What To Do in Atlanta Next Week: A Local’s Guide to the City

If you’ll be in Atlanta next week—whether you live here or you’re visiting—there’s no shortage of ways to fill your days and nights. From BeltLine walks and historic neighborhoods to major attractions, festivals, and low-key local favorites, Atlanta offers plenty to do without having to plan every minute.

Below is a practical, Atlanta-focused guide to help you decide what to do in Atlanta next week, organized by interest and type of activity.

Quick-Glance Ideas for Next Week in Atlanta

Use this as a starting point, then read the sections that fit your plans.

1. Visit Atlanta’s Major Attractions

If you’re planning your week around the city’s biggest sights, you can comfortably do one or two major attractions per day.

Georgia Aquarium

Located in downtown Atlanta (225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313), the Georgia Aquarium is one of the city’s most popular destinations. It’s especially good if you:

• Are visiting with kids or a group
• Want an indoor activity for hot or rainy days
• Enjoy seeing large marine animals like whale sharks and manta rays

⏰ Tip: Mornings on weekdays are usually less crowded than weekends or late afternoons.

World of Coca‑Cola

Right next door at 121 Baker St NW, the World of Coca‑Cola focuses on the history, branding, and memorabilia of the Coca‑Cola Company, which has deep roots in Atlanta.

It works well if you:

• Want a shorter, flexible activity (often 1.5–2 hours)
• Enjoy interactive exhibits and branded experiences
• Are already downtown seeing other attractions

Many visitors pair it with the aquarium or a walk through Centennial Olympic Park.

Zoo Atlanta

In Grant Park (800 Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30315), Zoo Atlanta is a good pick next week if you:

• Want an outdoor, family-friendly half-day
• Prefer a more relaxed pace than the downtown attractions
• Enjoy walking shaded paths with animals close-up

Pair a zoo visit with a picnic in Grant Park or a short drive to East Atlanta Village for food afterward.

Fernbank Museum of Natural History

At 767 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30307, Fernbank Museum offers:

• Dinosaur exhibits
• An indoor children’s science area
• Forest trails behind the museum

It’s especially nice if you’re staying in Decatur, Druid Hills, or along the Emory University area and want something quieter than downtown.

2. Get Outside: Parks, Trails, and City Views

Atlanta’s weather often allows for outdoor plans most weeks of the year. If you’re here next week, consider building at least one day around the city’s green spaces.

Atlanta BeltLine: Eastside Trail

The Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail links neighborhoods like Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, and Midtown.

Along the trail next week, you can:

• Walk, run, or bike between neighborhoods
• Check out murals and public art
• Stop for coffee, food, or a drink right off the path

Common access points include:

• Near Ponce City Market (675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE)
• Krog Street Market (99 Krog St NE)

🚲 Tip: If you don’t want to drive and park multiple times, use the BeltLine to “connect the dots” between neighborhoods in one afternoon.

Piedmont Park

Often called Atlanta’s “backyard,” Piedmont Park (1320 Monroe Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30306) is a central green space ideal for next week if you want:

• A picnic with skyline views
• A casual walk or jog around the lake
• Open fields for frisbee, soccer, or just relaxing

It’s an easy walk from Midtown MARTA Station, and you can combine a visit with Midtown restaurants or a stop at Colony Square.

Centennial Olympic Park & Downtown Walks

For a more urban setting, Centennial Olympic Park (265 Park Ave W NW, Atlanta, GA 30313) puts you in the middle of:

• Georgia Aquarium
• World of Coca‑Cola
• College Football Hall of Fame

You can stroll the park, enjoy the fountains, and then walk to nearby attractions or restaurants. This area is especially convenient if you’re staying in a downtown hotel.

Jackson Street Bridge (Skyline View)

If you’re looking for one of Atlanta’s classic skyline views, the Jackson Street Bridge near Old Fourth Ward is a popular overlook. It’s not a long activity—more of a stop—but good for:

• Sunset photos of the skyline
• A quick stop before or after exploring Old Fourth Ward

Plan for street parking and a short walk.

3. Explore Atlanta’s Neighborhoods

One of the best ways to decide what to do in Atlanta next week is to pick a neighborhood and spend half a day exploring on foot.

Midtown

Midtown is dense, walkable, and transit-friendly. In Midtown next week, you might:

• Walk through Piedmont Park
• Visit the High Museum of Art (1280 Peachtree St NE)
• Stroll Peachtree Street for cafes, bars, and shops

Midtown is a strong choice if you’re relying on MARTA and want to avoid driving.

Old Fourth Ward & Inman Park

These adjacent neighborhoods along the BeltLine Eastside Trail are known for:

• Restored historic homes
• BeltLine access
• Food halls like Ponce City Market and Krog Street Market

Plan to:

1. Start at one market (for example, Ponce City Market).
2. Walk the BeltLine toward the other.
3. Stop for murals, coffee, or drinks along the way.

This makes a great afternoon-to-evening plan next week.

Little Five Points

Little Five Points is one of Atlanta’s most distinctive areas, with:

• Vintage shops and record stores
• Street art and murals
• Local bars and live music venues

If you’re looking for something less polished and more eclectic, an evening in Little Five Points can easily fill a night with food and entertainment.

West Midtown / Westside

The Westside (often called West Midtown) has grown into a hub for:

• Converted warehouse spaces
• Design shops and boutiques
• Restaurants and breweries

It’s better suited to driving or ride-shares than walking long distances. Consider it for one of your evenings next week if you like a more industrial, modern feel.

4. Enjoy Arts, History, and Culture

Atlanta has a strong mix of civil rights history, arts, and museums that can anchor your week.

Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park

Located in Sweet Auburn at 450 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312, the MLK Jr. National Historical Park includes:

• The visitor center
• The King Center
• Dr. King’s birth home (by tour)
• Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church

It’s free to visit and offers powerful context on Atlanta’s role in the civil rights movement. This works well as a half-day visit next week; combine it with nearby Sweet Auburn Curb Market or a walk toward the BeltLine.

National Center for Civil and Human Rights

At 100 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, near Centennial Olympic Park, this museum connects civil rights history in Atlanta with broader global human rights issues.

It’s a good choice if you want:

• An in-depth, reflective museum experience
• Exhibits that combine history, video, and artifacts

Many people pair it with downtown attractions like the aquarium for a full day.

High Museum of Art

The High Museum of Art in Midtown offers:

• Permanent collections of American and European art
• Rotating special exhibitions
• Modern architecture and a walkable setting

If you’re looking for a quieter, more contemplative outing next week, this is a solid option—especially combined with Piedmont Park.

5. Family-Friendly Things to Do in Atlanta Next Week

If you’re planning for kids, focus on shorter blocks of time with built-in breaks.

Kid-Friendly Highlights

Consider building your week around:

• Georgia Aquarium – engaging for various ages
• Zoo Atlanta – outdoor, with stroller-friendly paths
• Children’s Museum of Atlanta (275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW) – especially for younger kids
• Fernbank Museum & Forest – mix of indoor and outdoor exploration
• Piedmont Park Playground – large playground with room to run

🎒 Practical tip: Downtown attractions (aquarium, World of Coca‑Cola, Children’s Museum) are close together, so you can walk between them instead of repeatedly loading kids into the car.

6. Nightlife, Music, and Evening Plans

Evenings in Atlanta offer everything from laid-back patios to high-energy clubs.

Downtown & Midtown at Night

If you’re staying near downtown or Midtown next week, you can:

• Walk to bars and restaurants along Peachtree Street
• Catch a performance at venues like the Fox Theatre (660 Peachtree St NE)
• Enjoy skyline views from hotel rooftop bars (check hours and dress codes ahead of time)

These areas are also relatively accessible via MARTA, which can simplify night plans.

Edgewood Avenue & Old Fourth Ward

The Edgewood Avenue corridor near Old Fourth Ward is known for:

• Lively bars and lounges
• A younger, energetic crowd
• Walkable nightlife within a few blocks

Plan for rideshare or a designated driver, as parking can be tight and streets busy at night.

Live Music & Local Venues

Atlanta’s local music scene spreads across neighborhoods, especially:

• Little Five Points
• East Atlanta Village
• Parts of Midtown and Old Fourth Ward

If you’re here next week and want live music, check venue schedules a few days ahead and build your night around a show plus nearby dinner.

7. Budget-Friendly and Free Things To Do in Atlanta Next Week

You don’t have to spend heavily to enjoy the city. Mix these into your week:

• Walk the Atlanta BeltLine – especially Eastside or Westside trails
• Visit Piedmont Park – free to enter, great for picnics and people-watching
• Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park – no admission fee
• Stroll Centennial Olympic Park – fountains, skyline views, green space
• Explore neighborhoods on foot – Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, Little Five Points

For a low-cost day next week, combine:

1. Morning walk on the BeltLine
2. Lunch at a casual local spot
3. Afternoon at MLK Historic Park or Piedmont Park
4. Evening exploring a neighborhood like Little Five Points or Decatur on foot

8. Getting Around Atlanta Next Week

Transportation can shape what you realistically do in a day, especially with traffic.

MARTA (Rail and Bus)

MARTA is Atlanta’s main public transit system. It’s particularly useful next week if you plan to:

• Go between the airport and downtown or Midtown
• Stay near a MARTA rail station and focus on central neighborhoods
• Avoid driving and parking in busy areas

Many major spots, like Midtown, Downtown, and Buckhead, have MARTA stations within walking distance of attractions.

Driving and Parking

If you’re driving next week:

• Allow extra time for rush hour (roughly 7–9 a.m. and 4–6:30 p.m. on weekdays).
• Use paid parking decks near downtown attractions and in dense areas like Midtown and the Westside.
• Consider parking once and walking or using the BeltLine to move between nearby neighborhoods.

Taxis & Rideshare

Rideshare services are widely used in Atlanta, especially for:

• Nightlife areas (Edgewood, Buckhead, Midtown, Little Five Points)
• Short hops between neighborhoods where parking is limited

This can make it easier to enjoy evenings out without worrying about moving your car.

9. How to Plan Your Week in Atlanta

To make the most of next week, group activities by location to cut down on travel time. For example:

• Day 1 (Downtown focus)

  • Georgia Aquarium
  • World of Coca‑Cola
  • Centennial Olympic Park stroll
  • Dinner downtown

• Day 2 (Midtown & Piedmont Park)

  • High Museum of Art
  • Lunch in Midtown
  • Afternoon in Piedmont Park
  • Evening drinks or a show in Midtown

• Day 3 (BeltLine & Neighborhoods)

  • Late breakfast in Inman Park
  • Walk the BeltLine Eastside Trail
  • Ponce City Market or Krog Street Market
  • Sunset stop at Jackson Street Bridge

• Day 4 (History & Culture)

  • MLK Jr. National Historical Park
  • National Center for Civil and Human Rights
  • Dinner in Old Fourth Ward or Sweet Auburn area

Building your week this way keeps your days balanced and lets you see Atlanta from multiple angles—big attractions, local neighborhoods, history, green spaces, and nightlife—without spending all your time in traffic.

By mixing a few of these ideas, you’ll have a full, realistic plan for what to do in Atlanta next week, tailored to how you like to explore.