The State Botanical Garden of Georgia

"Athens' Largest Green Space Located on the outskirts of town, the State Botanical Garden of Georgia is a nice place to spend the afternoon wandering among the greenery and taking time to reflect. Take advantage of the miles of nature trails, whether that be going for a run or leisurely walking your way around. It's a good place to spot wildlife, specifically hummingbirds. The garden is free to visit and accessible by the university bus route. They offer tours of the garden and also have a cafe and gift shop."

"This lush park has something for just about every kind of nature lover or plant enthusiast. The 313-acre park has five miles of nature trails and habitats constructed to encourage the proliferation of native pollinators. More than 230,000 guests visit each year to explore the heritage garden, horticulture greenhouses, children’s garden and native garden, filled with familiar Southern blooms like dogwoods, azaleas, and magnolias. Runners and walkers are welcome to stroll or hustle through the gardens, too." - Jennifer Bradley Franklin