Things To Do in Atlanta: A Local’s Guide to the Best of the City

Atlanta offers a mix of big-city attractions, historic neighborhoods, green spaces, and local food and culture you won’t find anywhere else. Whether you live in the metro area or are visiting for a weekend, there’s always something new to do.

Below is a practical, Atlanta-focused guide organized by interest: must-see attractions, neighborhoods, outdoor activities, family fun, nightlife, arts and culture, sports, and day trips.

Must-See Attractions in Atlanta

These are the places most people think of first when they ask, “What are things to do in Atlanta?”

Centennial Olympic Park & Surrounding Attractions

In the heart of downtown, Centennial Olympic Park is a good starting point for exploring multiple major attractions within walking distance.

Nearby you’ll find:

• Georgia Aquarium – One of the largest aquariums in the world, known for its whale sharks, dolphins, and colorful reef exhibits.
  • Location: 225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
• World of Coca‑Cola – A museum-style experience covering the history of Coca‑Cola, interactive exhibits, and beverage tasting.
  • Location: 121 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
• National Center for Civil and Human Rights – A powerful museum focused on the U.S. Civil Rights Movement and ongoing global human rights issues.
  • Location: 100 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

These attractions are all clustered near downtown hotels, the GWCC / CNN Center MARTA station, and the Dome/GWCC/State Farm Arena/Philips Arena area, which makes it easy to walk between them.

Atlanta BeltLine: Eastside & Westside Trails

The Atlanta BeltLine is a former rail corridor turned multi-use trail system that connects neighborhoods, parks, restaurants, and public art.

Popular stretches include:

• Eastside Trail – Runs through Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, and Virginia-Highland, with plenty of places to eat and grab coffee.
• Westside Trail – Connects neighborhoods like West End and Adair Park, with access to breweries, restaurants, and art installations.

People in Atlanta use the BeltLine for:

• Walking, running, and cycling
• Visiting Ponce City Market and Krog Street Market
• Exploring murals and street art
• Casual bar-hopping and patio dining

It’s a good way to experience several neighborhoods in one day without needing to drive between each stop.

Explore Atlanta’s Neighborhoods

Atlanta’s neighborhoods each have a distinct character. Spending a few hours in a specific area can give a good feel for the city beyond the main tourist spots.

Midtown: Arts, Food, and Walkability

Midtown Atlanta is one of the most walkable parts of the city, with a mix of cultural institutions, high-rises, and green space.

Things to do in Midtown:

• High Museum of Art – Major art museum featuring rotating exhibitions and a notable permanent collection.
  • Location: 1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
• Atlanta Symphony Hall – Performances by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and guest artists.
  • Location: 1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
• Piedmont Park – Atlanta’s “central park” with walking paths, dog parks, sports fields, and seasonal festivals.
  • Main entrance near 10th St NE & Charles Allen Dr NE

Midtown is also well-served by MARTA (Arts Center and Midtown stations), making it easier for visitors to avoid traffic and parking challenges.

Old Fourth Ward & Inman Park: Historic Meets Trendy

These neighborhoods east of downtown are popular for BeltLine access, restaurants, and historic homes.

Highlights:

• Ponce City Market – A large food hall and retail complex in a former Sears building, accessible directly from the BeltLine.
  • Location: 675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
• Historic Fourth Ward Park – Green space with walking paths, a skate park, and a lake just off the BeltLine.
• Inman Park – Known for Victorian homes, local restaurants, and the annual Inman Park Festival.

This area is a good fit if you want to combine time outdoors with local food and shopping.

Buckhead: Shopping and Upscale Dining

Buckhead is known for its shopping districts and high-end restaurants.

Things to do:

• Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza – Large shopping malls with a mix of mainstream and luxury retailers.
  • Lenox Square: 3393 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326
  • Phipps Plaza: 3500 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326
• Explore Buckhead Village for boutique shopping and dining.

Buckhead is more car-oriented, but it’s also accessible via the Lenox, Buckhead, and Lindbergh Center MARTA stations.

Little Five Points & Virginia-Highland: Local, Laid-Back Vibes

For a more relaxed, eclectic side of the city:

• Little Five Points – Known for vintage shops, record stores, local restaurants, and street murals.
• Virginia-Highland – Tree-lined streets with bungalow homes, small businesses, and plenty of restaurants and pubs.

