What if I told you some of the best art in Georgia is free? Would you be more likely to go to an art museum if it doesn’t cost you anything and doesn’t require you to drive into Atlanta? Let’s head to the Georgia Museum of Art (GMA) located in Athens, GA, the home of the University of Georgia. You’re only an hour away from that busy Georgia capital, but the UGA art museum is so much easier! Let’s go on an Atlanta day trip to one of my favorite Georgia museums.
Although Athens, Georgia is known for the University of Georgia, it’s not just about football games. The University of Georgia in Athens has so many educational opportunities for the community. If you’re headed to Athens for a fabulous performance at the UGA performing art center or a day trip to the equally free and amazing UGA Botanical Garden, you can easily add on the art museum and make a day out of it.
What is there to see at the University of Georgia Art Museum?
The Athens art museum always has something different to see. Like many museums, their permanent art collection rotates; the same pieces aren’t on display all the time. While some art stays all the time, we do have some favorites that disappear to make room for even more behind-the-scenes treasures. Not only does the UGA art museum offer rotating exhibits in addition to their permanent exhibit, it’s located right on the UGA campus, so you can go explore the campus as well.
What type of art does the UGA museum have?
The UGA art museum is a combination. There are rooms of furniture art, jewelry, 1700s portraits, medieval church paintings, contemporary pieces, stained glass, and impressionists paintings. There’s even photography. While there isn’t just one type of art at the museum, there’s something for all interests.
Definitely make sure you check out the UGA art museum online schedule to see what rotating exhibits are going to be available.
Who are some famous artists at the Georgia Museum of Art?
Just like all art museums, there will be famous painters between artists that you haven’t met yet. Remember that these are names in their permanent collection; they may not all be on display at the time of your visit. If there is a particular work you’re interested in, call the front desk. You’re not going to see any of the big and famous works you read about in your studies, but you’ll see some lovely art pieces that you like. I promise.
And you may not see famous works, but you’ll see some famous names! See if you know any of these names. Mary Cassatt. Auguste Rodin – (he made “The Thinker”). Vassily Kandinsky. Albert Durer. Pablo Picasso. Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Winslow Homer. Georgia O’Keefe. Paul Gauguin. James McNeill Whistler.
Athen’s Georgia Museum of Art FAQ
How long do I need at the Georgia Museum of Art?
To fully see the Athens GA Art Museum, plan for two hours. I usually arrive when it opens at 10 AM and figure that I will be done in time for lunch.
How do I get a ticket to the Georgia Museum of Art?
Open every day but on Mondays, it’s simple to get a ticket to visit the UGA art museum. Through their website, you can reserve your ticket by entering the date and the time online. Simply check in at the front desk, and you can stay however long you like.
~~~> This amazing UGA museum is free but so many aren’t! If the cost of museums keeps you from visiting, head here to learn about saving money with membership museum associations. “Museum Memberships: How to Save Money on Family Travel (2025)”
Can I bring a stroller into the UGA art museum?
With large walkways and open exhibit rooms, this Georgia museum works well for families with strollers. If you have options for your double stroller, bring your one-in-front-of-the-other strolled, but side-by-side could probably work as the areas are pretty open. Additionally, the floor is smooth and there is an elevator to the exhibits which are located on the second floor.
Can I bring bags into the Athens art museum?
Because of the breakable art on display, larger bags are going to have to be checked during your visit to the Georgia Museum of Art. There is a coat room behind the main-floor lobby desk if you need to leave a large purse or backpack.
Can I bring food into the UGA art museum?
For most of the art exhibits on the second floor, food and drink are not allowed. There are, however, a few tables on the bottom floor near the stairs where you can eat a picnic lunch; there are often UGA students seen eating there. There is not an official UGA museum café, but the art museum store has a few snacks if you’re in need.
Where do you park at the University of Athens Art Museum?
Most visitors to the UGA museum are going to park in the Performing Arts Center parking garage right next to the museum. You can pay at the first floor meter or through an app. There is additionally an attached parking garage, where you may be directed to park if you’re arriving as a school group. The PAC parking garage is free on weekends.
Kids at the Georgia Museum of Art
The Athens Georgia art museum exhibitions are a great way to introduce kids of all ages (and their grumpy parents) to art because it is smaller than many other art museums. Even though you could spend several hours reading all the information, you could also easily get through it in an hour. Be introduced to art, say it was a good day, and move on to something else. With smaller rooms, it’s less intimidating that some of the bigger museums.
Some Saturdays, the museum even hosts Georgia Museum of Art family days with programming targeted specifically for the kids. Wander the inside of the museum and then head over to see what type of hands-on projects are available. One Saturday, we went for the en plain air painting where artists were painting the scenery outside, and the kids were given pastels to create their own outdoor landscapes. Check out the UGA art museum online schedule.
