The Ultimate Atlanta Weekend: What To Do in the A

Planning a weekend in Atlanta, Georgia—or trying to make the most of living here—means choosing from a lot of options. From BeltLine walks and historic sites to live music and neighborhood food spots, there’s always something happening.

This guide breaks down what to do in Atlanta on a weekend by interest and neighborhood so you can build a plan that actually fits your style, whether you’re a visitor or a local.

Quick-Glance: Sample Atlanta Weekend Itineraries

Use this table as a simple starting point, then mix and match.

Must-See Attractions for a Classic Atlanta Weekend

If it’s your first weekend in Atlanta, these spots are the easiest way to get a feel for the city.

Downtown & Centennial Olympic Park Area

This area is compact and walkable, so you can hit several major attractions in a day.

Top things to do:

• Georgia Aquarium – Large, popular aquarium with whale sharks, manta rays, and interactive exhibits.

  • Location: 225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
  • Tip: Mornings tend to be less crowded, especially on Sundays.

• World of Coca‑Cola – Museum-style experience about Coca‑Cola’s history and branding.

  • Location: 121 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

• Centennial Olympic Park – Green space with fountains, walkways, and skyline views.

  • Location: 265 Park Ave W NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
  • Great for: Kids to burn off energy, casual strolls between attractions, quick photos.

• College Football Hall of Fame – Interactive museum for football fans.

  • Location: 250 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

How to plan it:
Spend Saturday doing the Aquarium + World of Coca‑Cola + a walk through Centennial Olympic Park. Head to nearby CNN Center/State Farm Arena area or Peachtree Street for food.

Midtown & Piedmont Park

Midtown is ideal for a Saturday night out or a Sunday arts-and-parks day.

Highlights:

• Piedmont Park – One of Atlanta’s best-known parks with walking trails, open fields, and skyline views.

  • Location: 1320 Monroe Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
  • Great for: Picnics, walking, running, dog-watching, festivals.

• Atlanta Botanical Garden – Next to Piedmont Park, features seasonal displays, canopy walks, and special events.

  • Location: 1345 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309

• High Museum of Art – Major art museum with rotating exhibits and a notable permanent collection.

  • Location: 1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309

Evening ideas:
Midtown along Peachtree St NE and 10th/11th Street has bars, restaurants, and nightlife within walking distance. A common weekend plan is Botanical Garden or museum in the afternoon, dinner and drinks in Midtown at night.

Explore the Atlanta BeltLine & Intown Neighborhoods

The Atlanta BeltLine is a multi-use trail that connects neighborhoods and is one of the best ways to experience local life on a weekend.

Eastside Trail: Ponce City Market, Inman Park, Krog Street

The Eastside Trail is usually the busiest and most visitor-friendly section.

Key stops along or near the trail:

• Ponce City Market – Large marketplace in a historic building with food stalls, shops, and rooftop amusements.

  • Location: 675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308

• Inman Park – Historic neighborhood with tree-lined streets and restaurants near N Highland Ave NE.

• Krog Street Market – Indoor food hall with multiple vendors and nearby street art, including the Krog Street Tunnel.

  • Location: 99 Krog St NE, Atlanta, GA 30307

How to enjoy it:

• Rent a bike or scooter and ride the BeltLine Eastside Trail.
• Stop for coffee or brunch in Inman Park.
• Browse Ponce City Market shops.
• Walk or ride to Krog Street Market for dinner and drinks.

Westside & West Midtown

For a more industrial-chic, modern feel, head to West Midtown.

• Westside Provisions District – Mix of restaurants, boutiques, and a bridge connecting both sides of Howell Mill Rd.

  • Approx. area: Around 1100 Howell Mill Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318

• Nearby you’ll find breweries, dessert spots, and late-night restaurants. It’s a popular Saturday evening choice for locals.

History, Civil Rights, and Culture

Atlanta has deep civil rights history and cultural institutions that are worth a dedicated block of your weekend.

Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park & Auburn Avenue

This area offers a powerful, walkable look at the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

• Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park

  • Location: 450 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312
  • Includes: Visitor Center, historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, King Center grounds, and the neighborhood around his birth home.

• Historic Sweet Auburn Avenue – Once a hub of Black-owned businesses and culture; now home to churches, murals, and community institutions.

Plan 2–3 hours for this area, typically Saturday or Sunday morning, then head to nearby Edgewood Avenue or the BeltLine Eastside Trail.

Atlanta History Center & Buckhead

• Atlanta History Center
  • Location: 130 W Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305
  • Features: Museum exhibits on Atlanta and Southern history, historic houses (including Swan House), and gardens.

Pair a visit here with brunch or dinner in Buckhead, which has a mix of upscale restaurants and major shopping centers.

Outdoor Activities Around Atlanta

If you want to be outside on your Atlanta weekend, you have several options both in and just outside the city.

In-Town Outdoor Spots

• Piedmont Park – Central for picnics, pickup games, and events.
• Atlanta BeltLine – Eastside, Westside, and Southside trails for walking, running, or biking.
• Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (nearby) – Popular sections around Powers Island and Cochran Shoals for walking trails and river views.