These neighborhoods are popular for casual afternoons, bar-hopping, and people-watching.

Outdoor Activities and Parks in Atlanta

Atlanta has more green space than many visitors expect. If you want to get outside, there are plenty of options within the city and nearby.

Major Parks Inside the City

Piedmont Park

• Walking and running paths
• Open fields for picnics and pickup games
• Seasonal events and festivals
• Dog parks and playgrounds

Grant Park

• Home to Zoo Atlanta
• Shaded walking paths and historic homes nearby
• Known for the Grant Park neighborhood and the nearby Oakland Cemetery (a historic site with city views and tours)

Westside Reservoir Park

• One of Atlanta’s newer large parks, with views of a reservoir and the city skyline.
• Good for walking, photography, and scenic overlooks.

Chattahoochee River and Nearby Trails

For a more “nature” feel without leaving the metro area:

• Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area – Multiple access points for hiking, kayaking, tubing, and fishing.
• Popular spots include areas near Powers Island, Cochran Shoals, and Johnson Ferry.

These are generally accessible with a short drive from most parts of Atlanta, especially from northside neighborhoods and suburbs.

Stone Mountain Park (Just Outside Atlanta)

Stone Mountain Park is a commonly visited outdoor destination east of the city:

• Hiking to the top of Stone Mountain for skyline views
• Walking trails, lakes, and picnic areas
• Seasonal events, including light shows and holiday programming

Stone Mountain Park

• Location: 1000 Robert E Lee Blvd, Stone Mountain, GA 30083

Family-Friendly Things To Do in Atlanta

Atlanta is well-suited for families, with attractions that can fill an entire weekend.

Zoo Atlanta

Located in Grant Park, Zoo Atlanta is one of the city’s longstanding family attractions:

• Giant pandas, gorillas, elephants, and a range of other animals
• Kid-focused exhibits, playgrounds, and educational programming

Zoo Atlanta

• Location: 800 Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30315

Children’s Museum of Atlanta

Near Centennial Olympic Park, this museum offers:

• Interactive exhibits focused on play and learning
• Activity areas for different age ranges

Children’s Museum of Atlanta

• Location: 275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

Fernbank Museum of Natural History & Fernbank Science Center

Fernbank Museum of Natural History

• Dinosaur exhibits
• Natural history galleries
• Giant screen theater
• Outdoor WildWoods and Fernbank Forest for nature trails

Location: 767 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30307

Fernbank Science Center (separate from the museum)

• Exhibits and a planetarium
• Often used for school and community programs

Location: 156 Heaton Park Dr, Atlanta, GA 30307

Quick Family Activity Snapshot

Arts, Culture, and History

Atlanta has a deep history and a strong arts scene. If you’re interested in culture-focused things to do, there’s a lot to explore.

Civil Rights and African American History

Key sites include:

• Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park
  • Includes Dr. King’s birth home, Ebenezer Baptist Church, and The King Center.
  • Location: 450 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312
• The King Center (part of the historic site)
  • Exhibits focused on Dr. King’s life and legacy.
• National Center for Civil and Human Rights (downtown)
  • Modern museum connecting the Civil Rights Movement with current global issues.

These sites provide important context for Atlanta’s role in the Civil Rights Movement and are often high-priority stops for visitors.

Visual Arts and Performing Arts

• High Museum of Art – Major art museum in Midtown.
• Atlanta Contemporary – Nonprofit art center featuring contemporary art exhibits.
  • Location: 535 Means St NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
• Fox Theatre – Historic theater on Peachtree Street that hosts touring Broadway shows, concerts, and special events.
  • Location: 660 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
• Alliance Theatre – Professional theater company based at the Woodruff Arts Center in Midtown.

These venues offer a mix of big productions and more intimate performances, depending on what you’re interested in.

Historic Cemeteries and Neighborhoods

For history-minded visitors:

• Oakland Cemetery – Historic cemetery and garden-style park with notable Atlantans buried there, guided tours, and skyline views.
  • Location: 248 Oakland Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312
• Sweet Auburn – Historic African American neighborhood along Auburn Avenue with multiple sites tied to Black history in Atlanta.
• West End – Neighborhood with historic homes and cultural institutions, including the Wren’s Nest, the former home of writer Joel Chandler Harris.

