The Best Things To Do in Atlanta, Georgia: A Local-Friendly Guide

Atlanta offers a mix of big-city energy, deep history, green spaces, and neighborhoods that each feel like their own small town. Whether you live here, you’re visiting for a weekend, or you’re trying to understand what Atlanta is really like, this guide covers Atlanta, Georgia stuff to do that’s actually worth your time.

Classic Atlanta Attractions You Shouldn’t Skip

These are the experiences many locals recommend when someone asks, “What should I do in Atlanta?”

Downtown & Centennial Olympic Park Area

Centennial Olympic Park (265 Park Ave W NW)
A central green space built for the 1996 Olympics. Good for:

• Walking paths and fountains
• City skyline views
• Easy access to nearby attractions

Within a short walk you’ll find:

• Georgia Aquarium (225 Baker St NW) – One of the largest aquariums in the world, known for its whale sharks and large viewing windows. Great for families, date days, and visitors.
• World of Coca-Cola (121 Baker St NW) – Museum-style experience on the history of Coca-Cola, with exhibits and drink-tasting areas.
• College Football Hall of Fame (250 Marietta St NW) – Interactive exhibits for college football fans, with memorabilia and themed zones.

These can easily fill a full day if you combine the park with one or two attractions.

Atlanta’s Civil Rights & History Landmarks

Atlanta has a central place in civil rights history, and several key sites are clustered near each other.

Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park (450 Auburn Ave NE)
Includes:

• MLK Jr.’s childhood home (viewable with tours)
• Ebenezer Baptist Church
• The King Center and reflecting pool

Nearby is the Auburn Avenue corridor, historically known as “Sweet Auburn,” once a major center of Black business and culture in Atlanta.

National Center for Civil and Human Rights (100 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW)
Located near Centennial Olympic Park, this museum connects the U.S. Civil Rights Movement with modern human rights issues. Many visitors find it impactful and thought‑provoking.

Neighborhoods Worth Exploring

Atlanta’s neighborhoods each have their own feel. A lot of the best “stuff to do” is just walking, eating, and people‑watching in these areas.

Midtown: Arts, Parks, and Nightlife

Midtown sits between Downtown and Buckhead and is easy to explore on foot.

Highlights:

• Piedmont Park (1320 Monroe Dr NE) – Atlanta’s “central park.”
  • Walking/jogging paths
  • Picnic spots and playgrounds
  • Dog parks and sports fields
• Atlanta Botanical Garden (1345 Piedmont Ave NE) – Adjacent to Piedmont Park, known for seasonal exhibits, plant collections, and skyline views.
• Arts & culture hubs along Peachtree St NE with theaters, galleries, and consistent nightlife.

Midtown is also a good area to stay if you want MARTA rail access, walkability, and easy rideshare options.

BeltLine & Eastside: Walkable, Food-Focused, Artsy

The Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail is one of the city’s busiest walking and biking corridors. It connects several popular areas:

• Ponce City Market (675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE) – A converted historic building with a food hall, shops, offices, and a rooftop amusement-style area.
• Old Fourth Ward – Mix of apartments, restaurants, bars, and access to Historic Fourth Ward Park.
• Inman Park – Tree-lined streets, historic homes, and restaurants clustered along Highland Ave.
• Krog Street Market (99 Krog St NE) – A smaller food hall with mixed vendors, close to the well‑known Krog Street Tunnel, known for street art.

This corridor is ideal for:

• Renting scooters or bikes 🚲
• Casual bar-hopping and trying multiple small bites
• Viewing murals and outdoor art

Virginia-Highland, Morningside, and Surrounding Intown Spots

These neighborhoods are popular with locals for:

• Walkable intersections with restaurants and cafes
• Older homes and a “village” feel
• Easy access to parks

Virginia-Highland centers around the intersection of Virginia Ave NE and N Highland Ave NE, with boutiques, coffee shops, and patio dining.

Buckhead: Shopping and Upscale Experiences

North of Midtown, Buckhead is known for:

• Lenox Square (3393 Peachtree Rd NE) and Phipps Plaza (3500 Peachtree Rd NE) – Large shopping centers with a range from mainstream to luxury brands.
• High-end restaurants and hotels
• Office towers and residential towers mixed together

If you’re focused on upscale shopping and dining, Buckhead is a main destination.

