Sightseeing in Atlanta, GA: A Local’s Guide to the City’s Best Sights

Atlanta combines deep history, vibrant neighborhoods, and big-city energy. Whether you live in the metro area or you’re visiting for a few days, sightseeing in Atlanta, GA can easily fill a weekend—or several.

Below is a practical, locally focused guide to the city’s top attractions, how they fit together, and how to plan your time.

Getting Oriented: How Atlanta Is Laid Out

Atlanta sightseeing is easier once you understand the basic layout:

• Downtown – Big attractions, sports venues, and major hotels.
• Midtown – Arts district, walkable streets, Piedmont Park.
• Buckhead – Upscale shopping and dining, some historic homes.
• Westside / West Midtown – Trendy warehouses, food halls, and lofts.
• Eastside – Neighborhood feel, BeltLine, markets, and street art.

MARTA rail lines, the Atlanta Streetcar, and ride-shares are useful for getting between major sightseeing spots, especially Downtown and Midtown.

Core Downtown Atlanta Sights

Centennial Olympic Park and Surrounding Attractions

Downtown’s main sightseeing cluster is around Centennial Olympic Park (265 Park Ave W NW, Atlanta, GA 30313). From here, you can walk to several major attractions:

• Georgia Aquarium (225 Baker St NW)
  One of the largest aquariums in the world, known for its whale sharks, manta rays, and massive viewing windows.
  • Best for: Families, first-time visitors, animal lovers
  • Tip: Weekday mornings are usually less crowded.

• World of Coca‑Cola (121 Baker St NW)
  A museum dedicated to the Coca‑Cola brand, with exhibits on history, advertising, and a tasting room with sodas from around the world.
  • Best for: Brand/history buffs, kids, quick indoor stop

• National Center for Civil and Human Rights (100 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW)
  A powerful museum linking Atlanta’s role in the Civil Rights Movement with global human rights issues.
  • Best for: Visitors interested in history and social justice
  • Allow: 1.5–2 hours to fully experience the exhibits.

• SkyView Atlanta (168 Luckie St NW)
  A large Ferris wheel offering skyline views of Downtown and, on clear days, out toward Midtown and beyond.
  • Best for: Evening or golden-hour views, casual photos

All of these are within a few blocks of each other, so you can easily make this your Day 1 sightseeing hub.

State and City Landmarks

A short walk or quick ride from Centennial Olympic Park:

• Georgia State Capitol (206 Washington St SW, Atlanta, GA 30334)
  Recognizable by its gold dome, the Capitol houses state government offices and often offers public tours of the building and museum areas.

• Atlanta City Hall (55 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303)
  While not a major tourist attraction, it’s useful to know for public meetings, government information, and civic events that visitors sometimes encounter downtown.

Helpful Downtown Transit & Visitor Info

• MARTA Five Points Station is a central hub for rail lines.
• Atlanta Streetcar loops between Centennial Olympic Park, Sweet Auburn, and other nearby spots—useful for short hops while sightseeing.
• Visitor information desks are often set up around major attractions such as the aquarium and park entrances.

Civil Rights & Historic Atlanta

Atlanta is a key city in the story of the Civil Rights Movement, and several important sites are clustered on the east side of Downtown.

Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park

Located along Auburn Avenue NE, this national park area includes:

• Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birth Home (501 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312)
• Ebenezer Baptist Church (407 Auburn Ave NE)
• The King Center (449 Auburn Ave NE)
• Historic Fire Station No. 6 and other neighborhood buildings

This area is managed by the National Park Service and The King Center. It’s a must-see sightseeing stop if you’re interested in Atlanta’s history or the Civil Rights Movement.

📌 Tip: Combine this visit with a walk or streetcar ride through the Sweet Auburn Historic District, once a center of Black business and culture in Atlanta.

Midtown: Arts, Parks, and Skyline Views

Piedmont Park & The Atlanta BeltLine (Eastside)

• Piedmont Park (400 Park Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30306)
  Often called Atlanta’s “Central Park,” this is a prime spot for:
  • Walking and jogging paths
  • City skyline views
  • Dog parks and playgrounds
  • Seasonal festivals and farmers markets

From the park, you can easily reach the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail, a multi-use trail lined with:

• Public art and murals
• Access to neighborhoods like Virginia‑Highland and Inman Park
• Restaurants, coffee shops, and local boutiques

This area is one of the best ways to experience everyday Atlanta life, not just tourist attractions.

High Museum of Art & Midtown Arts District

• High Museum of Art (1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309)
  The city’s leading art museum, known for:
  • American art
  • African art
  • Modern and contemporary collections
  • Rotating exhibitions

Nearby, you’ll find:

• Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (1280 Peachtree St NE)
• Alliance Theatre (1280 Peachtree St NE)

These venues anchor Midtown’s Arts District, easily reached from Arts Center MARTA Station.

