must visit places in atlanta

Atlanta   Travel Guide

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31 Best Things To Do in Atlanta

Sure, Atlanta is a commercial hub, but it's also a sightseer's dream. Lovers of the arts can catch an award-winning performance at the ornate Fox Theatre or peruse one-of-a-kind sculptures at the High Museum of Art. Meanwhile, history buffs

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Atlanta History Center Atlanta History Center

U.S. News Insider Tip: Buckhead (like all of Atlanta) is known for its abysmal traffic. Avoid the roads from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for the best shot at avoiding the gridlock. – Elizabeth Von Tersch, Senior Editor

Spread across 33 acres in Atlanta's trendy Buckhead neighborhood, the Atlanta History Center seeks to explore Georgia's past through comprehensive exhibitions, historic homes and miles of gardens and trails. The center's primary facility is the Atlanta History Museum, which showcases exhibits that span the region's history, from the culture of the Muscogee and Cherokee Indians' ancestors to life in the antebellum South. 

Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park free

U.S. News Insider Tip:  If you are a lover of Marvel movies, the last scene of "Black Panther" was filmed just two blocks away (at the intersection of Auburn Avenue and Jackson Street). – Lawrence Phillips, founder and CEO of Green Book Global

Walk in the footsteps of one of history's most important figures with a visit to the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park. You can head over to the Ebenezer Baptist Church, where King was once a pastor. Fire Station No. 6 offers insights into the desegregation of Atlanta's Fire Department. And at the Visitor Center, you'll find engaging exhibits on the civil rights movement and the D.R.E.A.M. Gallery, featuring additional exhibits. Next door to Ebenezer Baptist Church stands the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change. It has even more exhibits, as well as the tombs of King and his wife, Coretta Scott King. Note: Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birth home is also on-site, but it is closed through November 2025 for refurbishment. 

Piedmont Park Piedmont Park free

Adjacent to the Atlanta Botanical Garden  in Midtown, Piedmont Park is the perfect place to spend a lazy – or active – afternoon. Sprawling 200-plus acres, the park has no shortage of things to do, including walking and jogging paths, dog parks, picnic facilities, playgrounds, tennis courts, a public swimming pool and a Saturday farmers market (from late March to early December). Thanks to its size, Piedmont Park also hosts a variety of Atlanta's top events, including the Atlanta Dogwood Festival, the Atlanta Ice Cream Festival, the Atlanta Jazz Festival, Atlanta Pride and Music Midtown.

Previous travelers highly recommended visiting this park, calling it one of Atlanta's best parks. Some even said that it reminded them of New York City's   Central Park . Many loved picnicking, swimming and playing tennis at Piedmont Park, but some visitors warned that parking spots can be sparse, especially on weekends. Consider taking public transportation. Also, the park can get crowded, especially during special events. Finally, parkgoers say they felt less safe strolling through the park after dark.

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Atlanta's Fox Theatre Atlanta's Fox Theatre

U.S. News Insider Tip: Go to Poor Calvin's before or after your visit to the Fox Theatre. It has amazing cocktails and delicious Asian fusion dishes. – Lawrence Phillips, founder and CEO of Green Book Global

The Fox Theatre is more than a performance venue – it's one of the city's most iconic landmarks. And luckily, you don't need to have tickets to a show to take in its ornate interior. Originally conceived by Atlanta's Shriners organization, the theater's design was inspired by the  Karnak Temple Complex  in Luxor, Egypt , and the Alhambra in Granada, Spain . You'll get a tutorial on the building's iconic architectural details and more during a tour. Tours guide visitors through more than 10 locations within the building. Plus, you'll see Mighty Mo, one of the world's biggest theater organs.

Atlanta BeltLine Atlanta BeltLine free

The Atlanta BeltLine is an in-progress, citywide network of 22 miles of streetcar rails, 33 miles of trails (for walking, biking and more), 5,600 units of affordable housing and more than 1,000 acres of greenspace that is either new to the city or has been cleaned up (including removing contaminants from soil). The city is opening the BeltLine in phases and plans to finish the entire system by 2030. As of winter 2023, visitors are welcome to enjoy 10 parks and 8 trails (as well as some unfinished but accessible ones) along the BeltLine. Some of the parks include Historic Fourth Ward Skatepark, Atlanta's first public skate park, which offers obstacles for skateboarders of all abilities; the similarly named Historic Fourth Ward Park, which has 17 acres of greenspace and amenities like a splash pad for kids; Gordon White Park, which hosts music events, temporary art installations and offers free fitness classes; Perkerson Park, which boasts tennis courts, softball fields and a disc golf course; and 280-acre Westside Park, featuring a playground and a pavilion for events. The paved trails are perfect for bike riding, taking a stroll through nature or walking by places like Ponce City Market and Piedmont Park . You can also take walking or bike tours of the Atlanta BeltLine to learn more about the network and the communities surrounding it.

Travelers appreciate the BeltLine paths that are currently open, saying that it is an excellent place to get out and exercise. Visitors particularly enjoy the Eastside Trail for its easy access to bars, restaurants and abundant street art.

National Center for Civil and Human Rights National Center for Civil and Human Rights

For an in-depth look at the American civil rights movement and ongoing human rights struggles across the world, check out the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. This 42,000-square-foot complex offers both temporary and three permanent exhibits, including a collection of Martin Luther King Jr. artifacts. Featured in the "Voice to the Voiceless" exhibit, travelers will view papers from King's life as well as "Fragments," a metal art piece that showcases King's thoughts and writings.

Though the museum recommends allotting about two hours for its exhibits, most past travelers said you can easily spend several hours exploring the center's vivid and informative displays. Many were especially impressed with the lunch counter experience at the attraction's "Rolls Down Like Water" exhibit.

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Georgia Aquarium Georgia Aquarium

Considered one of the world's largest aquariums , the Georgia Aquarium boasts thousands of animals from hundreds of species represented in eight different galleries. Housing everything from freshwater animals in its "Southern Company River Scout" gallery to a humongous whale shark tank (it holds more than 6 million gallons) in its "Ocean Voyager" gallery, it's safe to say the aquarium runs the gamut in terms of its marine life. Its newest gallery is the "Sharks! Predators of the Deep" exhibit, which involves multiple shark species (such as hammerheads and tiger sharks) in a 20-foot tank holding 1.2 million gallons of water.

This facility (especially "Ocean Voyager") is a popular tourist attraction, so expect crowds when you visit. Also be prepared to spend a considerable about of time taking it all in. Previous visitors raved about the property's free dolphin show and recommend paying to swim or dive with the aquarium's whale sharks, but some warned that these experiences quickly fill up. In addition to ordering general admission tickets online in advance, the aquarium recommends that visitors reserve seats for the dolphin and sea lion presentation and the 4D theater the morning of the date they'll be attending.

Zoo Atlanta Zoo Atlanta

What sets Atlanta's zoo apart from other wildlife exhibits is its panda population: Zoo Atlanta is one of only three zoos in the U.S. housing giant pandas. The rare bears are a favorite among recent visitors, but the zoo also boasts more than 1,300 animals from more than 220 species. While here, you'll spot lions, giraffes, zebras and plenty of reptiles. Apart from the animals, the zoo offers a train ride, a carousel and a ropes course, among other attractions. Keep in mind: The cost of these activities is not included with admission. In addition to the on-site attractions and exhibits, visitors can check out the property's gift shops, eateries and wildlife presentations, which are available at select times.

Travelers (especially those with kids) offer mostly favorable reviews for the zoo, saying it's easy to navigate and of a manageable size. But many agree that the property can get crowded on warmer days, so consider arriving early.

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Atlanta Botanical Garden Atlanta Botanical Garden

The Atlanta Botanical Garden should be every plant lover's first stop in the city. It covers a magnificent and beautiful 30 acres in the northwest corner of Midtown's  Piedmont Park . There's lots to see here, including the Lou Glenn Children's Garden, the Edible Garden, the Tropical High Elevation House and one of the few remaining mature hardwood forests in Atlanta. Plus, you can't miss a pass through the Fuqua Orchid Center, which features a variety of unique high-elevation orchids never grown before in the Southeast. The garden hosts the annual Garden Lights, Holiday Nights extravaganza in winter.

Visitors highly recommend a visit to this beautiful spot. However, some lament the cost of admission and the high fees for snacks and meals at the on-site eateries. A few travelers also suggest avoiding fall and winter visits, since some of the outdoor gardens are not in bloom during the colder months. But don't despair if you can only visit in the winter; reviewers say the Garden Lights, Holiday Nights display is worth the visit.

World of Coca-Cola World of Coca-Cola

As its name suggests, World of Coca-Cola is a museum dedicated entirely to the famous soda. Visits to the two-level facility begin with exhibits on the drink's history, its role in pop culture and the bottling process. A Portrait Wall documents the brand’s global impact. In addition to the regular Coca-Cola Theater, the museum boasts a 3-D Theater. The older generations in your group will likely enjoy the museum's attention to the company's past, but the kids will probably be most excited for the Taste It! area, where multiple varieties of Coke can be sampled. You can also purchase various Coke memorabilia at the on-site gift shop.

Soda enthusiasts find this place fascinating (though those with no affinity for the brand may be underwhelmed). Some visitors lament that the museum can get crowded and its lines long.

Oakland Cemetery Oakland Cemetery free

U.S. News Insider Tip: On sunny days, head to the cleverly named Six Feet Under Pub & Fish House and sit on the upper patio, which overlooks the cemetery. – Elizabeth Von Tersch, Senior Editor

Situated less than 2 miles southeast of downtown Atlanta and spanning 48 acres, Oakland Cemetery reflects the city's role in both the Civil War and the civil rights movement. Among its winding paths, trees and flower shrubs, you'll find elaborate mausoleums, intricate statues and an impressive collection of art and architecture. Amidst the 70,000 graves, you'll spot some well-known Atlantans, including legends like golfer Bobby Jones, author Margaret Mitchell and musician Kenny Rogers. About 7,000 Confederate soldiers have been laid to rest in the Confederate burial grounds while Potter's Field has about 7,500 interred in its grounds. People buried in Potter's Field are those who could not afford a burial and several are unknown; they come from various different races and religious.

Centennial Olympic Park Centennial Olympic Park free

Located across the street from the College Football Hall of Fame in downtown Atlanta is Centennial Olympic Park, a 22-acre patch of land that features lush sections of grass, artwork, pools and fountains. The park was originally built for the 1996 Olympic Games and was a centerpiece of the festivities; now, it's one of the most visited areas of the city. One of the park's most well-known elements is the Fountain of Rings, which is made up of 251 water jets. Every day, four water shows choreographed to various songs take place. The park also hosts several special events each year.

Recent visitors noted the fountains were a hit with families, especially young children, and advised bringing a change of clothes if you know your kids will want to splash around in the water. Past travelers also appreciated the park's proximity to must-see sights like the Georgia Aquarium , SkyView Atlanta Ferris wheel, World of Coca-Cola and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights . Others caution that the park will close to prepare for or host events with limited notice; you may want to call the park in advance to make sure it will be open before you arrive. The administration office can be reached at 404-223-4000. The park is also a featured stop on several of the best Atlanta tours .

Fernbank Museum of Natural History Fernbank Museum of Natural History

Explore the prehistoric and present-day natural worlds at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Visitors can immerse themselves in exhibits featuring dinosaur fossils, wildlife native to Georgia, cultural garments and more. Travelers can also enjoy a movie at the museum's Giant Screen Theater or some light fare at the Fernbank Cafe. Plus, the museum boasts multiple outdoor experiences, which are accessible from the terrace. WildWoods features two scenic viewing platforms; it also hosts special exhibits throughout the year. Fernbank Forest features more than 2 miles of paved paths that allow visitors to explore a 65-acre forest. When walking along the paths, keep your eyes peeled for animals, as hundreds of species call the area home. Other outdoor elements are the Dinosaur Plaza and adjacent Rain Garden.

The outside areas get especially high praise from visitors, some even say they spent almost as much time outside as they did inside. Inside, museumgoers were wowed by the dinosaur exhibit, while others found the additional exhibits were designed mainly for kids. Some say the fare in the cafe is subpar.

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Children's Museum of Atlanta Children's Museum of Atlanta

If you're traveling in Atlanta with youngsters up to 8 years old, the Children's Museum of Atlanta is a must-visit. The venue was specifically designed to educate and entertain children through a variety of daily programs and fun exhibits. These include the Gateway to the World exhibit, where children can explore the Earth's layers and launch a rocket; the Fundamentally Food exhibit, which features a pretend farm, delivery truck, grocery store and cafe; and the Leaping into Learning exhibit, where children can climb into a treehouse and spot animals in a make-believe forest. Kids can also learn more about engineering and problem solving with the Innovation Station program or get inspired at the Art Studio program. Cultural programs that involve singing, dancing, puppetry and storytelling are also held year-round.

Most recent visitors had high praise for the museum, saying it was a great spot for kids to have fun and burn off energy. However, some noted it was small compared to other children's museums and thought classifying it as a museum was a bit misleading, as it felt more like an indoor play area.

Ponce City Market Ponce City Market free

Once home to a Sears, Roebuck & Co. retail store and warehouse distribution center for the South, the Ponce City Market is now a massive mixed-use facility featuring offices, education centers, coffee shops, restaurants, boutique shopping and more. The building's roof is also an attraction itself, home to unique draws such as Skyline Park, where visitors can play games like Skee-Ball and mini-golf or go for a ride down a three-story slide, and 9 Mile Station, a rooftop restaurant. Foodies will want to sign up for one of the best Atlanta tours , which visit the market.

Visitors generally enjoy Ponce City Market, saying they appreciated the varied and delicious food options. The roof and its attractions also earn high praise from travelers. Others were not impressed with the difficult-to-navigate complex and complained of overpriced food and expensive parking. 

The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum

The nearly 70,000-square-foot Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum houses millions of pages of material and hundreds of hours of audio and video recordings related to the 39th U.S. president. The museum displays some of those documents and videos as well as gifts from world leaders and other objects. It also features a full-size replica of the Oval Office and a reproduction of the cabin used for Camp David meetings. The facility is situated between two lakes on 30 acres of land.

Visitors generally find this to be a quite interesting place. In addition to reporting finding the exhibits very informative about Carter's life and career, they praise the museum's parkland as attractive and tranquil.

Stone Mountain Park Stone Mountain Park

Spread across 3,200 acres, Stone Mountain Park boasts a variety of attractions. The Confederate Memorial Carving is the most famous (some might say infamous) part of the park. (As calls for the removal of Confederate monuments around the country have intensified in recent years, the carving has become an object of controversy.) The largest high relief sculpture in the world, this carving depicts Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederacy, and Confederate Generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson. For a little perspective, the entire carved surface measures 3 acres, which is larger than a football field. If the carving doesn't prompt you to drive 18 miles northeast of the city, then consider the park's other attractions.

Additional facilities include a songbird preserve, a cable car ride, a scenic railroad, a miniature golf course and two full-size 18-hole courses, a seasonal outdoor park with life-size dinosaur replicas and a seasonal indoor dinosaur-themed play area. A group of homes built between 1793 and 1895 are open to tour. If the wilderness is more your style, you could easily spend all day exploring the grounds' hiking trails, picnic areas and recreational attractions. You should consider staying until the evening in the summer, when the Lasershow Spectacular blazes the mountain's carving and the night sky with images representing the South.

Krog Street Market Krog Street Market free

Krog Street Market is a food hall housed in a former stove factory (which later became studios for Tyler Perry's films and TV shows) in Atlanta's Inman Park neighborhood. Restaurants' fare ranges from Chinese-style dumplings to soul food to pizza. Specialty retailers purvey small-batch chocolate, ice cream, craft beer and more. The market also has various retailers selling items for home and garden as well as vintage clothing.

Visitors often succumb to the market's charm, and they frequently rave about the food options.

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High Museum of Art High Museum of Art

U.S. News Insider Tip: If you visit on the second Sunday of the month, admission is free from noon until 5 p.m. You can reserve your ticket in advance through the museum's website. – Christina Maggitas, Editor

The High Museum of Art's aesthetics begin with the physical structure itself. The Richard Meier-designed building is covered in white porcelain that is mirrored on its interior, which also features winding walking paths and an interesting light system at the top. The Renzo Piano-designed expansion features white aluminum panels that echo Meier's original façade as well as a roof that filters sunlight inside. One noteworthy part of the collection is the 19th- and 20th-century American art, including pieces by Mary Cassatt, John Singleton Copley, Frederick Kensett, Harriet Hosmer, Edmonia Lewis, John Singer Sargent and Henry Ossawa Tanner. The museum also houses an impressive collection of European works from the 1300s to the 1900s and masks, figurative sculptures, ceramics and more from Africa and the African diaspora.

Michael C. Carlos Museum Michael C. Carlos Museum

The Michael C. Carlos Museum on Emory University's campus has an extensive permanent collection of artworks from ancient Egypt, Greece, Nubia, Rome and the Middle East; Africa; the Americas and Asia as well as a works dating from the Renaissance to the current day. It also hosts special exhibits on a wide array of subjects, such as printing techniques, religious imagery and slavery in the ancient world. Its collection of ancient Egyptian, Nubian and Near Eastern artifacts features 7,500 objects, including coffins, funerary masks and the oldest Egyptian mummy in the Americas. Its assemblage of Greek and Roman art is also impressively sizeable with more than 6,500 pieces.

Visitors report that the museum isn't particularly large, but its collections are exceptionally fine. The Egyptian items, especially the mummies, are especially popular with visitors.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Atlanta has more sports arena offerings than just Truist Park , home to the famous Braves. At the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, soccer fans can watch Atlanta United while football fans can catch the Falcons. Featuring a massive circular video display, three separate concourses for food like burgers, salads, pizza, beer and tacos (plus a food truck that operates on most game days) and a distinctive roof that appears to rotate when it opens and shuts, it's no wonder this stadium was picked to host the 2019 Super Bowl. If you can't catch a game, don't pass on the stadium: Guided tours of the facility, which could include stops at the locker rooms, the Skybridges and the field, are available year-round, and the stadium sometimes hosts other events like concerts. Notably, the stadium boasts a sports-related art collection curated by the Savannah College of Art and Design.

Recent visitors rave about the stadium's guided tour, saying that it gives a truly in-depth look at the building, including a view of the stands from the field. Others say that the stadium is impeccably designed and a great place to catch a game. However, travelers warn future visitors that parking is sparse and expensive. 

Truist Park Truist Park

Since Truist Park's opening in 2017, thousands of fans have ventured to the stadium to cheer on their favorite Major League Baseball team, the Atlanta Braves. The baseball stadium (formerly known as SunTrust Park) can seat up to 41,000 people, and each spot provides a sweeping view of the field. But you don't need to watch a game to explore the park: Daily tours run year-round to share the Braves' long history. During the tour, you'll see Monument Garden's historic displays, the dugout and the press box, and visit the Braves Clubhouse Store, among other stops. After your tour, head over to the Atlanta Battery, adjacent to the park, for dining, shopping or a manicure.

Baseball fans were impressed with the park, saying it is clean, well-designed and an improvement on the Braves' former home, Turner Field. Visitors repeatedly applaud the park for its family-friendly atmosphere and describe the tour guides as friendly and knowledgeable. Despite these perks, travelers lament the stadium's large crowds, traffic and awful parking experiences.

Six Flags Over Georgia Six Flags Over Georgia

Known as the "Thrill Capital of the South," Six Flags Over Georgia offers plenty of roller coasters for adrenaline junkies. Notable rides include Twisted Cyclone, Georgia Scorcher, Pandemonium and Goliath, which sends guests flying at 70 miles per hour and features a 12-story drop. If those seem too daunting, there are also plenty of family-friendly rides, such as the Dahlonega Mine Train and Riverview Carousel. Plus, you can always enjoy live shows and entertainment like the Looney Tunes meet-and-greet. And if you're visiting during the notoriously hot summer months, you can cool off at Hurricane Harbor: the on-site water park that features a wave pool and lazy river, among other attractions.

Recent guests appreciated the variety of rides but complained that some of them, along with a number of the restaurants and shops, were closed when they visited. Several travelers recommended visiting in winter to experience the Holiday in the Park event where the park is lit up with millions of Christmas lights.

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Delta Flight Museum Delta Flight Museum

The Delta Flight Museum offers a variety of interactive, aviation-focused exhibits, including the country’s sole full-motion flight simulator open to the public. It displays several airplanes, including a 1928 Northwest Airways Waco 125 biplane and a restored 1931 Curtiss-Wright 6B sedan as well as more contemporary models. The museum also has a 747-400 that visitors can enter to examine close-up. Rounding out its collection of aircraft is a hot air balloon. The hangers that house its holdings also have exhibits centered on the propeller age and the subsequent (and ongoing) jet age as well as Delta's company history. Its gift shop sells Delta-branded items.

Aviation enthusiasts enjoy this museum. Would-be pilots recommend trying the challenging flight simulator (if you can afford the $390.27 fee). Some visitors note that seeing everything here entails a lot of walking. Given its proximity to Atlanta's airport, the museum might be just the right thing if want something to do during a layover between flights.

Margaret Mitchell House Margaret Mitchell House

Margaret Mitchell House is currently closed. It is expected to reopen in the summer of 2024.

The Atlanta History Center offers tours of the Margaret Mitchell House, where the namesake author penned her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, "Gone with the Wind." Actually, Mitchell and her husband occupied not the whole house but merely a first floor apartment, which the writer dubbed “the dump.” Despite her derision, travelers find a short visit worthwhile. Note: This attraction is in Midtown, not on the grounds of the Atlanta History Center itself.

Center for Puppetry Arts Center for Puppetry Arts

Recognized worldwide for its theatrical and programming ingenuity, the Center for Puppetry Arts preserves and celebrates puppets. At the center, visitors can attend puppetry workshops and live shows. The center's main feature is its museum. The collection catalogues the history of puppetry across the world and boasts an entire collection dedicated to Jim Henson's work. Travelers can visit with Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, characters from "Fraggle Rock" and several residents of Sesame Street. In addition, the museum hosts rotating special exhibits. The center also features a museum store, where visitors can purchase puppets, books, postcards and other educational gifts.

Though the center is small, recent travelers enjoyed their visits, saying that it is an absolute must-do for Jim Henson and Muppets fans. While visitors were pleasantly surprised with the depth of information available on Henson, others said that the international collection was somewhat cursory. In addition to visiting the museum, travelers highly recommend seeing one of the puppet shows and describe this destination as fun for the whole family.

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

U.S. News Insider Tip: For a fun hike in the recreation area, try Vickery Creek Trail at Roswell Mill. The hike showcases remnants of the historic Roswell Mill, which was destroyed during the Civil War, and Vickery Creek Falls, one of Atlanta's best waterfalls. - Christina Maggitas, Editor, Travel

This massive national recreation area is actually 15 individual land units connected by 48 miles of the Chattahoochee River. In addition to being fun to say, the park offers an abundance of activities for all kinds of adventurers. Those who wish to relax outside can opt for a tube or raft to float down a stretch of the river; more active travelers can kayak, canoe or paddleboard down the Chattahoochee. If water sports aren't your thing, you can hike the miles of trails that wind through the park. Bikers have access to 7 miles of trails, while anglers can fish for bass, catfish and trout during all park operating hours.

Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame

Located just south of the Georgia Aquarium and across the street from Centennial Olympic Park , the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame offers more than 50 interactive exhibits dedicated to its namesake sport. Inside the 95,000-square-foot facility, visitors can look for their team's helmet on the three-story Helmet Wall, admire Heisman and National Championship trophies, experience the high-definition Game Day Theater, kick a field goal at the 45-yard indoor football field and more.

If you're a fan of college football, travelers say you'll love exploring this attraction. According to many visitors, the Hall of Fame does a great job of engaging kids of all ages, though some felt the property's interactive activities did not justify its high entrance fees. Others caution that this hall of fame is hard to enjoy when it's crowded. The staff are frequently described as friendly.

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Porsche Experience Center Atlanta Porsche Experience Center Atlanta

Car aficionados, this one's for you. The Porsche Experience Center is a shrine to all things Porsche and lets fans get in on the action. Visitors can choose from a fleet of the latest models to hop into and race down world-renowned tracks. And if you want to see just how much the vehicle can do, you can move to the passenger seat and let the professional drivers take the wheel. Off the track, the Heritage Gallery showcases historical Porsche vehicles and Restaurant 356 provides fine dining with a view. There are also virtual simulators that allows all ages to get in on the action. 

Past visitors raved about their experience, saying the cars and facility were striking. Unsurprisingly, the best part to many was taking one of the vehicles out for a spin. Visitors also report the staff were helpful and incredibly knowledgeable about the cars and building.

StarLight Drive-In Theatre and Flea Market StarLight Drive-In Theatre and Flea Market

For more than 70 years, StarLight Drive-In Theatre has provided a place for guests to enjoy their favorite movies under the stars. Four outdoor screens are available, which feature a digital projection system that ensures a clear picture, and the movie's audio is broadcast through your car's radio. Bathrooms and a snack bar offering drinks, candy and a selection of Mexican food can be found on-site. On the weekends, the lot hosts a flea market where visitors can peruse various vendors. Anyone interested in setting up a booth can rent a space for the day or for the month.

Past visitors enjoyed the vintage vibe of the drive-in and reasonable price for the experience. However, some wished there would have been staff walking through the lot telling people to turn their headlights off so there wouldn't be a glare on the screen. Those who visited the flea market appreciated the variety of sellers and interesting array of offerings.

Atlanta Food & Wine Festival Atlanta Food & Wine Festival

U.S. News Insider Tip : While you can't take any leftovers home, you can snag a few freebies (think: koozies, hand fans, matchboxes and stickers), so you might want to bring a small bag to carry things in. – Christina Maggitas, Editor

Spanning multiple days in September each year, the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival is one of the city's (and state's) most notable foodie events, featuring a smorgasbord of gourmet bites, high-quality wines and innovative cocktails from more than 150 unique vendors. Different tasting tents are set up so you can sample the delectable offerings while learning more about the flavors from esteemed chefs, sommeliers and mixologists. What's more, live cooking demonstrations and competitions add to the immersive culinary experience. More intimate, in-restaurant happenings are also hosted throughout the duration of the festival at various spots in the city.

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17 Best Things to Do in Atlanta

By Jennifer Bradley Franklin and Lia Picard

Atlanta is a city that’s simultaneously known for its rich history and influence on the future. A city of transformation, it's the birthplace of Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., and remains a political hotbed in today's national discourse. And while its designation as a Hollywood of the South has allowed the city to develop quickly and in exciting ways, it's also wrapped in forest, with natural beauty woven into the urban landscape. Recent years have brought chic hotel openings , exquisite retail options, and beautifully designed green spaces. Atlanta’s dining scene has long been focused on locally grown food, and continues to shine with options ranging from no-frills to sophisticated. There’s a lot to explore; before you get lost in everything the Big Peach has to offer, start with our list of the best things to do in Atlanta.

Read our complete Atlanta travel guide here .

This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

Atlanta BeltLine Arrow

What started as an idea for a Georgia Tech graduate thesis has become one of Atlanta’s best-loved outdoor attractions. Atlanta was once called “Terminus” because of the railroads that converged in the city before the Civil War, and this project repurposes the historic 22-mile railway loop around the downtown area into a multi-use paved path lined with native plants and art installations. While only the Northside Trail, Westside Trail, Eastside Trail, and West End Trail are fully complete, the other sections are hike-able. When it’s finished (estimates say 2030) it will connect 45 in-town neighborhoods, include 33 miles of multi-use trails and 2,000 acres of parks, and become one of the largest, most wide-ranging urban redevelopment programs in the United States. If you've got limited time, pick an entry point and a destination and make your own shorter loop. For instance, park at Ponce City Market and walk north to Piedmont Park before heading back, a trip that should take less than an hour at an easy pace.

The Center for Civil and Human Rights Arrow

This downtown attraction, opened in 2014, celebrates the American Civil Rights Movement and the global Human Rights Movement. The airy, modern building was designed to inspire positive action with lofty architectural elements like a clear glass front and two bold, curved walls. Conceived by design firms HOK and Perkins+Will, the architects in charge said they were inspired by Washington, D.C.’s National Mall , Cairo’s Tahrir Square, and Beijing's Tiananmen Square. Inside, the museum includes three levels of galleries and event halls: A walk through the exhibit on American Civil Rights starts in the 1950s, illustrating the impact of Jim Crow laws and legalized racism on America. It explores communities' fights for equality, and raises questions about the systems Americans have yet to challenge.

Buford Highway Arrow

If “Atlanta is the cultural capital of the New South," as Marian Liou, founder of We Love BuHi, is fond of saying, then "Buford Highway is its multicultural heart.” Along this bustling street, you’ll find every manner of international cuisine, including Vietnamese, Peruvian, Chinese, Malaysian, Korean, Cuban, and Mexican. Use Lee’s Bakery—one of the few places where you can find equally fantastic pho and banh mi in a combo—as your jumping off point for exploration. It's emblematic of many of the gems along the road: Not fancy, but darn good. We say, go for the combo while you're there (that's half banh mi, half small pho for the uninitiated)—you just can't go wrong with the crunchy French bread baked daily and fragrant broth. And if you find yourself craving something else from an equally far-flung part of the world, just take a drive; Bangladeshi at Panahar, some of Atlanta's best sushi at Sushi Hayakawa , and Korean at Sokongdong Tofu House are all within striking distance.

Ponce City Market Arrow

Clocking in at a whopping 2.1 million square feet, this is the Southeast’s largest brick structure, and is home to big retailers, local boutiques, gyms, and more than 20 varied restaurants and food stalls (including multiple James Beard Award-winning chefs). Ponce City Market is somewhere you come for a good time, whether it's shopping at a small boutique, gallery, or larger store, or for a meal or drink in the central food hall (featuring three James Beard Award winners). Management does a great job of hosting fun events like cooking classes, art and candle making workshops, wine tastings, and more. You also can pay a small fee to take a freight elevator to the rooftop and play vintage carnival games and get some of the city's best skyline views.

Jessica Puckett

Matt Ortile

Olivia Morelli

Alex Van Buren

Atlanta Botanical Garden Arrow

Adjacent to Atlanta’s verdant Piedmont Park , it’s easy to see why this 30-acre oasis in the heart of Midtown welcomes more than half a million visitors each year. In 2010 it nearly doubled its size when it opened the Canopy Walk, a 600-foot walkway suspended in the trees. Guests can visit the steamy orchid house, walk through the edible garden of native plants (though they are edible, resist the temptation!), and stop for an upscale meal at Longleaf, one of the few restaurants in the world to be housed in a botanical garden. In addition to being a serene place for a stroll, ABG leads a number of nationally recognized conservation efforts, including the Orchid Conservation Institute, the Conservation Greenhouse for endangered plants, and a program to save rare frogs, so there’s an educational element here too.

