Essential Places to Visit in Atlanta, Georgia: A Local’s Guide to the City

Atlanta, Georgia is a big, busy city with a neighborhood feel. Whether you live here, you’re planning a trip, or you’re just trying to understand what makes Atlanta unique, it helps to know the key places in Atlanta and how they fit together.

This guide walks through the main places in Atlanta, Georgia that people ask about most: iconic attractions, neighborhoods, parks, arts and culture spots, sports venues, and practical day‑to‑day locations like transit hubs and government offices.

Getting Oriented: How Atlanta Is Laid Out

Atlanta is organized around a few major ideas locals use all the time:

• Inside vs. Outside the Perimeter (ITP vs. OTP) – The Perimeter is I‑285, the interstate that circles the city.

  • ITP usually means intown neighborhoods like Midtown, Downtown, Buckhead, East Atlanta, etc.
  • OTP includes suburbs like Sandy Springs, Marietta, and Decatur (though Decatur often feels “intown” to locals).

• Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead – These are the three big “core” areas along Peachtree Street.

• MARTA lines and major highways – I‑75/85, I‑20, and the MARTA rail lines are helpful reference points when planning where to go.

Major Attractions and Must‑See Places in Atlanta

Downtown Atlanta Highlights

1. Georgia Aquarium

• Address: 225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
  One of the largest aquariums in the world, it’s a major reason visitors come downtown. Popular with families, school groups, and out‑of‑town guests.

2. World of Coca‑Cola

• Address: 121 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
  A museum and experience space about the Coca‑Cola brand, with exhibits, memorabilia, and tasting areas.

3. Centennial Olympic Park

• Address: 265 Park Ave W NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
  A central green space built for the 1996 Olympic Games. Locals use it for festivals, walking, and as a meetup spot before visiting nearby attractions.

4. CNN Center Area
The former CNN Center sits next to State Farm Arena and Centennial Olympic Park. While the studio tours have changed over time, the area is still a central landmark and event hub.

5. State Farm Arena

• Address: 1 State Farm Dr, Atlanta, GA 30303
  Home of the Atlanta Hawks and a major concert venue.

6. Mercedes‑Benz Stadium

• Address: 1 AMB Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
  Home to the Atlanta Falcons (NFL) and Atlanta United FC (MLS). It also hosts college football games and large events.

Midtown Atlanta Highlights

1. Piedmont Park

• Address: 1320 Monroe Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
  One of Atlanta’s largest and most beloved parks. Locals use it for jogging, dog walking, festivals, and casual hangouts. It connects to the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail.

2. Atlanta Botanical Garden

• Address: 1345 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
  Located right next to Piedmont Park, it features seasonal exhibits, canopy walks, and special events.

3. High Museum of Art

• Address: 1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
  The city’s flagship art museum, with permanent collections and rotating exhibits.

4. Fox Theatre

• Address: 660 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
  A historic theater known for its iconic marquee and Moorish architecture. Major touring Broadway shows, concerts, and special events are held here.

Buckhead and North Atlanta

1. Buckhead Village / Peachtree Road Corridor
Buckhead is known for upscale shopping, dining, high‑rise condos, and office towers. The Peachtree corridor connects it directly with Midtown and Downtown.

2. Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza

• Lenox Square: 3393 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326
• Phipps Plaza: 3500 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326
  Major retail centers that draw shoppers from across the region.

Historic and Culturally Significant Places

1. Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park

• Address: 450 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312
  Covers several locations in the Sweet Auburn neighborhood, including Dr. King’s birth home, Ebenezer Baptist Church, and The King Center.

2. National Center for Civil and Human Rights

• Address: 100 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
  Near Centennial Olympic Park, this museum connects the U.S. civil rights movement to global human rights issues.

3. Oakland Cemetery

• Address: 248 Oakland Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312
  A historic garden cemetery where many notable Atlantans are buried. Locals visit for tours, history, and skyline views.

Neighborhoods in Atlanta Worth Knowing

Each Atlanta neighborhood has its own character. Below is a quick overview of some of the most talked‑about places in the city.

Intown Neighborhood Spots

Old Fourth Ward & Ponce City Market

• Ponce City Market Address: 675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
  This area has become a major hotspot, with a food hall, shops, rooftop attractions, and direct access to the BeltLine Eastside Trail.

Virginia‑Highland
Intersections around Virginia Ave NE and N Highland Ave NE form the core of this neighborhood. It feels like a small town within the city.

Inman Park
Known for historic homes, leafy streets, and access to multiple BeltLine segments. Very popular for walking, brunch spots, and the annual Inman Park Festival.

Grant Park & Zoo Atlanta

• Zoo Atlanta Address: 800 Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30315
  Grant Park is one of Atlanta’s oldest parks and is surrounded by Victorian‑era homes and newer development.

Parks, Trails, and Outdoor Places in Atlanta

Atlanta is often called a “city in a forest.” There are many green spaces throughout the metro area, but a few intown spots stand out.

The Atlanta BeltLine

The Atlanta BeltLine is a multi‑use trail system built on former rail corridors, connecting many neighborhoods.

Key BeltLine segments include:

• Eastside Trail – Runs from near Piedmont Park down past Ponce City Market and Old Fourth Ward to the Krog Street area. Very popular for walking, biking, and bar/restaurant hopping.
• Westside Trail – Connects neighborhoods like West End and Adair Park, with new development and parks along the way.
• Southside and Northside segments – Expanding connections that make it easier to get around without a car.