Fox Theatre

• Fox Theatre (660 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308)
  A historic, ornate theater that hosts Broadway tours, concerts, and classic film screenings.
  • Even if you’re not seeing a show, the building’s architecture is a draw for many sightseeing visitors.

Buckhead and North Atlanta Landmarks

Governor’s Mansion

• Georgia Governor’s Mansion (391 W Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305)
  This official residence has offered public tours on select days. Schedules can change, so it’s wise to check current tour availability before planning a visit.

Shopping and Dining Districts

Buckhead is known more for high-end shopping and dining than traditional sightseeing, but it can be part of an Atlanta visit if you’re interested in:

• Upscale retail centers
• High-rise views and city lights at night
• Proximity to historic residential neighborhoods along West Paces Ferry Road

MARTA’s Buckhead, Lenox, and Lindbergh Center stations serve various parts of the district.

Sports & Entertainment Venues

Atlanta is a major sports city, and the stadiums themselves can feel like attractions.

Mercedes‑Benz Stadium

• Mercedes‑Benz Stadium (1 AMB Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313)
  Home to the Atlanta Falcons (NFL) and Atlanta United FC (MLS), located just west of Downtown.
  • Offers stadium tours on many non-game days.
  • Distinctive architecture and a large video halo board inside.

State Farm Arena

• State Farm Arena (1 State Farm Dr, Atlanta, GA 30303)
  Home to the Atlanta Hawks (NBA) and a major concert venue.
  • Within walking distance of Centennial Olympic Park and CNN Center area.

College Football Hall of Fame

• Chick‑fil‑A College Football Hall of Fame (250 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313)
  An interactive museum celebrating college football history and traditions—a big draw for sports fans.

Family-Friendly Sightseeing Ideas

Many of the sights already listed are family-friendly, but if you’re planning specifically around kids, consider:

• Zoo Atlanta (800 Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30315)
  In historic Grant Park, featuring giant pandas, gorillas, and a variety of animals and educational exhibits.

• Fernbank Museum of Natural History (767 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30307)
  Located in the Druid Hills area, with:

  • Dinosaur exhibits
  • Science and nature displays
  • Outdoor forest and walking trails

• Children’s Museum of Atlanta (275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313)
  Close to Centennial Olympic Park, geared toward younger children with hands-on learning exhibits.

These can be mixed into a broader Atlanta sightseeing plan, especially if you want a balance of museums, outdoor time, and interactive activities.

Neighborhoods & Street-Level Sightseeing

Some of Atlanta’s best experiences come from simply walking through its neighborhoods.

Atlanta BeltLine Corridors

• Eastside Trail – Connects neighborhoods like Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, and Midtown.
  • Known for art, food halls, and people-watching.

• Westside Trail – Runs through areas like Adair Park and West End, linking parks, breweries, and historic neighborhoods.

While not “attractions” in the traditional sense, these trails are ideal for casual sightseeing, biking, and local food stops.

Historic Oakland Cemetery

• Oakland Cemetery (248 Oakland Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312)
  A Victorian-era cemetery and public park with:
  • Elaborate headstones and mausoleums
  • Graves of notable Atlantans
  • Skyline views from certain spots

Many visitors treat Oakland as both a history lesson and a quiet, scenic walking area.

Quick Planning Table: What to See Based on Your Time

Practical Tips for Sightseeing in Atlanta, GA

• Getting Around

  • MARTA rail is useful from the airport to Downtown, Midtown, and parts of Buckhead.
  • Streetcar covers a small Downtown loop.
  • Ride-shares and taxis fill in the gaps, especially if you’re headed to neighborhoods off the rail lines.

• Traffic & Timing

  • Weekday rush hours (roughly 7–9 a.m. and 4–7 p.m.) can be slow on major highways and some surface streets.
  • Many visitors plan indoor attractions for midday and use early morning or late afternoon for parks and walking.

• Weather Considerations

  • Summers are hot and humid; bring water and plan breaks in air-conditioned spaces.
  • Spring and fall are often the most comfortable times for outdoor sightseeing.

• Accessibility

  • Major attractions such as the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca‑Cola, and large museums typically provide detailed accessibility information on site or through their information desks.
  • MARTA stations and rail cars are designed to accommodate wheelchairs and mobility devices.

If You Live in Atlanta and Want to “Sightsee” Your Own City

Residents sometimes overlook local attractions. A few ideas:

• Spend a weekend exploring one neighborhood at a time (e.g., Westside on Saturday, Eastside BeltLine on Sunday).
• Visit museums and sites you may have only seen on school trips, like the MLK National Historical Park or the High Museum of Art, with fresh eyes.
• Use visiting friends or family as a reason to book a tour of Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, catch a performance at the Fox Theatre, or finally ride SkyView Atlanta.

Sightseeing in Atlanta, GA can be as structured or as relaxed as you like. Whether you’re focused on civil rights history, family attractions, arts and culture, or simply walking the BeltLine and exploring parks, the city offers plenty of ways to fill your days and get a real sense of Atlanta’s character.