Top Attractions in Atlanta, Georgia: What to See, Do, and Experience

Atlanta, Georgia offers a mix of Southern history, modern culture, world-class entertainment, and green spaces that’s hard to match. Whether you live in the city, are planning a weekend visit, or are trying to understand what makes Atlanta unique, this guide walks through the must-see attractions in Atlanta and how to make the most of them.

Downtown & Centennial Olympic Park Area Highlights

Downtown Atlanta is compact and walkable, with several of the city’s most famous attractions clustered around Centennial Olympic Park.

Georgia Aquarium

One of Atlanta’s signature attractions, the Georgia Aquarium is known for its massive viewing windows and diverse marine life.

• Location: 225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
• Best for: Families, first-time visitors, animal lovers
• Tips:
  • Weekday mornings are usually less crowded.
  • Consider visiting in the late afternoon if you want slightly smaller crowds than midday.
  • Check parking garages near Baker Street and Luckie Street for easier access.

World of Coca‑Cola

Right next door, World of Coca‑Cola explores the history, branding, and cultural impact of the Coca‑Cola Company, which is headquartered in Atlanta.

• Location: 121 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
• Best for: Brand/history fans, families, indoor activity on hot or rainy days
• You can walk between World of Coca‑Cola, the Georgia Aquarium, and Centennial Olympic Park in just a few minutes.

Centennial Olympic Park

Originally built for the 1996 Summer Olympics, Centennial Olympic Park is now a central green space and event hub.

• Location: 265 Park Ave W NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
• What to do:
  • Walk the Fountain of Rings area.
  • Relax on the lawn with skyline views.
  • Attend festivals, concerts, and seasonal events that are frequently held in the park.
• A convenient spot to rest between visits to nearby attractions.

National Center for Civil and Human Rights

A powerful and educational stop, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights connects Atlanta’s civil rights legacy to global human rights issues.

• Location: 100 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
• Best for: Visitors interested in history, social justice, and Atlanta’s role in the Civil Rights Movement
• It pairs well with a visit to the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park in the Old Fourth Ward.

Midtown Atlanta: Arts, Culture, and Green Space

Midtown is Atlanta’s cultural core, with major museums, performing arts venues, and the city’s most beloved urban park.

Piedmont Park

Often described as Atlanta’s “Central Park,” Piedmont Park is a large urban green space with trails, sports fields, and skyline views.

• Location: Main entrance near 1320 Monroe Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
• Best for: Walking, jogging, picnics, dog-walking, festivals
• Features:
  • Paved and unpaved trails
  • Playgrounds
  • Dog park
  • Access to the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail at multiple points
• Many Atlanta residents use Piedmont Park for regular exercise and social events.

Atlanta Botanical Garden

Bordering Piedmont Park, the Atlanta Botanical Garden offers themed gardens, seasonal displays, and a canopy walk.

• Location: 1345 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
• Highlights:
  • Canopy Walk through the treetops
  • Orchid Center and seasonal flower exhibits
  • Holiday light displays during winter months
• Combine with a walk through Piedmont Park for a nature-focused day in Midtown.

High Museum of Art

For art lovers, the High Museum of Art is one of the city’s premier cultural institutions.

• Location: 1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
• Focus areas: American art, African art, European paintings, photography, design
• Often hosts big traveling exhibitions and offers free or discounted admission on certain days or evenings.

Fox Theatre

A historic and ornate performing arts venue, the Fox Theatre is a Midtown landmark.

• Location: 660 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
• What happens here:
  • Broadway tours
  • Concerts
  • Comedy shows
  • Special film screenings and classic movie nights
• The interior’s design alone is an attraction, making it a popular choice for both residents and visitors.

Old Fourth Ward & Civil Rights Landmarks

Atlanta played a central role in the Civil Rights Movement, and several key attractions are clustered in and near the Old Fourth Ward.

Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park

This important site preserves key locations related to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy.

• Location: 450 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312
• Key features:
  • Dr. King’s childhood home (guided tours may require advance planning)
  • Ebenezer Baptist Church
  • The King Center, including Dr. King’s crypt and eternal flame
• Best visited with some extra time to walk between buildings and reflect on the displays.

Sweet Auburn Historic District

Adjacent to the MLK site, the Sweet Auburn area blends historic significance with evolving businesses.

• What to see:
  • Historic churches and buildings
  • Local restaurants and small shops
  • Murals and public art reflecting African American history and culture
• It’s an excellent neighborhood for understanding Atlanta’s Black history beyond traditional museum settings.

BeltLine & In-Town Neighborhood Experiences

The Atlanta BeltLine is a multi-use trail project that connects neighborhoods with walking and biking paths, art, and green spaces. Several segments are especially popular with both locals and visitors.

Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail

The Eastside Trail runs through or near Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, Virginia-Highland, and Midtown.

• Best for: Walking, biking, people-watching, sampling local restaurants and food halls
• Along or near the Eastside Trail you can find:
  • Ponce City Market (675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308): a large mixed-use development with a food hall, shops, and office space in a former Sears building.
  • Public murals and rotating outdoor art installations.
  • Access points to neighborhoods with independent shops, cafés, and bars.
• Expect it to be busy on weekends and nice-weather evenings.

