Perfect Sunday in Atlanta: Local Ideas for Every Kind of Day

Looking for ideas on what to do on a Sunday in Atlanta? Whether you live here, are in town for the weekend, or are planning ahead for a visit, Sundays in Atlanta can be relaxed, outdoorsy, artsy, or food-focused—often all in the same day.

Below is a practical guide to building a great Sunday in Atlanta, with options across the city and at a range of budgets.

Quick-Glance Sunday Ideas in Atlanta

Start Your Sunday with Brunch or Coffee

Atlanta takes Sunday brunch seriously. Reservations are often helpful at popular spots, but you can usually find something walk-in friendly with a little flexibility.

Brunch-Friendly Neighborhoods

Consider starting your day in one of these areas:

• Midtown – Walkable, close to Piedmont Park and the High Museum of Art.
• Virginia-Highland – Cozy neighborhood with brunch spots, boutiques, and tree-lined streets.
• Inman Park & Old Fourth Ward – Great access to the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail and Krog Street Market.
• West Midtown – Trendy restaurants, loft spaces, and coffee shops.

Many restaurants run brunch from mid-morning through early afternoon; if you’re flexible on time, you’ll have a much easier time getting seated.

Coffee and a Slow Start ☕

If you prefer a quieter morning:

• Try local coffee shops in neighborhoods like Grant Park, Kirkwood, East Atlanta Village, or Decatur.
• Pair coffee with a neighborhood stroll past historic homes, murals, and local shops.
• If you’re staying downtown or in Midtown, you can grab coffee and walk to Centennial Olympic Park or Piedmont Park.

Explore Atlanta’s Parks and Outdoor Spaces

If the weather is decent, Atlanta’s Sunday sweet spot is being outdoors.

Piedmont Park & Midtown

Piedmont Park (400 Park Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30309) is one of the city’s most popular Sunday hangouts:

• Walk or jog around Lake Clara Meer
• Spread out a blanket for a relaxed picnic
• Join a pickup game, or just people-watch
• Head to nearby Atlanta Botanical Garden (1345 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309) for a more structured visit, especially if you like plants and quiet paths

Piedmont Park connects well with Midtown’s restaurants and the MARTA rail system via Midtown Station and Arts Center Station, which is helpful if you’re not driving.

The Atlanta BeltLine

The Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail is a Sunday tradition for many residents:

• Walk, bike, or scooter along the trail
• Pop into Ponce City Market (675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308) for food halls and shops
• Explore Krog Street Market (99 Krog St NE, Atlanta, GA 30307) at the other end
• Look for public art and murals along the way

Sundays can get busy on the BeltLine, so:

• 🚲 Keep to the right if you’re walking
• Use bike lanes and signals if you’re cycling
• Consider going earlier in the morning for lighter crowds

Other Green Spaces

If you want something a bit less crowded:

• Grant Park (840 Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312) – Shady, historic park next to Zoo Atlanta
• Freedom Park – Paths connecting Little Five Points, Inman Park, and the Carter Center
• Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (various access points; Cochran Shoals is popular) – Good for riverside walks and light hikes, especially if you’re on the north side of the metro area

Visit Major Attractions While Crowds Are Manageable

Many of Atlanta’s big attractions are open on Sundays, though operating hours can vary by season and event schedules.

Downtown: Aquarium, World of Coca‑Cola & Centennial Olympic Park

Clustered in downtown, within easy walking distance of each other:

• Georgia Aquarium
  225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
  Known for marine life exhibits, including large ocean tanks.

• World of Coca‑Cola
  121 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
  Focused on the history and branding of the Coca‑Cola Company.

• Centennial Olympic Park
  265 Park Ave W NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
  Open-air green space with fountains and views of the surrounding skyline.

Sundays are often popular with families and tourists. If you want shorter lines:

• Aim for opening time or late afternoon
• Check each attraction’s Sunday hours before you go

Zoo Atlanta & Grant Park

Zoo Atlanta
800 Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30315

Located in Grant Park, this is a strong Sunday option if you’re traveling with kids or animal lovers. You can:

• Tour the zoo in the morning
• Picnic or walk in Grant Park afterward
• Explore nearby neighborhood restaurants or grab coffee

Dive into Arts, History, and Culture

If you prefer a more reflective or educational Sunday, Atlanta has museums and cultural centers that often stay open on Sundays.

Museums and Cultural Institutions

• High Museum of Art
  1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
  A major art museum in Midtown with changing exhibitions and a permanent collection.

• National Center for Civil and Human Rights
  100 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
  Focuses on the American civil rights movement and global human rights issues.

• Atlanta History Center
  130 West Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305
  Located in Buckhead, with exhibits, historic homes, and gardens.

• Fernbank Museum of Natural History
  767 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30307
  Natural history exhibits and forest trails, often popular with families.

On Sundays, some museums may have shorter hours, so planning ahead helps you see everything you care about.

