. Hiking at the Intramural Fields
If hiking is not your thing then go ahead and skip down to the next activity. If your kids do like to walk through the woods then this is a really fun thing to do!
There are 7 different trails that all vary in difficulty and length. We really like the Birdsong loop (because it loops and I don’t have to pay attention) and the Lake Trail because the view is so pretty!
The trails are all part of Oconee Forest Park which is managed by the Forestry School at UGA. The park is directly behind the intramural fields so there is plenty of parking right at the start of the trails.
They do not have an official address but they are located off of Alumni Drive from College Station Rd. Their directions state “It is directly behind the Intramural Fields at the University of Georgia, so when you turn onto Alumni Dr. from College Station Road, continue to follow the paved road all the way to the back of the complex.
You can turn left at the Tennis Courts to reach one entrance; this is the closest one to the ADA Accessible Boardwalk that crosses Lake Herrick. Another entrance can be found if you continue on the road until it dead ends at the gravel parking lot. “
Check out their website here if you need more information!
15. Georgia Square Mall Indoor Playscape
I thought this was a weird one at first. My husband first took our kids here and I was not very sure about it. For one, most of the stores at the Georgia Square Mall have closed. However, this is actually an advantage because there is hardly ever anyone there.
Disclaimer: this area is really small. My kids are pretty easily entertained so they love this little space so much. It also helps that there is never anyone else there! You do have to walk through the mall a little ways to get there so we usually stop and visit the ride-on horses and cars that are on the way.
If you’re looking for a free spot on a rainy day, then this is it!
Address: 3700 Atlanta Hwy, Athens, GA 30606
Hours: Mon-Sat 11AM-7PM & Sun 12PM-6PM
Website: Check out their website.
FAQs
Is there anything to do in Athens Georgia?
Well, yes, there is. If you are looking for something specific, let us know! We are pros on this area and would be happy to give some recommendations. There are just as many (maybe more) adult activities in Athens as there are things to do with kids in Athens.
What is there to do in Athens GA for free?
If you’re looking for free things to do with kids in Athens then you’ve come to the right place. If you’re looking for adult activities then we would happily point you to Visit Athens GA. They specialize in all things Athens for all ages!
Where can I take my kids in Athens?
I think this will depend on what you are comfortable with. We frequently take our kids to walk through downtown, to eat at outdoor restaurants and to do other things that some families deem “adult activities.” You can also try any one of the recommendations on our list which are all kid-friendly!
Is Athens, GA worth visiting?
Yes yes yes! Athens, GA is worth visiting whether you are single, dating, married, married with kids, or retired! There is literally something for everyone, including types of food! If you are looking for an amazing breakfast then you should check out our post for best local breakfast in Athens.
Is Athens toddler friendly?
It truly is. Most people think of college football, breweries, and high dollar foodie restaurants but Athens is so much more than those things! Athens truly cares about its families and works hard to create great spaces for kids to enjoy.
Wrap-Up: Free Things to do in Athens, GA with Kids
I think we have covered most of the free things to do in Athens, GA with kids. But, if you know of something we missed then please leave a comment! We are always looking for fresh ideas-especially rainy day ideas! Come visit us in Athens-you’ll be glad you did! Happy traveling 🙂