Outdoor Stuff To Do in and Around Atlanta

Atlanta has a reputation as a “city in a forest.” If you like being outdoors, you’ll find options within the city limits and just outside.

In-Town Parks and Trails

• Piedmont Park – Great for walking loops, open fields, and events.
• Atlanta BeltLine – Multiple segments beyond the Eastside Trail, including Westside and Southside sections, connect parks, neighborhoods, and public art.
• Grant Park (840 Cherokee Ave SE) – Home to Zoo Atlanta, with large shade trees, walking paths, and historic homes around the park.
• Chastain Park (140 Chastain Park Ave NW) – North Buckhead area, with walking trails, an amphitheater, golf course, and sports facilities.

Chattahoochee River & Nearby Nature

Just outside central Atlanta, the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area offers:

• Hiking trails
• River overlooks
• Spaces for kayaking, tubing, or fishing (where allowed)

Common access points near Atlanta include areas in Sandy Springs and Roswell, which Atlantans often reach by car.

For those willing to drive a bit farther, residents commonly visit:

• Stone Mountain Park (1000 Robert E Lee Blvd, Stone Mountain, GA) – Known for its granite mountain, hiking trail to the top, and family‑oriented attractions.
• Trails in nearby state parks for day hikes and picnics.

Arts, Culture, and Museums in Atlanta

Atlanta’s arts and culture scene ranges from major institutions to smaller galleries and performance spaces.

Major Museums and Cultural Centers

• High Museum of Art (1280 Peachtree St NE)
  • Large permanent collection plus rotating exhibits
  • Located in Midtown’s Arts District
• Atlanta History Center (130 West Paces Ferry Rd NW) in Buckhead
  • Exhibits on Atlanta’s history, Civil War, and local culture
  • Includes historic homes and gardens on the property
• Fernbank Museum (767 Clifton Rd)
  • Natural history exhibits, dinosaur displays, and a giant screen theater
  • Fernbank Forest and outdoor exhibits for walking in wooded areas
• Center for Puppetry Arts (1404 Spring St NW)
  • Puppet performances and museum exhibits, including collections connected to classic TV and film characters

Performing Arts and Music

Many residents and visitors attend:

• Fox Theatre (660 Peachtree St NE) – Historic theater in Midtown hosting touring Broadway shows, concerts, and special events.
• Alliance Theatre (1280 Peachtree St NE) – Regional theatre producing new works and classic plays, located by the High Museum.
• Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (1280 Peachtree St NE) – Also at the Woodruff Arts Center complex.

For live music and smaller shows, there are numerous venues across Midtown, East Atlanta, Little Five Points, and elsewhere, often featuring local and touring acts.

Sports and Big-Event Venues

If you’re into professional sports or large concerts, Atlanta has multiple major venues clustered downtown and in surrounding areas.

Downtown Stadiums and Arenas

• Mercedes‑Benz Stadium (1 AMB Dr NW)
  • Home to the Atlanta Falcons (NFL) and Atlanta United FC (MLS)
  • Regularly hosts concerts and large events
• State Farm Arena (1 State Farm Dr)
  • Home of the Atlanta Hawks (NBA)
  • Hosts concerts, shows, and special events year‑round

Both are near the CNN Center area and walkable from MARTA rail stations.

Baseball and Other Sports

• Truist Park (755 Battery Ave SE, Atlanta/ Cumberland area)
  • Home of the Atlanta Braves (MLB)
  • Part of The Battery Atlanta, which includes restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues

Atlanta also has:

• College sports centered on Georgia Tech (in Midtown) and Georgia State University (Downtown)
• Occasional major sporting events hosted at the large stadiums and arenas

Family-Friendly Things To Do in Atlanta

If you’re planning with kids, Atlanta has several repeat‑worthy spots.

Popular Family Attractions

• Georgia Aquarium – Often a top pick for families due to interactive exhibits and large animals.
• Zoo Atlanta (800 Cherokee Ave SE) – Located in Grant Park, with animals, play areas, and educational programs.
• Children’s Museum of Atlanta (275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW) – Hands‑on exhibits for younger children, close to the park and aquarium.
• Fernbank Museum & Fernbank Forest – Combines indoor exhibits with outdoor exploration.

