The "Peach State" of Georgia's capital, Atlanta, is in many ways the main hub of the American South. The city began as a military outpost before transforming into an early railway junction and then swiftly became a significant commercial town.
It served as a crucial Confederate bastion and supply center during the Civil War, but when Union General William Sherman took it, it was in ruins. Margaret Mitchell, an Atlanta native, earned the Pulitzer Prize for her best-selling book Gone with the Wind, which was inspired by these events.
Atlanta has developed into a significant economic, cultural, and aviation traffic hub in recent years. The headquarters of numerous well-known companies, including CNN and Coca-Cola, are located here.
When visiting Atlanta, don't expect to find a serene, sedate Southern metropolis. Instead, travelers will discover a pretty huge, constantly crowded, yet incredibly dynamic American metropolis with close to 500,000 inhabitants, all of whom appear to want to be exactly where you are. Despite this, Atlanta is undoubtedly not devoid of Southern charm.
Atlanta is home to a plethora of fascinating destinations, with top tourist draws in everything from the arts to sports. Along the trip, you'll also come across a lot of historical buildings, cutting-edge museums, and stunning parks and gardens.
Whatever your interests, this list of the top tourist attractions and things to do in Atlanta, Georgia, will make it simple for you to organize your trip.
1.Go to the Georgia Aquarium
The Georgia Aquarium offers a vast range of marine life as well as some very engaging and interactive activities for guests, making it one of the best family-friendly things to do in Atlanta. One of the biggest aquariums in the world, it is home to more than 100,000 aquatic animals, including whale sharks, the biggest sharks in the ocean.
Additionally, you may view rare albino alligators and observe trainers working with California sea lions. The possibility to dive or snorkel in the shark tank is one distinctive option provided by the Georgia Aquarium. Visitors who are certified in SCUBA diving are required to engage in the dive program.
The aquarium also features an acrylic tunnel for individuals who don't want to get wet. During this breathtaking underwater encounter, visitors can see fish moving in all directions, including sharks.
2. Wander around the Atlanta Botanical Garden.
The Atlanta Botanical Garden is a nice area where you may spend some time strolling around. A variety of well-designed gardens, including formal flowerbeds and imposing trees that frame Midtown Atlanta's urban landscape, are some of this must-see Atlanta destination.
The botanical garden is wonderful all year round since there is always something in bloom. Having said that, spring is undoubtedly a fantastic season to travel because of the riot of hues. Other noteworthy features are the Desert House, the Winter Garden, the Japanese Garden, the Conservation Garden, and the Orchid Display House at the Fuqua Orchid Center.
The Rose Garden and its hydrangeas, which each contain the greatest such collections in the Southeast, are two of its main specialties. Families also enjoy taking use of the specially created children's garden area and the high walkway that offers visitors a look down into the forest from the treetops. Depending on the season you go, although the interior gardens are usually lovely, will determine what you see there.
3. Visit the National Historical Park honoring Martin Luther King Jr.
A national historic site has been established to safeguard two blocks of Auburn Avenue. They include the civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthplace at 501 Auburn Avenue, which was built in 1895, and the Ebenezer Baptist Church, where his father served as a preacher, at 407–413 Auburn Avenue.
The National Park Service provides free tours of Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthplace. Within the historic site, there are a number of additional linked locations to explore. King's burial is located in the Freedom Hall Complex, just next to it. Fire Station No. 6, which played a role in the life of the neighborhood and where volunteers share tales of life here when King was a child, is located between his birthplace and Ebenezer Baptist Church.
Also nearby is the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change.
4.The Center for Civil and Human Rights
A wonderfully designed interpretive center/museum commemorates Atlanta's role in the American Civil Rights campaign of the 1950s and 1960s by relating this titanic fight to the larger global campaign for human rights.
With authentic television newscasts, speeches, images, movies, personal testimonies, and interactive activities that immerse visitors in the struggle, the Center for Civil and Human Rights covers the history of Jim Crow laws. Men and women who lost their lives in the conflict are honored via portraits and accounts of their labor.
The Human Rights Movement gallery broadens the scope of the story to include human rights issues such as women's rights, children's rights, and apartheid in South Africa, encouraging viewers to consider the rights of people everywhere.
