20 things to do in Atlanta (updated 2025)

Atlanta offers many free activities for visitors and locals alike.

Parks and Outdoors:

• Centennial Olympic Park is a 22-acre park that pays homage to the 1996 Olympics. Visitors can relax and explore gardens. Enjoy the Fountain of Rings show, which plays four times a day.
• Piedmont Park offers 211 acres of green space, walking and biking trails, and a splash pad. The park also hosts free outdoor yoga and fitness classes each month. Free swimming pool hours are on weekday afternoons from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
• The Atlanta BeltLine is a 22-mile trail that connects neighborhoods and showcases public art. Visitors can walk or bike the trail, enjoying art installations, city views, and restaurants. There is a giant “tiny” door on the Beltline to discover.
• Westside Park, Atlanta’s largest greenspace, features panoramic views and 2.5 miles of ADA-accessible trails.
• The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area offers 48 miles of trails for biking and hiking along the river.
• Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area has trails for exploring nature.

Arts and Culture:

• Tiny Doors ATL is a public art project with small sculptures throughout the city, creating a scavenger hunt-like experience.
• The High Museum of Art offers free admission on the second Sunday of each month from 12 – 5 pm, and free daily admission for active and veteran military personnel and one guest.
• The Atlanta Monetary Museum at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta offers free self-guided tours to explore the history of money.

Other Free Activities:

• Explore the Sweet Auburn District, which features historic churches, the Auburn Avenue Research Library, and the Municipal Market.
• Visit the Atlanta History Center, which has outdoor spaces that are free to explore.
• Visit the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park.
• Check out the Georgia Governor’s Mansion which is free to visit.
• Visit the Oakland Cemetery or Westview Cemetery to learn about Atlanta’s history.

Many of the family-friendly activities in Atlanta are suitable for children of varying ages. Some venues have specific areas designed for younger children, like the Children’s Garden at the Atlanta Botanical Garden or the KIDZone at Zoo Atlanta. Other activities like the Sloomoo Institute or LEGOLAND Discovery Center offer interactive fun for all ages.

Museums:

• The Children’s Museum of Atlanta offers hands-on exhibits and activities for children aged 2 to 8.
• Fernbank Museum of Natural History has dinosaur exhibits, an IMAX theater, and a 65-acre old-growth forest to explore. It also has a “Teen Takeover” event focusing on prehistoric fun.
• The Center for Puppetry Arts features puppet-making, tours, shows, and a museum with the Jim Henson Collection. It also has a “Cereal Saturday” event featuring classic puppet TV shows.
• The David J. Sencer CDC Museum has interactive exhibits that explore the history of disease research and eradication.

Outdoor Activities:

• Centennial Olympic Park features the Fountain of Rings, playgrounds, gardens, and expansive lawns. It is a central access point to family fun and entertainment.
• Piedmont Park offers walking and biking trails, a pool, a splash pad, playgrounds, and sports facilities.
• Zoo Atlanta is home to many gorillas, orangutans, and other animals. It also has a “Great Backyard Bird Count” event with activities.
• The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area has trails for biking and hiking along the river. The Chattahoochee Nature Center has an interpretive center, gardens, and a river boardwalk.
• Stone Mountain Park has a variety of attractions and natural features to explore.

Unique Experiences:

• Sloomoo Institute is a sensory experience focused on slime.
• World of Coca-Cola explores the history of the soft drink with exhibits and a tasting room.
• LEGOLAND Discovery Center features a 4-D cinema and interactive LEGO experiences.
• The Atlanta BeltLine is a 22-mile trail that connects neighborhoods and showcases art, shops, and restaurants.

If your kids are interested in baseball, you can take them to attend an Atlanta Hawks game at State Farm Arena or an Atlanta Braves game at Truist Park. Slightly older kids may be interested in the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame.

Atlanta offers a variety of fun activities for teenagers, ranging from adventurous outdoor experiences to cultural and artistic explorations.

