The Best Game-Day Airbnbs in Athens, Georgia
I've called Atlanta home for 12 years and make an annual pilgrimage to Athens for its standout dining—from newcomer Osteria Olio to staple Mama's Boy—and for a dose of nature at places like the State Botanical Garden of Georgia. While Athens has its fair share of exceptional boutique hotels (including Rivet House and the Bell), sometimes the comfort of a rental is what you're after. Options range from quirky guest cottages to thoughtfully designed homes and spacious apartments. Whether you're planning a solo retreat or hosting a game day crew, here are nine excellent Airbnb options in Athens, Georgia, for your next football weekend.
When is the best time to go to Athens, Georgia?
AccordionItemContainerButton
LargeChevron
Fall is the perfect time to visit Athens. The University of Georgia is in session, the Bulldogs are playing, the leaves are changing, and the temps start to dip. Football season does bring higher prices and busier restaurants, but weekends spent in Athens are a one-of-a-kind experience. Alternatively, late spring and early summer are also beautiful, and with school out of session, you feel like you have the town to yourself.
What's the best area to stay in Athens?
AccordionItemContainerButton
LargeChevron
For dining, shopping, and nightlife, walkable neighborhoods like Downtown and Five Points are ideal. You can park your car and leave it there. If you're headed to a game and want to skip the Uber, stay downtown. Families might consider Normaltown, a more residential area that still offers easy access to great food and drinks.
What are the best things to do in Athens?
AccordionItemContainerButton
LargeChevron
Start with a stroll through UGA's beautiful campus—its manicured lawns and Greek Revival buildings are worth seeing in any season. Stop by the iconic UGA Arch, a symbolic gateway between the school and the city, and visit the free Georgia Museum of Art. About five miles from downtown, the State Botanical Garden of Georgia is also free and full of trails and blooms.
And then—eat. Grab a burger at Clocked or pastries and stacked sandwiches at Big City Bread Cafe. For something more refined, consider The National, which showcases seasonal ingredients, or Seabear Oyster Bar, situated in a former Coca-Cola bottling plant and renowned for its carefully sourced bivalves.
We've vetted these listings based on Superhost status, ratings, amenities, location, previous guest reviews, and decor.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Condé Nast Traveler
16 hours ago
- Condé Nast Traveler
The Best Game-Day Airbnbs in Athens, Georgia
Known as the Classic City, Athens, Georgia, sits just an hour northeast of Atlanta. While it's best recognized as the home of the University of Georgia and birthplace of bands like R.E.M., the B-52s, and Widespread Panic, you don't have to be a Bulldog (or music fanatic) to appreciate this southern town. Historic architecture lines its walkable downtown streets, and the buzzy neighborhood of Five Points blends 1920s charm with delicious restaurants. I've called Atlanta home for 12 years and make an annual pilgrimage to Athens for its standout dining—from newcomer Osteria Olio to staple Mama's Boy—and for a dose of nature at places like the State Botanical Garden of Georgia. While Athens has its fair share of exceptional boutique hotels (including Rivet House and the Bell), sometimes the comfort of a rental is what you're after. Options range from quirky guest cottages to thoughtfully designed homes and spacious apartments. Whether you're planning a solo retreat or hosting a game day crew, here are nine excellent Airbnb options in Athens, Georgia, for your next football weekend. When is the best time to go to Athens, Georgia? AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron Fall is the perfect time to visit Athens. The University of Georgia is in session, the Bulldogs are playing, the leaves are changing, and the temps start to dip. Football season does bring higher prices and busier restaurants, but weekends spent in Athens are a one-of-a-kind experience. Alternatively, late spring and early summer are also beautiful, and with school out of session, you feel like you have the town to yourself. What's the best area to stay in Athens? AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron For dining, shopping, and nightlife, walkable neighborhoods like Downtown and Five Points are ideal. You can park your car and leave it there. If you're headed to a game and want to skip the Uber, stay downtown. Families might consider Normaltown, a more residential area that still offers easy access to great food and drinks. What are the best things to do in Athens? AccordionItemContainerButton LargeChevron Start with a stroll through UGA's beautiful campus—its manicured lawns and Greek Revival buildings are worth seeing in any season. Stop by the iconic UGA Arch, a symbolic gateway between the school and the city, and visit the free Georgia Museum of Art. About five miles from downtown, the State Botanical Garden of Georgia is also free and full of trails and blooms. And then—eat. Grab a burger at Clocked or pastries and stacked sandwiches at Big City Bread Cafe. For something more refined, consider The National, which showcases seasonal ingredients, or Seabear Oyster Bar, situated in a former Coca-Cola bottling plant and renowned for its carefully sourced bivalves. We've vetted these listings based on Superhost status, ratings, amenities, location, previous guest reviews, and decor.
