The Ultimate Guide to the 10 Best Things to Do in Atlanta

With museums, nightlife, professional sports teams, and plenty of parks, Atlanta has you covered. Boasting a population of over 490,000 people, “A-Town” offers the fun and excitement you’d expect from a city twice its size. Whether you want a stroll through city gardens, the roar of major league fans, or crowds at the clubs, Atlanta guarantees you’ll forever have Georgia on your mind.

Atlanta is one of my favorite cities for a weekend getaway. It’s a short non-stop flight from Madison on Delta Airlines, or from Milwaukee on Southwest Airlines, and you don’t necessarily need a rental car.

Whether you’re visiting for the first time or the tenth, you won’t be at a loss for things to do.

This post details the top 10 best things to do in Atlanta so you can start planning your next adventure today!

As a reminder, when you make purchases through the links in my post, I may earn commissions at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. As always, I only provide links to products and services I recommend. Read my full disclosure here.

How to Get to Atlanta: 

Atlanta is home to the busiest airport in the world so no matter where you come from, you’re sure to find a flight. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport offers nonstop service to over 150 domestic and 70 international destinations. While that might seem like a whole lot of flights, don’t let that deter you.

The airport runs very smoothly and there are plenty of staff throughout the terminals to assist if you need directions or guidance.

Atlanta is also the hub for Delta Airlines, so you are definitely in luck if they are your carrier of choice. 

With so much to do in and around Atlanta, road-tripping to the city is also a great option. Below are the distances from a few of the major cities nearby. 

City	Miles	Time
Birmingham	147	2.5 hours
Jacksonville	175	3 hours
Nashville	250	4-5 hours
Charlotte	245	4.25 hours
Savannah	248	4 hours

Best Time to Visit Atlanta: 

Atlanta’s peak season is the summer months when the city is busy with events and festivals. Temperatures average in the upper 80s June through August so be prepared for the heat, but also a lively city. Expect higher flight and hotel costs during this peak season as well. 

Winter is the off-season when the lows drop to the 30s and it’s not necessarily pleasant to be exploring outside. However, with all that Atlanta has to offer in terms of attractions, events, dining, and nightlife, you’ll find plenty to do during these months while saving a great deal. 

Public Transportation Options: 

Atlanta has a public rapid transit system – MARTA. It goes from the airport and through Atlanta’s popular neighborhoods. Each ride is $2.50, or you can purchase a week-long unlimited pass. I recommend having a rough idea of the rides you’ll be taking so you know whether it’s a better value to purchase individual rides or the unlimited pass. 

Sam and I either get a rental car or stay in a central location so that we can walk and get affordable rideshare options like Uber. We opt for a rental a lot of the time since we will often leave the immediate city-area to explore parks and do some hiking. 

Where to Stay in Atlanta:

Atlanta is made up of several neighborhoods with the downtown area being the most popular for visitors.  However, no matter where you choose to stay, you’ll have plenty of wonderful lodging options. 

I’d recommend staying downtown if you do not want to get a rental car or plan on doing a lot of the museums and attractions the city offers. During my latest trip, I stayed at the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel & Convention Center because it was within walking distance to Truist Park where Sam and I were catching a night game and the hotel had a great point value.

Best Things to Do in Atlanta:

Visit the Georgia Aquarium 

225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

The Georgia Aquarium is a nonprofit organization that is committed to raising awareness about oceans and aquatic life worldwide and is a great attraction for all ages. Sam and I both love visiting when we are in Atlanta and can easily spend a couple hours here.

The aquarium is home to everything from African Penguins and Beluga Whales to Tiger Sharks and Bottlenose Dolphins. If you get hungry during your visit, Cafe Aquaria provides plenty of food and drink options. 

Test Your Skills at the College Football Hall of Fame

250 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

Have you ever wanted to see if you have the skills to be a football player? At the College Football Hall of Fame you can test out your throwing and kicking abilities in the indoor playing field. If actually playing the sport isn’t your jam, there are plenty of other exhibits to explore in this three-story hall of fame. 

My favorite part is when you walk in and enter The Quad, where you’ll see football helmets from all of the major college teams. You’ll find your school’s helmet and connect it to an All-Access Pass that you’ll wear for the rest of your time in the Hall of Fame – Go Badgers!! 