Can I do a class field trip to the UGA Art Museum?
UGA makes a great place for a class trip or art education program (check the program info here). With a group introduction to the museum before starting your day, the docents and staff will instruct the group on how to act in an art museum and give them an overview of what to expect at the museum. Then, you will be broken up into smaller groups. The school group will stop with their leader in front of specific paintings where the kids can sit on the floor and learn more about specific art work.
If you are working through a specific time period or artist, let the staff know, and they will make sure to tie in your art museum tour appropriately.
~~~> Are you a homeschool family looking to add more museums to your homeschool life? Make sure you check out this ultimate list of homeschool including our Classical Conversations curriculum, roadschooling, unschooling, and living book lists.
How do I prepare my kids to visit an art museum?
The best way to get kids to like art is to show that Mom and Dad like it. Kids are watching and will react as you do. This means you might have to threaten Dad; if he doesn’t want to be there, they will know it!
Second top tip. Don’t treat a museum trip like drudgery. Treat it like the adventure it could be, and start taking them when they’re younger. Then they don’t know any different.
Remember, know how to interpret your kids’ moods and energy levels (and that of their grumpy dad). When their minds are done and their brains have turned off, call it a good museum day and move on. Forty-five minutes of interest and happiness is better than three hours of mom dragging kids around who couldn’t care less.
~~~> Feeling overwhelmed with taking kids to the museum? Make sure you read my post “How to Survive Museums with Kids”.
- Check the list of art online on the UGA museum collection database, and pick several artists to familiarize your kids with the artists beforehand.
- Take sketching materials and let them pick art to copy in their own book. (No paint is allowed in the galleries; stick to pencils).
- Use a scavenger hunt to make it “I spy”. Perhaps bring a small piece of candy to reward them when they complete their form.
- Pick one artist and familiarize them with several pieces from one artist. Look for the similarities: subjects, colors, abstract, realistic?
- Tie an artist into an interesting period in history. Was the artist sad about?
- Make an artist real. Learn about their life, home, and favorite other artists.
Another note about about taking kids to an art museum or any museum. The kids don’t know who is famous and who isn’t. They just know what they like and they don’t. Make sure that we adults don’t tell kids who is “good”; just let them enjoy seeing pretty art.
What are some other great Georgia museums?
While the UGA museum isn’t the only art museum in Georgia, it’s a great place to start. Now that your kids have had an easy introduction, let’s check out some others! Check out my Georgia posts on these additional great museums of Atlanta including:
- Carlos Museum at Emory full of history and artifacts
- Fernbank Museum for nature, science, and dinosaurs
- Atlanta History Center
- High Museum of Art
What is near the UGA Art Museum?
With several free attractions in Athens, Georgia, don’t just go to this Athens museum. Plan to make a day out of your day trip to Athens.
If you’ve never explored the UGA campus, park the car and go wander around the University of Georgia campus. Head to the for Sanford Stadium; it is sometimes unlocked, so you can go in. Check out the student center across from the stadium to buy a bookstore treasure and watch college kids act like college kids. (Also a good place for a potty break.)
If you have a kid close to college-aged, this would be a great time to plan for a UGA campus tour. Of note, the UGA campus is very spread out and very hilly. Wear good shoes and prepare for a walk!
These are some of my family’s favorite kid-friendly places in Athens, Georgia.
- Check out the UGA Performing Arts Center schedule for student performances and visiting artists. It’s right next to the Georgia Museum of Art and a great tie-in to a UGA visit.
- Leave downtown Athens to head over to the Georgia State Botanical Garden (read here!) to eat your picnic lunch, wander the gardens, and play at the children’s garden. This is our favorite place in Athens!
- Head over to see the animals at the Bear Hollow Zoo. Another fabulous free activity!
- Bring the scooters and skateboards to go to Athens’ Southeast Clarke Park for the skate park, playground, and walking trails. They even have pickleball and tennis courts.
- Let the kids be kids for several hours and drive over to the World of Wonder playground. It’s huge and has areas for kids of all ages.
Thanks for stopping by my little corner! Here’s to your next adventure.
I’m Bobbie. As transplants from Texas, my family of six is on a mission to discover all of Georgia’s amazing places, experience amazing road trips across the United States, and create a homeschool life along the way.
Want to adventure like me? Reach out! I’d love to chat. Stop by my Instagram or Pinterest page to discover more of our adventures.
Want to work with me? I’d love to work with your destination and tourism board to help other family travelers see all you have to offer.
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