Where to Park

Anyone who’s ever been to Athens loves the charming downtown but shudders at the thought of parking. Don’t worry – if you know where to go, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

Street Parking

Metered streetside parking options are scattered throughout downtown. Meters are enforced Monday to Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. with rates of $1.75 per hour. Between 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., there is a maximum parking time of two hours (more time can be added after 6:00 p.m.).

Parking is free on Sundays, Labor Day, July 4, MLK Day, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

Parking Deck

If you’re staying at a hotel in town (more on that below), kill two birds with one stone by staying somewhere that includes convenient parking in your reservation.

If you’re not staying at a hotel or if your hotel isn’t within walking distance of your event, a parking deck may be your most convenient option. The Classic Center is helpfully located downtown within walking distance of many restaurants, UGA’s campus, and downtown event venues (even if the event you’re attending isn’t at The Classic Center). The Classic Center’s parking deck is well-lit and offers daily parking, event parking, and UGA gameday parking. Check out all of these options here.

Where to Stay

Whether you’re attending an event or visiting your college student for a Parents’ Weekend, convenience is key when picking accommodations. Athens, Georgia, has the perfect hotels to get you near The Classic Center, near downtown's entertainment and dining district, and near the University of Georgia.

If your event is at The Classic Center, you’ll be happy to know that there are several hotels within an easy walking distance. Hyatt Place Athens Downtown is attached to The Classic Center and has a rooftop bar available for guests and non-guests alike, making it a great spot to kill some time before an event after you’ve secured parking. The Hilton Garden Inn Downtown is directly across the street from The Classic Center Theatre, making its convenience hard to beat. Only 0.3 miles away is Hotel Indigo, and depending on which route you take, the walk to The Classic Center can take you past coffee shops or restaurants, so you can make the walk part of your itinerary.

Beyond these three options, there’s a wide array of possibilities to meet your needs. Check out this list of local hotels to find your perfect match.

How to Turn an Event into a Date Night

Events in and of themselves are fun, but Athens has tons of options for maximizing your time out. Whether you want to grab a bite to eat, sip a drink, shop local, or find a sweet treat, Athens has something for you.

Athens has a critically acclaimed food scene, making it the perfect place to grab some grub before heading to your concert or show. Check out this recent blog for a list of some of our favorite restaurants, coffee shops, and breweries, as well as some free (you read that right) local activities that you could add to your itinerary while in town.

For a full list of local restaurants, click here.

Local Events

Whether you’re interested in a concert, the Downtown Parade of Lights, a comedy show, or a non-football sporting event, there’s always something to do, even when the Dawgs aren’t in town.

For a list of upcoming concerts, comedy shows, and Broadway theatre shows, click here.

If you love UGA but don’t have football tickets (or if you do and just can’t get enough of the Dawgs), check out UGA Hockey tickets.

As the cold weather starts settling in, public ice skating is the perfect family activity. Check out the upcoming rink dates here. And don’t forget to mark your calendars for an Athens’ holiday favorite - the Downtown Parade of Lights, which will be held on December 7 this year.

If you’d like to grab a drink while supporting a great cause, check out the annual Athens Wine Weekend or Athens Beer Fest.

We hope that these tips help you make the most of a day or night out in Athens!