5. Visit World of Coca-Cola to experience the "Real Thing"
A syrup was developed in 1886 by a chemist by the name of Dr. John Pemberton, or so he said, to treat headaches and other alleged illnesses. The world's most well-known soft drink was created when a buddy of his combined the sticky liquid with water and carbonic acid.
The World of Coca-Cola entertains viewers of all ages while illuminating the history and triumphant development of the popular beverage. Scent Discovery, a brand-new exhibit that tests your sense of smell and investigates the roots of distinct perfumes, analyzes the sense of smell and its origins.
6. Attend a show or a movie at the Fox Theatre.
The Fox Theatre was once constructed in the 1920s as the opulent Yaarab Temple Shrine Mosque, with an Arabian-themed interior. Its history is complex, and there were issues during the Great Depression, but ever since it was built, it has been a beloved monument. On the National Register of Historic Places, it is recognized.
In an effort to restore the theater's original grandeur, extensive restoration work has been done to the inside over the years, including repairs and restorations to the furniture collection to keep its 1929 aspect.
There are hundreds of performances held at the Fox every year, featuring a variety of entertainment options like operas, ballets, rock concerts, and movies. The Egyptian Ballroom and the Grand Salon, two magnificently refurbished ballrooms, are available for special events in addition to the theater.
7. Take a jog or stroll through Piedmont Park.
The oldest and biggest park in the Atlanta metro area is Piedmont Park, which is only a short distance northeast of the city center. The Civil War's Battle at Peachtree Creek took place on these grounds.
A four-mile circle around the park's scenic features, natural areas, gardens, and historic sites is among the miles of hiking and running trails that wind through its gently sloping meadows and shaded woods. Join fitness enthusiasts on Piedmont Park's Active Oval running track for a challenging workout.
The park contains off-leash dog parks, gardens, sports fields, a lake with fishing piers, children's playgrounds, a swimming pool at the Piedmont Park Aquatic Center, and a splash pad for kids at the Legacy Fountain, in addition to offering walking and running trails.
Every Saturday, local farmers and craftsmen congregate at the Green Market where you can buy everything from fresh peaches, handcrafted soaps, and smoked meats to biscuits, Irish pancakes, sheep cheese, and caramelized sheep milk. Chef demonstrations are available every Saturday from 11 a.m. until noon.
From April through November, you can take a free guided walking tour to learn about the park's past on Saturday mornings at 11 a.m. Additionally, the Piedmont Park Conservancy hosts bird walks with the Atlanta Audubon Society on the first Saturday of each month to explore the park's numerous habitats. The park also holds a variety of events, including musical performances and fitness classes.
8.Atlanta History Center
The Atlanta History Center is a sizable complex that houses the Atlanta History Museum, Centennial Olympic Games Museum, Swan House, Smith Family Farm, Kenan Research Center, as well as several historic gardens.
The History Museum houses both a permanent collection and changing exhibitions on a variety of subjects relating to Atlanta's history, including the American Civil War, Southern Folk Art, and more.
The historical homes, which date from the 1860s to the 1920s, give visitors a taste of life at the time. The apartment where Mitchell composed Gone with the Wind is located in the Margaret Mitchell House. This chamber, as well as a small documentary and exhibition about Margaret Mitchell, are all included in the guided tour.
Both natural areas and formal gardens are present in the six historic gardens. When the rhododendrons and azaleas are in bloom in the spring, the Frank A. Smith Rhododendron Garden is at its finest. The Tullie Smith Farm also features a garden that dates back to the 1860s.
9. Have Fun at the Atlanta LEGOLAND Discovery Center
Anyone who enjoys LEGO? The LEGOLAND Discovery Center Atlanta, one of the best family attractions in the city, offers LEGO lovers of all ages a wonderful opportunity to satisfy their passion for these miniature plastic building blocks.
The LEGOLAND Discovery Center Atlanta debuted in 2012 and is situated in the upscale Phipps Plaza, a posh retail center to the north of downtown Atlanta. Highlights include a size LEGO replica of the city made from no less than 1.5 million bricks, depicting popular landmarks like the Georgia Aquarium and the Fox Theatre.
There are additional kid-friendly rides with a LEGO theme, as well as a 4-D theater presenting related film adventures. Age-appropriate seminars are regularly given, and an opportunity to stock up on the most well-liked construction toy in the world is provided by the on-site store. There is a café on the property as well.