Outdoor Adventures:

• Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area provides hiking, biking, kayaking, and tubing opportunities. You can “shoot the ‘hooch” via kayak, tube, or paddleboard.
• Stone Mountain Park offers attractions like the Summit Skyride, SkyHike (a rope course), and rides on the Ducks (1940s-era Army DUKWs).
• Banning Mills features the world’s largest canopy zip line tour, a climbing wall, GPS Adventure Challenge, and Power Free Fall.

Arts and Culture:

• High Museum of Art provides art programs for all ages, including Teen Art Afternoons.
• Fernbank Museum of Natural History has a “Teen Takeover” event with exhibits including the “Ultimate Dinosaurs” display.
• The Fox Theatre is a historic venue that hosts shows and tours.
• Explore Atlanta’s street art and murals in neighborhoods like Midtown and Cabbagetown.
• Trap Music Museum explores hip-hop culture with memorabilia, art, and escape rooms.

Unique Experiences:

• Sloomoo Institute offers a sensory experience focused on slime.
• World of Coca-Cola explores the history of the soft drink with exhibits and a tasting room.
• The Painted Pin is an upscale bar with bowling, ping pong, bocce, shuffleboard, and other games.
• The ROOF at Ponce City Market offers vintage games, rides, and mini-golf.
• Eatavision offers a movie-inspired dining experience.
• iFLY Atlanta offers an indoor skydiving experience.
• Beat the Bomb Atlanta is an immersive escape room experience with high-tech video game rooms.
• Visit LEGOLAND Discovery Center at Phipps Plaza for LEGO-themed fun.
• Attend an Atlanta Hawks game at State Farm Arena.
• Take a guided tour of Truist Park, home of the Atlanta Braves. Or attend one of their games.
• Take a Stranger Things “The Upside Down” Locations Tour to see filming sites.

Active Adventures:

• Andretti Indoor Karting & Games has go-karts, laser tag, and video games.
• Adrenaline Climbing offers an indoor climbing experience.
• Xtreme Hopp has a smash room, axe throwing, and paintball.
• Puttshack is a tech-infused mini golf experience.
• Take a Ghost Tour for a spooky look into Atlanta’s history.

Atlanta won’t disappoint if you want to step out at night. There are many exciting options for nighttime entertainment – from live music and bustling bars to family-friendly attractions and unique cultural experiences.

Live Music and Nightlife:

• Edgewood Avenue in the Old Fourth Ward has many popular bars and music venues.
• The Tabernacle is a beloved downtown hotspot that has been a part of the Atlanta music scene for nearly 30 years.
• Variety Playhouse is a live music venue featuring artists from various genres.
• The Eastern is a state-of-the-art venue in the Reynoldstown neighborhood.
• Explore different neighborhoods like Midtown, Eastside, Westside, and Buckhead for unique nightlife experiences.
• Lips Atlanta is a popular bar with drag shows.

Family-Friendly Activities:

• The Atlanta Botanical Garden extends its hours in the summer, offering sunset views, cocktails, and live music.
• SkyView Atlanta is a Ferris wheel that provides amazing city views at night.
• The Georgia Aquarium is open late on Saturdays and Sundays and offers a unique nighttime experience.

Cultural and Unique Experiences:

• Take a ghost tour to learn about Atlanta’s haunted history and hear chilling stories of the city’s past. Oakland Cemetery also offers nighttime tours.
• Ponce City Market offers a variety of food and drink options, as well as the Skyline Park with rooftop amusements, games, and skyline views.
• The Painted Pin offers bowling and other upscale games with cocktails and gourmet food.

Dining and Socializing:

• Ponce City Market features a variety of restaurants in a trendy setting.
• The Battery Atlanta near Truist Park offers restaurants, bars, and shops for evening entertainment.

Atlanta offers many unique and cool experiences for both tourists and locals.

Tiny Doors ATL is an Atlanta-based art project created by artist Karen Anderson Singer. The small entryway-styled installations are designed to reflect the spirit and architecture of the community they represent.