Little Five Points Arrow

There are a few places in Atlanta where freak flags fly, and proudly so—but chief among them is Little Five Points. The quirky neighborhood around the five-corner intersection of Euclid, Moreland, and McLendon Avenues on Atlanta's east side is home to Variety Playhouse (their solid roster of indie concerts is the stuff of legends), alternative clothing boutiques, vintage record shops, and plenty of off-color restaurants, but for a microcosm of what makes L5P unique, head to the Junkman’s Daughter, an emporium of novelties. There, shoppers will find gifts, clothing, and art for folks of all persuasions, from goth to hippie to punk.

Zoo Atlanta Arrow

Founded in 1889, Zoo Atlanta is one of the city’s oldest cultural destinations and one of the great zoos in the country under continuous operation. The 40 acres it occupies in the Grand Park neighborhood are home to more than 1,000 animal residents representing over 200 species, so there’s a draw whether you’re into being outdoors or seeing a particular kind of animal, whether passing through on a solo trip or here with your family. While you’ll find unique habitats and the typical zoo inhabitants (elephants, lions, giraffes, bears, alpacas, tortoises, and flamingos), it’s known for being one of only three U.S. zoos to have giant pandas and for having one of the largest populations of great apes in North America.

Atlanta History Center Arrow

One of Atlanta's best museums , the Atlanta History Center was originally founded in 1926 by a group of Atlantans dedicated to, well, preserving their city's history. The Center, as we know it today, came to fruition in the 1990s as a way of highlighting the political and cultural history of Atlanta and the surrounding region. Unsurprisingly, there's an impressive collection of Civil War art and artifacts here (including Cyclorama: The Big Picture , a painting that measures 49-feet tall by 371-feet long), along with written commentary on the Native American history of Georgia and lighter, more pop-culture-adjacent topics like Folk Art. The 33-acre campus of historic homes, exhibitions, and archives is unto itself a treat, especially the epic Swan House, former home to one of the wealthiest families in Georgia.

Westside Park Arrow

You might recognize this park from television show "The Walking Dead." The former Bellwood Quarry has been converted into this 280-acre park with beautiful skyline views. Westside Park is a thing of beauty for nature lovers and photographers alike. A sculptural gateway that resembles dinosaur ribs, designed by Portman Architects, leads you into the spacious park with two and a half miles of paved trails that loop around a reservoir. There's a playground for kids and plenty of green space for those who want to have a picnic or just sprawl out. Bring your sneakers, as it's hilly.

The Interlock Arrow

Something of a one-stop-shop for pleasure seekers that you can make a day out of, this mixed-use development in the heart of West Midtown is anchored by the 161-room Bellyard Hotel. At Drawbar, an industrial-glam vibe and an inviting lobby restaurant, sit on the terrace overlooking the skyline for maximum enjoyment of happy hour, which is held Monday through Thursday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. (with snack specials on top of drink discounts). The Interlock happens to have an open container license, so you can visit the other venues such as indoor mini-golf experience Puttshack, and open-air coffee and cocktail spot Holiday Bar. Head to St. Germain, the French bakery on the ground floor of the Interlock, and indulge in a couple of pastries that look too pretty to eat—almost. A rooftop bar and pool are also forthcoming. 

Mercedes-Benz Stadium Arrow

When Mercedes-Benz Stadium opened its doors in 2017 it became an eye-catching star in Atlanta's skyline. The unique roof's design hearkens to a falcon wing (appropriate given the football home team) and the retractable roof transforms in just a few minutes. The venue is impressive thanks to its stunning windows that give an amazing view of the city as you descend and ascend the escalators. You can visit for a football game or live music performance, but the thrill of an Atlanta United soccer game (typically occurring February through October) is unbeatable.

King Historic District Tour – Atlanta History Tours Arrow

Prepare to be inspired on the King Historic District Tour, which is meticulously researched by company founder and historian Akila McConnell. On the two-and-a-half-hour walking tour—at about 1.5 miles, the pace is leisurely—you’ll get an up-close look at some of the city’s most important Civil Rights locations and learn little-known stories in the neighborhood. With a maximum of 14 guests—there's no minimum, so it’s possible you could have the guide’s undivided attention—the experience feels intimate, even when it's at capacity.

High Museum of Art Arrow

The High is one of the biggest and best museums in the Southeast, the kind of place Yayoi Kusama might bring her Infinity Mirrors , alongside a permanent collection of some 17,000 works. The campus stands out in Midtown, Atlanta's arts district, with buildings by bold-faced names like Renzo Piano and Richard Meier. Inside, you'll find a bit of everything: photography; decorative arts; classic European and American works; photographs by Dawoud Bey. It's a day well spent. You won’t want to miss the newest collection, given to the museum in 2019. The Doris and Shouky Shaheen Collection, displayed in a gallery named in the couple’s honor, includes works from legendary artists such as Eugène Boudin, Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro, Amedeo Modigliani, and Henri Matisse. If you only have time for one gallery, this is a heavy-hitter.

Oakland Cemetery Arrow

Oakland Cemetery, a 48-acre public park, is the final resting place for more than 70,000 souls and one of the city’s oldest public parks. Established in 1850 with just six acres near downtown Atlanta, it’s grown over the years and now includes miles of walking trails spread among the headstones, decorative sculptures, and mausoleums. Some of the most popular graves here include "Gone With the Wind" author Margaret Mitchell ( her house is another Atlanta landmark ), golfer Bobby Jones (co-founder of the Masters Tournament and the first golfer to win golf’s Grand Slam), and Maynard Jackson (Atlanta’s first first African-American mayor, and namesake of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport ). It's also free to visit.

Lee + White Arrow

Lee + White is an adaptive reuse development in the West End neighborhood that consists of former warehouse spaces transformed into destinations like Best End Brewing and ASW Distillery, with a food hall addition on the way. The specialty here is anything quaffable: Beer lovers should hit up Monday Night Garage, where Monday Night Brewing dreams up sours and barrel-aged brews in a spacious, funky tasting room. Even those who don't drink can enjoy a trip to the development with a stop at Honeysuckle Gelato, or Cultured South for a glass of kombucha. If you're hungry, try Boxcar, an American cuisine restaurant with splashy art and an extensive beer list (it's owned by the team behind Hop City, one of Atlanta's most iconic craft beer shops).

Virginia-Highland District

A visit to the Virginia-Highland neighborhood (named for the intersection of Virginia and North Highland Avenues) is like a mini city break, within the city limits. Just 10 minutes from downtown Atlanta, historic craftsman homes and cottages line the streets of the picturesque neighborhood that's a lovely spot for a morning or afternoon stroll. There’s also a booming retail district that includes Atlanta institutions like George’s, a bar established in 1961, and brunch go-to Murphy’s. Exciting newcomers are Kinship Butcher & Sundry and Academy Coffee; the latter is known for its cocktail-like coffee drinks (think lattes with bitters and fanciful syrups). Other must-visit spots include Doughnut Dollies and Virginia Highland Books, an independent bookstore with a cushy seating area to sit and read over a coffee.

Decatur Square Arrow

The word ‘charming’ comes to mind when you picture Decatur Square. Decatur is a city known as an "in-town" suburb thanks to its close proximity to downtown Atlanta. The town's square itself is a nice space to hang out (you may recognize it from the television show "Watchmen") with a rich scoop of local ice cream from Butter & Cream. There are plenty of things to do here, and it's a food-enthusiast's wonderland: Several of the city's top restaurants are Leon's Full Service (seasonally-driven fare in a former gas station) and the Iberian Pig, a tapas institution. Decatur is a city driven by a love for all things local, so you won't see many chains here when it comes to food or retail; instead hit beloved businesses like Squash Blossom Boutique, Wild Oats & Billy Goats art gallery, B-Side bagels, and Little Shop of Stories bookstore.

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20 best things to do in Atlanta: Our ultimate bucket list

Access Atlanta

Guests are coming to town, and they want to be acquainted with all that is Atlanta. What is the quintessential cuisine, the absolute attraction, and the paramount place that you must visit? Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered!

1. Chow down at The Varsity . Hailing as a staple of Atlanta’s dining scene since 1928, The Varsity serves gluttonous and greasy eats like no one else. Order your onion rings and chili cheese dog inside to experience the retro vibe and All-American atmosphere, or motor through the world’s largest drive-in for a bite of quintessential Atlanta.

2. Indulge your dark side at Clermont Lounge . What began as a supper club in the basement of a local hotel transformed into Atlanta’s most beloved dive bar. Lounge with oxford-clad attorneys, high-heeled drag queens, the occasional celebrity and everyone in between. And if the clientele isn’t eclectic enough to hold your gaze, the entertainment will capture you: live music and strippers older than this 1965 institution.

3. Pencil in your order at Mary Mac’s Tea Room . Mary Mac’s is the last of Atlanta’s tearooms from the 1940s and declared “Atlanta’s Dining Room” by the Georgia House of Representatives. Savor a meat and two sides for lunch or dinner, and don’t forget the cinnamon rolls. Although Mary Mac’s uses computers like just about all businesses these days, diners still get to fill out their orders on little cards with little pencils. This should be easy for golfers, the rest of us will just have to fake it.

4. Rock out at The Tabernacle . Luckie Street’s music venue was renovated ahead of the 1996 Olympics from the building of an old church. It has changed hands many times since then, but great acoustics, an intimate space and exceptional headliners continue.

5. Improvise a trip to Dad’s Garage Theatre . The team at Dad’s Garage performs hilarious productions, both scripted and improvised. Scripted shows often bring in big talent like Tim Meadows or Scott Adsit, but the local improv artists will knock your socks off. On the downside, your face muscles will probably hurt the next morning.

6. Discover the fabulous Fox Theatre . Open today only because of the labor of love put forth by the community, the Fox Theatre is one of only a handful of not-for-profit theaters in the country. Each year, the award-winning theater hosts more than 250 shows and half a million visitors. See a show, or take a tour, but don’t miss a visit to this Georgia landmark.

7. Devour a treat from King of Pops . Fruity treats from King of Pops are what dreams are made of. They are like popsicles, only better. Chocolate sea salt finds favor among the crowds, but other sinful flavors abound like fresh peach and tangerine basil. Try one from their signature carts at a local festival, food truck park or farmers market, or head over to their shop in Inman Park just off the Atlanta Beltline for a peek at how the magic is made.

8. Savor the view at a rotating restaurant. Enjoy delicious eats and hand-crafted cocktails, with spectacular views of the city. Visit  The Sun Dial Restaurant, Bar & View  atop Westin Peachtree Plaza for the best view, or try  Polaris , spinning above Hyatt Regency Atlanta. The iconic blue dome was a city staple in the 60s and 70s and reopened in 2014 after a long absence with spectacular cocktails and a comfortable, classy atmosphere.

9. Dress up for Dragon Con. In early fall the city morphs into a mecca of science fiction, gaming, and comic mania. What started in 1987 with a few hundred people quickly evolved into a  nationally recognized event  drawing over 50,000 attendees. Not available for the 4-day conference? Don your cape for the parade through downtown Atlanta on Labor Day weekend.

10. Party at Piedmont Park. Picnic on the lawn, throw a Frisbee with friends or just kick back and take in the city’s skyline. Welcome spring with the  Atlanta Dogwood Festival , and usher in fall with  Music Midtown , both classic Atlanta festivals that call Piedmont Park home.

11. Take a hike at Stone Mountain . 3,200 acres sit northeast of the city, with championship golf courses, campgrounds and much more. The ultimate must-do here: hiking up the monstrous granite outcropping for a view from atop the mountain. Pick a clear day for the best views and bring your camera.

12. Run the AJC Peachtree Road Race. Spend your Fourth of July with 60,000 of your closest friends in the  world’s largest 10K . With such a large crowd, entrance is by lottery. You can guarantee a space, though, by becoming a member of the Atlanta Track Club.

13. Stroll around Centennial Olympic Park. Explore Georgia’s legacy of the Centennial Olympic Games at the 21-acre park in the heart of downtown. Summer brings the opportunity to splash in the fountains. Don’t leave without taking a spin on the nearby SkyView, a ferris wheel towering 20 stories above the park.

14. People watch at Little Five Points . This junction at Moreland and Euclid Avenues serves as a hodgepodge of eclectic multiculturalism. Chow down on one of the best burgers in America at The Vortex, peruse the wares at Junkman’s Daughter or Criminal Records, or grab a drink at The Porter Beer Bar or Wrecking Bar Brewpub. Whatever you do, don’t miss the signature L5P Halloween Festival and Parade, consistently voted one of the best celebrations in the country.

15. Remember the past at Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site . Atlanta served as the epicenter of the civil rights movement, and the MLK Historic Site reminds the south of that key historical role. Visit Ebenezer Baptist Church where Dr. King preached his message of peace, tour the Reverend’s birth home and reflect at his tomb.

16. Tour Atlanta’s biggest attractions. Play tourist in your own city, visiting Atlanta’s most beloved attractions. Stroll through the glass tunnel at Georgia Aquarium , while whale sharks and other deep sea denizens float by. Taste-test Coke products from around the world at the  World of Coca-Cola  Museum, or watch the playful pandas at  Zoo Atlanta . While on your whirlwind tour, don’t miss Atlanta’s newest attractions, the  College Football Hall of Fame  and the Center for Civil and Human Rights .

17. Explore the Atlanta Beltline. The Beltline , once only a dream in the mind of Ryan Gravel, now transforms the city with public parks, multi-use trails and a growing number of peripheral businesses. It’s often undersold as a walking path or a transportation initiative, but it grows – lives and breathes – as a defining piece of the Atlanta community.

18. Become a fan at an Atlanta ballgame. Go for a spring outing with the  Atlanta Braves . Cheer the  Hawks  on at Philips Arena,  Atlanta United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium or celebrate fall with  Falcons  fever. Whatever the season, whatever the sport, there’s a game to celebrate in Atlanta.

19. See what’s in bloom at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens . The winter holiday celebration at Atlanta Botanical Gardens is unmatched, with over 1 million lights exploding with color. Don’t forget the other seasons, though, from the 330,000 tulip blooms to spring, to the whimsical scarecrows of fall.

20. Walk with ghosts at Oakland Cemetery. Atlanta’s oldest resting place is famous for its notable inhabitants such as Margaret Mitchell (author of Gone With the Wind), Bobby Jones (founder of the Master’s Tournament), and Dr. Joseph Jacobs (owner of the drugstore that first sold Pemberton’s Coca Cola). Explore the magnificent mausoleums, including four catalogued in the Smithsonian Institute’s Inventory of American Sculpture Database.

This story was originally published in 2017 by Lesli Peterson and has since been updated.

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40 Best Things to Do in Atlanta — From Art Museums to High-end Shopping

Here are 40 of the top things to do in Atlanta, Georgia.

Elizabeth Rhodes is a special projects editor at Travel + Leisure , covering everything from luxury hotels to theme parks to must-pack travel products. Originally from South Carolina, Elizabeth moved to New York City from London, where she started her career as a travel blogger and writer.

If you're looking for a big-city getaway with a dose of Southern charm, it's hard to beat Atlanta, Georgia. Home to incredible museums, quite a few professional sports teams, and a long list of award-winning restaurants, there are plenty of things to do in Atlanta that travelers of all ages will enjoy.

Here, we've gathered 40 of the best things to do in Atlanta, ranging from mouth-watering food halls to a bevy of fun museums, so you can start planning your next trip to ATL today.

Jackson Vance/Travel + Leisure

Explore the BeltLine.

One of Atlanta’s best outdoor attractions is its BeltLine trail system, a repurposed 22-mile railway loop that connects some of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods. Walk, run, bike, or skate around the city while enjoying native plants and art installations, including murals, sculptures, performances, and seasonal events. Start at Ponce City Market and head north on the Eastside Trail, which leads to the 200-acre Piedmont Park and Atlanta’s first public skatepark.

Stop and smell the flowers at the Atlanta Botanical Garden.

Adjacent to Piedmont Park, the Atlanta Botanical Garden boasts 30 acres of dazzling plant displays. Among its highlights are the Canopy Walk, a 600-foot walkway suspended among the treetops, and nature-themed art installations. Don’t miss the 25-foot Earth Goddess sculpture, which presides over the Cascades Garden and features more than 18,000 live annual plants. Plus, you can take classes to learn how to up your at-home gardening game.

Marvel at marine animals at the Georgia Aquarium.

One of the largest aquariums in the world, this Atlanta attraction has thousands of animals, including beluga whales, dolphins, penguins, sea lions, and even a whale shark. Visiting the Georgia Aquarium is an ideal activity for rainy or super-hot days.

Erin Hadjidakis/Travel + Leisure

Sip on a soft drink at the World of Coca-Cola.

Founded and still headquartered in Atlanta, The Coca-Cola Company is an American institution, and you can learn all about the brand while tasting soda flavors from around the world at the World of Coca-Cola .

Learn about Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life and impact.

A visit to the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park is one of the best things to do in Atlanta. Highlights of this 35-acre site include Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birth home, Ebenezer Baptist Church (where he was a pastor), and The King Center.

Visit Centennial Olympic Park.

Built for the 1996 Summer Olympics, this park is located near several other notable Atlanta attractions, including the World of Coca-Cola and Georgia Aquarium. Make sure to snap a photo with the Olympic rings when you visit.

Shop and eat at Ponce City Market.

With great shops, an expansive food hall, and a rooftop with a restaurant, bar, games, and more, Ponce City Market is a solid place to spend an afternoon shopping, dining, and admiring the Atlanta skyline.

Learn local history at the Atlanta History Center.

Located in the Buckhead neighborhood, the Atlanta History Center has a mix of indoor and outdoor exhibits. Visit the 1928 Swan House, an elaborate mansion that served as a filming location for The Hunger Games movies. Then, take a few moments to view the 371-foot-wide cyclorama depicting the Battle of Atlanta, a turning point in the Civil War.

Visit the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.

Atlanta was the cradle of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement. The city was the birthplace of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), which organized protests throughout the South, and a hotbed for student activism led by Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Many institutions continue to honor Black history and culture, including the National Center for Civil and Human Rights . Here, you'll find exhibits about the U.S. Civil Rights Movement, the global human rights movement, and key figures in both.

Dive into sports history at the College Football Hall of Fame.

The Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame honors the sport's famed players and features an indoor playing field, college football history, an art gallery, and more, making it a must-visit for sports fans.

Check out the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum.

Born in Georgia, the 39th president of the United States, Jimmy Carter, has a presidential library and museum featuring an exact replica of the Oval Office and exhibits about his life and achievements.

Stroll through Piedmont Park.

With wide-open spaces and skyline views, Piedmont Park is the place for a morning stroll or afternoon picnic. The park also hosts many events throughout the year, like Music Midtown , a massive festival drawing A-list artists.

Play around at the Children's Museum of Atlanta.

If you're traveling with kids 8 years old or younger, head to the Children's Museum of Atlanta for hands-on, educational exhibits — another great family-friendly, rainy day option.

Climb aboard a 747 at the Delta Flight Museum.

Travelers who love all things aviation should visit the Delta Flight Museum for a look at the airline's history. Visitors can get a look at vintage aircrafts, tour the first Boeing 747-400, and experience a flight simulator.

 Jackie Waldrop / Twenty20

Chow down at Krog Street Market.

From dumplings to ice cream to pizza, Krog Street Market is the perfect place to stop for a casual bite while exploring the city.

Spot some street art.

While you're in the area, head down to Krog Street Tunnel to see some of the city's street art. The tunnel is filled with graffiti and murals, making it a cool spot to snap a few photos for Instagram.

Learn about Jewish history and culture at The Breman Museum.

At The Breman Museum , you can learn about Jewish life in the South, as well as the Holocaust through the powerful stories of Atlanta-area survivors.

Admire works by local artists at the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia.

This Atlanta museum features Georgia artists through a range of permanent and temporary exhibitions. If you're still searching for an artsy experience, head to the High Museum of Art on your trip, too.

Catch a puppet show at the Center for Puppetry Arts.

That's right, this center is devoted to all things puppetry, so catch a show or visit the Worlds of Puppetry Museum , which offers a look into the art form's history and some key players, including a Jim Henson exhibit featuring puppets and props from Sesame Street, The Muppet Show , and more.

Paddle the Chattahoochee.

Between museum visits, get outside and go for a ride along the Chattahoochee River National Water Trail . Rent a tube or raft from a local outfitter (or bring your own) and "shoot the Hooch" as the locals say. This is a great way to cool off on a hot summer day — just don't forget your sunscreen.

Cheer on the Atlanta Falcons.

Depending on the time of year, you could plan to cheer on one of Atlanta's professional sports teams, like the Atlanta Falcons or Atlanta United FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium .

Keep an eye out for tiny doors.

Tiny Doors ATL is a local project by artist Karen Anderson Singer. You can find tiny doors (inspired by the location, neighborhood, or community) around the city. The outside wall of the Krog Street Tunnel boasts Singer's first tiny door, and even the Georgia Aquarium has one near the entrance to the Ocean Voyager exhibit.

Get a taste of local flavors.

There are plenty of fantastic restaurants around the city. Atlanta's first Michelin guide spotlights Italian restaurant Bacchanalia, contemporary eatery Atlas, and Japanese restaurant Hayakawa. Make sure to sample some of the city's best soul food at Busy Bee Cafe. And don't forget about The Varsity's famous chili cheese dogs.

Catch a show at the Fox Theatre.

The Fox Theatre hosts great comedy, dance, and music shows throughout the year, but its unique design — influenced by Spain's medieval Alhambra and Egypt’s Temple of Karnak — alone makes it worth checking out.

Visit the Madam C. J. Walker Boutique Museum and WERDSTUDIO.

Known as America's first female self-made millionaire with a successful cosmetic and hair product business, Madam C.J. Walker's legacy lives on at this museum . In the same building, you can also find the home of WERD, the first Black-owned radio station.

Walk the rainbow crosswalk.

At 10th Street and Piedmont Avenue in Midtown, you'll find a brightly colored, four-way rainbow crosswalk celebrating the LGBTQ+ community.

Visit the Trap Music Museum.

Atlanta is the hometown of many famous musicians, and the Trap Music Museum pays homage to the culture and history of trap music. The museum also offers private tours with complimentary wine on Thursdays.

See Atlanta from above.

Take a ride around the 20-story SkyView Atlanta Ferris wheel, located in Centennial Olympic Park, to enjoy a bird's-eye view of the city.

Shop around Buckhead.

Looking to do some swanky shopping? Head to the Buckhead Village District , packed with designer stores and delicious restaurants.

Tour famous filming locations.

Did you know that a lot of famous movies and TV shows have been filmed in Atlanta? The Hunger Games, The Walking Dead , and others feature prominent Atlanta locations — you can even take a DIY tour to see them.

Visit Zoo Atlanta.

Located in Grant Park, Zoo Atlanta offers experiences like giraffe feedings, wildlife presentations, and elephant encounters. See an African lion, an Aldabra giant tortoise, Chilean flamingos, and more. 

Bob Krist / Getty Images

Discover the Fernbank Museum of Natural History.

With giant dinosaurs, after-hours events, and a canopy walk, the Fernbank Museum of Natural History provides the perfect venue for a day (or night) out in Atlanta.  

Wander around The Battery Atlanta.

This mixed-use development 10 miles north of downtown Atlanta is more than the ballpark it’s associated with. There’s a multitude of shops, restaurants, and activities to keep you busy here in between games at Truist Park and shows at the Coca-Cola Roxy.  

Hit the track at the Porsche Experience Center.

Get behind the wheel at Porsche’s North American headquarters , where you can race around the driver development course with a professional driving coach. Gear heads will also enjoy the Simulator Lab and the Heritage Gallery full of historical Porsche models. 

Step into another world at Illuminarium Atlanta.

Images captured by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope and from Kenyan safaris are projected by a 4K laser and accented by touch, sound, and smell details at this otherworldly, immersive experience on the BeltLine Eastside Trail. 

Learn about the ins and outs of design.

The Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA) lets you get up close and hands-on with rotating exhibits dedicated to design. The space is devoted to one exhibit at a time, covering topics like chair design, skateboard artwork, and the history of pasta shapes, so check the website before you visit.

See a movie at The Plaza Theatre.

This landmark theater in Atlanta’s Virginia-Highland neighborhood shows both new releases and classics. If you’re looking for a quote-along experience, go on any given Friday for the theater’s weekly midnight showing of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” 

Eat your way through Sweet Auburn's Curb Market.

This open-air market (also known as Municipal Market ) located in the historic Sweet Auburn neighborhood is a popular place for local fare, from seafood to produce to desserts.  

Get retro at a video store.

Step back in time at Videodrome . Atlanta’s only video store has new, independent, and cult films for you to peruse for an old-school experience.  

Browse Criminal Records.

When you’re finished browsing films at Videodrome head over to Criminal Records in the Little Five Points area for new and used music, comic books, and magazines.  

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21 Top-Rated Attractions & Places to Visit in Atlanta, GA

Written by Bryan Dearsley & Barbara Radcliffe Rogers Updated Jan 24, 2024 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Atlanta is in almost all respects the principal center of the American South. Originally a military outpost, it later became an important commercial town before being reduced to rubble during the Civil War. Now a major financial and cultural center, Atlanta is also well known as an important hub for air traffic, with easy connections for travelers making it an increasingly popular US travel destination.

Whether you have a few hours or a few days, you'll find the endless list of interesting places to visit in Atlanta will keep you coming back for more. Tourist attractions here range from the arts to sports, and along the way, you'll also discover numerous historic sites, and state-of-the-art museums, as well as beautiful parks and gardens to explore.

Don't expect to find a quiet, romantic, pedestrian-friendly Southern city like Savannah when you visit Atlanta. Instead, you'll find it a rather large, always busy city of close to half a million souls. That said, Atlanta is certainly not without its Southern charm, you just have to dig a little deeper to find it. Whatever your interests, you'll easily be able to plan your visit to this vibrant city with our list of the top tourist attractions and things to do in Atlanta, Georgia.

1. Visit the Georgia Aquarium

2. take a stroll through the atlanta botanical garden, 3. tour the martin luther king, jr. national historical park, 4. center for civil and human rights, 5. explore the "real thing" at world of coca-cola, 6. see a movie or performance at the fox theatre, 7. enjoy a walk or jog through piedmont park, 8. atlanta history center, 9. have fun at legoland discovery center atlanta, 10. take the kids to zoo atlanta, 11. the jimmy carter presidential library & museum, 12. high museum of art, 13. college football hall of fame, 14. historic oakland cemetery, 15. truist park tours, 16. fernbank museum of natural history, 17. watch the dancing fountains at centennial olympic park, 18. ponce city market, 19. michael c. carlos museum, 20. play outdoors at stone mountain park, 21. center for puppetry arts, where to stay in atlanta for sightseeing, atlanta, ga - climate chart.

While the Georgia Aquarium complex is one of the most popular things to do with kids, it's also a great place to visit as an adult.

The aquarium features a wide variety of marine life and some very interesting interactive activities for visitors. One of the world's largest aquariums, it houses more than 100,000 aquatic creatures, including the largest sharks in the ocean: whale sharks . These impressive sea creatures can grow up to 30 ft in length and are a thrill to observe in the aquarium's long walk-through acrylic tunnel.

You can also see rare albino alligators and watch as trainers interact with California sea lions. One unique option offered by the Georgia Aquarium is the opportunity to dive or snorkel with the fish. To participate in the dive program, however, you must have SCUBA diving certification.

For the truly adventurous, consider the shark cage experience . This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity will get you up close to these awe-inspiring creatures, all the while, though, safely tucked away behind safe, secure steel bars... just in case!

Address: 225 Baker Street NW, Atlanta, Georgia

The Atlanta Botanical Garden offers a lovely space through which to stroll and spend a few hours of your time. Highlights of this must-visit Atlanta attraction include a variety of well-designed gardens, including formal flowerbeds and majestic trees that frame the urban landscape of Midtown Atlanta.

The botanical garden is a great place year-round, with something always in bloom. That said, spring is, of course, an amazing time to visit, with a riot of colors. Other notable features include the Orchid Display House in the Fuqua Orchid Center, the Winter Garden, the Japanese Garden , the Conservation Garden, and the Desert House.

Two of its major specialties are the Rose Garden and its hydrangeas, each of which comprises the largest such collections in the southeast. A special garden area is designed for children, and an elevated boardwalk gives visitors tree-top views down into the forest, another popular activity for families.

Ultimately, what you see here at this splendid garden attraction will depend on the time of year you visit. While there are numerous events and exhibits to experience throughout the year, the always-beautiful indoor gardens are reason enough to visit, whatever the weather.

Address: 1345 Piedmont Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia

Just 2 miles from Georgia Aquarium, two entire blocks of Auburn Avenue are now protected as a National Historic Site . They include the birthplace of the civil rights campaigner Martin Luther King Jr. at 501 Auburn Avenue, which dates from 1895; and the Ebenezer Baptist Church at 407-413 Auburn Avenue, in which he and his father were ministers.

Admission to the historic site is free , as are the half-hour tours of Martin Luther King Jr.'s birth home . These informative tours offered by the National Park Service are well worthwhile to get a better understanding of the man and his times. However, as one of the most popular Atlanta attractions, it does get busy. To avoid line-ups, consider an early morning visit or go on Sunday mornings when church service is in progress.

There are several other related places to visit within the historic site, too. Immediately adjoining it, in the Freedom Hall Complex, is King's grave. Between his birthplace and Ebenezer Baptist Church is Fire Station No. 6, which played a role in the life of the neighborhood and where volunteers tell stories of life here when King was growing up.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change is also in the area. Usually less crowded, it's worth a visit for its displays related to this undeniably influential man and the movement he so inspired.

Address: 450 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta's place in the American Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s is marked by a beautifully conceived interpretation center/museum that places this epic struggle into the greater worldwide movement for human rights.

The Center for Civil and Human Rights explores the history of Jim Crow laws with actual television newscasts, speeches, photos, videos, personal accounts, and interactive experiences that bring visitors into the struggle. Portraits and stories of their work honor men and women who lost their lives in the struggle.

The Human Rights Movement gallery carries the story into the broader picture of human rights worldwide: Apartheid in South Africa, women's rights, the rights of children, and others, inspiring visitors to think about the rights of humans everywhere.

Address: 100 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta, Georgia

In 1886, a chemist named Dr. John Pemberton devised a syrup designed, or so he claimed, to relieve headaches and other perceived maladies. A friend of his mixed the glutinous liquid with water and carbonic acid, and the result of the mixture soon became the world's most popular soft drink.

The World of Coca-Cola illustrates the history and triumphal progress of the world-famous drink in entertaining ways that will please all ages. A new exhibit, Scent Discovery , explores the sense of smell and the origins of various fragrances, testing your sense of smell and exploring the sources of different aromas.

World of Coca-Cola is located directly opposite the Georgia Aquarium and the Center for Civil and Human Rights. You can park in any one of the nearby parking garages for the day and make the most of their handy proximity to each other. From here you can also easily explore Centennial Olympic Park , home to the impressive SkyView Atlanta Ferris Wheel ; and the College Football Hall of Fame, to name just a couple of nearby attractions.