10. Bring the kids to Atlanta Zoo
Another entertaining family activity to include on your agenda is a trip to Zoo Atlanta. The zoo, which was established in 1889, has recently undergone a significant change that has catapulted it to the top of lists of animal attractions in the USA.
Its central location in Grant Park, also known as the Atlanta Zoo, makes it simple to travel to, and the construction of new parking facilities has improved the visiting experience. A gorilla and monkey habitat in the African rainforest is one of its most well-liked displays. Other adorable animals include an aviary, lemurs, bears, and giant pandas in the Asian rainforest section.
There are also a lot of unusual experiences available. These consist of entertaining after-hours visits, safari camps, and led trips. A behind-the-scenes animal experience is also available, allowing you to meet several different animals that are cared for by the zoo up close.
11. Jimmy Carter's Presidential Library and Museum
The Jimmy Carter Library and Museum, which is situated in a stunning park-like setting in the Poncey-Highland area close to Freedom Park, is a must-see regardless of your political inclinations.
A repository for more than 27 million pages of official documents, as well as sizable collections of images and films pertaining to the 39th US President's term, the site was established in 1986 and recently underwent renovation. Numerous records and artifacts from his personal and family life are also included.
Other attractions include a showcase for Carter's Nobel Peace Prize and an exact replica of the Oval Office as it was when he occupied it. Self-guided tours of the 30-acre gardens and museum are available. While you're here, be sure to take in the fantastic views of Atlanta.
12.High Museum of Art
The High Museum of Art, which was created by architect Richard Meier and expanded with the addition of three new structures created by Italian architect Renzo Piano, is notable for both its outstanding collections of artwork from the Renaissance to the present. It is notably well-known for its collections of American art from the 19th and 20th centuries as well as works by French masters from the 19th century.
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A sizeable collection of European paintings and decorative art is also included, while more recent additions include African art, modern and contemporary art, and photography. A yearly film series presenting foreign, independent, and vintage cinema is presented at the museum, which is a component of the Robert W. Woodruff Arts Center.
13. Hall of Fame for college football
When in Atlanta, sports fans must visit the College Football Hall of Fame, which opened its doors in 1951. Its proximity to Centennial Olympic Park and the Georgia Aquarium ensures that visitors may cross off multiple top attractions from their bucket list on a single outing.
Only built in 2014, the Hall of Fame's distinctive football-shaped site offers a variety of entertaining interactive exhibits and family-friendly activities. There is also an indoor football field big enough for kids to run around on and let off some steam because it is around 100,000 square feet in size.
The Quad's helmet wall is undoubtedly the building's most striking element, and it welcomes you as you enter. Visitors can press a button to have the helmet from their preferred team illuminated so they can easily identify it on this enormous three-story-tall wall that displays helmets from 775 college teams.
14. The Ancient Oakland Cemetary
The Historic Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta was once intended to be a garden cemetery and started off as a six-acre burial ground in 1850. The memorial site expanded over the years, especially during the Civil War, to accommodate those slain in combat.
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The cemetery eventually expanded to 88 acres and stopped selling plots in 1884. As individuals caring for the sites moved away or passed away, this once-beautiful cemetery began to deteriorate.
The Oakland Cemetery was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1976, and the Historic Oakland Foundation was founded at the same time. The group has put forth a lot of effort to maintain the cemetery alongside the city. Today, it is marketed as a parkland with gardens, sculptures, and wildlife, as well as a historic cemetery. Even a visitor center and museum store are present.
The Oakland Cemetery was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1976, and the Historic Oakland Foundation was founded at the same time. The group has put forth a lot of effort to maintain the cemetery alongside the city. Today, it is marketed as a parkland with gardens, sculptures, and wildlife, as well as a historic cemetery. Even a visitor center and museum store are present.
15.Truist Park Tours
Touring Truist Park is another essential activity for tourists who are sports fans. This cutting-edge stadium, which debuted in 2017 and is known for being the baseball team's home, can be seen not just on game days but also as part of an enjoyable tour.
These must-do tours span about an hour and cover a number of significant stadium elements, beginning at the Right Field Gate. These typically consist of the press box, a few of the VIP lounges, and the Monument Garden. Afterward, don't forget to do a little memento shopping at the Braves Clubhouse Store.
Although tour tickets can be purchased at the gate, they occasionally sell out, so make a reservation online if you can. On game days, there is also the option of a VIP tour.