As you explore all of the exhibits, you’ll use your pass to get specific details, history and facts on your favorite college team. All of the exhibits are very interactive and even if you aren’t a huge college football fan, you’ll still have a great time. 

Enjoy the Outdoors at Piedmont Park

1320 Monroe Drive, Atlanta, GA 30306 (Best Address for GPS – several entrances)

Located about one mile east of Downtown Atlanta, Piedmont Park has almost 200 acres of trails, tennis courts, swimming pool and splash pad space, and more. The Atlanta Botanical Garden also sits along the edge of the park. 

The park is a popular space for runners and bikers, and often hosts festivals and events like the weekly walking club, BeREGGAE Music and Arts Festival, and the Piedmont Park Summer Arts Festival. 

Stroll through the Atlanta Botanical Garden

1345 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309

Perhaps one of my favorite things to do in Atlanta is visit the Atlanta Botanical Garden. It contains 30 acres of outdoor space filled with stunning greenery, desert plants, children’s play areas, and much more. If you splurge on tickets to just one event or attraction in Atlanta, I recommend it be the Botanical Garden. 

Visit The Battery

800 Battery Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30339

The Battery Atlanta is approximately 10 miles northwest of Downtown and is home to Truist Park, live music, shopping, and delicious dining. It’s a mixed-use development and is such a fun area in which to hang out. 

You’ll find it packed on game night, but even on a ‘slower’ day, there is always something going on. I love getting dinner at H&F Burger followed by ice cream at Jeni’s. If you want great places for drinks, try the Yardhouse, Punchbowl Social, and Terrapin Taproom. 

Explore the World of Coca-Cola

121 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

Coke lovers will have a blast here, exploring the history of this famous soda brand. The museum is full of coca-cola memorabilia from the company’a founding through present day and has interactive exhibits that are fun for all ages. You can even have your photo taken with the Coca-Cola Polar Bear at various times throughout the day. 

My favorite exhibit is the tasting room where you can try sodas from all over the world. It’s fun to learn and try the different flavors that are popular in other regions. 

I highly recommend checking out the World of Coca-Cola at least once since it is a popular and fun attraction in Atlanta. However, if you are short on time and don’t know if you’ll be back to Atlanta any time soon, I’d consider your other options first. It’s a fun place, but can at times feel like a giant coca-cola advertisement. 

Revisit History at Centennial Park

265 Park Ave W NW Atlanta, GA 30313

Centennial Park is a 22-acre greenspace built as part of the 1996 Summer Olympics that were held in Atlanta. Today, the park is open seven days a week from 7am to 7pm and includes pet-friendly walking trails and gorgeous gardens. Pets must be leashed at all times. 

On the outskirts of the park you’ll find the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, College Football Hall of Fame, Embassy Suites Hotel and Omni Hotel. 

Catch a Braves Game at Truist Park

755 Battery Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30339

Home to the Atlanta Braves, Truist Park is nestled within The Battery and is the place to be when there’s a home MLB game. The ballpark was built in 2017 and fits 41,000 spectators.

The views of downtown Atlanta and the surrounding hills from the stadium are incredible. The atmosphere during a game is intense, especially if the Braves are on a hot streak like they were when they won the 2021 World Series. 

Walk through Time at The National Center for Civil and Human Rights

100 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

The Center was opened in 2014 on land donated by the Coca-Cola Company and provides a museum space along with in-person and virtual programs. The center has many installations to learn about the Civil Rights movement and human rights, including a lunch counter sit-in, information on the Freedom Riders, background on human rights, and so much more. 

Say Hi to the Animals at Zoo Atlanta

800 Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30315

Zoo Atlanta is home to over 1,000 animals, including Giant Pandas, Tigers, and Gorillas. The zoo is a member of and accredited by the World Association of Zoo and Aquariums and is open every day except for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. 

You can purchase a general admission ticket which is priced depending on the entry date, or you can buy an annual membership if you are local and/or plan on visiting the zoo several times each year. The Atlanta CityPASS also covers admission to Zoo Atlanta.  

Final Thoughts:

Atlanta is such a fun city to visit and has so many great attractions and things to do. If you have any suggestions of things I should do or check out the next time I’m in the city, let me know in the comments!