Experience · Athens-Clarke County

Family Fun at Bear Hollow Zoo & Park

Embark on an exciting afternoon starting with an up-close encounter with Georgia's native animals at Bear Hollow Zoo. Afterward, refuel with a family-friendly meal, and then let the kids burn off energy at the nearby playground.

A 3-hour Athens-Clarke County afternoon plan for solo — Bear Hollow Zoo, George's Lowcountry Table, Memorial Park.

Duration: 3 hrs
Cost: $30–$60
Stops: 3 stops
Walking: Moderate walking · Total 1-mile driving route
Best time: 12:00 – 5:00 PM
Ideal for: Solo · Families · Kids

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The plan

1Bear Hollow Zoo(1 hr 15 min)→
2George's Lowcountry Table(1 hr)→
3Memorial Park(45 min)

Why this plan works

The 3 stops cover about 1 miles total, which keeps you in one pocket of Athens-Clarke County instead of crossing town between them. Bear Hollow Zoo is the main event and takes the biggest block of time; the other stops are built around it. It finishes at Memorial Park — a short, low-effort stop you can skip if you're ready to call it. Best suited to solo, families, and families with kids who want a planned Athens-Clarke County outing without improvising between stops.

The story

The itinerary

3 stops, one great day

1
1h 15m
Bear Hollow Zoo
Family
What to do — Stroll through the zoo, reading the interpretive signs and watching the animals. Engage the kids by identifying different species.
0.5 mi · 10 min walk or 4 min drive
Then A very short drive will take you to George's Lowcountry Table for a relaxed meal.
2
1 hr
George's Lowcountry Table
Food & Drink
Laid-back, airy restaurant & bar offering traditional Southern food for breakfast, lunch & dinner.
What to do — Settle in for a comfortable lunch. Choose from their menu of Southern comfort food classics. They have options for picky eaters.
0.5 mi · 10 min walk or 4 min drive
Then It's just a quick hop to Memorial Park for some free play time.
3
Optional 45 min
Memorial Park
Outdoors
Popular green space with play equipment, nature trails & a dog park plus a pond & swimming pool.
What to do — Find the playground and let the children run, climb, and slide. Alternatively, take a short walk on one of the nature trails.

The route

On the map

Open route in Google Maps

Common questions

Planning this outing

Is this a good Athens-Clarke County itinerary for solo?: Yes. It's built for solo, families, and families with kids and runs about 3 hrs across 3 stops, starting at Bear Hollow Zoo.
How long does this outing take?: Plan on 3 hrs door to door, including time between stops.
How much does this Athens-Clarke County itinerary cost?: Roughly $30–$60 per person, before parking and tips. Free and low-cost stops are marked on each card.
Is this itinerary walkable?: Yes — every hop is under a mile, about 1 miles of walking in total.
Do I need reservations?: No. Every stop on this plan takes walk-ins, though weekends move faster if you arrive early.

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