<p>Will soon be coming from oos for orientation with DD. Looking for suggestions/recommendations on things to see or do at UGA or in Athens during off hours while DD is in orientation. Thanks!</p>
<p>Having been to orientation with son earlier this month, you really will only have the first night’s evening free for dinner. Downtown Athens right across from the Arch has plenty of restaurants to choose from. There is an 8:45 PM “Orientation Live” event also that evening which is strictly entertainment and non-informational. If you want to see your DD again that day one more time, then go - otherwise it’s not necessary. After lunch on the second day, we used that time to get son’s bag from Creswell and turn in his key before the 3:00 PM checkout time while he was meeting with advisors and getting student ID made. While it is hot in Athens, it is very COLD in all the buildings you will be in for the various sessions. Have fun!</p>
<p>Agreed with th1921–you really aren’t going to have any off hours in orientation, except maybe for food the first night (and as I recall, the dining halls are probably a better experience to have so you know what you’re getting into).</p>
<p>Do parents have to attend both days?</p>
<p>I don’t think so. With my parents, my dad came one day and then my mom came up and went with me the other day. I do know some people came up and did Orientation completely without parents–all the parents’ stuff is pretty much optional, from what I’ve heard.</p>
<p>No, but it is highly recommended. I would say about 95% of the students there had a parent.</p>
<p>My wife and I attended this week with DD.</p>
<p>The parents are generally kept separate from their students. The programs were well organized and worthwhile. The “Resource Fair” for clubs, organizations, etc. was a bit of a zoo, but those things usually are everywere. </p>
<p>The food service at UGA is so good it has an inhibiting effect on restaurant availability.
Eat in the dining halls, visit downtown Athens just north of the school or go west about 5 miles on Broad Street to find a mall, numerous strip malls and many national chain restaurants. We liked Logan’s Roadhouse for a big piece of the food formerly known as cow.</p>