CBS News
6 days ago
- CBS News
Ohio college ranked among most beautiful campuses in America
A college in Ohio was ranked among the nation's most beautiful campuses. Travel + Leisure magazine released its "30 Most Beautiful College Campuses in the U.S." list this month, and Kenyon College came in just outside the top 10 at No. 12. The private liberal arts college in Gambier received high praise from the magazine, which said it's Kenyon's "hilltop setting that makes for one of the country's most idyllic college walks." The school says it has nearly 700 acres of green centers and over 10 miles of trails. "The 10-foot-wide Middle Path, which extends the length of the campus, is shaded by massive trees that glow fiery orange in the fall. Veer off the path for Kenyon's castle-like Victorian Gothic Ascension Hall and the Greek Revival Rosse Hall with its elegant columns," Travel + Leisure said. Kenyon College, founded in 1824, is home to 1,752 students at its campus in Gambier, which is about 148 miles east of Pittsburgh. Stanford University in California came in at No. 1, according to Travel + Leisure. Berry College in Georgia, the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, Florida South College and Bard College in New York rounded out the top 5. Swarthmore College, a private school 11 miles southwest of Philadelphia, came in at No. 13 on the list, the only college from the Keystone State to make the top 20. Bryn Mawr College, an all-female school 14 miles northwest of Philadelphia, came in at No. 22. No schools in western Pennsylvania made Travel + Leisure's list.
Forbes
17-07-2025
- Forbes
Travel Week 2025: The Forbes Vetted Getaway Guide
W ith busy schedules and the constant demands of work and life, it's harder than ever to find time to fully unplug. Still, according to recent research from the University of Georgia, taking a vacation is not only more beneficial to your health and well-being than previously thought, but the positive effects of time off last much longer than your hotel reservation. That's why we assembled the Forbes Vetted Getaway Guide, your trusted resource for quick-yet-satisfying trip ideas that will help you unwind without using all of your PTO days. Each destination below has been handpicked by our frequent-flyer editors as either a relaxing location that you can soak in over a few days or a must-see city that can be easily reached with a direct flight. For those looking to dig their toes in the sand, we've got top-rated beach retreats and luxurious all-inclusives in the Caribbean and Mexico, plus easy-to-reach U.S. coastal towns with tons of character. Mountainous hot spots, like Aspen and Jackson Hole, offer a uniquely calm and scenic vibe to help city dwellers escape the gridlock and connect with nature. And European trips to beloved places like Rome and Mallorca are perfect for travelers looking for spontaneous adventure and late-in-the-game deals. Once your stay is booked, check out our picks for the very best luggage and travel accessories to efficiently prep for your trip, from carry-ons and weekender totes to crossbody bags that will keep your essentials close. And don't miss the genius packing guides featuring practical tips and in-flight necessities, recommended by seasoned jet-setters like Shay Mitchell, Neil Patrick Harris and our very own globe-trotting senior travel editor, who has stamped her passport in more than 40 countries. CREDITS Editing: Astrid Taran, Kim Peiffer, Jennifer Ferrise