Address: 121 Baker Street NW, Atlanta, Georgia

The historic Fox Theatre was built in the 1920s as the Yaarab Temple Shrine Mosque, with an extremely posh Arabian-themed design. It has had a varied history including facing problems during the Great Depression that almost saw it torn down, but has always been a much-loved landmark building since its construction. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The interior of the theater has seen considerable restoration work over the years in an attempt to maintain its original elegance, including the repair and restoration of the furniture collection to preserve its 1929 appearance.

Performances at the Fox include diverse entertainment options such as operas, ballet, rock concerts, and movies, with hundreds of performances each year. In addition to the theater, two ballrooms, the Egyptian Ballroom, and the Grand Salon, have been beautifully restored and are available for special events.

Address: 660 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, Georgia

Located a 15-minute drive or 45-minute walk northeast of downtown Atlanta, Piedmont Park is the oldest and largest park in the Atlanta metro region. Consisting of 180 acres of lovingly cared-for grounds and gardens, it can take a while to explore, so allow plenty of time.

The miles of walking and running trails through its gently rolling meadows and shady groves include a four-mile loop that passes the park's scenic highlights, natural areas, gardens, and historic sites. Or for an intense workout, join fitness fans on Piedmont Park's Active Oval running track.

In addition to providing walking and running trails, the park has off-leash dog parks, gardens, sports fields, a lake with fishing piers, children's playgrounds, a huge swimming pool at the Piedmont Park Aquatic Center , and a splash pad for children at the Legacy Fountain.

Local farmers and artisans gather on Saturdays at the Green Market, where you may find everything from fresh peaches, handmade soaps, and smoked meats to biscuits, Irish pancakes, sheep cheese, and sheep milk caramel. Look for chef demonstrations every Saturday from 11 am until noon.

On Saturday mornings from April through November, at 11 am, you can learn about the park's history on a free guided walking tour . And, on the first Saturday of every month, Piedmont Park Conservancy partners with the Atlanta Audubon Society for bird walks that explore the park's many different habitats.

The park also hosts various events, from musical entertainment to fitness programs. Plenty of on-site multi-story parking is available.

Address: 1071 Piedmont Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia

The Atlanta History Center is a large complex that comprises the Atlanta History Museum, Centennial Olympic Games Museum, Swan House, Smith Family Farm, and the Kenan Research Center, along with a number of historic gardens.

The History Museum features changing exhibitions and a permanent collection with topics such as the American Civil War, Folk Art of the South, and various other exhibits related to the history of Atlanta.

The historic houses range in age from the 1860s to the 1920s and offer a glimpse of life during these time periods. Are you a fan of American literature? If so, the Margaret Mitchell House is a must-visit and contains the apartment where Mitchell wrote Gone with the Wind . The guided tour includes a look at this room as well as a brief film and exhibition on Margaret Mitchell.

The six historic gardens are certainly fun to explore, too, and include both natural areas and formal gardens. The Frank A. Smith Rhododendron Garden , is at its best in spring when the rhododendrons and azaleas are in bloom. You should also plan on visiting the 1860s-style garden at the Smith Farm, a small former plantation from the 1860s.

Address: 130 West Paces Ferry Road NW, Atlanta, Georgia

Who doesn't like LEGO? One of the city's top family attractions, the LEGOLAND Discovery Center Atlanta gives fans young and old a great excuse to indulge their passion for these little plastic building blocks.

Located in the high-end Phipps Plaza, a ritzy shopping mall to the north of downtown Atlanta, LEGOLAND Discovery Center Atlanta opened in 2012 and offers plenty of fun activities. Highlights include a LEGO scale model of the city featuring top points of interest, including the Georgia Aquarium and the Fox Theatre, constructed from no less than 1.5 million bricks.

Kid-friendly, LEGO-themed rides are also available, and there's also a 4-D cinema showing related movie adventures. Age-appropriate workshops are frequently held, and the on-site shop offers a chance to stock up on the world's most popular building toy. A café is also located on the premises.

Address: 3500 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, Georgia

A visit to Zoo Atlanta is another fun family activity to add to your travel itinerary. Founded in 1889, the zoo has, in recent years, undergone a major transformation that has seen it propelled to the top of lists of animal attractions in the USA.

Also known as Atlanta Zoo, its central location in Grant Park makes it easy to get to, with the addition of new parking facilities making for a seamless visitor experience. Among its most popular exhibits is an African rainforest area complete with gorillas and monkeys. Other cute creatures include giant pandas in the Asian rainforest section, as well as an aviary, lemurs, and bears.

A number of unique animal experiences are also offered. These include fun after-hours visits, safari camps, and guided tours. A behind-the-scenes animal encounter is also offered and lets you get up close to a variety of creatures in the zoo's care.

Address: 800 Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta, Georgia

Located in a beautiful park-like setting in the Poncey-Highland neighborhood near Freedom Park, the Jimmy Carter Library and Museum is a must-visit, whatever your political affiliations.

Opened in 1986 and recently renovated, the site is a repository for more than 27 million pages of official papers, as well as large collections of photos and videos related to the 39th US President's tenure. There are also numerous documents and memorabilia related to his personal and family life.

Other highlights include a display showcasing Carter's Nobel Peace Prize, as well as an authentic reproduction of the Oval Office as it was during his time there. The 30-acre grounds and museum can be visited as a self-guided tour. Be sure to check out the excellent views over the city of Atlanta while you're here.

Address: 441 John Lewis Freedom Pkwy N, Atlanta, Georgia

Designed by architect Richard Meier and enlarged with three new buildings designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, the High Museum of Art is noteworthy both for its architecture and its extraordinary collections, With a focus on art from the Renaissance to the present day, it is particularly well-known for its works by 19th-century French masters and an extensive collection of 19th- and 20th-century American art.

There is also a significant collection of European paintings and decorative art to explore. Newer additions include modern and contemporary art, photography, and African art. The museum forms part of the Robert W. Woodruff Arts Center and hosts an annual film series featuring foreign, independent, and classic cinema.

Address: 1280 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, Georgia

Established in 1951, the College Football Hall of Fame is a must-visit for sports enthusiasts when visiting Atlanta. It's located adjacent to Centennial Olympic Park, close to the Georgia Aquarium, ensuring you'll be able to scratch more than one great attraction off your list with a single visit.

The Hall of Fame's unique football-shaped location only opened in 2014 and features a variety of fun interactive displays and activities suitable for all ages. Almost 100,000 square feet in size, it even includes an indoor football field big enough for kids to run around and blow off some steam.

Greeting you when you enter the building, though, is perhaps its most impressive feature, The Quad's helmet wall. This huge three-story-tall wall features helmets from 775 college teams, with visitors being able to press a button to have their favorite team's headgear illuminated, so they can spot it.

Address: 250 Marietta Street NW, Atlanta, Georgia

The Historic Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta began as a six-acre burial ground in 1850 and was originally designed as a garden cemetery. Over the years, particularly during the time of the Civil War, the site grew, accommodating those killed on the battlefield.

Eventually, the cemetery came to encompass 88 acres, and in 1884 stopped selling plots. In the ensuing years, this once lovely cemetery fell into disrepair, as those tending the plots moved away or died.

Fast forward to 1976, and the Oakland Cemetery was declared a National Historic Landmark, and the Historic Oakland Foundation was established. In combination with the city, the organization has done much work to maintain the cemetery. Today, it's promoted as a historic cemetery and parkland with gardens, sculptures, and wildlife.

There's even a Visitor Center and Museum Shop, and free parking is available directly opposite the main gate. It can get busy here though, so if you can visit on a weekday morning, you're pretty much guaranteed parking and a quieter visit.

Address: 248 Oakland Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia

Another must-do for visiting sports fans is taking a tour of Truist Park . Famous as the home of the Atlanta Braves baseball team, this state-of-the-art stadium opened in 2017 and can be visited not only on game days but as part of a fun tour.

Starting at the Right Field Gate, these must-do tours last around an hour and take in a number of important stadium features. These usually include the press box, some of the VIP lounges and seating, as well as the Monument Garden. Afterward, be sure to visit the Braves Clubhouse Store for a little souvenir shopping.

While tour tickets can be purchased at the gate, they do sometimes fill up, so plan ahead and book yours online in advance if you can. A VIP tour option is also available on game days.

Address: 755 Battery Ave SE, Atlanta, Georgia

Opened in 1992, the Fernbank Museum of Natural History portrays the nature and environment of Georgia, as well as technical and scientific phenomena with the aid of modern techniques. Some of the most eye-catching exhibits at the museum are the huge dinosaur statues that greet you at the entrance and the dinosaur skeletons in the Great Hall.

Perhaps more entertaining are the interactive displays of the "Sensing Nature" exhibit. There are many other interesting exhibits on the natural history of the local landscape and cultures from other parts of the world. Even the floors are attention-getting, made of limestone tiles with embedded fossils.

A huge gallery is dedicated to temporary and traveling exhibits, and an IMAX theater shows nature-related films.

Address: 767 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, Georgia

Built for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games, Centennial Olympic Park in central Atlanta is located near the Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca-Cola. It is the venue for weekly free concerts and for seasonal events, including the Christkindl Christmas Market and the Chinese Lantern Show .

The most popular thing to do in Centennial Olympic Park is watching the dancing fountain, with its choreographed program of water spouts and colored lights set to music. Officially known as the Fountain of Rings , its design is based on the Olympic rings symbol. When it's not "performing," the fountain becomes a splash pad for children to play in. It's also a popular place for joggers to cool off in the summer.

Centennial Olympic Park offers great views of the Atlanta skyline, especially from the SkyView Ferris wheel , rising almost 20 stories above the park.

Address: 265 Park Avenue West NW, Atlanta, Georgia

For a change of pace after all that Atlanta sightseeing, head over to Ponce City Market . Set in a former Sears warehouse, this site has been the subject of much urban renewal and redevelopment in recent years, resulting in it becoming one of the city's top shopping and entertainment venues.

In addition to its many boutique shops and galleries, the market houses a wide variety of food experiences, from casual cafés to elegant fine-dining restaurants. One of the best places to visit for a coffee or meal is The Roof at Ponce City Market.

This vast rooftop area features patio seating, event space, and an arcade-style attraction reminiscent of traditional fun fairs. It also offers superb views over the city and makes for the perfect place to watch the sunset over this dynamic Southern city. It's a particularly stunning vista when observed as the sun is setting, just have your camera ready!

Address: 285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW, Atlanta, Georgia

The Michael C. Carlos Museum of Emory University has one of the largest collections of ancient art in the Southeast. Its extensive collection includes 17,000 artifacts from ancient Egypt, the Near East, Greece, Rome, Asia, Africa, and the pre-Columbian Americas. The ancient Egypt exhibits are particularly outstanding.

In addition to these beautifully displayed and interpreted examples of pottery, goldwork, and ancient art in all media, the museum also has exceptional collections of works on paper from the Renaissance to the present, opening a window into world cultures expressed through their art.

Address: 571 South Kilgo Circle NE, Atlanta, Georgia

One of the most popular places to visit near Atlanta is Stone Mountain Par k, 16 miles east of the city center in DeKalb County. At its center is Stone Mountain, an 863-foot-high mass of exposed granite with a circumference of five miles.

On the east flank of the hill is a now-controversial relief of the three Confederate leaders, President Jefferson Davis and his two generals, Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee, hewn from the rock between 1923 and 1970.

But there is much more to do here. You can climb to the top of the hill or ascend by cable car, and around it runs a 1940s locomotive on a five-mile circuit through the park. There are endurance courses of suspended rope walks and bridges through the treetops, a petting farm for small children, and a land/lake tour on a 1940s Army DUKW that includes some local history.

Other highlights include a fully restored antebellum plantation and a museum with Native American artifacts and exhibits. A dinosaur park features 20 life-size prehistoric creatures that move and roar, one of the most popular things to do for families at Stone Mountain Park.

Inviting you to rethink everything you know about puppets, the Center for Puppetry Arts is a hands-on museum with a large collection of puppets from around the world. The Global Collection Gallery traces puppetry through four continents, and through displays as diverse as Chinese hand puppets and African rod puppets, you'll discover the five main types of puppets and learn about some of the world's major puppetry traditions.

The Jim Henson Collection Gallery will delight Sesame Street fans of all ages, with the world's largest collection of Jim Henson puppets, props, and costumes. Many of the puppets from Sesame Street and The Muppet Show are here, along with figures from The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth , and others created by Henson's imaginative mind.

Live shows, workshops, exhibits, and events are designed for all ages and include the New Directions Series performances, designed for teen and adult audiences. Programs for younger audiences include themes such as Stories of Color, exploring African folktales through music and puppets.

Address: 1404 Spring Street NW, Atlanta, Georgia

For first-time visitors to Atlanta, the downtown area is the best place to stay. Many of the main sights are located here, including the World of Coca-Cola and the Georgia Aquarium. Below is a list of highly-rated hotels in convenient locations :

Luxury Hotels:

• The Candler Hotel Atlanta, Curio Collection by Hilton has a prime location overlooking Peachtree Street, in a landmark building that is on the National Register of Historic Places. In its conversion to a stylish modern hotel, the artistic features, including carvings and a marble lobby have been preserved. Kids stay free.
• One of the top hotels in the city is the Ritz-Carlton . This is a five-star property, with live jazz in the evenings, just a short stroll from the Georgia Aquarium.
• Just a bit north of downtown, in artsy Midtown, the Loews Atlanta , in a sleek glass tower, offers commanding views of the downtown buildings and outstanding dining option

Mid-Range Hotels:

• Across the street from the Ritz Carlton is the historic Ellis Hotel , with concept floors that include some exclusively for women and Fresh Air floors where the air is purified to be allergen-free.
• The Residence Inn by Marriott Downtown Atlanta includes breakfast and features large suites with full kitchens, refrigerators, and a sitting area.
• The Sheraton Atlanta Hotel has recently been renovated and features a beautiful outdoor pool and patio area.

Budget Hotels:

• Budget hotels in the city center are difficult to find, and the best option is to stay a short distance outside the downtown area, such as La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Atlanta Ballpark/Galleria in Paces Ferry/Vinings. The relatively new property is about 10 to 15 minutes by car from downtown.
• A little farther away, in the Northlake area, the Hampton Inn Atlanta-Northlake features recently renovated rooms and an outdoor pool.
• The Red Roof Plus Atlanta Buckhead in trendy Buckhead, about 10 minutes by car from the city center, is another good option. There is a MARTA rail station nearby with service to downtown.

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Where to Go Nea r Atlanta : Visitors to Georgia will certainly not want to miss romantic Savannah , with its lovely parks and streets of antebellum homes. Not far north of Savanna is historic Charleston , in South Carolina , where you can also relax on the beautiful sands of Myrtle Beach .

More Places to Visit in the South: To the west of Atlanta and only about three hours by train, Birmingham is in the neighboring state of Alabama . South of Atlanta are the long sandy beaches of Florida ; the theme parks of Orlando ; and Tampa , with all the beaches and water attractions of the Gulf Coast.

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25 Top Tourist Attractions in Atlanta

By Alex Schultz · Last updated on May 4, 2024

The capital city of Georgia, Atlanta is a vibrant place to explore that seamlessly mixes the old with the new. Famously burnt down during the Civil War, the lively metropolis has since rebounded to become one of the most important economic and cultural centres in the Southern United States.

Now boasting not one, not two, but three separate skylines, it houses the global headquarters of major companies such as Coca-Cola and CNN. While there are plenty of modern tourist attractions in Atlanta, it also has a rich history to explore having been both the birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr. and the cradle of the civil rights movement.

Combine all this with the charm and elegance of the Old South and it is no surprise that Atlanta, is one of the most visited cities in all of the United States.

25. Center for Puppetry Arts

If you’re looking for a unique and unusual yet engrossing place to visit when in town then look no further than the Center for Puppetry Arts. Aside from seeing hundreds of fantastic puppets from all around the world, you can also watch a live performance or make your own little character at one of their workshops.

Founded in 1979, the highly rated museum and its interesting exhibitions can be found in Midtown – the city’s happening arts district. As well as documenting the history, techniques and traditions of puppetry in Europa, Asia, Africa and the Americas, the center boasts an entire collection dedicated to Jim Henson and his iconic creation The Muppets.

24. Krog Street Market

One of the best food halls in the world, the lively yet laid back Krog Street Market is packed with all kinds of enticing restaurants, specialty shops and fresh produce stalls. Located in a historic 1920s warehouse, its bustling businesses, bakers and butchers lie at the heart of Inman Park, just a short drive east of the center.

Since opening in 2014, the west coast-style market has been a firm favorite with locals and tourists alike due to its fabulous food and fresh fruit and vegetables. Besides sampling tasty treats and buying souvenirs or artisanal food products, visitors can stop for a sit-down meal with everything from Indian and Italian to American, Latin American and Vietnamese options on offer.

23. SkyView Atlanta

For one of the best panoramas of downtown’s skyscraper-studded skyline, make sure to head to the SkyView Atlanta at the southern end of Centennial Olympic Park. Towering almost twenty storeys above the surrounding city, the gigantic Ferris wheel has been popular with tourists ever since it first opened in 2013.

While sitting or standing in its sleek, air-conditioned gondolas, guests can view many of the city’s most important buildings and landmarks. One of the best times to enjoy a ride on the SkyView is after dark as Atlanta is lit up magically and you can watch the famous Fountain of Rings show down below.

22. Delta Flight Museum

Another great place to go if you have a head for heights is the excellent Delta Flight Museum which looks at the history and evolution of the aviation industry. Housed in two humongous hangars are a vast array of artifacts, airline equipment and aircraft while yet more gleaming planes and jets can be found outside.

Lying next to the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the corporate museum was set up in 1995 and primarily focuses on Delta’s history, expansion and the future of flight. While perusing its engaging exhibits, you’ll learn about different makes and models of planes and even enter inside a Boeing 747. On top of all this, you can also have a go on their fun flight simulator.

21. Atlanta BeltLine

One of the most popular and picturesque ways to see as much of the city as possible is to walk, run or cycle along the Atlanta BeltLine which encircles the center of The Big A. As well as connecting numerous neighborhoods and parks together, the multi-use trail takes you past interesting outdoor art installations with sports facilities, restaurants and microbreweries also lining the route.

Stretching 22 miles in length, the spectacular outdoor space follows in the tracks of what once was a railway corridor. While many more miles of trails are still to be added before the project’s intended completion date in 2030, locals and tourists already flock to the beltline for its lovely scenery and nature, its innumerable establishments and countless community events.

20. Jimmy Carter Library & Museum

A fascinating place to visit, the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum lies just five minutes’ drive to the northeast of downtown, right next to the Carter Center. Inside guests can learn all about his life and legacy and see amazing memorabilia, photos and film clips from throughout his career and one term as president (1977 – 1981).

First opened to the public in 1986, the museum covers everything from his upbringing and success as a peanut farmer to life on the campaign trail and how he opposed racial segregation. After having explored all its interactive exhibits you can also see his Nobel Peace Prize, wander around an exact replica of the Oval Office and amble about its grand library and gorgeous gardens.

19. Turner Field

If you are after a thrilling sporting spectacle, then Turner Field is definitely the place to go. Formerly the home of the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball, the reconverted and renovated arena now instead hosts Georgia State University’s college football games.

Originally opened in 1996, the massive stadium served as the centerpiece of the Summer Olympics held in Atlanta that year. Now called the Center Parc Stadium, it lies just south of the center, on the college campus. Besides watching the Panthers play and taking part in the team’s tailgates, you can also attend concerts and community events at what is still often known to locals as Turner Field.

18. Ponce City Market

Another very happening spot to hit up is the ever-popular Ponce City Market which encompasses everything from shops and restaurants to offices, flats and a rooftop amusement park. Once a Sears catalogue facility, the ginormous mixed-use building lies alongside part of the BeltLine in the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood.

Built in 1926, the red brick building was renovated and reopened in 2014 with its cavernous Central Food Hall and all its stands and stalls lying right at the heart of things. Aside from stopping off for a bite to eat or drink, you can also enjoy its rooftop beer garden, play a round of mini-golf or try some of its kitschy carnival games.

17. Fernbank Museum of Natural History

Home to hundreds of interactive exhibits and exciting hands-on activities, the magnificent Fernbank Museum of Natural History can be found just fifteen minutes’ drive to the northeast of the center. In addition to all its fascinating dinosaur fossils and IMAX theater, there is also an expansive outdoor area with canopy walks, nature playgrounds and native wildlife to explore.

Dedicated to unraveling the mysteries of the prehistoric and present-day natural worlds, the award-winning museum was established in 1992 and has only grown since then. While ambling about its galleries you can see life-size replicas of whales and a huge 123 foot-long Argentinosaurus – the largest dinosaur ever classified. There are also sections where you can experiment with forces and new technology while the fun and immersive NatureQuest is sure to appeal to young ones.

16. Oakland Cemetery

A very peaceful place to stroll around, the atmospheric Oakland Cemetery lies just a stone’s throw from downtown. Thought to be the final resting place of some 70,000 souls, it contains rows and rows of impressive old graves, mausoleums and sculptures with ancient oaks and magnolias also dotted about.

Founded in 1850, its lovely layout and lush green gardens exemplify the Victorian-style cemeteries of that time with certain sections being dedicated to Confederate soldiers and both Jewish and black citizens. Many of its marvelous monuments, mausoleums and statues highlight the prominent role the city played in both the Civil War and civil rights movement.

15. College Football Hall of Fame

Right next to Centennial Olympic Park is another of Atlanta’s top tourist attractions that is certainly well worth checking out if you have the chance: the College Football Hall of Fame. Inside the large football-shaped building are innumerable artifacts and exhibits that immortalize some of the greatest players and coaches to have ever played the game.

A firm favorite with football fans, the engaging and entertaining museum was opened in 2014 with earlier editions having previously existed in Kings Mill and South Bend. Aside from learning about the inductees and seeing their records, helmets and uniforms, you can practice your QB skills on the facility’s indoor pitch or try out one of its augmented reality stations.

14. Zoo Atlanta

Boasting all kinds of amazing animals both large and small, Zoo Atlanta sprawls across the southern third of Grant Park. Once ranked among the worst zoos in the States, it is now widely lauded for its excellent exhibits and spacious enclosures with unforgettable animal encounters also being on offer.

Since being established in 1889, the zoo has expanded considerably with it now housing over 1,500 animals, birds and reptiles of more than 200 different species. Among its most popular residents are its giant pandas and gorillas with the zoo’s incredible elephants, rhinos and tigers also attracting lots of attention. In addition to all of this, guests can explore the wonderful World of Reptiles and attend live talks, demonstrations and feeding sessions.

13. Mercedes Benz Stadium

Another fantastic place to head if you want to enjoy a concert, show or sports event is the massive, multi-purpose Mercedes Benz Stadium. Home of the Atlanta Falcons of the NFL and Atlanta United FC of MLS, the sparkling new stadium is located just a short walk or drive west of downtown.

Only built in 2017, the enormous, state-of-the-art arena serves as a more than adequate replacement for the demolished Georgia Dome. When its retractable ‘pinwheel’ roof is closed, the stadium has an electrifying atmosphere as the two teams’ fanatic fan bases roar them onto victory. Besides watching a thrilling football game or soccer match, visitors can also catch any of the concerts, conferences or other sporting competitions that are regularly held at the stadium.

12. Atlanta History Center

If you’re interested in learning all about the city and state’s rich history, culture and heritage then the exceptional Atlanta History Center really is a must-visit. At its humongous campus at Buckhead you can find an extensive array of historic houses, farms and gardens and a brilliant museum; all packed with age-old artifacts and engrossing exhibits.

While exploring sites, such as the antebellum Smith Farm and elegant Swan House, you’ll delve into everything from settlers and the Civil War to plantation life and local Native American culture. Just as enthralling as all its exhibits and edifices are the center’s ornamental gardens which are home to a huge collection of colorful plants, flowers, trees and shrubs.

11. Center for Civil and Human Rights

As Atlanta is renowned for being the ‘cradle of the civil rights movement’ no trip to town can ever be complete without checking out the Center for Civil and Human Rights. Situated just to the north of Centennial Olympic Park, it offers an in-depth look at the history and achievements of the movement while also shining a light on other ongoing human rights struggles around the world.

Founded in 2014, the well-designed museum is full of fascinating photos, exhibits and film clips with personal stories and speeches also highlighting the considerable struggles and successes of the civil rights movement. In addition to seeing some of Martin Luther King’s personal possessions and learning about Jim Crow laws, you also hear about other inspiring fights for rights around the globe.

10. High Museum of Art

Located in the city’s arts district in Midtown, the High Museum of Art is one of the leading art museums in the South and one of the most visited tourist attractions in Atlanta. The Museum was founded in 1905 as the Atlanta Art Association. In 1926, the High family, for whom the museum is named, donated their family home on Peachtree Street to house the collection.

In 1983, a new building designed by Richard Meier opened to house the High Museum of Art. Visitors can see a variety of works from 19th and 20th century American, European, African and African-American artists, as well as decorative arts, photography, and modern and contemporary art.

9. Piedmont Park

This park in the Northeastern Atlanta near Midtown began life as an out-of-the-city gentleman’s farm owned by a doctor named Benjamin Walker. It went through a series of owners, ultimately ending up the property of the Piedmont Exposition Company. The park has had several architects of importance working on different parts, most notably Olmstead of Central Park fame, who created many pathways still in use today.

It also includes a large basketball complex, and was home of Atlanta’s first team in the early twentieth century. A large fishing lake, playscape, and large lawn that is host to many concerts are just a few of the other offerings here.

8. Martin Luther King Jr. Historic Site

This historic site includes several buildings, including the boyhood home of this civil rights leader, as well as the church where his father, and later King himself first came to preach. The firehouse that was once a main community center in the sixties, a civil rights walk of fame, and the “I Have a Dream” international world peace rose garden are also a part of this historic park.

Opposite the visitor center, a large mural depicts scenes in Dr. Martin Luther King’s life. The site hosts several large events, particularly during Martin Luther King day and Black History Month.

7. Centennial Olympic Park

Created for the 1996 Summer Olympics that was hosted in this city, Olympic Park continues to be a tourist draw every year. Located downtown between the Aquarium and the CNN center, the park has several fun features. An interactive fountain of Olympic rings is synchronized with lights, water jets and music.

This is surrounded by a collection of the flags of all of the host nations of the previous Olympics. A large, air-conditioned Ferris wheel and large lawn that hosts a summer outdoor concert series are just some of the other features of this historic location of athletic excellence.

6. Atlanta Botanical Garden

This garden sits adjacent to Piedmont Park, and has a number of different sections, each highlighting a different region, plant, or animal type. These include a Japanese garden, a rose garden, woodland areas and a children’s garden.

One of the main highlights of the botanical garden is the indoor Fuqua Conservatory which hosts a range of tropical, desert and subtropical plants and animals. The nation’s largest orchid collection, tropical birds, turtles and poison dart frogs. For those who are not afraid of heights, the woodland park has a large canopy walk that allows guests to explore the treetops.

The botanical garden often hosts art exhibits and other charity events. The most notable of these was a display of the glass work of Dale Chihuly in 2004, and brought half a million guests to the gardens.

5. Stone Mountain Park

This park in Metro Atlanta boasts a huge monolith called Stone Mountain. The bas-relief on the mountain’s north face is the biggest in the world. It features a sculpture called the Confederate Memorial Carving of Confederate President Jefferson Davis, General Robert E. Lee and General Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson.The top rises 825 feet (251 meters) above the surrounding area and provides a beautiful view of Atlanta.

The nearby museum Confederate Hall has information about the mountain’s geology. There is also the Antebellum Plantation and Farmyard, which is an open air museum complete with farm animals that visitors can pet and 19 historic buildings meant to depict a pre-Civil War plantation.

4. Fox Theatre

Originally planned as a Moorish architecture Shrine temple, the Fox Theatre ultimately developed as a lavish movie theater. It later became a performing arts theater, and continues to host the Atlanta Ballet, traveling Broadway events, and some music concerts. The theatre is a draw even for those who aren’t going to see a show, as the combined Egyptian and Islamic architecture creates a spectacle that is worth taking a tour.

The theater inside is fashioned like an Arabian courtyard, complete with a twinkling crystal starry sky. There is also a large ballroom designed after the temple of Ramses II, and the mezzanine for the women’s’ restroom has King Tut’s throne and little sphinxes on the makeup tables.

3. CNN Center

The world’s best-known news franchise deserves a headquarter just as spectacular, and in this case, the CNN center definitely delivers. The center connects to a large food court atrium, which is shared by Centennial Olympic Park, Phillips Arena, the Georgia Dome, and the Georgia Conference Center.

There are studio tours available, which include demonstrations of the technology used and visits to viewing galleries overlooking the newsrooms and newsreaders of CNN. There is a large, attached hotel where guests can stay, especially those hoping to get a sneak peek at their favorite newscaster or special guest to the studios.

2. World of Coca-Cola

For anyone who has ever wondered what Coca-Cola tastes like in every nation of the world, this is the place to go. One of the top attractions in Atlanta, a new museum was revamped and relocated in 2007 to house a larger collection of company paraphernalia. Sixty years of jingles, ads dating back to the 1800’s, and a 4-D movie experience are just a few of the things to experience here.

One of the biggest draws here is the updated tasting room that not only allows guests to discover the preferred formula versions from different parts of the world, as well as rare local drinks via their customized freestyle machine.

1. Georgia Aquarium

Georgia Aquarium has the honor of being the largest in the Western Hemisphere, and before it was beaten by the aquarium in Singapore, it was the largest in the world. A number of especially notable species can be found here, including beluga whales and manta rays. This aquarium is the only location outside of Asia where a whale shark, the world’s largest fish, can be found.

It is divided into five ecoregions, including tropical reefs, open ocean, arctic waters, freshwater rivers and large marine mammals. As part of a conservation project, the aquarium has been working on a captive beluga whale breeding program, though a successful calving has not yet been achieved.

Map of Tourist Attractions in Atlanta

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57 Best & Fun Things To Do In Atlanta (Georgia)

By: Author Jerric Chong

Posted on Published: July 28, 2020  - Last updated: October 16, 2023

Atlanta is one of the most important cities in the south.

It’s been at the center of everything from military conflicts to wide-reaching cultural movements; it’s hosted the Olympic games.

It’s also a hot spot for tourist attractions.

Whether you’re looking for glamorous resorts or down-home country restaurants, Atlanta has a little bit of everything.

Are you ready for a trip to one of Georgia’s ripest peaches?

Here are just a few unforgettable things to do in Atlanta.

Disclaimer: This article may contain affiliate links. If you make a booking through these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Table of Contents

1. Centennial Olympic Park

Sean Pavone / Shutterstock

Centennial Olympic Park is the tourist attraction of Atlanta.

Built for the 1996 Olympic Games, it’s a sprawling urban space that’s surrounded on all sides by shops, restaurants, malls, museums, amusement parks and everything else that visitors could want for an exciting and fun-filled vacation.

The centerpiece of the park is the Fountain of Rings, an interactive water fountain that shoots musical, computer-controlled jets in elaborately synchronized displays.

There are also flags, sculptures and light towers scattered around the area, so it’s a sightseeing delight.