16. Fernbank Natural History Museum
The Fernbank Museum of Natural History, which first opened its doors in 1992, uses cutting-edge techniques to depict Georgia's natural environment as well as technical and scientific phenomena. The enormous dinosaur statues at the entrance and the dinosaur skeletons in the Great Hall are two of the museum's most striking exhibits.
The "Sensing Nature" interactive exhibits may be more enjoyable. There are numerous additional fascinating displays on the natural history of the nearby region and various international cultures. The flooring themselves are striking, with fossils embedded in the limestone tiles. There is a sizable gallery devoted to transient and mobile exhibits, and an IMAX theater screens movies about wildlife.
17. Check out the Atlanta's Centennial Olympic Park Fountains' Dancing Fountains
This open-air park in the heart of Atlanta was constructed for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games and is close to the Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca-Cola. It serves as the location for regular free concerts as well as special occasions like the Chinese Lantern Show and the Christkindl Christmas Market.
Watching the dancing fountain, with its coordinated program of water spouts and colored lights set to music, is the most well-liked activity in Centennial Olympic Park. Its design is based on the Olympic rings symbol and is officially known as the Fountain of Rings. The fountain doubles as a splash pad for kids when it isn't "performing." In the summer, it's a well-liked spot for joggers to cool off.
Beautiful views of the Atlanta skyline may be seen from Centennial Olympic Park, particularly from the SkyView Ferris wheel, which towers over 20 storeys above the park.
18.Ponce City Market
After exploring all of Atlanta, visit Ponce City Market for a change of scenery. This location, which is housed in a former Sears warehouse, has undergone extensive urban regeneration and reconstruction in recent years, making it one of the top destinations for shopping and entertainment in the city.
In addition to its specialty stores and art galleries, the market offers a wide range of dining options, from informal cafés to chic fine-dining establishments. "The Roof" is among the best locations to go for coffee or a meal. This expansive rooftop deck has a retro-inspired arcade-style attraction, event space, and patio seating.
It also has fantastic city views, making it the ideal spot to watch the sun set over this vibrant Southern metropolis.
19.Michael C. Carlos Museum
One of the largest collections of ancient art in the Southeast is housed at the Michael C. Carlos Museum at Emory University. 17,000 objects from ancient Egypt, the Near East, Greece, Rome, Asia, Africa, and the pre-Columbian Americas are part of its enormous collection. The displays from ancient Egypt are especially impressive.
The museum also boasts excellent collections of works on paper from the Renaissance to the present, giving a window into different cultures represented via their art, in addition to these exquisitely displayed and interpreted examples of ceramics, gold work, and ancient art in all media.
20. Have a picnic in Stone Mountain Park.
Stone Mountain Park, located in DeKalb County and 16 miles east of Atlanta, is one of the most well-liked tourist destinations around. Stone Mountain, an 863-foot-tall mass of exposed granite with a five-mile diameter, is at its core.
A now-contentious relief depicting President Jefferson Davis and his two generals, Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee, carved from the granite between 1923 and 1970, can be found on the east side of the hill.
But there is still a lot more to accomplish. A 1940s locomotive travels a five-mile circuit through the park surrounding the hill, which is accessible by cable car or by foot. A restored antebellum plantation, an endurance course with suspended rope walks and bridges through the trees, a farm for young children, a land/lake tour in a 1940s Army DUKW that includes some local history, and a museum with Native American relics and exhibitions are all available.
One of the most well-liked family activities in Stone Mountain Park is a dinosaur park, which has 20 life-size, roaring dinosaurs.
21.Centre for Puppetry Arts
The Center for Puppetry Arts is a hands-on museum that challenges you to reevaluate all you know about puppets and houses a sizable collection of puppets from all around the world. The Global Collection Gallery explores the history of puppetry across four continents, and via exhibits as diverse as Chinese hand puppets and African rod puppets, you can learn about some of the major puppetry traditions around the world as well as the five primary types of puppets.
With the biggest collection of Jim Henson puppets, sets, and costumes in the world, the Jim Henson Collection Gallery will enthrall Sesame Street lovers of all ages. There are numerous puppets from Sesame Street and The Muppet Show among other Henson-made characters from The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, and other shows.
The New Directions Series performances, which are intended for teen and adult audiences, are among the live shows, workshops, exhibits, and events that are created for people of all ages. For younger audiences, there are programs with topics like Stories of Color, which uses song and puppetry to explore African folktales.