Bring water, especially in warmer months. Weekends can be busy, but early mornings are usually calmer.

Short Drives for Hikes & Views

• Stone Mountain Park

  • Location: 1000 Robert E Lee Blvd, Stone Mountain, GA 30083
  • About 20–30 minutes east of Atlanta (traffic-dependent).
  • Popular for hiking the mountain and enjoying park attractions.

• Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

  • Location: 900 Kennesaw Mountain Dr, Kennesaw, GA 30152
  • About 30–40 minutes northwest of Atlanta.
  • Offers trails, views, and Civil War history.

These are realistic half-day trips that still leave you time for dinner back in the city.

Family-Friendly Weekend Ideas in Atlanta

Atlanta weekends work well for families with kids of different ages.

Downtown for Kids

• Georgia Aquarium – Touch pools, shows, and large viewing windows.
• Children’s Museum of Atlanta
  • Location: 275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
• SkyView Atlanta Ferris wheel near Centennial Olympic Park for city views.

You can combine all of this into a single full day downtown, with breaks in the park.

Zoo & Parks

• Zoo Atlanta
  • Location: 800 Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30315
  • Situated in Grant Park, which also has walking paths and playgrounds.

Pairs nicely with a relaxed weekend morning, followed by lunch in nearby Summerhill, Grant Park, or Ormewood Park.

Nightlife, Live Music, and Sports

Atlanta’s nightlife ranges from low-key lounges to clubs, with regular concerts and major sporting events.

Where to Go Out

• Midtown – Bars, lounges, and club-style spots along Peachtree St NE, near 10th/11th Streets.
• Edgewood Avenue (Old Fourth Ward) – Lively bar scene with casual, high-energy spots.
• Buckhead – Mix of upscale bars and lounges, especially around Buckhead Village.

Always check opening hours and dress codes before you go, especially for later-night venues.

Live Music & Shows

Popular areas and venues include:

• Tabernacle (Downtown – 152 Luckie St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303)
• Variety Playhouse (Little Five Points – 1099 Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307)
• Fox Theatre (Midtown – 660 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308)

Many weekends feature concerts, comedy shows, or touring productions. It’s common to plan Saturday night around a show and build dinner/drinks nearby.

Sports

Depending on the season, you might catch:

• Professional football at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium – 1 AMB Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
• Professional baseball at Truist Park – 755 Battery Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30339 (Cumberland area)
• Professional basketball at State Farm Arena – 1 State Farm Dr, Atlanta, GA 30303

Game days can shape your whole weekend: plan around traffic and parking, and consider MARTA or rideshares.

Markets, Shopping, and Local Flavor

Weekends are ideal for Atlanta markets and neighborhood shopping.

Local Markets & Flea-Style Experiences

• Ponce City Market – Food hall and shops; an easy stop anytime.
• Seasonal or recurring farmers markets often pop up in areas like Grant Park, Piedmont Park, and Decatur (just east of Atlanta).

These are good for picking up local snacks, coffee, and handmade goods.

Neighborhood Shopping Areas

• Virginia‑Highland (Va‑Hi) – Along N Highland Ave NE, with boutiques, restaurants, and bars.
• Little Five Points – Known for vintage shops, record stores, and alternative style.
• Buckhead Village – Higher-end shopping and dining in a walkable district.

Combine shopping with brunch or happy hour for an easy Saturday or Sunday afternoon plan.

Getting Around Atlanta on the Weekend

Understanding transportation helps you fit more into your weekend.

MARTA (Trains & Buses)

• MARTA rail can get you between the airport, Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and some suburbs.
• Stations like Peachtree Center, Midtown, and North Avenue are convenient for major attractions.

This is often the easiest way to avoid parking stress for Downtown/Midtown plans.

Rideshare & Driving

• Rideshares are common and useful at night or when changing neighborhoods.
• Parking garages are widely available near big attractions (Aquarium, Ponce City Market, stadiums), but can be more expensive on event days.

Walking & Biking

• Downtown/Midtown are walkable within their own districts.
• The BeltLine is ideal for walking or biking between Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, Ponce City Market, and Midtown.
• Bike and scooter rentals are often available along high-traffic sections of the BeltLine and major streets.

How to Build Your Own Atlanta Weekend Plan

Use this simple structure to create a custom itinerary:

1. Pick your “anchor” each day

   • Example: Aquarium on Saturday, BeltLine + Ponce City Market on Sunday.

2. Add a nearby neighborhood

   • After Downtown sights, walk to Centennial Olympic Park and nearby restaurants.
   • After Ponce City Market, explore Inman Park or Krog Street Market.

3. Plan one evening activity

   • A show at the Fox Theatre, a BeltLine bar hop, or a game at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium.

4. Leave some flex time

   • Atlanta traffic and crowds can slow you down; leave space to wander, grab coffee, or sit in a park.

By combining one major attraction, one neighborhood, and one evening plan for each day, you’ll have a full, enjoyable Atlanta weekend without feeling rushed—and you’ll see a mix of the city’s big landmarks and local favorites.