In the summer, there are fireworks and festivals.

In the winter, there are holiday lights and shows.

An amphitheater hosts everything from rallies to outdoor concerts; open, grassy fields are free for picnics, sports games, nature tours and more.

Are you tired of the park?

Since it’s centrally located, you can use it as a gateway for other Atlanta attractions nearby, including the Georgia Aquarium, the Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the SkyView Atlanta Ferris Wheel.

No matter why you’re coming to the city, Centennial Olympic Park is one of the best things to do in Atlanta.

It doesn’t matter if you’re working, honeymooning or taking a vacation with the kids.

This is a stop that everyone should make at least once.

Address:  265 Park Ave W NW, Atlanta, GA 30313, United States

2. Atlanta Botanical Garden

Nicholas Lamontanaro / Shutterstock

Brimming with roses, orchids, camellias, azaleas and magnolias, the Atlanta Botanical Garden might just be one of the most beautiful places in the US .

Not only does it have a stunning collection of flowers, but it’s also home to things like edible gardens and canopy walks in the treetops!

There’s always something fun to do at this art/nature center.

For example, if you love the wilderness, there are several rainforest areas where you can walk through dense vegetation and watch birds and tree frogs dart around.

If you prefer a tidy, well-maintained landscape, you might try the oriental gardens with their smooth rocks and peaceful koi ponds.

Outdoor enthusiasts can try the canopy walk, a 600-foot-long pathway that skims the top of oak and hickory trees.

Kids can play on the whimsical statues and sculptures of the children’s area.

If you’re wondering where to go in Atlanta, you won’t want to miss the Atlanta Botanical Garden.

From its plant-covered roofs to its fresh-blooming exhibits, it’s a must see destination in the city.

Check details, prices and reviews here.

Address:  1345 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, United States

3. Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park

alisafarov / Shutterstock

You can’t talk about Atlanta without mentioning its significance to the Civil Rights Movement, and Martin Luther King Jr. played a major role in that.

His “park” celebrates his legacy with museums, monuments, archives, resource centers and other important and informative places of interest regarding his life and his cause.

The centerpiece of the park is the tomb of Dr. King and his wife.

It’s located in the center of a reflecting pool with an eternal flame burning nearby.

You can also visit his childhood home and the church where he was ordained as a pastor.

A rose garden blooms in his memory, and a visitor’s center shares knowledge of his trials and tribulations during the Civil Rights Movement.

There’s also a hall of fame for other important figures of the time, including Rosa Parks.

If you’re interested in African-American history, Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park is one of the best places to visit in Atlanta.

It tells an important, far-reaching story, and it’s comprehensive enough that it can teach everyone a thing or two.

Address:  450 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312, United States

4. Mary Mac’s Tea Room

Mary Mac’s Tea Room

Tea rooms used to be a southern staple.

Atlanta had more than a dozen!

Today, however, they’ve become a relic of the past, and only holdouts like Mary Mac’s Tea Room remain.

Mary Mac’s Tea Room specializes in good old country-style food.

From crispy fried chicken and gravy-smothered biscuits to piping hot cornbread served with okra and collard greens, you’ll feel like you stepped back in time to a genuine southern kitchen from the ’40s and ’50s.

Drinks include lemonade and sweet tea.

Desserts include pecan pie, banana pudding and peach cobbler.

Everything is homemade. Everything is delicious.

Mary Mac’s Tea Room is the very last of Atlanta’s tea rooms, and even though it doesn’t appear to be going anywhere, you can never be sure what tomorrow will bring.

Visit it while you have the chance and enjoy classic southern fare in the heart of a classic southern city.

Address:  224 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308, United States

5. Tiny Doors ATL

Eddie Krebs / flickr

Tiny Doors ATL is one of the most unique attractions in Atlanta.

Like its name suggests, it’s devoted to tiny, doll-like doors, but it isn’t an art project by just one person.

It’s a grassroots effort by artists all around the city.

The doors range from simple paintings on bricks to elaborate plastic or stone constructions that include fences, gardens and mailboxes.

Everything is in miniature, and everything is scattered around various places in Atlanta, so it’s almost like a scavenger hunt to find them all.

Some people even leave offerings at the doors.

They have an almost legendary reputation among travelers, artists, creatives and other free-spirited types.

Are you looking for fun activities in Atlanta that will take you off the beaten path?

Hop on a bike and try to find all of the Tiny Doors ATL.

Even if you don’t succeed, you’ll get to explore cool, off-kilter destinations that aren’t on travel guides, so you’ll see the city like tourists typically don’t.

Address:  14100 Atlantic Dr Suite 14100, Atlanta, GA 30363, United States

Visiting other parts of Georgia? Be sure to check out our lists of things to do in Savannah, GA  & things to do in Helen, GA !

6. World of Coca-Cola

Roshito / Shutterstock

Did you know that Coca-Cola was invented in Atlanta?

It was the brainchild of a morphine-addicted pharmacist who wanted to kick the habit by inventing a painkiller without any toxic or addictive substances in it.

After much experimentation, Coca-Cola was born.

The World of Coca-Cola is a tribute to the fun, fizzy drink, and it’s currently one of the largest tourist attractions in Georgia .

Activities range from cola-making stations where you can create your own drinks to factory tours where you can see how the real stuff is bottled.

There’s also a 3D theater, a pop culture gallery, a “vault” dedicated to the secret recipe and a taste-testing site filled with strange and exotic Coca-Cola samples from all over the world.

When you’re done with all of the exhibits, snap a selfie with the Coca-Cola polar bear.

He’s a life-sized figure that’s always ready for a photo op!

If you’re looking for cool things to do in Atlanta, you should definitely stop by the World of Coca-Cola.

Its iconic red walls are home to all kinds of treats, and only some of them are drinkable.

Others are experiences that you won’t want to miss!

Address:  121 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313, United States

7. Piedmont Park

As a busy, bustling city, Atlanta doesn’t have a lot of green places, but Piedmont Park is an exception to the rule.

It’s a beautiful park located just outside of the gleaming skyscrapers and shopping malls of the greater Atlanta area, and it offers fun stuff to do for visitors of all types.

Joggers can work up a sweat on the trails.

Kids and families can rent bikes, have picnics and clamber on playgrounds.

There are numerous sports fields if you want to toss around a pigskin, and depending on the day, there might be camps or classes hosted on the grass.

Piedmont Park gets a lot of special events, too.

From farmer’s markets to music festivals, there’s always something going on, so you’ll definitely want to check their schedule.

A little planning today can result in tons of entertainment this weekend!

You don’t have to say goodbye to fresh air and sunshine when you visit Atlanta.

Just swing by Piedmont Park.

It’s proof that Georgia still has lovely sights to sigh over.

Address:  400 Park Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30306, United States

8. Andretti Indoor Karting and Games

Andretti Indoor Karting & Games

Georgia receives more than double the average rainfall in the United States, so there’s a chance that it’ll be drizzly during your vacation.

Fortunately, there are plenty of Atlanta attractions that aren’t hampered by bad weather.

One such place is Andretti Indoor Karting and Games .

Offering everything from rope courses to virtual reality games, it’ll provide non-stop fun for visitors of all ages.

Kids will love the arcades, go-karts and flight simulators.

Mom and dad will enjoy the bowling lanes and interactive zombie movies.

The whole family can play laser tag together, and when you’re all wiped out, the on-site grill will provide burgers and pizzas to fuel you back up for round two.

Are you wondering what to do on a rainy day in Atlanta?

Try Andretti Indoor Karting and Games.

It’s one of the best places to go when you need indoor entertainment, and it offers so many fun activities that you might just plan a return visit even when it’s nice and sunny outside.

Address:  1255 Roswell Rd, Marietta, GA 30062, United States

9. High Museum of Art

f11photo / Shutterstock

The High Museum of Art lives up to its name by serving as one of the elite art destinations of Atlanta, Georgia.

Not only does it have a highly sculptural building with white concrete wrapping around atriums and cutaway cubes, but its hallways are filled with a gorgeous natural light that only adds to the majesty of its exhibits.

As for the exhibits themselves, you’ll be amazed at some of the famous works that the museum has managed to snag.

From Monet’s water lilies to Sirlin’s abstract swirls, you’ll walk through the collections thinking, “I’ve seen that before!”

Such is the power of the High Museum of Art.

It’s easily one of the best places to visit in Atlanta, so even if you wouldn’t consider yourself an “art person,” give it a try.

You might be surprised at how much you’re able to appreciate beautiful paintings in a beautiful setting.

Address:  1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, United States

10. Zoo Atlanta

Rob Hainer / Shutterstock

Zoo Atlanta is one of the coolest zoos that you’ll ever visit.

Not only is it home to hundreds of different species, but it also offers educational entertainment in the form of shows, demonstrations, animal feedings, summer camps, yoga classes and more.

There are even happy hour events for adults who’d like to sip a cocktail and snap a selfie with a lizard!

Most of the animals are divided by geographic region.

For example, the “African Savanna” has lions, elephants, rhinos and naked mole rats, and the “Asian Forest” is filled with pandas, tanukis and Komodo dragons.

There’s a rainforest where gorillas and lemurs roam; there’s an aviary with twittering birds of every color; there’s a reptile world where snakes slither and alligators snap.

The giant pandas are one of the biggest draws of the zoo.

Only four states in the U.S. have them, so Georgia is quite proud to be on that list.

Whether you’re into kangaroos or cockatoos, however, Zoo Atlanta is one of the top things to see in the city.

It will provide all-day fun for visitors of all ages, so the whole family will find something to “ooh” and “aww” at while they’re walking the trails!

Address:  800 Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30315, United States

Got more time? Why not check out some of the fun things to do in Augusta, GA ?

11. Center for Puppetry Arts

Michael Gordon / Shutterstock

Puppets get a bad rep.

For every Slappy, there’s a Miss Piggy.

For every Chucky or Annabelle, there’s an Elmo or Tom Servo.

The Center for Puppetry Arts is dedicated to this misunderstood craft.

It’s one of the largest museums of its kind, so not only is it unique to Georgia, but it’s unique to the entire world.

You literally can’t find puppet collections on this scale anywhere else.

Exhibits include famous faces from puppetland such as Sesame Street and Mystery Science Theater 3000.

There’s also a gallery for well-known puppets and puppeteers throughout the ages, and there’s a workshop area where visitors can make their own puppets to take home.

Are you wondering what to do with your kids while you’re touring Atlanta?

Give them an unforgettable experience at the Center for Puppetry Arts.

It might be an unusual place, but that’s why it’s also one of the coolest Atlanta attractions.

Address:  1404 Spring St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309, United States

12. Georgia Aquarium

Rob Wilson / Shutterstock

Pumping more than 10 million gallons of water through its pools, tanks and tunnels, the Georgia Aquarium is a site to behold.

Not only is it the largest aquarium in the United States, but it’s the third-largest in the entire world.

Thousands of animals call it home.

From dolphins to manta rays to fire eels, you can see all kinds of amazing creatures here.

They even have whale sharks!

It’s the only collection of whale sharks outside of Asia, and their importation from Taiwan was a huge deal back in the day.

Other species include jellyfish, sea lions, fire eels, puffins, penguins, otters and seadragons.

A special emphasis is placed on cool and unusual breeds, but since there are literally thousands of creatures located within the aquarium, you can find a little bit of everything here.

The George Aquarium is a must see destination in Atlanta.

Even if you aren’t normally excited about marine life, the sheer size of the place will take your breath away, and its fun, exotic specimens might just awaken a new interest in you.

Address:  225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313, United States

13. Margaret Mitchell House

Margarita Soul Ray / Shutterstock

Gone With the Wind is a big claim to fame for Georgia.

Not only did the author, Margaret Mitchell, live and die there, but large parts of the book are set right on Peachtree Street in Atlanta.

The Margaret Mitchell House is a celebration of the women who created one of the world’s most enduring classics.

Part museum and part home tour, it will take you on a journey of both book and writer, and it will broaden your understanding of history, literature and southern culture.

Additionally, here’s an eerie fact for you: Margaret Mitchell died on Peachtree Street when she was struck by a drunk driver in 1949.

She was just a few miles from where Scarlett O’Hara lived.

You can’t make up stuff like this.

Address:  979 Crescent Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, United States

14. Atlanta Glass Treehouse

The Atlanta Glass Treehouse is an architectural marvel.

Like its name suggests, it’s almost entirely made out of glass; the only metal components are the steel beams that hold the panes together.

You can’t even see it from the street.

The sun-dappled leaves hide it from view, so despite its floor-to-ceiling transparency, there’s also a certain degree of concealment.

This privacy is a good thing since the Atlanta Glass Treehouse is a locally-owned residence that’s available for overnight rental.

You can’t just walk up and tour it; you have to be an interested party looking for lodging.

If you are seeking a place to stay, however, the Atlanta Glass Treehouse will provide a fun and memorable night in the treetops.

It’s certainly one of the best ways to get a good story from your vacation.

Anyone can book a hotel, but how many people say that they rented a treehouse?

Address:  865 Berne St SE, Atlanta, GA 30316, United States

15. The Basement

The Basement

Atlanta has plenty of glitzy, neon-colored nightclubs.

But what if you’re looking for something different?

What if you like exploring little-known places that function as hidden gems within the city?

The Basement might be right up your alley.

It’s a slice of Atlanta nightlife that breaks all of the usual rules and offers a fun, fresh experience for locals and tourists alike.

For starters, it has a hole-in-the-wall location that lives up to the name “The Basement.”

Its decor is also very plain and understated, so don’t expect any strobe lights here.

The music is also eclectic.

Some nights have live bands; others have DJs spinning records or hosting dance parties.

Music from the ’90s is very prevalent, but contemporary artists get their chance to shine as well.

The Basement is basically a playground for adults.

It’s a little bit spooky, a little bit nostalgic and whole lot of fun.

If you’re looking for the best places to see in Atlanta this weekend, you should definitely hit it up.

Address:  1245 Glenwood Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30316, United States

Looking for more thrills around Georgia? Why not check out some of the fun things to do in Blue Ridge, GA  & some of the fun things to do in Columbus, GA ?

16. Buckhead

Buckhead is a swanky neighborhood that’s just a short walk from downtown Atlanta.

It gleams with office buildings and high-rise hotels that tower over the streets, but its real appeal is located down below.

It’s a mecca for upscale shopping.

Retailers include luxury brands for clothes, shoes and jewelry.

Businesses range from fancy restaurants to trendy museums and art galleries.

There are several different shopping malls either on or near the main streets, so you’re never more than a few minutes away from your favorite brands.

If you don’t want to blow all of your money at Buckhead, you can just window-shop or people-watch.

Some tourist companies even schedule tours of the neighborhood since it has such a chic atmosphere.

It’s almost like something out of a movie.

Check out the sites of Buckhead if you’re looking for the most fun things to do in Atlanta.

It’s always open, so you don’t have to worry about fitting it into a tight itinerary.

You could be walking the streets like Carrie Bradshaw as early as this week!

Address: 3060 Peachtree Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305, United States

17. CDC Museum

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is one of the top names in medicine, and at this museum, you can get a behind-the-scenes look at what it studies and how it operates.

Exhibitions cover a wide range of topics, including pollution, disease control, germ theory, water sanitation and emergency responses to global health issues.

You can tour collections of hazmat suits; you can watch informative videos about everything from HIV to the Ebola virus.

Admission is free, so you don’t have to worry about budgeting a trip here.

They won’t even charge you for parking.

If you’re wondering what to do on a trip to Atlanta that won’t break the bank, this is a good option.

You don’t have to be a science nerd to be fascinated by the CDC Museum .

It offers a lot of relevant, real-world information, and best of all, it’s completely free.

Sign up for a tour and get to learning!

Address:  1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30329, United States

18. Children’s Museum of Atlanta

Travel_with_me / Shutterstock

You can’t miss the Children’s Museum of Atlanta .

Its front door is flanked by a colorful, larger-than-life book stack that stretches all of the way to the top floor, and its cheerful signage really stands out against the dull gray of the surrounding office buildings.

Inside, the museum is even more vibrant.

Its open floor plan has given it the nickname “The Museum Without Walls,” and every direction has something flashing, whizzing, whirring or buzzing.

As you might have guessed, the Children’s Museum of Atlanta isn’t an ordinary museum.

It’s a fun, interactive place where kids can learn through playtime.

There are robots to program; there are tree houses to climb; there are workstations filled with blocks, circuits and scientific goos.

There are even musical numbers from costumed actors!

If you’re wondering what to do in Atlanta with kids, consider the Children’s Museum of Atlanta.

Rain or shine, it’s one of the best travel destinations in the city.

Address:  275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313, United States

19. Atlanta Symphony Hall

John Phelan / CC BY

If you’re a person of taste and class, you won’t want to miss the Atlanta Symphony Hall.

It’s home of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra , an award-winning group, and it’s easily one of the top things to do when you’re in the city.

Its biggest draw is its classic concerts where amazing instruments and harmonies come together.

However, they also offer something called “Movies in Concert” where they project blockbuster hits on a 40-foot screen while the orchestra plays the live score right below it.

Visit them tonight if you want to catch a cool flick told in an unconventional way.

Visit them next week if you want to book a ticket for an upscale experience in the heart of Atlanta.

The Atlanta Symphony Hall is a must do for music and film lovers.

It’s rare that a symphony hall has such crossover appeal, but like many things in Atlanta, Georgia, it’s full of surprises.

20. Georgia State Capitol

With its gigantic golden dome, the Georgia State Capitol is impressive inside and out.

It’s much more than a place where politicians work.

While it’s true that you can see everyone from governors to state legislators scurrying about, you can also explore halls, offices, galleries and collections of historically significant artifacts.

There are Native American displays, for example, that honor the original residents of Georgia, and there are informative exhibits that showcase state birds and flags.

There’s even a touch of nature in the Georgia State Capitol.

From mineral samples of local rivers to fossils that date back centuries, it covers every inch of the region’s sky, earth and water.

Do you want to learn more about Georgia during your trip to Atlanta?

The Georgia State Capitol is one of the best places to visit for a historical education.

If you’re lucky, you might even bump into a congressman while you’re there!

Address:  206 Washington St SW, Atlanta, GA 30334, United States

Going on a road trip around Georgia? Why not check out some of the things to do on Tybee Island  & some of the fun things to do in Athens, GA ?

21. College Football Hall of Fame

Billy F Blume Jr / Shutterstock

How many passes were thrown by Tim Tebow?

What year marked the end of the record-breaking winning streak of the University of Oklahoma?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions, it’s time to visit the College Football Hall of Fame .

Located in downtown Atlanta, this attraction was shuffled throughout the country before finally finding its home in Georgia.

It offers all kinds of photos, documents and memorabilia in more than 90,000 square feet of space, so depending on your interest in sports, it could take you hours to get through everything.

Its most impressive feature is its gigantic wall of helmets from hall-of-famers, but there are also things like jerseys and footballs to admire, and there are countless information stations to feed your trivia hunger.

Maybe you’re a casual fan of your alma mater.

Maybe you’re obsessively dedicated to all sports on the collegiate level.

Either way, if you love college ball, you won’t want to miss the College Football Hall of Fame.

Address:  250 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313, United States

22. Stone Mountain Park

Bassam Faraj / Shutterstock

Located a few miles north of Atlanta, Stone Mountain Park offers breathtaking views of lakes, mountains, forests, cliffs and canyons.

It encapsulates all of Georgia’s rugged natural beauty in a single destination.

Visitors can hike the trails, climb the summits, boat on the waters and camp under the stars.

There are golf courses and movie theaters; there are fishing holes and biking paths.

There’s even a cable car if you want to ride to the top of the mountain without getting sweaty!

Another big draw of the park is its laser shows.

It projects them onto the side of the mountain, and it’s an amazing juxtaposition between old rock and new tech.

Many travel guides have it as a “must do” for vacationers.

Are you looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city for awhile?

Take a deep breath at Stone Mountain Park.

Atlanta isn’t usually known for its natural landscapes, but when you’re surrounded by birds and pines, you might forget where you are for awhile.

Address:  1000 Robert E Lee Blvd, Stone Mountain, GA 30083, United States

23. Ponce City Market

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Ponce City Market isn’t really a market.

It’s a big commercial playground that was converted from an old, unoccupied Sears building, and it offers everything from food courts to film events to mini-golf courses on the roof.

From the outside, it looks like one of the plain factory buildings of Atlanta.

Once you venture indoors, however, you’ll have dozens of paths to fun.

Are you feeling hungry?

Hit up the Central Food Hall to enjoy a crazy mishmash of bars, cafes, restaurants and street food stalls from over the world.

Whether you’re in the mood for spicy Brazilian pork or delicate Japanese sushi, you can find it here.

Do you want some entertainment for the evening?

Head up to the roof to tour a beer garden or play a few rounds of mini-golf.

You’ll enjoy panoramic views of Atlanta from every angle, so the sightseeing will be just as nice as the drinks.

Ponce City Market is one of the top things to do in Atlanta.

Its name doesn’t really convey all of the amazing things to see and do on the property.

You’ll have to check it out for yourself to see what all of the fuss is about!

Address:  675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308, United States

24. Oakland Cemetery

Vadim Fedotov / Shutterstock

Oakland Cemetery isn’t your usual cemetery.

For starters, it’s filled with elaborate tombs and headstones that make use of plaques, statues, sculptures, fountains and gardens.

It’s a wonderful place for scenic photography.

It’s also a popular destination for gatherings.

Tours go through it; classes and workshops are hosted within it; festivals use it as a backdrop for everything from music concerts to scavenger hunts.

There are even people who get married here!

As for the graves, you’ll find many of Georgia’s most noteworthy citizens buried here, including authors, athletes, scientists and politicians.

Some were residents of Atlanta itself; others were brought here to lay them to rest in a place of honor.

Oakland Cemetery isn’t one of those somber graveyards where people tiptoe around and never speak above a whisper.

It’s a lively place where flowers bloom and children play, so it’s a celebration of life just as much as a testament of death.

If you’re looking for cool things to see in Atlanta, Oakland Cemetery should definitely make your list.

Address:  248 Oakland Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312, United States

25. CNN Center

Have you always wanted to see where the news is made?

Have you secretly wondered if studios are really full of people waving clipboards and yelling into mics?

The CNN Center will let you tick this desire off your bucket list.

As the headquarters of one of the largest news corporations in the world, it’s always hustling and bustling, and the cool thing is that it isn’t closed off to the public.

You can take a tour right into the heart of the action.

They even make it easy for you with a gigantic escalator.

It’s the longest freestanding escalator in the world, and it will give you a bird’s eye view of anchors, cameras, newsrooms, teleprompters and wall-to-wall TV screens.

If you’re looking for unique things to do in Atlanta, look no further than the CNN Center.

How often do you get the chance to see breaking news delivered in real time?

Address:  190 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303, United States

26. Porsche Experience Center

Porsche Experience Center Atlanta

Have you always dreamed of getting behind the wheel of a 911 Turbo?

At the Porsche Experience Center , you can turn this vision into an adrenaline-soaked reality.

It starts with a tour of the facility and a look at all of the gleaming luxury cars that you can buy in Atlanta.

You can also test yourself with driving simulations or go exploring in a museum that showcases famous Porches throughout history.

Most people, however, are there for the test drives.

You can book 30 – 90 minute “experiences” on a mile-long track.

This is your chance to put the pedal to the metal and fly across the asphalt at more than 100 miles per hour!

When planning your trip to Atlanta, you’ll definitely want to check out the Porsche Experience Center.

It’s one of the top destinations for car lovers, but even if you aren’t an aficionado, it’ll be hard to resist the speed and power of an Accelerated GT3 or 718 Boxster S.

It’s so much fun that you’ll be as giddy as a child behind the wheel!

Address:  One Porsche Dr, Atlanta, GA 30354, United States

27. Switchyards Ping Pong Stadium

Switchyards Ping Pong Stadium

The Switchyards Ping Pong Stadium declares itself “Atlanta’s only subterranean ping pong stadium,” and that’s probably true.

Not many people would think to build an underground ping pong arena.

For its club, however, the Switchyards Ping Pong Stadium is a place of pride.

It’s also pretty fun as a tourist attraction.

Hanging lights will lead you down the steps to the holy grail of the central ping pong table, or an elevated platform with a railing will allow you to watch games from the top of the street.

Atlanta natives can point the way if you get lost.

Only members of the club are allowed to play, so you’ll have to keep your paddles in your travel bag.

You really just go for the novelty of the experience.

When you’re done, there are plenty of neighborhood locales for drinking, dining, shopping and further entertaining yourself.

Consider a trip to the Switchyards Ping Pong Stadium if you’re looking for fun and unique destinations in Atlanta, Georgia.

It isn’t a major tourist attraction, but it’ll provide some cool pictures and a nice story to tell when you’re home.

Address:  151 Ted Turner Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30303, United States

28. Atlanta History Center

Josiah True / Shutterstock

From the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement, Atlanta has been at the epicenter of many different battles, campaigns, migrations and cultural shifts.

The Atlanta History Center chronicles them all.

It starts with a Native American collection.

The Creeks and the Cherokees were the original inhabitants of Georgia before European settlers arrived, and selected pieces of art, music, pottery and folklore showcase the complexity of their civilizations.

More modern exhibits include photos and artifacts from the Civil War and World Wars I and II.

There’s also a restored, life-sized train to go along with the history of locomotives and how they influenced the growth of Atlanta.

Last but not least, the Civil Rights collection documents the struggles of the African-American community during the turbulent years of segregation.

You don’t have to be a history buff to appreciate the wide-ranging scale of the Atlanta History Center.

It’ll provide an interesting, thought-provoking look at everything that made this city one of the biggest and most important locations in Georgia.

Address:  130 West Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305, United States

29. Atlantic Station

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Atlantic Station is a central hub for shopping, dining and sightseeing within the city.

It was designed with pedestrians in mind, so everything is laid out in a very walkable, grid-like pattern, and it offers shops, cafes, restaurants, museums, movie theaters and more.

Are you feeling peckish?

You’ll have your choice of gourmet meals or guilty pleasure street foods.

Is your money burning a hole in your pocket?

Shop ’til you drop with everything from well-known retailers to local mom and pop vendors.

Summertime activities include fairs and festivals.

Wintertime is marked by the opening of an ice skating rink.

Georgia is a state that takes advantage of every season.

Long story short, there’s always fun stuff to do at Atlantic Station.

If you’re looking to kill some time between tourist attractions, just visit this neighborhood for awhile.

You’ll probably hear the music or smell the meat skewers before you actually see it, so follow your instincts until you’re near!

By the time that you arrive, you’ll be ready for one of the coolest locales in Atlanta.

Address: 1371 Market Street, Atlanta, GA 30363, United States

30. Videodrome

Videodrome might be one of the last remaining video rental shops in the United States.

It’s certainly one of the last in Atlanta, Georgia.

How has it survived the age of streaming?

In addition to renting out videos, it also serves as a fun, quirky tourist attraction.

Its shelves are stocked with cult classics and indie oddities; its walls are covered with vintage posters.

Toys litter the counter tops.

A television is always playing something old and obscure.

Are you interested in Serbian war films?

There’s a section for that.

Do you want to dive deep into animation reels from the 1920s?

There’s a section for that, too.

Videodrome takes its name from the trippy ’80s movie Videodrome, and it’s pretty fitting.

The whole concept of the store is like a cult film that refuses to die.

If you’re looking for the best places in Atlanta for bizarre, genre-bending fun, make a stop at Videodrome.

Address:  617 North Highland Avenue Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30306, United States

31. SkyView Atlanta

Mordechai Meiri / Shutterstock

For aerial views of the city, it’s tough to beat SkyView Atlanta .

This gigantic Ferris wheel is more than 200 feet tall, so you’ll be able to soar in the clouds as you overlook everything from the gleaming office buildings of downtown to the green parks and trails of the outer regions.

Each gondola is enclosed and climate-controlled, so the ride operates rain or shine.

You can also upgrade to a VIP gondola that includes a glass floor and leather seats.

If you’re headed to SkyView Atlanta with a special someone, ask about their “Date Night” package that includes a horse-drawn carriage ride and a VIP lounge experience before you climb aboard.

SkyView Atlanta is one of the must dos of a trip to Georgia.

It offers incredible sights from incredible heights, so whether you’re getting romantic with a boo or looking for cool things to see with the kids, it’s suitable for all kinds of visitors.

Address:  168 Luckie St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303, United States

32. The Tabernacle

Darryl Brooks / Shutterstock

With a capacity of just 2,600 people, you might not expect the Tabernacle to be one of the hottest tickets in the Atlanta music scene, but looks can be deceiving.

This concert hall has hosted some of the world’s biggest and brightest acts, including Prince, Adele, Guns N Roses, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar and more!

The Tabernacle started as a humble church in the early 1900s.

Over time, it became a House of Blues, and it was one of the major points of interest in downtown Atlanta during the 1996 Olympic Games.

Today, it serves as a cool, retro-style music hall for people who enjoy concerts in more intimate settings than arenas and stadiums.

It also hosts things like comedy shows, so if you’re a fan of Bob Saget or Lisa Lampanelli, this is the place to see them.

Are you coming to Atlanta next weekend?

Check the schedule at the Tabernacle.

You never know when a familiar face might be dropping by with a joke or a guitar!

Address:  152 Luckie St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303, United States

33. Atlanta Electric Car Tour

As one of the premiere destinations of Georgia, Atlanta has so many amazing sights that you might be hard-pressed to see them all.

One way to cross off lots of destinations in travel guides is to take an Atlanta Electric Car Tour .

Hitting many of the major places of interest of the city, this tour is basically an all-in-one experience for folks who want to see the parks, museums, monuments and stadiums of Georgia’s crowned jewel.

It’s only 90 minutes, so you can easily fit it into a busy morning, and it’s eco-friendly to stave off any environmental concerns.

Another nice thing about this tour is that it can be private or semi-private, so you’re able to interact with your guide in a real, meaningful way.

You can ask questions.

You can get personalized recommendations for further sightseeing.

It isn’t like those crowded group tours where the guides can’t talk to people as individuals.

Are you looking for the coolest places to visit in and near Atlanta?

Take an Atlanta Electric Car Tour.

It’s a quick and easy way to get the rundown of the city, and when you’re finished, you can venture forth on your own for more fun!

Address:  The American Hotel, 160 Ted Turner Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30303, United States

34. National Center for Civil and Human Rights

The National Center for Civil and Human Rights offers another experience that you can only get in Atlanta.

While any museum can display texts and artifacts from the Civil Rights era, this one is actually located at the heart of the movement, and you can feel the weight of its history with every step.

Popular features include an interactive tour about segregation and a collection of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s papers and personal effects.

There’s also a recreation of a diner sit-in during the time of Jim Crow laws.

Visitors can actually put on a pair of headphones and listen to taunts and threats that were leveled at African-Americans who refused to budge from their stools.

Another nice thing about the museum is that it’s located in the heart of downtown Atlanta, so it’s easily accessible to tourists.

It’s also quite close to the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park.

You could be there in five minutes.

Consider a stop by the National Center for Civil and Human Rights if you’re interested in history and unafraid of confronting the harsh realities that go along with it.