Ponce City Market Rooftop

On top of Ponce City Market, the rooftop area (often referred to as “The Roof at Ponce City Market”) offers city views, dining, and seasonal activities.

• Location: 675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
• Popular with both residents and visitors for skyline views and social gatherings.

Family-Friendly & Educational Attractions

Atlanta offers several hands-on, kid-friendly attractions that are also interesting for adults.

Zoo Atlanta

Located in historic Grant Park, Zoo Atlanta is a long-standing attraction featuring a wide range of animals and educational exhibits.

• Location: 800 Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30315
• Best for: Families, animal enthusiasts, school breaks
• You can combine a visit to Zoo Atlanta with a walk through Grant Park, one of the city’s oldest parks.

Fernbank Museum of Natural History & Fernbank Forest

In the Druid Hills area just east of downtown, Fernbank Museum combines exhibits on natural history with outdoor experiences.

• Location: 767 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30307
• Highlights:
  • Dinosaur and natural history exhibits
  • Giant screen theater
  • Outdoor forest trails and elevated walkways in Fernbank Forest
• A solid choice for a half-day outing with kids or curious adults.

Children’s Museum of Atlanta

Right by Centennial Olympic Park, this museum is designed for younger children.

• Location: 275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
• Focuses on interactive exhibits, play-based learning, and hands-on activities, making it a good indoor option for families with small kids.

Sports, Arenas, and Major Event Venues

Atlanta is a major sports and events city, with multiple professional teams and large multipurpose venues.

Mercedes‑Benz Stadium

Home to the Atlanta Falcons (NFL) and Atlanta United FC (MLS), Mercedes‑Benz Stadium also hosts concerts and major events.

• Location: 1 AMB Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
• Visitors often:
  • Attend a game or concert
  • Take a guided tour to see behind-the-scenes areas
• The stadium is a short walk or rideshare from downtown hotels and the GWCC/CNN Center MARTA station.

State Farm Arena

Next to CNN Center and Centennial Olympic Park, State Farm Arena hosts Atlanta Hawks (NBA) games and large concerts.

• Location: 1 State Farm Dr, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Convenient for downtown visitors who want to add a game or show to their trip.

College Football Hall of Fame

For football fans, the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame offers interactive exhibits and memorabilia.

• Location: 250 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
• Often combined with visits to the Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca‑Cola due to proximity.

Top Atlanta Attractions at a Glance

Below is a simplified overview of popular Atlanta, Georgia attractions by category:

Free or Low-Cost Attractions in Atlanta

If you live in Atlanta or are visiting on a budget, there are many low-cost or free experiences:

• Parks and outdoor spaces:
  • Piedmont Park
  • Centennial Olympic Park (some events may have fees, but the park itself is free)
  • Grant Park
  • Atlanta BeltLine trails (Eastside, Westside, and others)
• Self-guided neighborhood exploring:
  • Inman Park and Virginia-Highland for architecture and local shops
  • Sweet Auburn for historic sites and murals
  • Westside neighborhoods for adaptive reuse developments and street art
• Public art and murals across the city, particularly along the BeltLine and in in-town neighborhoods.

Residents often mix these free options with occasional paid attractions for a balanced way to experience the city.

Getting Around to Atlanta Attractions

To visit multiple attractions efficiently, it helps to understand how to get around Atlanta:

• MARTA rail and bus:
  • Downtown, Midtown, and the airport are connected by MARTA rail.
  • Stations near attractions include Peachtree Center, Five Points, Civic Center, Arts Center, and GWCC/CNN Center.
• Walking:
  • Downtown and Midtown are walkable once you arrive in the area, especially around Centennial Olympic Park and along Peachtree Street.
• Rideshare and taxis:
  • Frequently used to reach neighborhoods not directly on MARTA rail, such as Ponce City Market, Grant Park, and Druid Hills.
• Biking and scooters:
  • Common along the Atlanta BeltLine and in some in-town neighborhoods; always follow local rules and stay alert for pedestrians and traffic.

If you plan to visit several attractions in one day, it’s often easiest to group them by area (for example, spend a full day downtown, then another in Midtown and the BeltLine).

Planning Your Time in Atlanta

How you prioritize Atlanta’s attractions depends on your interests and length of stay:

• If you have 1 day:
  • Focus on downtown: Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca‑Cola, Centennial Olympic Park, and maybe the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.
• If you have a weekend:
  • One day downtown, one day in Midtown and the BeltLine: Piedmont Park, Atlanta Botanical Garden, Ponce City Market, and a stroll along the Eastside Trail.
• If you live in Atlanta or have several days:
  • Add Zoo Atlanta, Fernbank, MLK Jr. National Historical Park, the High Museum of Art, and an event at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium or the Fox Theatre.

By grouping attractions in Downtown, Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, and BeltLine corridors, you can experience the best of Atlanta, Georgia’s top attractions without spending too much time in traffic or transit.