Food, Nightlife, and Live Music

Atlanta is known for its food scene and nightlife that varies from casual patios to high-energy clubs and live music venues.

Food Halls and Market-Style Dining

If you want to sample multiple local spots in one place:

• Ponce City Market – Large food hall, rooftop amusement area, and retail space along the BeltLine.
• Krog Street Market – Smaller, more intimate food hall in Inman Park with restaurants and bars.
  • Location: 99 Krog St NE, Atlanta, GA 30307

Both are popular for group outings, since everyone can choose what they want to eat and meet back at shared seating.

Nightlife Districts

For nightlife and bars, people commonly head to:

• Midtown – Mix of bars, lounges, and clubs, often within walking distance of each other.
• Edgewood Avenue (Old Fourth Ward) – Bars and music venues with a more casual, late-night feel.
• Buckhead – Known for upscale lounges and bar clusters near Peachtree Road.

Nightlife can be spread out, so checking MARTA options, rideshares, or designated drivers is important if you plan to go to multiple areas.

Live Music Venues

Atlanta has venues of various sizes that regularly host concerts:

• State Farm Arena – Large arena for major touring acts and events.
  • Location: 1 State Farm Dr, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Tabernacle – Historic downtown venue for mid-sized concerts.
  • Location: 152 Luckie St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Additional venues are scattered around the city, often in Midtown, East Atlanta, and other neighborhoods.

Checking venue calendars in advance helps line up shows with your visit or weekend plans.

Sports and Major Events

Atlanta is a major sports city with teams in most professional leagues and frequent large-scale events.

Professional Sports

• Atlanta Falcons (NFL) – Play at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium.
  • Location: 1 AMB Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
• Atlanta United FC (MLS) – Also play at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium; matches often draw large crowds.
• Atlanta Braves (MLB) – Play at Truist Park in the Cumberland area (northwest of Atlanta, near I‑75 and I‑285).
  • Location: 755 Battery Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30339
• Atlanta Hawks (NBA) – Play at State Farm Arena downtown.

Game days are popular social events whether you’re closely following the team or just want the live experience.

College Sports and Special Events

Atlanta and nearby areas also host:

• College football games and championships
• Events at Georgia Tech and Georgia State University
• Large conventions at the Georgia World Congress Center

When these are in town, downtown and Midtown can feel especially busy, which some visitors enjoy and others plan around.

Easy Day Trips and Nearby Getaways from Atlanta

If you’re based in Atlanta and want to explore beyond city limits, there are several day-trip options that many locals use for quick escapes.

North Georgia Mountains

Within a couple of hours’ drive to the north, you’ll find:

• Blue Ridge – Small mountain town with hiking, fishing, and scenic train rides.
• Helen – Bavarian-style town with river tubing in warmer months and mountain views year-round.

These are popular for weekend trips but also work as long day trips from Atlanta.

Lake Destinations

Locals often head to nearby lakes for boating, fishing, and relaxing:

• Lake Lanier – North of Atlanta, with marinas, parks, and rental options.
• Lake Allatoona – Northwest of Atlanta, known for camping and water activities.

These spots are especially popular in warmer months for those who want to get out of the city without going too far.

Practical Tips for Enjoying Atlanta Activities

To make the most of things to do in Atlanta:

• Plan around traffic 🚗
  • Weekday rush hours and event days can significantly slow driving times, especially on interstates and major surface streets.
• Use MARTA when it makes sense
  • MARTA rail serves the airport, downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and parts of the Perimeter, making it useful for certain attractions and events.
• Consider parking costs
  • Many popular attractions and neighborhoods charge for parking; some garages and lots in downtown and Midtown can be more expensive during events.
• Check hours and ticketing in advance
  • Major attractions like the Georgia Aquarium, Zoo Atlanta, and big museums may require timed tickets during busy periods.

Whether you focus on iconic downtown spots, neighborhood food and nightlife, historic and cultural landmarks, or parks and outdoor activities, Atlanta offers enough variety to fill anything from a short visit to a long-term stay with something new to do.