Street Art and Neighborhood Culture

If you’d rather be outside:

• Walk through Little Five Points for murals, alternative shops, and an artsy feel.
• Check out Krog Street Tunnel in Cabbagetown/Old Fourth Ward for constantly changing graffiti and public art.
• Explore West End and Castleberry Hill for historic architecture and galleries.

Enjoy a Sunday Focused on Faith, Music, and Community

Atlanta has a strong church and gospel music tradition, which shapes how the city feels on Sunday mornings, especially in certain neighborhoods.

Historic Churches

If you’re interested in history and culture, you can look into services or tours at well-known churches, such as:

• Ebenezer Baptist Church (Heritage Sanctuary & Horizon Sanctuary)
  407 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312
  Closely associated with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and part of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park.

• Prominent churches in Midtown, Buckhead, and the West End also sometimes host concerts, guest speakers, and community events on Sundays.

If you plan to attend services, checking service times and visitor guidelines in advance is helpful.

Plan a Relaxed Shopping and Food Day

While some smaller businesses close or keep shorter hours on Sundays, many of Atlanta’s shopping and dining areas are active all day.

Markets and Mixed-Use Hubs

• Ponce City Market – Food hall, shops, rooftop attractions, and direct access to the BeltLine.
• Krog Street Market – Smaller than Ponce City Market, with food stalls and a few shops.
• Atlantic Station (1380 Atlantic Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30363) – Outdoor shopping and dining, plus a movie theater.

These areas are good for:

• Casual strolling
• Sampling local and international food
• Shopping or window-shopping
• Meeting up with friends in a central, easy-to-navigate spot

Neighborhood Shopping

For a more local feel:

• Virginia-Highland – Boutiques, small restaurants, and bars.
• Inman Park – Historic homes, walkable streets, smaller shops and eateries.
• Decatur Square – Technically its own city just east of Atlanta, but very connected; restaurants, bookstores, and a pedestrian-friendly downtown.

Family-Friendly Sunday in Atlanta

If you’re planning around kids or teens, a Sunday can be built around one big anchor activity plus something low-key.

Popular Anchor Activities

• Georgia Aquarium or Zoo Atlanta
• Fernbank Museum of Natural History
• Children’s Museum of Atlanta (275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313)

Add-On Ideas

• Picnic or playtime in Piedmont Park or Grant Park
• Casual dinner at a food hall (Ponce City Market, Krog Street Market, or similar)
• Ice cream or dessert stops in kid-friendly neighborhoods like Virginia-Highland, Decatur, or West Midtown

If you’re driving, keep in mind that event days (especially downtown or in Midtown) can affect parking and traffic.

Sports, Games, and Events

Depending on the season, Sundays in Atlanta can revolve around sports and live events.

Major Venues

• Mercedes-Benz Stadium
  1 AMB Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
  Hosts professional football and soccer, plus concerts and events.

• State Farm Arena
  1 State Farm Dr, Atlanta, GA 30303
  Home to professional basketball and major concerts.

On event days:

• Expect heavier traffic downtown.
• Consider MARTA rail (GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN Center Station, Vine City Station, or Five Points Station) to avoid parking issues.
• Build in time before or after the event for a meal or a short walk through Centennial Olympic Park or downtown streets.

Budget-Friendly or Car-Free Sundays

You can have a low-cost Sunday in Atlanta, especially if you lean on public spaces and transit.

Free or Low-Cost Ideas

• Walk the Atlanta BeltLine, especially the Eastside and Westside Trails.
• Spend time in public parks: Piedmont Park, Grant Park, Historic Fourth Ward Park, or local neighborhood parks.
• Explore street art in Cabbagetown, Krog Street Tunnel, or Little Five Points.
• Window-shop and people-watch at Ponce City Market, Atlantic Station, or local neighborhood squares.

Using MARTA

MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) runs trains and buses on Sundays, though trains may be less frequent than on weekdays.

Key stations for Sunday activities:

• Peachtree Center – Downtown, near many hotels and offices
• Five Points – Central hub for transfers
• GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN Center – For Mercedes‑Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena area
• Midtown / Arts Center – For Piedmont Park, High Museum, Midtown restaurants
• North Avenue – For access to Ponce City Market via a short ride or walk

Using MARTA can simplify parking challenges and make it easier to visit multiple neighborhoods in one day.

How to Build Your Ideal Sunday in Atlanta

To keep your Sunday both fun and manageable, think in blocks of time:

• Morning (8–11 a.m.)
  Brunch or coffee + a walk in a park or neighborhood

• Midday (11 a.m.–3 p.m.)
  One main activity: museum, zoo, aquarium, BeltLine outing, or shopping district

• Afternoon/Evening (3–8 p.m.)
  Early dinner, rooftop or skyline views, relaxed stroll, or sports event if one is scheduled

If you’re visiting from out of town, grouping activities by area (Downtown, Midtown, Eastside, Westside, Buckhead, etc.) will save time in traffic and make your Sunday feel less rushed.

With a little planning, Sundays in Atlanta can be as slow, busy, family-centered, or culture-heavy as you want—without straying far from what locals actually do every week.