Atlanta was forged with blood, sweat and tears, and while it can be a difficult thing to look at, it’s also an important one.

Make it a necessary stop during your trip to Georgia.

Address:  100 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313, United States

35. Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

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The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area is about a half-hour drive from Atlanta, so you’ll need to be comfortable taking a side trip outside of the city, but it’s very much worth the gas.

It has some of the most brilliant scenery in all of Georgia.

The river itself has calm, slow-moving waters where you can swim, raft, boat, fish and tube.

Ample trails wind around it for hiking and biking, and its groves are major points of interest for Georgia birdwatchers.

Other activities include touring the abandoned mills and factories that dot the river’s edge.

Some of the coolest are the charred ruins of a fabric mill that was burned to the ground during the Civil War.

The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area is a top 10 destination in Atlanta.

It might not be quite within the city limits, but if you’ll be nearby, you won’t want to miss it.

Address:  1978 Island Ford Pkwy, Sandy Springs, GA 30350, United States

36. Peachtree Street

Running through downtown Atlanta and beyond, Peachtree Street is one of those iconic tourist places that everyone needs to see at least once.

Best of all, since it stretches for miles, it can be used as a jumping-off point for visiting many of the city’s bars, clubs, restaurants and museums.

Depending on which part of the city that you’re in, attractions on Peachtree Street range from gleaming glass office buildings to historic homes and vintage theaters.

You can go shopping at high-end malls; you can look for deals at thrift stores and consignment shops.

You can enjoy fine dining; you can score cheap eats at food trucks.

One important thing to know about Peachtree Street is that it’s commonly confused with similarly-named streets, including Peachtree Way, Peachtree Drive, Peachtree Road and so on.

It’s actually a joke in Atlanta that half of the streets are named Peachtree.

Let this be a travel hack that spares you from getting lost!

If you’re looking for the best things to do in Atlanta, Georgia, you’ll want to snap at least one selfie in front of a Peachtree Street road marker.

It’s a must see destination, but the good news is that it’s so ubiquitous in the city that you won’t have any trouble finding it.

37. Fernbank Museum of Natural History

ferita Rahayuningsih / Shutterstock

The Fernbank Museum of Natural History is another one of those sites that will stop you in your tracks.

It has gigantic, fortress-like walls that are guarded by life-sized statues of dinosaurs, and when we say “life-sized,” we mean that they literally look like they could come to life and stomp on puny little humans at any moment.

There’s even more to gawk at inside of its walls.

Dinosaur skeletons face off in epic battles; fossil and gemstone collections stretch as far as the eye can see.

You can also venture outside into the “WildWoods” to see live animals and walk across aerial rope bridges.

Lest you think that it’s all fun and games, however, rest assured that the museum is also an educational experience.

In fact, if you’re wondering what to see in Atlanta that will enrich the lives of your children, this is one of the best destinations for the job.

Grab your excavation kit and head to the Fernbank Museum of Natural History if you’re looking for fun, family-friendly places to visit while you’re in Atlanta.

Between the dinosaur bones and the dangling bridges, you’ll be stunned that there are museums like this in Georgia!

Address:  767 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30307, United States

38. Municipal Market

ciambellina / flickr

Municipal Market is a bustling market where you can find everything from old books to fresh pastries.

Located in a large industrial building that’s part warehouse and part grocery store, it’s jam-packed with vendors selling bread, meat, fish, cheese, wine, produce, coffee and more.

It’s also known for its small eateries.

Many people sell their dishes to go, but there are some places where you can kick your feet up and enjoy a burger or a slice of homemade apple pie.

You might hear the market referred to as “Curb Market.”

This is commonly used by locals who remember when it was segregated, forcing African-American vendors to sell their goods on the curb.

Today, however, Municipal Market is a melting pot of races and cultures, especially where food is concerned.

You can travel the world just by walking down an aisle.

Whether you’re craving Ethiopian meat skewers or Vietnamese desserts, there’s a lot of international cuisines to be enjoyed here, so loosen your belt and get ready for some mouthwatering menus!

Address:  209 Edgewood Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30303, United States

39. State Farm Arena

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You might laugh a little at the name “ State Farm Arena ,” but once you see the awesome, state-of-the-art technology that the sponsorship has afforded, you’ll be singing the State Farm jingle with enthusiasm.

HD cameras catch every moment of the action.

Scrolling screens provide replays, slow-mos, stats, interviews and commentary.

There’s even free WiFi for visitors!

Countless games have been played here, including hockey from the NHL and basketball from the NBA and WNBA.

Concerts are also popular; the stadium has played host to everyone from Beyonce to Bruce Springsteen.

As for the amenities, you can enjoy all kinds of food, drink and entertainment, especially if you book a party suite!

The State Farm Arena is one of the most fun places to go in Atlanta.

Whether you’re making arrangements for the playoffs or planning a cross-country trip to see your favorite band, this is the place to find some action.

Address:  1 State Farm Dr, Atlanta, GA 30303, United States

40. Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse

Warren LeMay / flickr

The Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse is one of those Atlanta spots that you’ll be talking about long after your trip is over.

It’s so fun and unique that it’ll become a vacation memory to annoy your friends with time and time again.

What makes it so special?

For starters, it has a real tavern setting with wooden tables that get laden with hearty, pub-style food and drink.

You’ll be able to dig into a shepherd’s pie or sip a draft beer as you enjoy a theater performance.

The performances are also something to behold.

They’re the real works of Shakespeare, but they have a quaint, down-home kind of quality, so the costumes are handmade and the lines are delivered by actors that move among the audience.

Georgia might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think about Othello or The Tempest, but at the Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse, the Bard is alive and well.

Don’t wait to buy your ticket!

Seats fill up fast at this small, intimate venue, so book early if you’re visiting Atlanta tonight or tomorrow.

Address:  499 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308, United States

41. Atlanta BeltLine

BluIz60 / Shutterstock

The Atlanta BeltLine is a long series of parks and trails that connects more than 33 miles of greenery.

This would be impressive in its own right, but it gets even more amazing when you realize that it used to be a bunch of abandoned railroads.

You see, the Atlanta BeltLine is one of the largest reconstruction projects in Georgia history.

It took old, unwanted city space and transformed it into a thriving network filled with beautiful sights, fun activities and profitable local events.

You can walk or bike through nature.

You can attend fitness classes or sign up for races and marathons.

Kids can scamper in playgrounds; adults can browse outdoor art exhibits.

There’s tons of stuff to do on the Atlanta BeltLine.

It’s still growing, too!

The city of Atlanta has lots of ideas for further developments, including the “BeltLine Emerald Necklace,” a proposal for a dozen more parks that would be known as the “BeltLine Jewels.”

Maybe you’re visiting Atlanta this weekend.

Maybe you’re making plans for next year.

Either way, the Atlanta BeltLine will be waiting for you, and it’ll probably have something new and exciting to enjoy.

Georgia attractions don’t get better than this.

Check out these tours & activities around the Atlanta BeltLine.

42. Little Five Points

ESB Professional / Shutterstock

Known as the “bohemian center of the south,” Little Five Points is a fun, offbeat neighborhood where trendy fashion boutiques jostle for space with used bookstores and quirky coffee shops.

It’s definitely a place to put on your Atlanta bucket list.

Most of the businesses are locally owned.

In fact, rumor has it that the neighborhood routinely runs off big chains.

Shops sell everything from new-age crystals to old-school vinyls.

Eateries range from classic American burger joints to exotic fusion restaurants where you can sample fare from Japan, France, Senegal and more.

Even the streets are bursting with color and creativity.

Painted murals are a common feature on brick walls, and local stores get quite funky with their signage.

One restaurant even has a gigantic skull for a doorway.

Do you like traveling off the beaten path?

Are you looking for the most fun things to do in Atlanta, Georgia?

Let your feet carry you through Little Five Points.

You could spend all day exploring, and not a second would be wasted.

Address: 299 Moreland Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, United States

43. Michael C. Carlos Museum

Gary Todd / flickr

You might not expect rural Georgia to hold one of the world’s largest and most extensive collections of international art, but the Michael C. Carlos Museum does it.

It’s an absolute treasure trove of ancient cultures from around the globe, including Rome, Greece, Nubia, ancient Egypt, pre-Columbia America and more.

Some of the pieces are the old paintings and sculptures that you’d expect.

Others are more dynamic.

There are mummy urns and stone sarcophagus coffins; there are totems, pots, jewels, busts and incense burners.

One particularly noteworthy artifact was a headless statue of a Greek goddess.

The museum purchased the body from an auction, and after hearing the news, the owner of the head came forward and sold that to them as well.

After 150 years, the statue was finally whole again!

All things considered, the Michael C. Carlos Museum is one of the most fun things to do in Atlanta.

You could even say that the museum itself is a relic from the past: Built in 1876, it’s among the oldest museums in Georgia, so it has its own history to add depth and interest to its sightseeing potential.

If you’re intrigued by its possibilities, check it out at 571 South Kilgo Circle!

Address:  571 South Kilgo Cir NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States

44. Revolution Doughnuts

Revolution Doughnuts

You probably know that Georgia is famous for its peaches, so it shouldn’t come as any surprise that these fruits are cut, baked, battered and fried in a million different ways in their home state.

However, Revolution Doughnuts is a rare location that’s managed to do something new and fun with peaches: peach sliders!

Simply put, peach sliders are sugar-coated doughnut halves with fresh peaches in the middle.

They’re both sweet and tart, and they make one of the best summertime snacks that you’ll ever try.

Other menu items are just as creative, so if you don’t like peaches, you can order something like bacon caramel doughnuts or vegan raspberry sprinkle pastries.

Are you traveling through Atlanta with a sweet tooth?

Make a pit stop at Revolution Doughnuts.

They’re always coming up with new ideas, so even if you’ve been there before, your second trip won’t be like your first.

They truly embody the ever-changing, ever-evolving spirit of Georgia!

Address:  745 Edgewood Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, United States

45. Fox Theatre

The Fox Theatre was built in 1929 during the craze for elaborate “movie palaces.”

It has lavish, oriental-style architecture that draws from both Islamic and Egyptian cultures, so it’s filled with domes, towers, archways, gold leaves and ablaq stone patterns.

It also boasts an Arabian courtyard with an artificial night sky that twinkles through the power of crystal stars.

How often do you see that in a movie theater?

There aren’t a lot of films shown at the Fox Theatre today, but it’s still in use as a performing arts venue for Atlanta creatives.

It hosts everything from plays to ballets, and it also offers weekly tours for people who just want to marvel at the building.

With its grand architecture and unique history, the Fox Theatre is one of the major points of interest in Atlanta, Georgia.

It’s also one of the most fun places to go, so it hits all of the essentials for an Atlanta bucket list item!

Address:  660 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308, United States

46. Chastain Park

Thomas Cizauskas / flickr

Chastain Park is one of the most well-known Atlanta attractions.

Its amphitheater has welcomed hundreds of actors, musicians and comedians to the stage, including Johnny Cash, Aretha Franklin, Adam Sandler and Idina Menzel.

While the amphitheater is its most famous feature, however, there are plenty of other exciting activities at this Georgia park.

Outdoor enthusiasts can hit the trails; animal lovers can visit the horse stables; fitness junkies can dive into the swimming pools or take a swing on the golf courses.

Something to note about Chastain Park is that certain activities have fees or member-exclusive days, so if you want to be absolutely sure that you can enjoy something during your trip to Atlanta, call ahead.

You don’t want any unpleasant surprises this weekend!

As long as you take the proper precautions, Chastain Park can be one of the most fun things that you can do in Atlanta, Georgia.

It’s beautiful; it’s centrally located; it’s filled with staggering amounts of entertainment.

What more do you need in a park?

Address:  4469 Stella Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30342, United States

47. Six Flags Over Georgia

Six Flags Over Georgia & Hurricane Harbor

The Six Flags logo brings out the kid in everyone, and Six Flags Over Georgia is no exception.

From death-defying rides to tongue-scalding carnival food, it’s sure to be a highlight of your trip to Atlanta.

Rides include roller coasters, drop towers, water slides and tilt-a-whirls.

Activities range from comedy shows to costumed performances by characters like Batman and Bugs Bunny.

Six Flags has a deal with Warner Bros, so they’re able to base rides, games, gifts and menus off a variety of famous faces.

Are you traveling with kids?

Wade into the water park for family fun.

Are you celebrating a honeymoon or anniversary?

Hold hands with your honey while you shop, dine and play to your heart’s content.

While it’s technically located outside of Atlanta, Six Flags Over Georgia is less than 15 minutes away in the neighboring county, so it won’t be a hardship to reach it.

All of the dashing, splashing and hair-raising fun is just a stone’s throw away.

You’ll definitely want to make time for it this weekend!

Address:  275 Riverside Pkwy, Austell, GA 30168, United States

48. Swan House

gracious_tiger / Shutterstock

The grand old architecture of Georgia is one of its biggest selling points as a tourist destination.

Atlanta has its fair share of mansions as well, including the Swan House .

Built in the early 1900s, the Swan House is a beautiful estate sitting on top of a picturesque hill.

It has the thick white walls of classic Renaissance-style buildings, and it’s filled with opulent touches like terraces, gardens, fountains, staircases and hedge walls.

Inside, a swan motif can be seen in everything from doorknobs to bedposts.

Costumed actors wander the hallways to greet visitors.

Some play the roles of the rich homeowners; others are domestic servants.

If you think that the Swan House looks familiar, you might be right.

It’s such a beautiful location that it’s been used for everything from The Hunger Games to The Amazing Race.

It’s definitely one of Atlanta’s most famous places to visit, so if you want to walk the same path as Katniss Everdeen, make like a swan and fly!

49. Historic Fourth Ward Park

Kristi Blokhin / Shutterstock

As far as Atlanta attractions are concerned, the Historic Fourth Ward Park tends to fly under the radar.

It isn’t a secret, but it isn’t as well-known as other parks near it.

This can be a good thing if you’re looking to avoid the crowds.

Atlanta is many things, but “quiet” isn’t one of them, so you might find yourself craving some time and space away from the commotion of the city.

The Historic Fourth Ward Park offers a nice balance between fun and peaceful.

There’s a lovely pond for walks and picnics; there’s an outdoor theater where musicians play. Georgia’s natural beauty is definitely on display here.

For outdoor enthusiasts, there are also places to play.

For example, there’s a skate park that was designed and funded by Tony Hawk himself.

The Historic Fourth Ward Park is one of the best spots in Atlanta to recharge your batteries.

If you’re tired of bumping elbows with other tourists, visit this vibrant green space for relaxation and rejuvenation.

Address:  680 Dallas St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308, United States

50. 13 Stories Haunted House

13 Stories Haunted House

The 13 Stories Haunted House is one of the top destinations in Atlanta for lovers of the grim and grotesque.

You don’t even have to wait for Halloween; it’s a haunted house that’s open all year long.

You have to sign a waiver to get in, and there are no refunds once you purchase your ticket.

Once you commit, there’s no going back.

The scares include both the typical and the non-typical.

There are evil clowns that dance through twisted perversions of carnivals; there’s a “hellevator” that descends into total darkness with monsters lurking behind every corner.

Some parts of the house have an interactive element, including zombies that you can shoot with lasers.

For thrills and chills, the 13 Stories Haunted House is one of the best destinations in Atlanta.

It might even be one of the best haunted house experiences in the entire state of Georgia.

There’s a reason why they insist on waivers, so if you think that you have what it takes to survive the horrors, sign up today!

Address:  320 Temple Ave, Newnan, GA 30263, United States

51. Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta

It might be an unusual choice in Atlanta attractions, but the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta is more fun than its name implies.

Tours will take you through gleaming marble halls that end in steel vaults.

You’ll get to see how money is counted, tracked, transported and guarded within the bank.

Here’s a hint: It involves robots!

You might also want to visit the Monetary Museum, a small, on-site educational area that goes into the history of currency in the United States.

It’s a great place to learn some trivia about everything from bills to banks.

If you’re headed to Georgia, consider a stop by the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

It might not be one of the most glamorous tourist attractions of the state, but it offers an interesting look at a rarely-visited subject, so it’s worth the trip.

Address:  1000 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, United States

52. Cator Woolford Gardens

Cator Woolford Gardens

One of the best things to do in downtown Atlanta is to take a stroll through the Cator Woolford Gardens .

Not only are they beautiful to behold, but since they benefit a local community for disabled children in Atlanta, you’ll be supporting a great cause with your visit.

The gardens themselves are filled with dazzling displays of roses, laurels, daffodils and dogwoods.

There are shaded tree groves where you can relax and stone staircases where you can climb to the top of a hill and gaze at the paradise below.

Photo opportunities are everywhere.

In fact, Cator Woolford Gardens is one of the most popular destinations in Georgia for “big event” photography like weddings and movie shoots.

If you’re traveling to Atlanta for work, it can also be a fine location for corporate gatherings.

It’s free to visit the Cator Woolford Gardens, but they accept donations, and there are large, pavilion-style tents that you can rent for special occasions.

Consider giving them a few bucks while you’re in Atlanta.

They run on the goodwill of visitors like you, and they help Georgia’s children with every blossom.

Address:  1815 S Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, United States

53. The Painted Duck

The Painted Duck

Calling itself a “gaming parlor,” The Painted Duck is definitely one of the most unique places to go in Atlanta.

It offers entertainment in a high-class setting that elevates it from your usual amusement centers.

It’s basically a play zone for adults who want to cut loose while they’re in Georgia.

The menu offers everything from duck phat fries to chicken Cobb salad.

The games include bowling, basketball, horseshoes and air hockey.

You can play by yourself or go with a group of friends or colleagues; you can also rent out private spaces for special occasions.

Are you eager to shoot some hoops?

Are you hungry for some crispy brussels leaves in a lemon aioli?

Either way, this unusual gaming parlor will satisfy.

A little bit of shuffleboard can improve any filet mignon.

If you want to experience a fun, uncommon evening in Atlanta, hit up The Painted Duck!

Address:  976 Brady Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30318, United States

54. Legoland Discovery Center

There are Legolands all over the world, but the Atlanta location is one of the best.

It offers a fun, immersive and all-day experience that will take your imagination to heights that you never thought possible.

Activities include rides, play zones, building stations, factory tours and virtual reality simulations.

There’s a cinema where you can watch movies and a cafe where you can grab a bite to eat.

Adults are just as welcome to goof around as the kids, so don’t feel self-conscious if you’re a grown person who still adores Legos.

There’s nothing like the pure, wholesome joy of racing Lego cars or shaking a Lego earthquake table!

Visit the Legoland Discovery Center if you’re looking for the best places in Atlanta to unleash your inner child.

Vacations are supposed to be times when you throw caution to the wind and enjoy yourself, so there’s no shame in loving Legoland.

Address:  3500 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326, United States

55. Waldorf Astoria Spa

Waldorf Astoria Spa

Pamper yourself at the Waldorf Astoria Spa .

It offers everything from pedicures to cucumber masks, so you’ll be able to relax all of the tired, aching muscles in your body as you surrender to its bliss.

The facilities include steam rooms, dry saunas, relaxation lounges and spa treatment centers.

There’s a fitness room decked out with state-of-the-art exercise equipment if you want to work up a sweat.

There’s a swimming pool if you want to take some leisurely laps in an indoor, climate-controlled setting.

Are you traveling with a special someone?

Book a couple’s massage.

Are you seeking an escape from the harsh realities of the world?

Relax into an essential oil bath or enjoy a body renewal treatment for your skin, hair and nails.

The possibilities are endless at the Waldorf Astoria Spa.

It’s one of the premiere destinations in Atlanta to get treated like royalty, so book a visit today to wash off the sweat of a Georgia summer tomorrow!

Address:  3376 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326, United States

56. Kendeda Building

Kendeda Building

The Kendeda Building is the first “living building” to be certified in the state of Georgia.

It’s made with eco-friendly materials like wood and recycled glass, and it has many natural features like a green roof and a working collection of more than 900 solar panels.

There are truly living things in the Kendeda Building as well.

A blueberry orchard provides fresh fruit, and honeybee combs are tended and studied for ecological reasons.

The Kendeda Building is located at Georgia Tech.

Tours are free and open to the public, but their scheduling can be iffy depending on what’s happening at campus.

It’s a good idea to call before you go.

If you love the environment, however, or if you’re just curious to see a real-world example of sustainable architecture, the Kendeda Building is one of the best places to go in Atlanta.

You might even get some blueberries out of the trip!

Address:  422 Ferst Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313, United States

57. Jackson Street Bridge

Varun Chugh / Shutterstock

Say goodbye to Atlanta with the Jackson Street Bridge.

Overlooking the entire skyline, it’s one of the city’s best places to see a sunset or take long-exposure photos of the nighttime lights.

You might recognize the view from this bridge if you’re a fan of The Walking Dead.

It served as a backdrop for promotional photos of the first season.

The good news is that the zombies have all been cleared away, so you won’t have to worry about brain-eating monsters during your trip to Georgia.

Another great thing about the bridge is that it’s free.

There’s no toll to walk or bike it, so if you’re traveling to Atlanta on a budget, you can have fun here without spending a dime.

It’s hard to say farewell to a city like Atlanta, but a sweeping aerial view might soothe some of the sorrow.

You’ll be able to take in the whole skyline for one last look at a place that provided you with great memories.

Address:  Jackson St NE, Atlanta, GA 30312, United States

Start Planning Your Trip To Atlanta

These are just a few of the best things to do in Atlanta, Georgia.

Whether you’re headed there for a honeymoon, work trip, bachelor party or fun family vacation, there are certain things that you won’t want to miss.

Use this guide to hit all of the top spots in the area!

Home » Travel Guides » United States » Georgia (GA) » 55 Best Things to Do in Atlanta (Georgia) Updated 2023 (by a Local)

55 Best Things to Do in Atlanta (Georgia) Updated 2023 (by a Local)

Born as a railroad town in the 19th century, Atlanta famously burnt down during the Civil War and was a fountainhead for the Civil Rights movement in the 50s and 60s as the home city of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Beginning with the Olympics in 1996, Downtown Atlanta has been regenerated with world-beating visitor attractions like the Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca-Cola, while the intown cityscape is now threaded with greenery thanks to the Atlanta BeltLine.

This project has turned abandoned railroad tracks and empty lots into green corridors, and revitalized industrial architecture. In this time, Atlanta has also become a production center of Georgia’s flourishing film industry, as a shooting location for Marvel Movies and backdrop for hit TV shows like Atlanta, The Walking Dead and Stranger Things.

Tip : I recommend getting the Atlanta CityPass as a great way to enjoy several attractions and tours at a discounted rate.

I’m an Atlanta local and have been traveling all over the world. I know the best spots and things to do in my home-town, so let’s have a look at my list of the best things to do in Atlanta.

1. Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park

Over 35 acres just east of Downtown Atlanta, the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park is dotted with places tied to Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights movement in Atlanta. By the King Center for Nonviolent Social Change you can pay your respects at the tomb of MLK and his wife Coretta Scott King, which sits at the centre of a reflecting pool, with an eternal flame burning close by.

The center itself presents King’s nonviolent message via audiovisual material, as well as through King’s preserved writings. The Visitor Center at 449 Auburn Avenue hosts the interactive exhibition, “Courage to Lead”, which tracks the converging paths of MLK and the civil rights movement. The International Civil Rights Hall of Fame honors key figures in the civil rights movement with footsteps preserved in granite and bronze.

There is a great tour available that I recommend: Atlanta: Martin Luther King Historic District Walking Tour

2. Birth Home of Martin Luther King Jr.

At 501 Auburn Avenue in the Sweet Auburn historic district is the house where Martin Luther King Jr. was born and resided for the first 12 years of his life.

Dating back to 1895 and set a block away from the Kings’ Ebenezer Baptist Church, this house was occupied by King Sr. and Alberta Williams after they married in 1926. Free tours of this immaculately preserved property are given by National Park Service rangers, but you’ll need to get here early in the day, as groups are limited to 15 people and fill up on a first-come, first-served basis. If you can’t get inside there are informative plaques along the street.

3. World of Coca-Cola

The world’s favorite fizzy drink was invented in Atlanta by one John Stith Pemberton in 1886, and the Coca-Cola Company is still headquartered in the city.

The World of Coca-Cola, an attraction celebrating the beverage, first opened in 1990 but moved to a striking new home north of the Centennial Olympic Park in 2007. You could call it a giant advertisement for Coca-Cola, but the drink is a global phenomenon, and the attraction has been put together with real panache so shouldn’t be passed on.

One exhibit that I really liked allows you to concoct your own fizzy drink, while the “Bottle Works” displays the equipment and processes that are used in a full-sized Coca-Cola bottling plant.

“In Search of the Secret Formula” is a multi-sensory 4D movie experience, and for a bit of razzle-dazzle the “Vault of the Secret Formula” recalls the origins of Coca-Cola’s 130-year-old recipe, how competitors tried to steal it and how the company kept it under wraps.

This adventure might be thirsty work, so “Taste It” allows you to try more than 100 international and domestic beverages produced by the Coca-Cola Company. I recommend to spend about 2 hours here.

Available tour : World of Coca-Cola: Skip-the-Ticket-Line Entry

4. Georgia Aquarium

If you’re like me and love zoo’s and aquariums you’re gonna love the Georgia Aquarium. It’s the largest aquarium in the world from 2005 to 2012 and is the only attraction outside of Asia to hold the world’s largest fish, the whale shark. The tank for this species is so big that the remainder of the attraction was constructed around this habitat. I recommend trying to catch one of the two whale shark talks each day for deeper insights on this species.

Another giant here is the beluga whale, which the aquarium keeps in a deep main habitat with three interconnected areas.

There are seven galleries and exhibits in all, housing more than 100,000 individual animals from 700 species.

You’ll get to see creatures as diverse as southern sea otters, California sea lions, green sea turtles, big-bellied seahorses, all sorts of rays and a kaleidoscope of tropical fish like discuses, garibaldis, king anglefish,surgeonfish, silver moonies and sailfin tangs.

Don’t miss the 4D theatre shows or the touchpools where you can find out what cownose rays feel like. I always book my tickets online which allows you to skip the line: Skip-the-Line Tickets .

5. High Museum of Art

At the Woodruff Arts Center is one of the leading art museums in the region, with a comprehensive collection traversing periods and places, from Italian Medieval painting to contemporary sculpture. As soon as you arrive you’ll be confronted by Rodin’s The Shade on the Lawn. I recommend spending a few hours in this museum.

This was a gift from the French government following an air disaster at Orly Airport in 1962 that claimed the lives of 106 Atlanta arts patrons visiting Paris on a trip sponsored by this museum.

There are outstanding works by Monet, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, Chuck Close and Martin Johnson Heade, as well as one of the most complete surveys of American photography to be found anywhere.

And while the museum’s collection is robust, what makes the High Museum of Art unmissable is its superb temporary exhibitions. When I recently visited I was really amazed by the exhibit of Bruce Onobrakpeya.

Past shows have featured Monet’s Water Lilies, treasures from London’s V&A, Golden Age paintings from the Hague’s Mauritshuis, Paul Cézanne, Picasso, Frida Kahlo and Andy Warhol.

6. Atlanta Botanical Garden

Towards the north side of Piedmont Park, the Atlanta Botanical Garden is brimming with themed gardens and attractions.

The first thing I suggest to see is the Fuqua Orchid Center, which houses the largest collection of orchids on permanent display in the United States.

Within, check out the Tropical Display House, rich with the scent of orchids from all ends of the earth, and the Tropical High Elevation House, growing orchids found at elevations of 4,000 and 10,000 feet .

The Dorothy Chapman Fuqua Conservatory is a treat too, supporting rain forest and desert habitats, as well as live animals like turtles, colorful birds and poison dart frogs.

Outside you can amble pristine formal gardens, like a rose garden, Japanese garden, while there’s a playfully educational Children’s Garden and two tracts of peaceful woodland.

One, Storza Woods, contains the Canopy Walk, a long walkway, through the tops of hickories, oaks and poplars.

Recommended tour : Small Group Tour to Atlanta Botanical Gardens

7. National Center for Civil and Human Rights

Inaugurated in 2014, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights has quickly become one of Atlanta’s essential experiences.

The museum champions the struggles and achievements of the civil rights movement in the 1950s and 60s, and shows how that period still resonates in contemporary events.

There are some spine-tingling exhibits relating the Jim Crow era at “Rolls Down Like Water”, like a recreated lunch counter sit-in with earphones simulating the taunts and threats that were directed at activists.

Another permanent exhibition I really enjoyed, displays some of Martin Luther King’s personal possessions, including a volume of letters purchased by the city for $32m in 2006. “Who Like Me “, in “Spark of Conviction: The Human Rights Movement” sparks empathy with contemporary human rights struggles around the world by showing how people are persecuted for traits that we take for granted or might embody ourselves.

Included in : Atlanta CityPass

8. Piedmont Park

Undulating hills and miles of paved trails in the shadow of Atlanta’s skyscrapers, Piedmont Park is an urban park any city would be proud of.

This former country residence was the scene of two major expositions in the late 19th century, and at the turn of the century was redesigned by the sons of Frederick Law Olmsted, the man who landscaped New York’s Central Park.

Piedmont Park is joined to the Atlanta BeltLine’s Eastside Trail, and you can rent a bike to glide through the greenery.

There are expertly-planned playground for kids (Mayor’s Grove and Noguchi Playscape are fabulous), as well as facilities for every sport you can think of.

And if you visit on a summer weekend you’re likely to come across an arts or food event, like the Atlanta Jazz Festival in June and Music Midtown in September.

There’s a weekly Green Market on Saturday mornings, while late-May brings the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival, and the largest pride festival in the Southeast hits Piedmont Park in October. I recommend hiring a bike to explore the area.

9. Centennial Olympic Park

The catalyst for Downtown Atlanta’s regeneration, the Centennial Olympic Park was laid out as a gathering place for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

This 21-acre park in the heart of Downtown was redesigned for everyday use at the end of the games, and is bordered by many of the city’s top attractions and venues.

It remains a place of celebration, hosting the Wednesday WindDown, a series of weekly summer concerts, and Atlanta’s Independence Day concert and fireworks display.

It’s impossible to overstate the amount of change that this area has witnessed in the last 30 years.

Before the park, the CNN Center and Georgia World Congress Center were surrounded by vacant lots and decaying industrial buildings.

Over time, Atlanta mainstays have arrived, like the World of Coca-Cola, the Georgia Aquarium, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, SkyView Atlanta and the swish new Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Near the park’s Visitor Center is the Fountain of Rings, an interactive computer-controlled fountain with 251 jets up to ten meters high shooting from the five Olympic Rings.

10. Atlanta History Center

There’s much to get through at this attraction established in 1926 in genteel Buckhead. The Atlanta History Center is on a 33-acre campus, with six award-winning permanent exhibitions, historic houses and gardens, and plenty of interactive activities. Last time I visited I spent several hours here.

In 2019 the museum became the venue for the newly restored Atlanta Cyclorama, once the largest oil painting in the world. Depicting the Battle of Atlanta (1864), this cylindrical work is 15 meters high and around 100 meters long.