Art and Culture:

• Tiny Doors ATL: Discover the small, whimsical art installations which resemble doors scattered throughout the city. They are usually near popular attractions. This public art project offers a fun, scavenger hunt-like experience.
• Street Art and Murals: Explore the vibrant and diverse street art scene in neighborhoods like Midtown and Cabbagetown. You can even take a guided tour of the city’s street art.
• Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA): This museum features unconventional exhibits focused on the impact of design on everyday life.
• Trap Music Museum: It is the world’s first hip hop museum, and you can engage with hip-hop culture through memorabilia, art, and interactive exhibits. There’s even an interactive escape room experience called Jail Cell.
• Videodrome: Visit Atlanta’s last video rental store, which has a huge selection of films.

Unique Attractions & Experiences:

• Sloomoo Institute: This is both kid and adult-friendly attraction where you experience a world of slime with various textures, colors, and scents.
• World of Coca-Cola: Explore the history of the world’s most famous soft drink, see the bottling process, and sample Coke products from different parts of the world. Don’t forget to take a photo with the Coca-Cola Polar Bear.
• The Roof at Ponce City Market: Enjoy vintage games, mini-golf, and a beer garden with skyline views. In the winter you can try ice skating.
• The Painted Pin: This upscale bar in Buckhead offers bowling, ping pong, bocce, shuffleboard, and live music.
• Center for Puppetry Arts: Discover the art of puppetry, catch a performance, and visit the museum that houses the Jim Henson Collection.
• Oakland Cemetery and Westview Cemetery: Take a tour, including ghost-themed events, of these historic cemeteries.
• Atlanta Monetary Museum: Explore the history of money with interactive exhibits and a view of cash processing areas.
• Stranger Things Film Locations Tour: Visit filming locations from the popular Netflix show.
• Explore Atlanta’s many breweries, some of which offer tours and tastings.

Atlanta offers various activities for couples in love, from romantic and relaxing to adventurous and unique.

Romantic Dining and Wine Tasting:

• Enjoy a romantic dinner at one of Atlanta’s top restaurants, many of which offer beautiful ambiance, tasty cuisine, and amazing skyline views.
• Take a day trip to Château Élan Winery & Resort for tours and tastings.

Unique and Cultural Activities:

• Indulge in a couple’s massage at The Waldorf Astoria Spa in Buckhead, which includes an aromatic bath, body exfoliation, and aromatherapy massage.
• Attend Sips Under the Sea at the Georgia Aquarium for a romantic evening with music, tapas, and cocktails.
• Stroll through the Atlanta Botanical Garden, enjoying the scenery and perhaps a picnic.
• Enjoy a British Tea Time at The Millennium Gate, which includes a tour of the museum.
• Visit the High Museum of Art, which offers over 17,000 works of art and special events.
• Attend a performance by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.
• Enjoy a show at the historic Fox Theatre.

Adventurous and Active Dates:

• Go on a romantic river adventure at the Chattahoochee Nature Center, with options for canoeing, hiking, and outdoor movie nights.
• Bike or stroll along the Atlanta BeltLine, taking in the street art and stopping at Krog Street Market or Ponce City Market.
• Enjoy a Helicopter tour for incredible views of the city.
• Hike or take the gondola ride up Stone Mountain and enjoy a picnic with scenic views.
• Try ziplining at the Chattahoochee Nature Center.
• Go ice skating at one of the pop-up rinks in Atlanta from Thanksgiving through Valentine’s Day.

While most unique attractions and experiences are not immediately adjacent to the Atlanta airport, they are reasonably accessible with a short ride from the airport to downtown.

Here are activities in the Downtown area that you can explore if you have a layover of more than four to five in the Atlanta airport.

• Centennial Olympic Park and nearby attractions like the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, and the College Football Hall of Fame are accessible from downtown.
• The Children’s Museum of Atlanta is also in the downtown area.
• State Farm Arena, home of the Atlanta Hawks, is also in downtown Atlanta.
• The Tabernacle, a popular music venue, is in downtown Atlanta.
• The Fox Theatre, known for its shows and architecture, is in downtown Atlanta.

Other downtown experiences are The National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Skyview Atlanta, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, The Hard Rock Cafe, and The Martin Luther King Jr National Site.

Since the Atlanta airport is a major hub, it is relatively easy to travel from there to most of the attractions in the city.