Parks, Playgrounds, and Simple Outings

• Playgrounds at Piedmont Park, Grant Park, and neighborhood pocket parks
• Riding bikes or scooters on the BeltLine
• Seasonal splash pads and public pools run by the City of Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation, which maintains updated info on locations and hours

Food, Markets, and Atlanta’s Dining Scene

You can’t talk about Atlanta, Georgia stuff to do without talking about food. The city has a strong mix of Southern classics, international options, and modern takes on regional dishes.

Food Halls and Markets

Food halls make it easy to sample multiple cuisines in one stop:

• Ponce City Market – Large indoor food hall with everything from casual snacks to full meals, plus rooftop activities.
• Krog Street Market – Smaller but packed with food options, near the BeltLine.
• Westside Provisions District (near Howell Mill Rd NW) – Not a traditional food hall, but a cluster of well‑known restaurants and shops in converted industrial spaces.

Neighborhood Dining Areas

Some of the most popular dining corridors include:

• Decatur Square (Downtown Decatur) – Just east of Atlanta by MARTA, known for an especially dense collection of restaurants and bars.
• Buford Highway (north of the city core) – A long corridor known locally for a wide range of international restaurants and grocery stores.
• Edgewood Ave SE – Bars and eateries between Downtown and the Old Fourth Ward.

Many Atlantans also enjoy weekend brunch, which is a big local tradition across neighborhoods like Inman Park, Midtown, and West Midtown.

Festivals, Events, and Seasonal Activities

Atlanta hosts festivals and events throughout the year, often outdoors due to the generally mild climate.

Common types of events include:

• Music festivals and concerts – Ranging from large, ticketed events to free local concerts in parks.
• Neighborhood festivals – Events like arts festivals, home tours, and community gatherings in areas such as Inman Park, Virginia-Highland, and Grant Park.
• Holiday attractions – Seasonal lights, markets, and themed experiences at places like botanical gardens, parks, and large venues.

Event calendars are regularly updated by the City of Atlanta, local visitor bureaus, and neighborhood organizations, which helps residents and visitors plan around major happenings.

Getting Around to Do All This Stuff in Atlanta

Knowing how to move around the city can make your plans more realistic.

Public Transit: MARTA

MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) operates:

• Rail lines connecting Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and some suburbs
• Bus routes covering much of the city and nearby areas

Some key MARTA rail stops for visitors:

Driving and Rideshare

Many Atlantans rely on cars due to:

• Spread-out neighborhoods
• Limited late-night transit options in some areas

Parking can be tight and/or paid in:

• Midtown
• Downtown
• Popular BeltLine access points
• Buckhead commercial areas

Rideshare services are widely used, especially for evenings, events, and when visiting multiple neighborhoods in one day.

Practical Information for Visitors and New Residents

If you’re trying to understand Atlanta beyond just a short visit, a few practical details help you make use of all this stuff to do.

Visitor and Information Centers

• Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) provides visitor information, maps, and event listings. Offices and visitor centers are typically located in central tourist areas such as Downtown near Centennial Olympic Park.

City Services and Parks

• City of Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation (72 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA) oversees city parks, recreation centers, public pools, and some event permits.
• Many parks have posted signs with rules, hours, and contact information for maintenance or reservations.

Safety and Common-Sense Tips

• Like any major city, Atlanta has areas that become quieter at night. Staying aware of your surroundings, especially when walking after dark, is generally advised.
• Valuables are best kept out of sight in vehicles, particularly at busy trailheads, popular parks, and event parking lots.
• For emergencies, residents and visitors use 911, and for non‑emergency city issues (like downed trees in streets), local non‑emergency lines and city service requests are available.

By focusing on a mix of iconic attractions, neighborhood exploration, outdoor spaces, and local food, you can build a very full Atlanta itinerary—whether you’re here for a day, a weekend, or longer. All of the options above are grounded in what Atlantans actually do and what visitors typically prioritize when they come to Atlanta, Georgia.