You’ll view it by riding an elevator to a circular walkway over 16 feet above the floor.

The Cyclorama shares the building with the restored “Texas” locomotive (1856), which famously gave chase to the “General”. The Atlanta History Center also holds one of the largest exhibitions on the Civil War in the United States, but also goes into the city’s African-American heritage, southern folk art and has a wing telling the story of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

Related tour : Atlanta Historical Homes Tour

11. Ponce City Market

The titanic Sears, Roebuck & Co. building (1926) on the newly revitalized BeltLine in the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood is one of the largest buildings in the Southeast United States.

After Sears moved out in 1987, the city of Atlanta took up residence before the site was sold off in 2011 to be turned into this amazing shopping, dining, entertainment and residential space.

The soul of Ponce City Market is in the Central Food Hall, which is along the same lines as Manhattan’s Chelsea Market for its globetrotting jumble of grab-and -go food stalls, sit-down restaurants and market vendors specializing in cheese, fresh bread, spices and fish.

You’ll need to keep coming back because the choice is almost overwhelming, tempting you with authentic Mexican, Indian and Szechuan street food, biltong, gelato, yakitori, mid-century-style cocktails, Latin small plates, single origin coffee, you name it.

A freight elevator also carries you up to the roof, which has an elevated beer garden, a cocktail bar, boardwalk-style games and an 18-hole mini golf course, all with panoramic views of Atlanta.

There’s a nice tour available I suggest having a look at: Ponce City Market 2.5-Hour Weekend Food Tour

12. The Fox Theatre

An incredible piece of architecture, The Fox Theatre is a converted movie palace staging touring Broadway shows, the Atlanta Ballet, movie screenings, important music artists, children’s entertainment and a great deal more.

Completed in 1929 during the golden era of movie palaces, this 4,665 capacity venue looks like a Moorish palace from the outside, from its patterned dome, minarets and horseshoe arches, right down to its use of ablaq, or fluctuating rows of light and dark stone.

Inside, the design alternates between Islamic and Egyptian. The auditorium is astonishing, in the style of an Arabian patio under a night sky twinkling with crystal stars and even projected clouds wafting over.

Elvis, Ray Charles, James Brown, the Allman Brothers and Outkast have all played the Fox Theatre, while Prince made his last ever performance right here before he passed away in 2016. It’s almost worth booking tickets just to appreciate this monument, but there are also hour-long tours on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. I always check online for their program.

13. Zoo Atlanta

One of only four zoos in the United States to keep giant pandas, Zoo Atlanta was a struggling enterprise in the 1980s but has bounced back in style.

If there’s a marquee animal at this treasured attraction it’s the gorillas of the Ford African Rain Forest.

In 2019 there was a troop of 19 western lowland gorillas, while the Living Treehouse exhibit in the same area features a variety of lemurs, small primates and an aviary with African bird species.

Many family favorites like African elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras and black rhinos await at African Plains, while lurking in the Asian Forest are Sumatran tigers, komodo dragons, orangutans and the ever-popular giant pandas.

The World of Reptiles is fantastic too, holding more than 100 species of snakes, turtles, lizards, tortoises, toads and salamanders from across the globe.

There’s a programme of daily keeper talks, usually entailing a feeding session, at all of the main exhibits.

Book online : Zoo Atlanta Admission

14. Fernbank Museum of Natural History

One of the museums I highly recommend if you’re in Atlanta with kids, the Fernbank Museum of Natural History creates moments of wonder with its dinosaur skeletons, immersive encounters, hundreds of hands-on activities, fossils, life-sized whale replicas, five-storey 4K theatre and 65 acres of mature forest.

“A Walk Through Time in Georgia” is a handy introduction to the state’s natural history, through 15 galleries using geological and fossil records to show what the landscape would have looked like over millions of years.

Youngsters are sure to love the life-sizes bronze statues of dinosaurs outside at “Dinosaur Plaza”, and at “Giants of the Mesozoic” in the Great Hall you’ll be met by argentinosaurus, the largest dinosaur ever recorded, facing off against a 47-feet-long giganotosaurus.

Overhead are 21 pterodaustro and three anhanguera keeping their distance from the melee.

“Fernbank NatureQuest” is an immerse space with live animal exhibits and interactives to introduce smaller scientists to the wonder of nature, while “Reflections of Culture” is an ethnographic exhibition exploring traditional and modern clothing, jewelry and body art around the world.

15. Jimmy Carter Library & Museum

It’s hard not to admire Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States (1977-81) who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for the work of the Carter Center in promoting worldwide democracy and fighting disease and poverty.

The Carter Center is headquartered next to the Jimmy Carter Library & Museum, which opened in 1986 and chronicles his career, his single term as president and his work since then.

You’ll find out about Carter’s upbringing, his success as a peanut farmer and how he opposed racial segregation and became politicized by the Civil Rights movement.

There’s an exact replica of Oval Office, with added information provided by recordings of Carter’s voice.

All the gifts presented to Carter by dignitaries are on show, and there’s lots of memorabilia from the campaign trail and his time in office.

A fun exhibit shows off all the sweaters he wore for TV appearances and interviews.

Allow a while to wander the 30 acres of landscaped gardens in the grounds, and grab a bite or cold drink at the Copenhill Café.

16. College Football Hall of Fame

This institution honoring college football’s great players and coaches moved to Atlanta, home of the Peach Bowl, in 2014 after 17 years in South Bend, Indiana.

The building, conceived to resemble a football and containing a 45-yard indoor field, is at the heart of the action at Centennial Olympic Park, close to the World of Coca-Cola and the Georgia Aquarium.

Even if you only have a passing interest in College Football there’s a lot to hold your interest.

The actual hall of fame, with interactive biographies of each inductee, is on the top floor, and on the two levels below are all kinds of high-tech exhibits.

There’s a vast wall of helmets for every college outfit in the country, while a 360° augmented reality booth immerses you in some of college football’s defining moments.

There’s virtual face painting for kids, a big jumbotron broadcasting the action on the indoor field, and if you’re an armchair expert you can take a seat at ESPN’s roving College GameDay desk.

17. Ebenezer Baptist Church

Included in the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park is the church in Sweet Auburn where Martin Luther King Jr. was baptized and where he and his father were pastors.

The building, raised in 1922, is still a spiritual anchor in Sweet Auburn and was restored in the early-2000s.

During this work the sanctuary and fellowship hall were returned to their 1960-68 appearance.

Martin Luther King Sr. spent an astonishing 44 years as pastor here, from 1931 to 1975. Inside there’s an exhibition about the history of the building, as well as audio clips from MLK’s speeches and sermons, and a video of MLK’s sister Christine King Farris recalling her family and the building.

Included in : Martin Luther King Jr. History Walking Tour

18. The Michael C. Carlos Museum

There’s much to love about this museum on Emory University’s main campus, some five miles north-east of Downtown . The Michael C. Carlos Museum holds the largest inventory of ancient art of any museum in the Southeast.

The collections cover Ancient Egypt, Nubia, Greece, Rome, American pre-Columbian art, the Near East and Africa. On view are sarcophagi, mummies urns, reliefs and a wealth of statues and busts. Among these is one of the finest pieces of ancient sculpture in America: A Hellenistic depiction of Terpsichore, the Greek muse of dance.

What I personally loved is the collection of art on paper, from the Renaissance to the present. The museum was founded in 1876, putting it among the oldest in Georgia, and in 1985 moved into its current home, which was given a spectacular expansion in the early-90s by the noted architect Michael Graves.

19. Sweet Auburn Curb Market

The Municipal Market in Sweet Auburn has been trading in this evocative, warehouse-like building since 1924. The market holds 30 local businesses, from produce vendors to amenities like a bookshop and bakery, to some of Atlanta’s most prized small eateries.

The name, Curb Market is used locally, and a holdover from segregation when black vendors weren’t allowed to trade inside and had to sell their wares on the kerb.

If you’re staying at self-catered accommodation, stop here for some first-class produce, be it fish, meat, bread, fruit or vegetables.

Or just bring an appetite and try to choose from Venezuelan (Arepa Mia), Caribbean/African (Afrodish), burritos (Bell Street), Ethiopian cuisine (Metro Deli Soul Food), pho (O Mì Gà), artisan burgers (Grindhouse Killer) or hand-raised savoury pies (Panbury’s Double Crust).

Related tour : Atlanta’s Southern Food Tour

20. Mercedes-Benz Stadium

This angular high-tech wonder, completed in 2017 was almost a decade in the planning and cost $1.4bn to build.

The Mercedes-Benz Stadium is one of five NFL stadiums with a retractable roof, which closes like a multi-leaf lens shutter on a camera.

The main tenants are the always competitive Atlanta Falcons, who came close against the Patriots at the 2017 Super Bowl, and the soccer team Atlanta United FC.

The latter are the best-supported team by crowd size in the MLS and took the MLS Cup in 2018, despite only being formed four years earlier.

Holding 71,000 spectators and boasting the world’s largest video board at 63,000-square feet, the Mercedes-Benz Stadium demands a tour.

You can visit seven days a week to experience some of the astonishing signature features, like the lofty “skybridges” and the Window to the City, for an awesome perspective of Atlanta’s cityscape.

21. Buckhead

Where Peachtree Road crosses Piedmont Road in uptown Atlanta is a large and affluent neighbourhood hailed as the “Beverly Hills of the East” and spanning the northern fifth of the city. To the west and north, Buckhead is all mansions in sweeping grounds going back to the 1920s. Along the Peachtree Road corridor there’s an urban cityscape of high-rise hotels, office towers and apartment buildings.

On this street and Roswell Road in particular there’s no shortage of opulent restaurants, be they venerable upscale eateries or fresh chef-driven concepts. Some of the Southeast’s most prestigious upscale malls, like Lenox Square, The Shops at Buckhead and Phipps Plaza, are all here.

There’s also a surplus of galleries, museums and performing arts venues like the Buckhead Theatre, with its unmistakeable Spanish baroque decor.

Related tour : 5-Hour Atlanta Sightseeing Bus Tour

22. Atlanta BeltLine

If you haven’t visited Atlanta for a few years you may be shocked by what greets you in the city’s in-town neighborhoods.

Over the last ten years the Atlanta BeltLine has turned 22 miles of disused railroads into parks, trails and walkways.

This is one of the largest urban regeneration projects in the United States, creating 33 miles of multi-use trails and 1,300 acres of parks, all enriched with temporary public art in the shape of murals and sculptures, both sanctioned and unofficial.

And with this regeneration, many of the industrial buildings along the BeltLine have found new leases of life, like the Amsterdam Walk retail and entertainment complex in Virginia Highland, Ponce City Market in the Old Fourth Ward for mid-walk pit stop and the Ford Factory Lofts at the old Ford Assembly Plant in Poncey-Highland.

Go by Segway : Atlanta City Sightseeing Tour by Segway

23. Atlanta Electric Car City Tour

For some local perspective you could tick off all of Atlanta’s big sights and neighbourhoods on a 90-minute tour by electric car.

This is great news for anyone pushed for time or hoping to beat the crowds, and you may be pleased that you’re making the drive in the most eco-friendly way possible.

In this time you’ll cram in the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, The Fox Theatre, the Margaret Mitchell House, the CNN Center, Centennial Olympic Park, Midtown, Downtown and the 1996 Olympic Park, and that’s just a small summary.

All the while you’ll be given lots of absorbing factoids from your guide, as you squeeze a whole holiday’s worth of sightseeing into half the time it takes to watch an NFL game.

Book online : Atlanta Electric Car City Tour

24. Swan House

The pride of the Atlanta History Center is this sumptuous mansion built in 1928 for Edward and Emily Inman, heirs to a cotton brokerage fortune.

The west facade of Swan House is Italian Mannerist, while the east facade has the portico and pediment of an English Palladian stately home.

There are lots of Renaissance-inspired flourishes throughout, while the terraced Boxwood Gardens, adorned with stone obelisks, are in a formal Baroque style.

The house’s name comes from a recurring swan motif visible everywhere you look.

The property was restored at a cost of $5.4m in 2004, and your tour will lead you through magnificent rooms and spaces like the vestibule, entrance hall, library, Dining Room and Morning Room.

As you go you’ll bump into actors playing the part of Edward Inman, heir to the wealthiest man in Georgia, as well as his wife Emily, who was a prominent suffragette.

You’ll meet the building’s domestic staff and its architect, Philip Trammell Shutze, and its interior decorator, Ruby Ross Wood, who was a pioneer for women in this field.

25. Delta Flight Museum

Opened to the public in 2014, the Delta Flight Museum is at the airline’s world headquarters near the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

The exhibitions are in two cavernous maintenance hangars from the 1940s and have lots of things to dazzle aviation fanatics.

In Hangar One is the Monroe Cafe, a full-sized replica of Delta’s first headquarters in Monroe, Louisiana during the 1930s.

Also here is Delta Ship 41, a one of Delta’s first Douglas DC-3s, flying for the airline from 1940 to 1958. The Spirit of Delta Boeing in Hangar 2 was purchased in 1982, becoming Delta’s first ever Boeing 767-200. The back of this plane has been turned into an exhibition space, while you can take a peek at the galley, cockpit and first class area.

Waiting outside is Delta Ship 6301, the first production 747-400, built in 1988 and retired in 2015. You can go inside to check out the cockpit, test the flat bed seats in first class and peer through glass panels that replace carpeting to show the aircraft’s precisely laid cables and piping.

26. Truist Park

Just as the Falcons got a slick new home at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the Atlanta Braves departed Turner Field in 2017 for the majestic Truist Park.

This venue ends the Braves’ long stay in Downtown Atlanta, transplanting the outfit to Cobb County, about 20 minutes north of the Centennial Olympic Park.

The stadium is the centrepiece of a new $400m entertainment district called Battery Atlanta, with restaurants, apartment blocks and offices.

With a timeless design, Truist Park can hold just under 41,000 people and its compact size gives it a tight layout keeping all spectators close to the action.

The Braves are the longest continuously operating franchise in the MLB, and in 2018 they made the postseason and won a division title for the first time since 2013. If you’re up for a game, tickets start from as little as $11, while there are daily tours all year round, taking you to the dugouts and press box and premium areas like the Delta SKY360° Club.

27. Inman Park

Atlanta’s first planned suburb, Inman Park was plotted on healthy high ground in the 1800s and is sprinkled with charming Victorian architecture and lots of green space.

The neighborhood went through a rough patch in the mid-20th century when people moved out to more distant suburbs and the exuberant homes became unfashionable.

Inman Park is now a desirable intown location fringed to the west by the new BeltLine Eastside Trail.

Stop by for tree-lined streets, those beautiful old houses and a burgeoning food and bar scene summed up by the Krog Street Market, which we’ll come to later.

The Inman Park Festival in April brings an artists’ market, live music, a street parade, children’s activities and the chance to tour some of the neighborhood’s Victorian mansions.

28. Margaret Mitchell House

It was at this property on Peachtree Street in Midtown that Margaret Mitchell wrote most of Gone with the Wind.

The novel would win her the Pulitzer Prize for fiction and within two years had been turned into a classic film.

Mitchell and her husband John Robert Marsh stayed at Apartment 1 on the ground floor of this Tudor Revival building.

At that time she was recovering from an ankle injury that had ended her journalism career, and had become a full-time wife.

The Mitchell apartment looks exactly as it did when the couple lived here, while two exhibitions delve into Margaret’s knack for dreaming up memorable characters, and the eventful production of Gone with the Wind, the movie.

29. Sweet Auburn

After visiting the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, you owe it to yourself to take a look around King’s home neighborhood and picture what it would have been like in the 1940s and 50s.

At that time in segregated Atlanta, Sweet Auburn was a wealthy area of private businesses, newspapers, churches, restaurants and nightclubs all owned by African Americans.

Then, the arterial Auburn Avenue was described by political and civic leader John Wesley Dobbs as the “richest Negro street in the world”. That description had become poignant by the 70s and 80s when the area fell victim to inner-city ills and the construction of a highway through the middle.

But in the late-2010s Sweet Auburn is in the middle of a revival, thanks in part to infrastructure projects like the Atlanta Streetcar, connecting the National Historic Site to Downtown.

It’s a neighborhood of monumental street art, trendy bars and restaurants, and all the more compelling for its historic links to the civil rights movement.

30. Stone Mountain Park

The most visited tourist attraction in the State of Georgia is set around an awe-inspiring natural landmark. The bulging Stone Mountain is a monadnock, a mighty quartz monzonite dome, five miles in circumference and caused by an upwelling of magma 300-350 million years ago.

The human history of the encompassing Stone Mountain Park is mired in controversy. It opened in 1965 on the 100th anniversary of President Lincoln’s assassination and the north face bears a 1.57-acre bas-relief (the largest in the world) of three Confederate figures, Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson.

Moving on quickly, Stone Mountain is a staggering natural wonder that can be scaled from the west side by a walking trail or from the north by the Summit Skyride aerial tram. Around the dome is the 3.8 mile Stone Mountain Scenic Railroad taking in wonderful vistas and drawn by vintage diesel locomotives.

On summer evenings there’s MountainVision, a state-of-the-art digital graphic display projected onto the mountain and accompanied by fireworks.

31. Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

Cool, clear and mostly slow-moving, the Chattahoochee River snakes for 48 miles through the namesake National Recreation Area to the north of Atlanta.

There are lots of little pockets of land, or units, on the banks that warrant a visit.

Take Cochran Shoals, which has a three-mile fitness trail for walking, jogging and biking, and is ideal for spotting birds like northern cardinals, Carolina wrens, Carolina chickadees and red-eyed vireos.

In the 19th century, paper and textile mills sprouted on the river banks, and there are haunting ruins at Sope Creek, Rottenwood Creek and Vickery Creek.

Ivy Mill at Vickery Creek produced fabric for the Confederate soldiers before it was razed by the Union army in 1964. For a great family activity on a summer’s day I recommend you rent tubes at Powers Island and spend a couple of hours floating down the Metro Hooch run to Paces Mill.

32. Jackson Street Bridge

Since long before the Walking Dead, people have been coming to this bridge over the John Lewis Freedom Parkway for possibly the best perspective of Downtown Atlanta’s skyline.

To get here you can leave the car at the MLK Memorial park and make the short walk.

The view is surely the most iconic image from The Walking Dead, seen on posters for season 1 and appearing in the first episode when Rick Grimes rides a horse up the empty Parkway into Atlanta.

To honor its status as a landmark the sidewalk is going to be widened in the next couple of years, and will have a small, linear park on the west side so you can sit and soak up those views.

33. Center for Puppetry Arts

When this museum for puppetry opened in Midtown in 1978 Jim Henson and Kermit the Frog were here to cut the ribbon.

The Center for Puppetry Arts is the largest museum of its kind in the United States, with 350 puppets from cultures all over the world, accompanied by lots of background info and interactives.

There’s a whole permanent collection for Jim Henson, starring icons like Kermit, Miss Piggy, Rowlf the Dog and the Swedish Chef.

Other stars you may recognise are Crow and Tom Servo from the cult comedy Mystery Science Theater 3000. The Center for Puppetry Arts is much more than a static gallery, with an in-house production company putting on a series performances in a range of styles, appropriate for different age groups.

Part of the fun is a “create a puppet” workshop that lets you make and control a puppet that you can take home with you.

Book online: Center for Puppetry Arts, Worlds of Puppetry Museum

34. Georgia State Capitol

A bold reference point for the city, the Georgia State Capitol (1889) echoes the Neoclassical lines of the United States Capitol in Washington but has a gleaming 23-karat gold dome almost 23 metres in diameter.

This is the main office building for Georgia’s government, housing the General Assembly (Senate and House of Representatives), as well as offices for the governor, lieutenant governor and secretary of state.

You can go in from 08:00 – 17:00 on weekdays for self-guided tours.

Up on the third floor are public view galleries over the legislative chambers and a museum, which opened the year the Capitol was completed.

On show are portraits of all governors elected since 1850, apart from Rufus Bullock who was chased out of the state in 1871 without completing his term.

You can also browse collections of fossils, rocks and minerals, Native American artefacts and displays relating to Georgia’s peanut, peach and cotton trades.

35. SkyView Atlanta

Just off the south end of Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta has its own giant Ferris wheel, 200 foot tall and a relaxing way to see Downtown’s towers.

SkyView Atlanta has enclosed, air-conditioned cabins and you get four slow-motion revolutions.

The ideal time to ride the wheel is after dark, preferably around 21:00 when you can watch Centennial Olympic Park’s Fountain of Rings show from above.

If you’d like to upgrade there’s a VIP gondola with a glass floor and Ferrari-style leather seats, as well as a “Date Night” package involving a VIP lounge and horse-drawn carriage ride.

36. Oakland Cemetery

In 48 acres near Sweet Auburn and Downtown Atlanta, Oakland Cemetery was first landscaped in 1850 and grew steadily to its current size over the next 20 years.

Bearing in mind that Atlanta was almost destroyed in 1864, the original six acres make up one of the oldest parcels of land in the whole city.

There are more than 70,000 burials at Oakland Cemetery, and that number is growing , even though the last of the plots was sold off in 1884. Among the most eminent are Atlanta’s first black mayor, Maynard Jackson, Gone with the Wind author Margaret Mitchell, and founder of Augusta, Bobby Jones.

Visit for the regal sculpture and architecture, but also the delightful landscaping, with daffodils in spring, tropical flowers in summer and the reddish tones of autumn.

I recommend getting a map from the Visitor Center for a self-guided walk, or sign up for a guided tour.

Oakland Cemetery also hosts a programme of events, like Sunday in the Park, a Victorian-style street festival in September.

37. Sweetwater Creek State Park

A place of real beauty with a violent past, Saltwater Creek State Park is more than 2,500 acres of rugged bluffs and hardwood forest, named for the creek that runs through it.

In the first decades of the 19th century the resident Cherokee people were removed, and a five-storey textile mill and accompanying mill town took shape.

Known as the New Manchester Manufacturing Company, this mill was burnt down by the Union army in 1864, and its women and children were sent north to become refugees.

Walking trails twist off into the forest, and one tracks the stream back to the ruins of the mill and then up the cliffs for sweeping views of the creek’s rapids.

The environmentally friendly Visitor Center has details about the area’s history and nature, and can equip you with trail maps and snacks for your walk.

In summer you can navigate the creek by kayak, canoe or paddleboard, while the 215-acre George Sparks Reservoir is a prime spot for fishing, picnicking or just feeding the ducks.

38. Krog Street Market

By the BeltLine Trail in Inman Park, the Krog Street Market is at what was once the Atlanta Stove Works, a pan factory that opened in 1889. This was abandoned in 1988 and a 1920s warehouse here has found a new vocation as a vibrant West Coast-style market with specialty shops, produce stalls and great dining options at the food court.

There’s something for every palate, whether you’re in the mood for bao buns (Suzy Siu’s), hot southern fried chicken (Richard’s), artisan pizza (Varuni), Chinese dumplings (Gu’s), Vietnamese streetfood (Pho Nam), tapas (Bar Mercado) or an award-winning barbecue experience (Grand Champion BBQ). People come a long way for a scoop or three of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream, in flavors like Salty Caramel, Coffee with Cream & Sugar, Pistachio & Honey and my personal favorite Whiskey & Pecans.

39. Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO)

The city’s symphony orchestra performed at the opening and closing ceremonies at the Olympics in 1996, and have a permanent 1,762-seater home at the Atlanta Symphony Hall, in the Woodruff Arts Center. So while most of the concerts take place here, the orchestra has summer dates at the immense Ameris Park Amphitheatre some 20 miles north of Atlanta.

There are also two free outdoor performances each summer at Piedmont Park, normally in mid-June. If you’re in Atlanta with your family, the movie nights are child-friendly performances of famous film scores. The ASO also performs for the Alliance Theatre’s annual production of A Christmas Carol in December.

40. CNN Studio Tour

The CNN Center beside the Centennial Olympic Park is the headquarters for the Cable News Network, a news channel with a truly international reach.

You can go in for a 50-minute tour of this mammoth facility, for privileged glimpses of the newsroom, control room and possibly famous TV personalities and political figures.

At the beginning of the tour you’ll ride what is the longest freestanding escalator in the world, eight story’s high.

On your way through the CNN Center you’ll discover how teleprompters and weather maps work, and experience the incredible scale of Studio 7, the largest news studio on the planet.

If you’ve lived through an election night in the United States you’ll have seen John King’s “Magic Wall” touch-screen display, and on the tour you’ll see just how this piece of technical wizardry works.

Book online : CNN Atlanta Studio Tour

41. Little Five Points

A walkable neighbourhood east of Downtown, Little Five Points is weird, fun, diverse and bohemian.

The business association has kept this place free of big chains, and instead you’re met by thriving independent live music venues, restaurants and shops.

Check out the massive Criminal Records music shop and the Sevananda Natural Foods Market, one of the largest consumer owned cooperatives in the Southeast and Junkman’s Daughter, a kind of superstore catering to every alternative fashion you can think of.

The Vortex, around since 1992 and with a doorway on Moreland Avenue framed by an addled human skull, does what are officially some of the best burgers in the United States.

There’s lots of street art to appreciate too, like the long mural on the 7 Stages Building, undamaged more than 20 years since it was painted.

42. Chastain Park

The largest urban park in Atlanta is in Buckhead, covering 268 acres and loaded with facilities for sport and entertainment.

There’s an open-air pool, a golf course, playgrounds, jogging trails, a horse park and tennis courts.

But what pulls in the crowds is the cherished 6,900-seater Cadence Bank Amphitheatre, which stages a diverse programme of concerts and comedy shows from May to October, by some of the biggest acts touring America.

A star-studded list of artists have performed here since it opened in 1944, like James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash and Diana Ross.

43. State Farm Arena

Right next door to CNN Center is the equally vast State Farm Arena (formerly Philips Arena), inaugurated in 1999 and the home court for NBA’s Atlanta Hawks and the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream.

The Hawks moved to Atlanta in 1968 but go back another 22 years to the short-lived Buffalo Bisons.

Under coaches Larry Drew and then Mike Budenholzer the Hawks put together a remarkable run, qualifying for the playoffs ten consecutive times from 2008 to 2017. On the flipside, they’re enduring the second-longest championship drought in the NBA, going back to 1958 when the franchise was in St. Louis.

The arena came through a $192m renovation in 2017-18, introducing a spectacular central LED video board and upgraded concessions with refill-your-own soda stations and essentials like $3 hotdogs and $4 pizza slices, along with fancy new premium offerings like the Atlanta favourite, B’s Cracklin’ Barbecue.

One of the crazier additions is Killer Mike’s Swag Shop barbershop, which overlooks the court.

The State Farm Arena is also among America’s busiest concert arena, welcoming Jennifer Lopez, Ariana Grande, Queen, The Black Keys and The Jonas Brothers in 2019 alone.

44. Six Flags Over Georgia

The largest amusement park in the Southeast is infused with characters and themes from Warner Bros. properties like DC Comics and Looney Tunes.

Six Flags Over Georgia has more than 40 rides, some of which are destination attractions like the $20m Goliath “hypercoaster”, the Mind Bender steel rollercoaster, Batman: The Ride, which was the world’s first inverted rollercoaster when it opened in 1992, and Acrophobia, a 200 feet drop tower. I personally don’t really care for rollercoasters, but I’m sure many of you do.

In 2014 the park added Hurricane Harbor, a seven-acre water park with a wave pool, multi-slide complex, thrilling bowl slide attraction (Tsunami Surge) and a children’s area.

Families with littler children will find all they need at Bugs Bunny Boomtown, which has lots of Looney Tunes-themed fun, like Yosemite Sam’s Wacky Wagons.

Come Halloween Six Flags Over Georgia is crawling with zombies and gives its rides creepy makeovers for Fright Fest, while there’s lots of seasonal cheer for Holiday in the Park when Six Flags is aglow with more than a million Christmas lights.

45. The Shops at Buckhead

If you’re in the mood to splurge you can’t go wrong at this outdoor mall in Buckhead, a sort of plush urban village across eight blocks, rolled out from autumn 2014 and with towering trees for a natural canopy.

The Shops at Buckhead now counts more than 50 designer retailers, cafes and restaurants on nine acres, bounded to the west by Peachtree Road.

For a quick rundown of the mall’s luxury emporia there’s La Perla, Hermès, Jimmy Choo, Gucci, Christian Louboutin, Dior and Tom Ford.

When it comes to dining you can pick from upscale Italian (Taverna), contemporary French (Le Bilboquet), noodles (Qing Mu), sushi (Doraku), steak (American Cut), gastropub-style southern cooking at The Southern Gentleman and burgers at the now ubiquitous Shake Shack.

46. Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA)

Dating back to 1989 as an institution, the Museum of Design Atlanta moved to its stylish Midtown home in 2011. This is the only museum in the Southeast dedicated solely to design, hosting exhibitions on industrial and product design, architecture, graphics, furniture, interiors, fashion and more besides.

Creatively presented exhibitions in the last few years have gone into wearable technology, design and sustainable food, the design and typography of Louise Fili, The Art and Craft of Activism and the role of playgrounds in urban design.

MODA is a dynamic attraction, with a lively schedule of talks, guided exhibition tours, performance and workshops, like 3D Printing for Adults and an Intro to Skateboard Graphics.

47. Historic Fourth Ward Park

A sign of how the BeltLine has transformed Atlanta’s open spaces, the Historic Fourth Ward Park is 17 acres of water and greenery where there used to be a wasteland to the south of the Ponce City Market.

This was once the site of the Ponce de Leon amusement park, which closed in the 1920s.

In 2011-12 the cracked asphalt and rubbish-strewn fields became a green corridor, with contemporary landscaping, lush lawns, a two-acre ornamental lake, a summer splashpad, an outdoor theatre and a first-rate children’s playground.

The Historic Fourth Ward Park uses native plants to keep maintenance to a minimum and generates a lot of its own electricity with solar panels.

The headline attraction is the skate park, with a design approved by Tony Hawk, who funded the project to the tune of $25,000.

48. Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse

Travelling along Peachtree Street in Midtown you’ll come across a building with a timber-framed facade and leaded windows.

Run by the Atlanta Shakespeare Company, this is the Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse where you can come for hearty pub grub followed by a Shakespeare play (or other period classic) in an intimate and rusting setting where the actors move among the audience.

The plays are produced with the playwright’s intent in mind, so Romeo and Juliet will be set in 16th-century Verona, and Othello will take place in Venice and Cyprus.

The tavern goes back to 1990, and in June 2019 the production of Henry VIII saw this venue complete the Shakespearean canon for the second time.

49. Children’s Museum of Atlanta

A must for the youngest family members is this highly-rated museum on the north-corner of Centennial Olympic Park.

The Children’s Museum of Atlanta was revamped in 2015 and harnesses the power of play for education in six smartly designed zones.

Tools for Solution for example is all about practical problem-solving, using a giant machine that transports balls along tracks with a muddle of cranes and corkscrews.

Fundamentally Food takes kids back to the farm to show where produce comes from, while Let Your Creativity Flow unleashes children’s artistic talents with a paint wall, art studio and stage for performances.

The museum’s staff are trained actor-educators called Imaginators, to make the experience as rewarding as possible, and are here for shows, music and movement workshops and storytime.

50. Atlantic Station

Planned in the 1990s and developed into the mid-2000s, Atlantic Station is a whole neighbourhood on what used to be the Atlantic Steel mill.

That factory, set on the north-western fringe of Midtown was founded in 1901 and had been torn down by 1998. There are little hints of what came before, like a surviving smokestack sitting in the middle of Foundry Park.

Atlantic Station was designed with pedestrians in mind, and its grid of streets features more than 50 shops, like Gap, Banana Republic, H&M, Dillard’s, Victoria’s Secret and Ikea.

Strolling around Atlantic Station you’ll happen upon lots of enticing eateries, mostly for casual dining (think stone-fired pizza, gourmet burgers and fried chicken). You can catch a movie at the branch of Regal Cinemas, watch the latest Cirque du Soleil production or take an inside look at the human body at Bodies: The Exhibition.

November to February there’s a skating rink at Atlantic Station, while a line-up of festivals keeps the area full of life in summer.

51. Lenox Square

In keeping with its upscale surroundings, Lenox Square is a luxury mall in Buckhead, and has been around in various guises since 1959. The anchors are Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s and Neiman Marcus, and many of the stores at Lenox Square are the only branches within hundreds of miles.

That goes for Diesel, Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Ted Baker, J. Crew, Topshop, Tesla Motors, Zara, Prada and Fendi.

The largest Pottery Barn anywhere can be found at Lenox Square, while the branch of Forever 21 is among the largest in the Southeastern United States.

The area around Lenox Square has been developed at breakneck speed in the last couple of decades, becoming ultra-desirable and featuring more than 70 restaurants within a mile radius.

On the other side of Peachtree Road is another plush mall at Phipps Plaza, for brands like Gucci, Versace and Tiffany & Co.

52. Walking Dead Tour

Starting at the Atlanta Movie Tours Gift Shop on Nelson Street SW is this three-hour adventure around all of the main Walking Dead shooting locations in Atlanta and Fulton County.

The tour is on an air-conditioned coach equipped with TV screens, and is led by an extra from the show.

Standout stops will be the hospital where Rick Grimes awakes to discover a zombie apocalypse, and the Goat Farm Arts Center, where the Vatos gang were based in Episode Four of Season One.

As you jump from location to location you can take part in a Walking Dead trivia game, while the tour includes spots from another modern zombie classic, Zombieland.

The final stop is that now iconic view from the Jackson Street Bridge.

This experience is available on GetYourGuide .

53. Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta

On Peachtree Street in Midtown is the immense Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, the sixth district of the 12 Federal Reserve Banks of the United States, covering most of the Southeast United States.

You can go in to visit Atlanta Fed’s Monetary Museum, which has lots of engaging multimedia displays on the history of money and banking in the United States, but also goes into detail on the role of the Federal Reserve on the U.S. economy.

It’s fascinating to find out how and why the Fed conducts monetary policy, and how its decisions affect the lives of ordinary people.

You’ll get a look at the bank’s automated vault and cash processing areas, and may get to see the bank’s boardroom, depending on the schedule.

54. Porsche Experience Center Atlanta

Next to Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, Porsche has built a 1.6-mile circuit designed to demonstrate the high performance of its legendary sports cars.

In the company of an expert coach you can select from a range of 90-minute driving experiences.

You can take the wheel in a 911 Turbo, G3, 911 Carrera GTS, Panamera Turbo, 718 Cayman GTS or 718 Boxster.

Or you could combine two, on experiences like Mid vs Rear Engine when you’ll get to contrast the ride in a state-of-the-art rear-engine 911 with a Cayman or Boxster.

There’s also an offroad track, putting a Cayenne 4×4 to the test on a rugged watery trail.

55. Netherworld Haunted House

This spooky walk-through attraction is open only in October, but if you do find yourself in Atlanta at this time of year, you have to make the drive east to Stone Mountain to be scared out of your wits.

Launched in 1997 and rated America’s No. 1 Haunted House by Hauntworld in 2017, Netherworld has developed its own storyline independent of movies and folklore.

The costumes, make-up, acting performances, atmosphere and special effects are to such a high standard that Netherworld’s crew have been involved with the Walking Dead.

In October 2018 there was also a monster-filled area with carnival games and food options, while you can visit year-round to try to solve the three creepy escape rooms.

55 Best Things to Do in Atlanta (Georgia) Updated 2023 (by a Local):

• Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park
• Birth Home of Martin Luther King Jr.
• World of Coca-Cola
• Georgia Aquarium
• High Museum of Art
• Atlanta Botanical Garden
• National Center for Civil and Human Rights
• Piedmont Park
• Centennial Olympic Park
• Atlanta History Center
• Ponce City Market
• The Fox Theatre
• Zoo Atlanta
• Fernbank Museum of Natural History
• Jimmy Carter Library & Museum
• College Football Hall of Fame
• Ebenezer Baptist Church
• The Michael C. Carlos Museum
• Sweet Auburn Curb Market
• Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• Atlanta BeltLine
• Atlanta Electric Car City Tour
• Delta Flight Museum
• Truist Park
• Margaret Mitchell House
• Sweet Auburn
• Stone Mountain Park
• Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
• Jackson Street Bridge
• Center for Puppetry Arts
• Georgia State Capitol
• SkyView Atlanta
• Oakland Cemetery
• Sweetwater Creek State Park
• Krog Street Market
• Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO)
• CNN Studio Tour
• Little Five Points
• Chastain Park
• State Farm Arena
• Six Flags Over Georgia
• The Shops at Buckhead
• Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA)
• Historic Fourth Ward Park
• Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse
• Children's Museum of Atlanta
• Atlantic Station
• Lenox Square
• Walking Dead Tour
• Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
• Porsche Experience Center Atlanta
• Netherworld Haunted House

Places to Visit in Atlanta – 21 Must-See Spots

It’s the home of Coca-Cola and the country’s busiest airport, known for its hip-hop scene and its role in the Civil Rights Movement. If you’re making your way to the city endearingly known as the Big Peach, we have a few recommendations up our sleeves!

Art museums, aquariums, and historical landmarks just scratch the surface of the many Atlanta attractions. This culturally rich, historically significant metropolis is brimming with family-friendly activities sure to please.

On your way to the Atlanta, Georgia, attractions below, don’t forget to enjoy some of the famous street art splashed throughout the city. Grab a bite of Southern soul food while you’re at it — mac and cheese, fried chicken, and sweet potato pie finished off with some creamy banana pudding!

Now, onto your trip schedule. Follow along as we fill you in on fan-favorite Atlanta attractions to make the most of your time as an Atlanta tourist!

Georgia Aquarium

Serving as the largest aquarium in the Western Hemisphere, the Georgia Aquarium is a must-see Atlanta tourist attraction. Encounter 10 million gallons of water brimming with sealife!

With over 100,000 aquatic animals such as whale sharks, dolphins, penguins, and beluga whales, you’ll feel completely immersed in the world of marine life. Gaze in awe at the aquarium’s massive tanks! This aquarium makes the list of great Atlanta attractions for families.

Moreover, guests can tour the aquarium on their own through a free tour app, as well as experience shows, animal encounters, and “Behind the Seas” tours. Cafe Aquaria is at your ready once you work up an appetite!

Additionally, there are Georgia Aquarium discount tickets AAA for AAA members.

High Museum of Art

As one of the top tourist attractions in Atlanta, this gorgeous art museum was constructed with white concrete, glass, and steel — a composition of art all on its own. Inside, visitors can explore a world-renowned collection of over 13,000 pieces representing European art, African art, contemporary art, and more.

Related Post: Fun Free Things to Do in Atlanta: 15 Must-Do Activities

The High also offers a digital tool called Heartmatch that allows visitors to create a custom museum map based on which paintings they love and which they don’t care for. Talk about a personalized art museum experience!

Zoo Atlanta

Considered one of the best zoos in the nation, Zoo Atlanta dominates as one of the top Atlanta tourist attractions. With more than 1,000 animals from around the globe, such as giant pandas and elephants, this zoo shows off a diverse population of animals.

Zoo Atlanta exists to study and preserve animal populations while educating the public about conservation practices. Additionally, kids can ride the Zoo Train and enjoy the Endangered Species Carousel.

Jackson Street Bridge

Made famous by The Walking Dead , the Jackson Street Bridge gives visitors incredible views of the downtown city skyline. A popular spot for photos, it’s one of the most well-known tourist attractions in Atlanta.

SkyView Atlanta

Climb aboard the SkyView Ferris Wheel in downtown Atlanta to capture fantastic views from the wheel’s climate-controlled gondolas. This Ferris Wheel takes riders almost 20 stories high! Guests can also request to sit within the VIP gondolas that feature more plush seats and glass floors.

Related Post: Fun Things to Do in Atlanta for Couples: 30 Amazing Date Night Ideas

Moreover, if you’re looking to kick the experience up a notch, you can embark on a private tour that takes you by must-see landmarks, such as Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, and ends with a ride on the Ferris Wheel. Experience Atlanta tourism at its finest!

The Center for Civil and Human Rights

As one of the Atlanta top attractions, the Center for Civil and Human Rights aims to connect the American Civil Rights Movement with today’s human rights movements around the world. Atlanta played a significant role in the American Civil Rights Movement and continues that legacy through institutions such as the Center and its affiliated institutes.

Galleries showcase moving imagery, artifacts, and storytelling to encourage empathy, ongoing conversation, and progressive change.

Fun Spot America

When you’re ready to get your adrenaline going, Fun Spot America is ready to help! This is the perfect place for the kids to expend extra energy. The adults will have a good time, too!

Friendly competition awaits on the mini-golf course or go-kart tracks. A miniature Ferris wheel and arcade are perfect for the littles who may be looking for some tamer thrills. No matter how you choose to play, the whole family is guaranteed to have a blast here.

Additionally, this is one of the best fun things to do in Atlanta for teens!

World of Coca-Cola

There’s no argument about it in Atlanta: Coca-Cola is the drink of choice over Pepsi. If you wish to pay homage to the soft drink’s history, which started right in Atlanta, tour the World of Coca-Cola downtown. Add this to your list of Atlanta vacation ideas now!

Related Post: Things to Do at Night in Atlanta: 9 Incredible Nightlife Experiences

The museum features classic ads and exhibits, a replica of the bottling process, 4D theater displays, and a behind-the-scenes peek at the vault containing the secret formula. Furthermore, the museum offers over 100 variations of Coke to try, so don’t leave without trying a novel flavor!

Atlanta Botanical Garden

Enclosed within Piedmont Park, the Atlanta Botanical Garden is one of the top attractions in Atlanta and features 30 acres of beautiful outdoor gardens, including an acclaimed children’s garden and even an edible garden.

Related Post: Famous Atlanta Restaurants: Iconic Places to Eat

Further, Fuqua Orchid Center boasts a stunning collection of orchids never before grown in the Southeast. Guests can also journey through the 600-foot Canopy Walk and Stores Woods. This unique exhibit enables guests to walk through oak, hickory, and poplar treetops on a footbridge suspended 40 feet above gorgeous gardens of hydrangeas and perennials.

As one of the best Atlanta tourist attractions, you don’t want to miss perusing the garden’s vast collection.

College Football Hall of Fame

Calling all college football fans: you absolutely have to stop by the College Football Hall of Fame . This immersive museum includes larger-than-life exhibits, such as a giant indoor playing field, a massive helmet honoring over 750 schools, and plenty of memorabilia exhibits.

Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site

As the birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr ., Atlanta honors his legacy and continues to serve as a leader in the struggle for civil rights.

Thousands travel each year to see Dr. King’s birth home on Auburn Street before paying respects at his nearby grave and Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he preached. We suggest stopping by the Visitor Center beforehand to garner more information and historical context.

Be sure to add this historic site to your list of must-visit Atlanta, Georgia, tourist attractions.

Historic Oakland Ceremony

As the final resting place of Morris Brown College’s founder, Bishop Wesley John Gaines, golfing legend Bobby Jones, and Gone with the Wind author, Margaret Mitchell, Historic Oakland Cemetery is Atlanta’s oldest public park.

In addition, the 48-acre cemetery provides serene views with natural green spaces and remarkable stone structures. If you wish to take a tour, weekend tours are offered from March through October. Moreover, visitors can check the calendar for special events.

Centennial Olympic Park

Built for the 1996 Olympics, this 21-acre downtown park showcases expansive views of the downtown skyline while providing respite from the hustle of the city. Additionally, the park hosts several festivals each year as well as multiple exhibits commemorating the park’s Olympic history.

While you’re there, don’t miss the Fountain of Rings! Moreover, if you can’t get enough of the outdoors, make your way to Stone Mountain Park, located just outside of Atlanta.

On the list of Atlanta indoor activities, the Museum of Design Atlanta seeks to educate visitors on the way design acts as a merging of artistic creativity and functionality through education, programs, and engaging exhibits.

Located in the heart of the Midtown Arts District, this museum of Atlanta features exhibitions that show how design using different mediums can change the world through visual messaging.

Delta Flight Museum

Located in the center of Delta’s Atlanta headquarters, this 68,000-square-foot museum allows visitors to explore aviation history, including Delta Airlines’ ascension as a major airline.

With engaging exhibits and restored aircrafts on display, guests can take a look behind-the-scenes at Delta’s original 1940s-era aircraft hangars.

Six Flags Over Georgia

Who doesn’t love theme parks? A premier family destination, Six Flags Over Georgia is the largest regional theme park in the Southeast United States. Located west of Atlanta, Six Flags hosts over 40 rides and attractions as well as its seven-acre Hurricane Harbor water park.

Related Post: Six Flags Over Georgia Tips: How to Make the Most of Your Visit

Fan-favorites include coasters like Goliath, the Great American Scream Machine, Georgia Cyclone, and BATMAN: The Ride.

Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum

This Presidential Library and Museum aims to honor Georgia-born President Carter’s legacy with exhibits detailing his life from childhood to presidency and onward. The Presidential Library is surrounded by two lakes on 30 acres, representing Carter’s peaceful worldview.

Moreover, guests can see memorabilia from the Carter administration, including his personal diary, as well as exhibits on his effort to promote peace around the world. There is also a full-scale replica of the Oval Office and a dramatic “Day in the Life of the President” presentation.

Center for Puppetry Arts

This one-of-a-kind, hands-on museum celebrates the art of puppetry. Since 1978, visitors of all ages have experienced the magic of beloved puppet characters throughout the years with charming exhibits and delightful performances.

See your favorite Sesame Street characters, step into the world of Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal , and see how puppets have been used in major ads throughout the years. Further, the Center hosts educational programs, special events, and workshops.

Atlanta History Center

Centered on preserving Atlanta’s fascinating history, the Atlanta History Center features educational programs, exhibits, historic houses, and vibrant gardens suitable for guests of all ages.

Visitors can see destinations such as the Margaret Mitchell House, Swan House Mansion, Smith Family Farm, and the Centennial Olympic Games Museum.

Fernbank Museum of Natural History

The Fernbank Museum of Natural History is known for its impressive dinosaur exhibits, including a life-scale Brontosaurus skeleton. Additionally, the museum houses hands-on science exhibits, cultural artifacts, and 75 acres of outdoor adventures complete with boardwalks and elevated tree pods.

Ponce City Market

Enter a wonderland of shops and restaurants located inside a 2.1-million-square-foot building. Formerly serving as a Sears store, the building now holds a host of stores so you can shop ’til you drop. In the lineup are West Elm, J. Crew, and Anthropologie. This is one of the best things to do indoors in Atlanta!

Head to Skyline Park, located on the roof of the building, for mesmerizing views of the city. Entertainment combines with delicious eateries, ensuring you’ll never be bored.

Fill Your Vacation Itinerary with the Best Atlanta Attractions

Tourist hotspots and hidden gems alike exist in abundance throughout the city of Atlanta . Experience the history, art, and cuisine of this beloved metropolis while Atlanta sightseeing.

Plan your trip before you go to make the most of your time! Tripster is here to help you book activities and hotels , in addition to offering need-to-know travel advice .

What’s Your Favorite Spot to See in Atlanta?

Tell us which places to visit in Atlanta that we need to check out in the comments!

Written by Michaela Satterfield

Michaela is a journalist who views every story she writes as an adventure, leading her to explore new places and meet new people....

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Home » North America » Atlanta

27 Unique Things to Do in Atlanta | Activities, Itineraries & Day Trips

The capital city of Georgia is one of the most exciting destinations in the US! This historic city perfectly blends old landmarks and important heritage sites with a bustling metro area that is full of exciting things to experience!

Atlanta is kind of the crown jewel of the South. This unique destination shows off all of the things that make this area special – from its thriving downtown area to its ground-breaking culinary scene, museums, and everything in between!

If you are planning a trip here, there are loads of unmissable things to do in Atlanta! Between the famous sights and attractions and some unique experiences, this city has plenty to offer its visitors! Here is our complete guide to the best things to do in Atlanta.

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Top Things to Do in Atlanta

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Atlanta is full of landmarks and attractions that are widely varied! Here are some of the essential things to do in Atlanta!

1. Explore the Martin Luther King Historic District

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One of Atlanta’s favorite stories is that of Dr. Martin Luther King. While in this city, be sure to follow his footsteps and learn more about this world-famous civil rights leader!

Learning about MLK is one of the most essential things to do in Atlanta ! You can achieve this by visiting the interesting King Center, popping into the Ebenezer Baptist Church, visiting Freedom Hall, as well as the old headquarters of the SCLC! These destinations are within easy reach of each other, forming an area that is now known as the MLK Historic District.

2. Take a Walk Through the Atlanta Beltline

Taking a stroll down the Beltline is one of the best outdoor things to do in Atlanta! This paved walkway lies on the site of the old 22-mile railway loop in the downtown area. The Atlanta Beltline is one of the largest and most diverse urban redevelopment programs in the United States!

While the entire project is still being finished, the Eastside Trail is fully complete. You can enjoy walking between well looked after gardens, parks, and art-installations here . This is a truly exciting development in Atlanta and a must-see attraction while you’re in town!

Downtown Atlanta is the neighborhood in the center of the city. It is home to the central business district as well as many of Atlanta’s most notable tourist attractions, including Centennial Park and the Center for Civil and Human Rights.

• Be inspired by the Center for Civil and Human Rights
• Enjoy a panoramic view of the city at Skyview Atlanta
• Spend an afternoon exploring Centennial Olympic Park

For more Places to Stay, check out our full Atlanta Neighborhood Guide !

3. Visit the City’s Historic Neighborhoods

The busy Atlanta metro area may have a great deal going on, but a visit here should never overlook the important historic neighborhoods of the city! This really is a destination with a fascinating past, and it is best experienced by visiting some of the older neighborhoods.

Must-visit areas include Inman Park, Ansley Park, the Centennial Olympic Park, and the old 4th Ward. While here you can see landmark sights like Martin Luther King’s home, and the former residence of Margaret Mitchell.

These areas are often best explored through a guided tour that can teach you more about the city. Seeing these neighborhoods is one of the most popular things to do in Atlanta!

4. Taste Your Way Through Atlanta’s Street Food at Ponce City Market

When visiting Atlanta, eating is always a highlight! The capital of Georgia is famous for its exciting food scene, and one of the best places to experience this is at the Ponce City Market!

The Ponce City Market is the city’s largest food hall, and it’s sure to satisfy anybody’s taste buds! You can taste your way through a wide range of restaurants and street food favorites in order to see why Atlanta is such a popular foodie hotspot!

Visiting the Ponce City Market is one of the hippest things to do in Atlanta, and it should be a necessary addition to any itinerary here!

5. Learn About Soft Drink History at the World of Coca-Cola

The World of Coca-Cola is one of the best places to go in Atlanta for anyone after a unique museum experience! This interactive museum pays tribute to John S. Pemberton – the pharmacist who invented the famous drink in downtown Atlanta in 1886.

There are loads of exciting installations and exhibits here that honor the fizzy drink! Highlights include the 4-D theater, a manual bottling machine, and of course that tasting room with over 100 Coca-Cola varieties from around the world!

Visiting this fun museum is certainly one of the best things to do in Atlanta indoors!

6. Admire the Incredible Street Art

Taking in all of the innovative and beautifully crafted street art is one of the best things to do in downtown Atlanta! This is a creative city, and one of the best examples of how this is expressed is through the well-decorated streets!

You can visit the Atlanta Street Art Map and choose between seven tours to embark on. Each of them explores different neighborhoods, and they all offer something completely unique!

Some of the popular street art areas to take in include Cabbagetown, Edgewood Avenue, Downtown, East Atlanta, and Little Five Points. The Atlanta BeltLine Eastside trail is also included as one of the tours! This is a great way to understand the streets of Atlanta a little better.

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7. Experience the Underwater World at the Georgia Aquarium

Visiting the Georgia Aquarium is one of the best fun things to do in Atlanta! This aquarium is always a highlight to any Atlanta itinerary, and is a must for any kind of visitor!

This awesome aquarium explores the different oceans and all of the life that can be found in them! Enjoy interactive displays, an immersive 4-D theater, touch pools, and more! Whether you want to see dolphins, sea lions, manta rays, spider crabs , or just about any other sea creature, they can be found here at the aquarium! This is also one of the best things to do in Atlanta with kids.

8. Relax in the Atlanta Botanical Garden

The Atlanta Botanical Garden is a highly impressive 30-acre botanical center found alongside the city’s largest public park. This is a beautiful place to spend a sunny day in the city, and visiting is one of the best things to do in Atlanta in summer!

Stroll between the various plants, flowerbeds, trees, and water features in this well-preserved garden. A popular highlight is the 600-foot Canopy Walk footbridge that is suspended 40 feet above the ground! The Japanese garden is also stunning.

The Atlanta Botanical Garden is the perfect place to slow down a little and escape the buzz of the city.

9. Celebrate American Civil Rights

If you are after a unique and interesting museum in Atlanta, be sure to check out the Center for Civil and Human Rights. This attraction opened in 2014, and it is entirely focused on both the American Civil Rights Movement, as well as the global Human Rights Movement.

The modern and beautifully designed museum consists of three floors of exhibitions. These include a look into the different fights for equality that American communities have faced in the past, and what kind of challenges still lie ahead.

10. Absorb Culture at the High Museum of Art

Now that you have experienced the raw street art of Atlanta, it’s time to see a different artistic side of the city. The High Museum of Art is a highly-acclaimed gallery with a huge range of artworks on display.

You can spend hours exploring this massive art museum, admiring the many different styles and movements that are on exhibition. While the High Museum of Art displays a variety of pieces from across the globe, there is a strong focus on American photography, as well as its many visiting exhibits. This is one of the most captivating Atlanta attractions!

With a Atlanta City Pass , you can experience the best of Atlanta at the CHEAPEST prices. Discounts, attractions, tickets, and even public transport are all standards in any good city pass – be sure invest now and save them $$$ when you arrive!

Not all Atlanta things to do fall under the typical tourism category! There are plenty of unique and interesting things to experience in this city. Here are some of the best unusual things to do in Atlanta.

11. Dive Into the World of Stranger Things

Much of the TV series Stranger Things was filmed around Atlanta, and you can discover these many iconic locations around the city!

If you are a fan of the hit show, then this will promise to be an unforgettable experience ! You can find the Palace Arcade, the Sheriff’s Station, the entrance to the Upside-Down, Merrill’s pumpkin farm, and loads more!

If you enjoyed watching Stranger Things, then this is one of the best things to do in Atlanta off the beaten path!

12. Visit Junkman’s Daughter and the Quirky Little Five Points Neighborhood

Little Five Points is one of the most unique neighborhoods in Atlanta. Here you can find a wide range of record shops, alternative boutiques, vintage stores, and totally one-of-a-kind restaurants! For the ultimate experience here, be sure to visit Junkman’s Daughter!

This big colorful shop embodies everything that Little Five Points stands for. Browse the many quirky items on sale, and absorb the unique culture! Another great destination here is the Variety Playhouse for a well-loved range of performances and concerts!

13. Wander Through the Oakland Cemetery

Visiting a cemetery may not be high up on most tourist lists of what to do in Atlanta, but this place is well worth the visit! The cemetery is a truly historic destination, with many famous graves and headstones. Beyond this, the site is beautifully maintained and cared for.

Guided tours of the cemetery are available if you would like to learn more about the interesting stories and tales around this place. Otherwise walking around the cemetery is also one of the best things to do in Atlanta alone, as you will get to explore the famous headstones and appreciate the overall peace of the place.

14. Try To Escape From The Escape Game!

If you are after something challenging, immersive but totally then then the Atlanta Escape Game may be just what you are looking for. The Escape Game features a variety of different rooms which participants (that’s you and your crew) must try to escape from by working as a team, solving clues and completing puzzles.

All of The Atlanta Escape game rooms are designed to be suitable for everybody, from first-time players to experienced escapologists. No matter which one you decide to play, you’re sure to have an absolute blast!

Atlanta is certainly considered a safe city for visitors. However, there are certain areas that are best to be avoided. These areas are far away from any regular tourist attractions (and all attractions mentioned in this guide).

As with any city, be careful when walking around at night, and always keep a close eye on your belongings. Besides taking regular caution though, Atlanta is a safe destination. Read our tips for traveling safely before you fly and always get travel insurance. Check out our roundup of the best travel insurance .

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Atlanta is not just a city full of historic treasures and daytime activities – there are also some brilliant things to do here at night! Here are some of the best after-hours activities in Atlanta.

14. Drink the Finest Craft Beer

If you love beer, then Atlanta is one of the best places to be! There are a number of excellent craft breweries operating around this city – making it a top destination for anyone interested in this golden drink!

Some must-visit breweries include SweetWater Brewing, Atlanta Brewing, and Monday Night Brewing. Tours are available of these establishments during the day, while nights can be spent enjoying the city’s many local beers!

15. Absorb Entertainment History at the Fox Theater

The Fox Theater is a historic gem in Atlanta! This turn of the century movie house is widely recognized by its iconic sign and stunning location. This amazing Egyptian styled venue has been providing Atlanta with some of the best concerts and performances for many years!

The Fox Theater hosts all kinds of Broadway tour stops, well-known comedians, or big bands. No matter what is going on here though, it will be sure to be an entertainment experience to remember!

For those interested in the history of the venue, tours of the theater are also available.

16. Soak Up Some Blues at Blind Willies

When in the South, catching some live blues is always a good idea! Blind Willies is one of the city’s favorite live music establishments, hosting an excellent lineup of live jazz and blues each evening.

Visiting Blind Willies is one of the best things to do in Atlanta center at night! The atmosphere here is something very special – a real Atlanta experience! This is also the perfect place to visit after dinner at one of the city’s many amazing restaurants.

Looking for a specific place to stay? These are our highest recommendations for places to stay in Atlanta.

Best Airbnb in Atlanta: Themed flat in a prime location

There are some great Airbnbs in Atlanta . Get set up slap bang in the middle of downtown with this cool, art-deco apartment. Given its location (you literally could not be more central) this place is an absolute bargain, even more so when splitting the bill 2 ways. Perfect for those looking to enjoy the city centre day and night. This is certainly one of the best vacation rentals in Georgia .

Best Budget Option in Atlanta: Stonehurst Place

Thanks to its great location this elegant bed and breakfast is the perfect base for your time in Atlanta. It has a number of great features, including a concierge service, a library and free wifi throughout. Each room is outfitted with modern amenities. All of this combined makes it our pick for the best budget accommodation in Atlanta.

Best Hotel in Atlanta: Hyatt Place Atlanta Downtown

The Hyatt Place Downtown gets our vote for the best hotel in Atlanta. It has spacious rooms, large beds, and a delicious on-site restaurant. Centrally located in the heart of the city, this three-star hotel has restaurants, bars, clubs and museums right on its doorstep.

Take a break from the downtown buzz and enjoy a romantic moment in Atlanta! Here are some of the best activities for couples to do in Atlanta.

17. Catch a Drive-In Movie at the Starlight Theater

The Starlight drive-in theater is a popular hotspot in Atlanta that has been going strong since 1949! This old-school art deco drive-in is one of the best things to do in Atlanta for couples, families, or just by yourself!

Catching a movie from the comfort of your car is a really fun experience, and is something that we hardly get to enjoy anymore. A trip to the Starlight Theater lets you experience much more than just a movie though, as there is a great retro Tex-Mex food stand, a fun weekly swap meet event, and a totally unique vintage vibe!

18. Enjoy a Picnic in Piedmont Park

Piedmont Park is Atlanta’s huge green space in the city! This beautiful park is comparable to New York’s Central Park, as the place is always a hub of peaceful activity! One of the best romantic things to do in Atlanta has got to be enjoying a slow picnic in this natural oasis.

Relax under a tree or next to the lake here for a memorable moment. The park is full of greenery and small wildlife, making it the perfect escape from the city! If you are lucky, you might be able to visit Piedmont Park during one of the excellent art festivals, outdoor concerts, or farmers markets that take place here!

If you are seeing Atlanta on a budget then there is no need to worry! This city has some excellent free attractions and activities. Here are some of the best things to do in Atlanta on a budget.

19. Visit the Martin Luther King Jr. Tomb

You just can’t visit Atlanta without exploring the history and story of Martin Luther King Jr a little deeper. This American hero can be appreciated through a visit to his well looked after tomb. This Atlanta landmark is completely free to visit, and is well worth seeing up close!

To add on to this, free tours are available from his tomb, of the area where he grew up. For those wanting to learn more about American civil rights and the powerful story of MLK, then this is a great destination!

20. Witness Art at the Atlanta Contemporary Art Center

The Atlanta Contemporary Art Center is freely open to the public. This gallery is one of the best things to see in Atlanta if you love art but are on a budget! You can explore modern art exhibitions and admire some absolutely amazing pieces.

Atlanta Contemporary Art Center also hosts regular events , lectures, and kids events! This is one of the best places to enjoy during the day in the city without spending a cent!

21. Explore the Centennial Olympic Park

The Centennial Olympic Park provides a space for Atlanta residents to freely enjoy, hang out, and attend events. The park is a great place to visit to enjoy the fun water features, and the colorful lights.

Besides enjoying this park as one of the city’s favorite public spaces, you can also attend a free event here! An absolute highlight is the free concerts that take place here every Wednesday night during summer! These are such fun events that can be enjoyed by anyone in the city!

Books to Read while Visiting Atlanta

To Have and To Have Not – A family man gets involved with the drug smuggling business in the Key West and ends up in a strange affair. Written by the great Ernest Hemingway.

Catcher in the Rye – One of the quintessential tales of growing up. Follows a young boy from Pennsylvania who runs away to New York in an open act of rebellion.

Walden – The transcendental masterpiece by Henry David Thoreau that helped modern Americans rediscover nature and her beauty.

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Planning a trip to Atlanta with your youngsters? Here are some of the city’s best child-friendly attractions!

22. Ponce Market Rooftop Arcade

Visiting the Ponce Market is always a must on any trip to Atlanta Georgia, but if you are visiting with children then be sure to head up to the rooftop! On top of the market is an awesome arcade with a huge range of family-friendly offerings!

Whether it is old school carnival games or flashy modern attractions, the Ponce Market Rooftop Arcade promises hours of fun! Be sure to check out the mini-golf, the Heege Tower climb, skee ball, and the classic ring toss! There is also some tasty food available to keep your children fuelled up and ready to go!

23. Embark on a Superhero Movie Tour

Atlanta has a thriving film industry! Amongst many productions that have been filmed here, superhero movies are some of the most well known! If your kids love the Marvel Universe and want to dive into it in real life, then why not explore some behind the scenes superhero destinations!

You can find a number of iconic movie destinations throughout the city, as well as visit some of the most famous sets ! This is a great way to discover more about the exciting Atlanta film industry – and transporting yourself into these other worlds is seriously fun!

Looking for more excitement in this city? Here are some more highly-rated Atlanta activities!

24. Fernbank Museum of Natural History

Allow natural history to come alive at the Fernbank Museum! This awesome museum is not only highly educational for your little ones, but it also promises to be loads of fun! With a particularly exciting dinosaur exhibit, as well as the WildWoods and Fernbank Forest for some outdoor fun, this museum has it all!

Everyone will love wandering around here, exploring the thrilling exhibitions and fun displays.

25. Taste the Flavors of Southern Cooking

You just have to dedicate a good portion of time during your Atlanta itinerary to eating delicious southern food! This city is famous for its cuisine – from innovative game-changers to classic old-school soul food!

Visit top foodie locations in the city like the Krog Street Market, and the historic restaurants in Inman Park are highly necessary for anyone wanting to learn more about the food here! Learning about Southern food in Atlanta is not only delicious, but it is a great way to further understand the culture and history of this interesting city!

26. Discover Beautiful Areas by Bike

If you want to see reach some of the best lesser-known areas in Atlanta, then one of the best ways of doing this is by bicycle! Atlanta is great for leisurely cycling around and taking in the beautiful neighborhoods and landmarks as you ride past them.

You can cycle through the Atlanta Beltline, Krog Tunnel, Inman Park, the King Historic District, the Old Fourth Ward, the Oakland Cemetery, and more! These historic places have unique things to offer, and cycling between the neighborhoods is one of the best adventurous things to do in Atlanta!

27. Absorb Some Culture at the Goat Farm Arts Center

Yes, this place used to be a goat farm once, but today it is a cultural gem in the city! This building is an impressive art complex with loads of creativity on offer! From dance studios to artists’ rooms, the Goat Farm is an exciting place to visit!

Besides being able to explore the various art studios and displays on offer here, the venue also hosts regular workshops, events, and experimental art shows! There is also an excellent cafe on the premises for a relaxing cup of coffee between artistic explorations.

Atlanta may be an incredible destination in itself, but it is also the perfect base for exploring more of the surrounding area! Here are some fantastic day trips from Atlanta .

Tour the North Georgia Wine Country

You can easily reach the beautiful Georgia wine country from downtown Atlanta. This is the perfect way to spend a day out in the vineyards, tasting some delicious and unique wines of the region!

Besides visiting some top wine farms , you can also explore the wonderfully interesting village of Helen – offering a full Bavarian experience!

Hike Through the Victoria Bryant State Park

If you want to escape the city, then Victoria Bryant State Park is one of the most scenic places to go to! Enjoy a day out in peaceful nature, hiking through the rugged terrain and enjoying beautiful views. You can choose between a number of park routes for hikes depending on personal preference.

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Now that you know about the amazing things to do in Atlanta, it’s time to start planning your trip! Take a look at our awesome 3-day itinerary.

Start your day off at the Georgia Aquarium – an excellent central point. Once you have seen all of the marine life in this amazing place, head over to the neighboring Fourth Ward District . You can spend some time wandering through the interesting shops here, especially the Junkman’s Daughter, before heading to the Atlanta Beltline.

Walk along the Eastside trail admiring all of the art here. Once done, it’s time to head across to the Martin Luther King Jr. Historical Park . Soak up a great deal of history here before walking over to Krog Street Market to end your day with some tasty Southern food!

Start your day at the World of Coca-Cola to get the fun going! After this, you can walk straight down to the Centennial Olymp i c Park . Once you have wandered around here a bit, you can grab something to eat at one of the many incredible downtown restaurants before heading over to the Oakland cemetery .

Explore the cemetery, then visit the neighboring Cabbagetown area for a street art tour. You can then walk through the historic Inman Park neighborhood, before ending the day at the massive Ponce City Market Food Hall !

Day 3 is all about seeing a little bit more of what Atlanta has to offer. Either head out on a day of wine tasting up the North Georgia Region , or consider a beautiful hike through the Victoria Bryant State Park.

End the busy day off at one of the many lively craft breweries in downtown Atlanta!

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Here are some quick answers to common questions about what to do and see in Atlanta.

What is the overall best thing to do in Atlanta?

Of course, every traveller is different, but tasting your way through Atlanta’s street food at Ponce City Market is an absolute must. Make sure you come with an empty stomach!

What are the best things to do in Atlanta for adults?

These are some of the best grown-up things to do in Atlanta: – Drink the Finest Craft Beer – Take a Walk Through the Atlanta Beltline – Catch a Drive-In Movie at the Starlight Theater

What can you do in Atlanta at night?

Check out these amazing things to do in Altanta after dark: – Catch a Drive-In Movie at the Starlight Theater – Soak Up Some Blues at Blind Willies – Absorb Entertainment History at the Fox Theater

What are the best free things to do in Atlanta?

If you’re visiting Atlanta on a budget, check out these amazing free things to do: – Witness Art at the Atlanta Contemporary Art Center – Explore the Centennial Olympic Park – Admire the Incredible Street Art

Atlanta is undoubtedly one of the most exciting cities in the South! Its wide range of landmarks and attractions will appeal to all kinds of people, making it the perfect destination for an action-packed getaway!

Whether you come for the food, the history, the Southern culture, or the interesting museums, your visit to Atlanta will definitely not be one to forget! We hope that this guide to the top things to do in Atlanta, Georgia will help you to see the best of this wonderful city!

Mary Beth Skylis

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Thanks so much for sharing the tops of Atlanta! Your article is full of great ideas and places to visit solo, with friends or family.

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10 things to know before visiting Atlanta

May 26, 2024 • 6 min read

Discover the power of activism at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights © wayfarerlife / Shutterstock

My Atlanta story began in 1990, when my parents moved their young family to the metro area so they could pursue new job opportunities. It was an exciting time to grow up in the unofficial capital of the South . Atlanta’s first Black mayor, Maynard Jackson, was in his third and final term; local leaders were working on their successful bid to host the 1996 Summer Olympics; and Freaknik, the biggest college party for historically Black college and university (HBCU) students, had already gained a national reputation.

As an adult I’ve moved away from home a few times, but this city always seems to draw me back in. I find new ways to fall in love with Atlanta every time I move back. If you’re planning a visit, here are a few insider tips to help you navigate our rules, culture and even the streets.

1. Plan to spend at least three days in the A 

It’ll take a first-time visitor at least two days to see all the typical sites, starting with Atlanta’s downtown tourist district – home to the Georgia Aquarium , the World of Coca-Cola museum  and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights , all within the same square. Centennial Olympic Park is a short walk away. The King Historic District is about a five-minute drive from there, but given the legacies of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King , it needs time to absorb it all. After that, visitors can choose their own adventure by exploring Atlanta's neighborhoods; strolling along the Beltline, a 22-mile multi-use trail; or getting a seat at one of Atlanta’s award-winning restaurants. 

Add these top experiences to your Atlanta itinerary .

2. Know the pros and cons of each season 

Summertime is filled with incredible festivals and outdoor celebrations, but brace yourself for 90°F (32°C) temperatures and sweltering humidity. Winters are mild, but there’s considerably less to do in Atlanta since Southerners don’t appreciate cold weather of any kind. Spring and fall are magical times in the city, but check with your allergist first. Atlanta gets blanketed in pollen, particularly in the spring thanks to our abundant tree cover, but at least we can all admire the blooming dogwood trees while we sneeze.

3. Prepare to see and be seen in Atlanta

Atlanta doesn’t believe partying should be limited to the night. Day parties and restaurants with a lounge atmosphere – a term one website aptly called the clubstaurant – are plentiful. This style may be strange to some visitors. The popular TikTok food critic Keith Lee was shocked by the lack of hospitality at some of these businesses. But to enjoy them like a local, go for the vibes, not for traditional restaurant service.

4. Sunday booze sales can be confusing 

Southern cities have a complicated relationship with alcohol sales on Sunday, and Atlanta is no different. It can be tough to keep track of the regulations, especially when ordinances change from county to county. If you’re in the city limits of Atlanta, you can order a Sunday morning mimosa or bloody mary at brunch beginning at 11am. If you’re outside of Atlanta/Fulton County, be aware that the local laws may be different.

5. Getting around without a car is challenging 

MARTA is Atlanta’s public transportation system, and it’s generally reliable and safe. Many people use the train’s red and yellow lines to get to and from the airport, but the train system isn’t robust enough to take locals or visitors to all of the area’s best offerings, which are sprawled across a large metro area. Renting a car or using rideshare apps are your best options. Local politicians haven’t managed to keep up with infrastructure to support the city’s rapidly growing population, so spontaneous traffic jams occur regularly. Make sure you plan ahead for any timed entries.

Navigate like a local with these tips for getting around .

6. Atlanta has all the Peachtree Streets 

Whoever was in charge of naming streets in Atlanta seemed to run out of ideas. You’ll notice a lot of roads are named after peach trees. On one hand, it’s cute because Georgia is known as the peach state, but the charm tends to wear off quickly. At last count, 71 roads in Atlanta have Peachtree in the name. It can get confusing quickly, so pay attention to the details to see if you’re looking for Peachtree Street, Road, or Way.

7. Fill your soul with local cuisine

You can’t come to the South without filling up on soul food, and Atlanta has some iconic options for you. Look out for local favorites such as shrimp and grits, and fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese. Then try new classics like lemon pepper wings. For eclectic international offerings, try the food hall at Ponce City Market, Buford Highway Farmers Market or East Atlanta Village.

Other states may disagree, but here, we embrace the diner food chain Waffle House. It was founded in Avondale Estates, a suburb of Atlanta, after all. Most people have their hash brown order memorized, whether it’s smothered (with sautéed onions), covered (in melted cheese), diced (with chopped tomatoes) or capped (with mushrooms).

8. Saying Hotlanta will get you the side eye 

Yes, we know Atlanta gets hot in the summertime, and yes, we also know our city is poppin’ with fun things to do all year long. But neither of those truths would ever warrant someone calling the city Hotlanta. The nickname may have been acceptable when it was first coined in the 20th century, but today it will instantly label you as an outsider. Casual nicknames locals prefer are “the A,” and “A-T-L.” If you’re looking for more high-brow nicknames, The Gate City and the City in a Forest also apply, but are not typically used in casual conversation.

9. Black culture is intrinsically connected to Atlanta

Atlanta has the second largest population of Black Americans in the US , behind New York City. But that’s not the only reason why the Black community sees Atlanta as a central city for the culture. It's also home to four HBCUs and Tyler Perry Studios, and has deep roots in the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 60s. Atlanta has remained a major hub for hip hop, from early pioneers such as Frank Ski and Kilo Ali and legends like OutKast, Ludacris and T.I. to fresh talents including Two Chains, Gucci, Future and 21 Savage. 

10. Atlanta embraces our LGBTQ+ community 

Atlanta is also a hub for the Black queer community, and has been for at least two decades. Every Labor Day weekend the community comes together to celebrate Atlanta Black Pride . But there are opportunities to celebrate all year long, whether it’s during Atlanta Pride in October, or at any of the city’s gay bars and clubs, including the established favorites, Bulldogs and My Sister’s Room . 

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The best things to do in Atlanta this summer

Beat the heat or embrace the blazing temps with the best things to do in Atlanta this summer

Atlanta lives up to its Hotlanta nickname summer after summer. But that doesn’t mean the entire city retreats into AC-chilled hibernation. There are plenty of things to do in Atlanta in the summer, from outdoor movies and concerts to festivals and after-hours museum events . Parks and rivers offer shade and relief from the heat during the day. While everyone might move a little slower in the summer, there’s no reason to hole up inside— Atlanta’s restaurants and bars are cranking as usual with a few extra chill options on the menu, and there’s no better time to check out the city’s top attractions , both indoor and out. But to really dive into the season, here are the best things to do in Atlanta this summer, from annual events to treasured summer traditions.

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Best things to do in Atlanta this summer

1.  Drink at Atlanta's best rooftop bars

Sipping a cocktail outdoors is a delightful summer treat, even more so when you’re high above the city on a rooftop. Atlanta’s rooftop bars range from chill to trendy, but all provide amazing views of the city and a chance to catch some gentle breezes and a spectacular summer sunset. Cold beverages with a birds-eye view of the city is a combo that can’t be beat in the summer.

2.  Cool off at Fernbank After Dark

While you can duck into any of Atlanta’s museums during the day for a break from the heat, there’s something special about visiting a museum at night. The Fernbank Museum of Natural History hosts Fernbank After Dark on the second Friday of the month throughout the summer. The adults-only event features live music, bars, tapas, science demos and more. Each month has a different theme, and this year’s themes sound like winners: Fear Factor, On the Rocks and Sense-ational Science.

3.  Shop the Virginia-Highland Summerfest

The charming neighborhood of Virginia-Highland has played host to this vibrant festival for more than 35 years. Typically held during the first weekend of June, Summerfest features an eclectic mix of activities and entertainment. An artist market showcases works from more than 200 artists, live music is featured on multiple stages and local vendors dish out a variety of delicious food. The fest also includes a road race, Kids’ Fest and community kickoff party. The annual event is fun for all, and promotes the tight-knit neighborhood.

4.  Check out the Chastain Park concerts

The Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park is proudly recognized as Atlanta’s oldest outdoor music venue. Each season, more than 200,000 spectators descend upon the venue to see a variety of musical acts. The outdoor stage opened in 1944 and has hosted the likes of Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Paul Simon and Frank Sinatra. A few shows are set up with tables and allow attendees to bring coolers into the venue. Concert highlights this summer include Pixies with Modest Mouse, Slash, Tate McRae and The Roots.

5.  Shoot the Hooch

Shootin’ the Hooch is an absolute must-do in the summer in Atlanta. When temps soar, grab a tube and spend the day floating down the Chattahoochee River. The river’s gentle currents are perfect for tubing, kayaking or rafting. Relax and enjoy the natural beauty as you float for hours, staying cool. Different entry points allow for a variety of experiences, from a gentle float to slightly faster rapids. From a few hours to an all-day adventure, Shootin’ the Hooch is a quintessential summer experience in Georgia.

6.  Taste the bounty at Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival

Celebrate all things tomato at this epic tomato-tasting extravaganza . The annual fundraiser for Georgia Organics brings together top chefs from the likes of Miller Union, Chai Pani, The Deer and the Dove and others to showcase their culinary creations (including cocktails) made with local Georgia tomatoes. Attendees can sample the tasty tomato dishes while enjoying entertainment including DJs, puppets, roving musicians and an auction that will delight any foodie. The event wraps with a cheeky awards ceremony crowning the Tomato Champion.

7.  Catch an outdoor movie

Summer is the perfect time to catch an outdoor flick, and Atlanta hosts movie screenings at iconic venues in and around the city. Pack a picnic, grab your chairs and head out to these spots for everything from Hollywood blockbusters and classics to family-friendly fare. Colony Square in Midtown hosts movies on select Thursdays. Trillith in Fayetteville shows films on its giant, permanent screen. Flicks on the Green at Peachtree Corners hosts films the first Saturday of each month. Movie Mondays in Norcross are a great way to start your week.

8.  Visit Alice in Wonderland at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens

The incredibly popular Alice in Wonderland exhibit returns to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens this summer. Go down the rabbit hole as you explore larger-than-life sculptures in installations inspired by Lewis Carroll’s tales of wonder. From giant storybooks and a grinning Cheshire Cat to the Queen of Hearts’ army and Alice herself spinning in a whirl of teacups, it’s an experience you won’t want to miss. On Thursday evenings, the exhibit turns into a real garden party with Cocktails in Wonderland, featuring specialty cocktails, scavenger hunts, live music, yard games and more.

9.  Stroll the Atlanta Beltline

This vibrant, multi-use path is lined with art, native plants and plenty of green space to relax on a lazy summer day. Stroll the Beltline and pop into a buzzy brewery or restaurant with outdoor seating. The Beltline’s events calendar is packed with summer activities, from fitness classes to run clubs, Tree Tours to bike tours and even live radio broadcasts on weekends from a shipping container along the Eastside trail.

10.  Experience the Piedmont Park Arts Festival

This two-day, outdoor summer arts fest is all about visual arts and family fun. A wide range of art is on display, showcasing the diversity of arts in the region. More than 250 painters, photographers, sculptors, leather and metalwork, glass blowers, jewelers and crafters display their wares. The fest also features artist demos, live acoustic music, a kids’ play area and plenty of festival eats.

11.  Marvel at TinyDoors ATL and Street Art

Get outside and explore Atlanta’s street art scene this summer. At popular attractions around the city like the Georgia Aquarium, Fox Theater or Centennial Olympic Park, you can take a closer look and you might find a tiny, elaborately-decorated door. Where they lead is up to your imagination. TinyDoors ATL is an Atlanta-based art project that aims to bring “big wonder to tiny spaces.” The TinyDoors website has a map to find all of them. On a larger scale, the Living Walls initiative supports public art and projects that bring colorful murals to neighborhoods around the city.

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25 must-try atlanta restaurants.

By Chris Watkins

Famous, Tried-and-true dining experiences

ATL has a flavor all its own, and these tried, and true dining destinations are the must-try restaurants you can’t afford to miss.

Every major city has those restaurants you have to try. You know the ones we’re talking about. They occupy a certain place in locals’ hearts and bear a reputation of being the go-to place to experience the flavors and vibes that embody what a city is all about. The dining destinations residents say, “You can’t visit *insert awesome city like Atlanta* without eating at *insert one of our many well-known and time-tested restaurants*. And with ATL being a foodie city, we’ve got quite a few with that street cred you’d be remiss if you didn’t try. From classic soul food haunts and brunch bastions to blues-belting barbecue joints and fine dining forays, these are Atlanta’s most iconic restaurants.

*Please note that some of these businesses might have changing hours due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Check websites for the most up-to-date information.

Chris Watkins is an Atlanta-based content creator with a deep love and connection to the Atlanta dining and nightlife scene. In his past life he was the Atlanta editor for Thrillist with bylines in the pages of Jezebel Magazine, Men’s Book Atlanta, and Where Atlanta Magazine. He currently operates Watkins Branding, a digital marketing and social media agency with focus on the restaurant and hospitality industry.

Mary Mac’s Tea Room

Where: midtown.

Mary Mac’s Tea Room has delivered on serving up down-home faves like fried green tomatoes, fried chicken and copious amounts of sweet tea (never order unsweet here; it’s blasphemy) since opening its doors in 1945. Yes, for 75 years, it’s been a legend in Atlanta’s culinary story, and if you ask anyone where to go for a healthy dose of proper Southern cooking, this Ponce de Leon icon will be first on the list.

The Colonnade

Where: buckhead.

From the outside, The Colonnade may not be much to look at with its vintage wood paneling and retirement community vibes, but it’s what’s on the inside that counts. And inside the Atlanta institution that’s been around since 1927 is a lively and loyal crowd of regulars that live by Cheshire Bridge Road restaurant’s penchant for stellar fried chicken and comforting nightly specials.

The Busy Bee Cafe

Where: vine city.

The Busy Bee Cafe is essential ATL dining. No pretense. Just great food and a history that spans more than 70 years in serving up consistent, time-tested recipes you won’t soon forget. A favorite of celebrities and politicians alike over the years, the West End soul food diner is a necessary stop to explore for their signature fried chicken, vegetables and other Southern delicacies.

Paschal’s

Where: castleberry hill.

With a storied history going back to 1947, Paschal’s has cemented a legacy in Castleberry Hill as one of Atlanta’s foremost destinations for fall-out-of-your-seat fried chicken — it’s that good. After you pick yourself up off the floor and calm your nerves with their award-winning peach cobbler, immerse yourself in the restaurant’s civil rights heritage where it served as the central meeting place for the likes of Martin Luther King Jr., Andrew Young, Maynard Jackson and more leaders of the movement.

Pittypat’s Porch

Where: downtown.

Since opening in 1967, little has changed at Downtown stalwart Pittypat’s Porch . And that’s part of its mystique as one of Atlanta’s most iconic establishments. Named after Scarlett O’Hara’s aunt in the film “Gone With the Wind,” dining at Pittypat’s is like traveling back in time. A time of prim and proper Southern dining on pewter and floral adorned plates piled high with Georgia catfish, Southern sides and pecan pie. Complete the antebellum experience by sipping stiff mint juleps on their upstairs vintage rocking chairs. It’s what Pittypat would’ve wanted.

Where: Poncey-Highland

With a name like Eats , you know what you’re getting yourself into. The casual Ponce de Leon cafeteria opened its doors in 1993 as a no-nonsense respite from the day’s worries. Since then, it’s become an Atlanta institution best known for its uncompromising meat and three plates of their famous jerk chicken, meatloaf and veggies. These comforting dishes, combined with cheap prices, made it a welcome addition to the nearby college community and workers searching for the best bang for their buck. That continues to resonate to this day.

Manuel’s Tavern

Manuel’s Tavern has always been a burgeoning destination for beers and bright conversations. After opening in 1956, it became the foremost neighborhood bar and meeting spot for politicians, journalists and locals to either catch a sports game or debate the latest politics. The latter was its claim to fame. Even former President Jimmy Carter was a regular, and if you take a look around at the slices of nostalgia adorning the walls, you’ll see why this Eastside establishment is so highly revered. It now sits on the National Register of Historic Places (if that tells you anything about the Poncey-Highland mainstay).

Fat Matt’s Rib Shack

Where: morningside.

Fat Matt’s Rib Shack is an ATL icon through and through, and a consistent player on residents’ lists of their favorite barbecue spots. Whether it’s racks upon racks of saucy, savory ribs, pulled pork sandwiches or comforting sides, you know you’re in for a treat when you pull up to the neon-lit Morningside ‘cue house.

Johnny’s Hideaway

Catering to an older crowd as the go-to destination for marathon dancing and bar-driven eats  like tater tots, nachos and wings, Johnny’s Hideaway has lived a storied history in Buckhead for over 40 years. The old school disco with little pretense has welcomed countless celebrities, played as the backdrop to Hollywood movies and reinvented itself over the years by offering a mix of classic hits and modern tunes to draw in younger patrons. Based on its long reputation of being the place to dance like nobody’s watching and fill your spirit with nostalgia and great vibes, it’s a vital piece of old Atlanta’s story.

Murphy’s

Where: virginia-highland.

Bring on the brunch! A Virginia-Highland staple for 40 years, Murphy’s penchant for delivering game-changing comfort food and brunch has cemented its legacy as one of the most beloved destinations to enjoy a weekend breakfast/lunch feast. Park yourself in front of signature favorites like the chilaquiles, crab cake Benedict, banana-covered French toast and more hits that will have you making a standing appointment at this Atlanta icon.

The Varsity

You’ve heard the rally cry from eager carhops ready to serve. “What’ll ya have?” isn’t an easy question to answer when there’s so much to choose from at the world’s largest drive-in restaurant, The Varsity . This downtown Atlanta institution has been keeping college students, sports revelers and locals fed with coma-inducing chili-cheese dogs, onion rings and more fabulous fast food since 1928. And don’t get us started on the Frosted Orange shake. The Varsity is an Atlanta icon like no other.

Japanese fare doesn’t get any better than Nakato . As the oldest Asian restaurant in Atlanta, it’s called the luxe neighborhood of Buckhead home for more than 45 years and is still going strong welcoming a new generation of sushi and omakase lovers. The real star of the show is the authenticity of technique and service where time-honored traditions of private tatami dining, high-flying hibachi and razor-thin cuts of sashimi impart elements of wonder that keep patrons coming back for more.

Grand China

Far East flavors of China, Japan and Thailand combine for a global melange of flavors at Grand China . Since 1978, the Buckhead institution has been a neighborhood favorite featuring an extensive menu that would take weeks to eat through. Whether you’ve got a taste for Peking duck, shrimp lo mein, beef pad Thai, sushi or ramen, Grand China has you covered no matter the mood.

The Silver Skillet

Where: home park.

Atlanta loves a good diner, especially for breakfast, and The Silver Skillet has been the go-to since 1956. That’s a long time, and the Midtown eatery is still bursting with 1950s nostalgia. Its vintage decor has made it a top filming location for many tv shows and movies. The Silver Skillet can be seen in “Traveling Man,” “Remember the Titans” and “I’ll Fly Away,” plus many more movies, TV shows and music videos. For folks looking for an essential Southern breakfast, you can’t go wrong with their famous country ham with red-eye gravy, country-fried steak and cheese eggs. Top it all off with their signature and award-winning lemon icebox pie and you’re already ahead of the game.

Majestic Diner

Serving up “food that pleases,” Majestic Diner has been a long-standing fixture in Poncey-Highland since 1929. As one of Atlanta’s oldest restaurants, the time-tested greasy spoon brings many quality breakfast and lunch options daily. You’ll find everything from burgers and sandwiches to omelets, pancakes and waffles.

Sublime Doughnuts

Where: various locations.

Since opening in 2008, Sublime Doughnuts has been one of Atlanta’s favorite stops for doughnut deliciousness. And while not technically a restaurant, the numerous accolades under its belt and a reputation for bringing unique flavors to life in doughnut form made it a must-add to this list. I don’t make the rules, sorry. From its raspberry-filled dark chocolate-covered heart doughnuts and A-Town cream to its orange-glazed dream star and fresh strawberries-n-cream, this is one dough dealer not to miss.

FINE DINING

Where: vinings.

Tucked along the banks of the Chattahoochee River, the peaceful serenity of riverside restaurant, Canoe , is only enhanced by its fine dining moxie. Consistently featured on national lists for its pristine New American cuisine and romantic environs, take a relaxing before/after-dinner stroll through their lush garden. Step outside your comfort zone with bites of their signature house-smoked salmon and peppercorn crusted kangaroo loin.

The Sun Dial Restaurant, Bar and View

Set atop the towering disco ball that is Westin Peachtree Plaza, the Sun Dial Restaurant, Bar and View is an essential fixture of downtown Atlanta’s sprawling skyline. Since its inception, Sun Dial has garnered praise as one of the most romantic restaurants in the city and serves as the litmus test for bucket list experiences that every visitor and local must try. Brilliant brunch and contemporary American dining combine with the most breathtaking views the city has to offer.

Atlanta restaurants with out-of-this-world ambiance really ramp up the romance factor on date night, and sky-high revolving restaurant Polaris is one of the most engaging destinations to show your lover something new. While the blue-domed “spaceship” perched atop the Hyatt Regency Downtown closed in 2004 after decades of service, it reemerged in 2014 to reclaim its glory as one of the city’s most iconic landmarks for cocktails and contemporary dining.

Nikolai’s Roof

Atlanta loves a good rooftop restaurant, and Nikolai’s Roof is no exception. Sitting atop the Hilton Atlanta, this Downtown icon has been around since 1965, serving up sophisticated cuisine with Russian influence in exotic items like piroshki, borscht and foie gras. Ranking high on the romance factor, city views, an extensive wine list and mind-blowing desserts (Grand Marnier souffle, anyone?) make this city mainstay a must.

Aria is nothing short of essential fine dining in Atlanta, with contemporary updates on classics and immaculate service. It’s a place where memorable meals happen, and chef/owner Gerry Klaskala’s culinary passion front and center in thoughtful, meticulously-crafted dishes that read more like works of art than simple appetizers and entrees. And in the 20 years Aria has called Buckhead home, the James Beard Award “Outstanding Service” semifinalist has painted the picture of what bespoke dining in ATL is all about.

Located in the heart of Buckhead, La Grotta has been an Atlanta fine dining tradition since 1978. The basement-level Italian restaurant oozes old-world charm and romance amplified by classic pasta dishes like goat cheese ravioli, penne bolognese, pappardelle lobster and more comforting offerings. And there’s just something special about black truffles shaved tableside to take your meal to the next level. Don’t say “when.”

Chop’s Lobster Bar

You can’t talk about iconic dining in Atlanta without several Buckhead Life Restaurant Group’s concepts coming into the conversation. Just take Chops Lobster Bar , the quintessential steakhouse driving the ATL’s ultimate fine dining experience for over 30 years. We’re talking the finest cuts of USDA prime steaks, A5 wagyu and all the fixings you’d expect from a Buckhead icon that continues to garner awards to this day. Whether it’s celebrating a birthday, business deal or you want to be pampered with pristine service; you’ve gotta add Chops to your must-try list.

Atlanta Fish Market

Giant fish outside, big seafood flavors inside — that’s Atlanta Fish Market . As another gem from the Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, this sea-faring icon in one of Atlanta’s most upscale neighborhoods has delivered on showcasing the freshest seafood and unadulterated service since it opened in 1993. Featuring Atlanta’s largest selection of wild-caught fish, don’t miss out on the feast of broiled or fried seafood platters adorned with lump crab cakes, jumbo shrimp, scallops and more.

Kevin Rathbun Steak

Where: inman park.

There are steakhouses, and then there are steakhouses . The latter being the incomparable fine dining experience you’ll receive at Kevin Rathbun Steak . Chef Kevin Rathbun’s celebrated ode to all things steak in Inman Park is one of the top steakhouses in the United States. Sizzling sides and sauces play well with impactful appetizers like sriracha-molasses covered bacon and seared foie gras, but you’re here for the steak — and Rathbun’s savory selects of USDA dry-aged cuts is the thing dreams are made of.

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Another billionaire plans to visit the Titanic in a submersible to prove it can be done safely, reports say

(Gray News) – Another billionaire is planning a trip to the Titanic wreckage in a submersible after five people were killed in the OceanGate Titan disaster last June.

Billionaire real estate mogul Larry Connor is teaming up with Patrick Lahey, co-founder and president of Triton Submarines , for the next trip to the Titanic, according to multiple outlets.

Lahey has spent years working to make submersibles safe for deep dives and has visited the deepest parts of the ocean.

Lahey told the Wall Street Journal that a few days after the OceanGate tragedy, he got a call from Connor, who was determined to create another expedition to the Titanic that would prove it could be done safely.

Connor, who is worth about $2 billion according to Forbes , is the head of The Connor Group , a luxury apartment building investor. He has also previously visited deep parts of the ocean and outer space.

According to BBC , Connor and Lahey plan to use a two-person submersible made of acrylic that can safely reach 13,000 feet. The Titanic wreckage sits 12,500 feet under the ocean. The OceanGate Titan submersible only had a range of just under 4,300 feet, according to CBS News .

Connor and Lahey have not said when they plan to take their trip to the Titanic.

Copyright 2024 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

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