People use the BeltLine for exercise, commuting, and as a social gathering space.

Major Parks

• Piedmont Park – Central park for festivals and recreation.
• Grant Park – Historic park with open fields, playgrounds, and paths.
• Atlanta Memorial Park (near Buckhead) – Includes bits of the Peachtree Creek area.
• Candler Park – Neighborhood park with sports fields and a golf course.
• Freedom Park – Linear park connecting neighborhoods near the Carter Center.

Arts, Culture, and Learning in Atlanta

Museums and Cultural Institutions

• High Museum of Art – Midtown hub for visual arts.
• Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA)
  • Address: 1315 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
• Atlanta History Center
  • Address: 130 W Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305
    Includes exhibits, historic homes (like Swan House), and gardens.
• Fernbank Museum of Natural History
  • Address: 767 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30307
    Features dinosaurs, natural history exhibits, and a giant screen theater.

Performance Venues

• Fox Theatre – Historic landmark for theater and concerts.
• Alliance Theatre
  • Address: 1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
• Tabernacle
  • Address: 152 Luckie St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303
    A former church turned music venue near Centennial Olympic Park.
• Numerous smaller stages around Little Five Points, West Midtown, and East Atlanta Village support local music and theater.

Sports and Entertainment Places in Atlanta

Pro Sports Venues

• Mercedes‑Benz Stadium – Falcons and Atlanta United FC.
• State Farm Arena – Hawks and major concerts.
• Truist Park (technically in Cumberland, just outside Atlanta city limits)
  • Address: 755 Battery Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30339
    Home of the Atlanta Braves and part of The Battery Atlanta entertainment district.

College Sports and Events

• Georgia Tech (Georgia Institute of Technology)
  • Address: 225 North Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30332
• Georgia State University (GSU)
  • Main Campus Area: Around 33 Gilmer St SE, Atlanta, GA 30303

Both campuses host college sports, lectures, and community events that locals sometimes attend.

Practical Places: Getting Around and Taking Care of Business

MARTA Transit Hubs

For many visitors and some residents, MARTA is the easiest way to get around core parts of Atlanta.

Key MARTA rail stations:

• Airport Station – Directly inside Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
• Five Points Station –
  • Address: 30 Alabama St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
    Main transfer point between North–South and East–West lines, located Downtown.
• Peachtree Center Station – Useful for Downtown hotels and offices.
• Midtown Station and Arts Center Station – Good starting points for Midtown attractions.
• Buckhead, Lenox, and Lindbergh Center – Serve Buckhead and North Atlanta.

Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport

• Address: 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
  One of the busiest airports in the world, located just south of Downtown and easily reached by MARTA or I‑85.

City of Atlanta and Fulton County Offices

If you live in Atlanta, certain government locations are important:

• Atlanta City Hall

  • Address: 55 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
    Handles city services like permits, business licenses, and city council meetings.

• Fulton County Government Center

  • Address: 141 Pryor St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
    County‑level services such as property tax offices and some court functions.

• Fulton County Courthouse

  • Address: 136 Pryor St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303

Residents often visit these for records, legal matters, and official documents.

Family‑Friendly Places in Atlanta

If you’re planning activities for kids or multi‑generational groups, several Atlanta spots consistently come up:

• Georgia Aquarium (Downtown)
• Zoo Atlanta (Grant Park)
• Children’s Museum of Atlanta
  • Address: 275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
• Fernbank Museum of Natural History (near Druid Hills)
• Atlanta Botanical Garden (Midtown)
• SkyView Atlanta Ferris wheel
  • Address: 168 Luckie St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303

Most of these are clustered around Downtown and Midtown, making it easy to plan full‑day itineraries.

Nightlife and Dining Districts

Atlanta’s nightlife is spread across several neighborhoods rather than just one entertainment district. Popular areas include:

• Midtown – Bars, clubs, and late‑night spots along Peachtree St and side streets.
• Buckhead – Lounges, upscale bars, and restaurants.
• Old Fourth Ward / BeltLine Eastside – Trendy bars, rooftops, and food halls like Ponce City Market.
• West Midtown – Breweries, cocktail bars, and restaurant clusters.
• Edgewood Avenue (Old Fourth Ward / Downtown edge) – Known for a dense strip of bars and clubs.
• East Atlanta Village – Smaller, indie‑leaning venues and live music.

When planning nights out, locals often talk about which “corridor” they’re headed to: Edgewood Ave, the BeltLine, Midtown, or Buckhead.

Tips for Choosing Where to Go in Atlanta

If you’re trying to narrow down which places in Atlanta, Georgia to prioritize, this simple breakdown can help:

• First‑time visitor

  • Focus on: Downtown + Midtown
  • Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca‑Cola, Centennial Olympic Park, MLK Jr. National Historical Park, BeltLine Eastside Trail, Piedmont Park, Ponce City Market.

• Art and history focused

  • High Museum of Art, Atlanta History Center, National Center for Civil and Human Rights, MODA, Oakland Cemetery, civil rights sites in Sweet Auburn.

• With kids

  • Georgia Aquarium, Zoo Atlanta, Children’s Museum of Atlanta, Fernbank, Botanical Garden, Piedmont Park playgrounds and splash areas (in season).

• Nightlife and dining

  • BeltLine Eastside (Old Fourth Ward / Inman Park), Midtown, West Midtown, East Atlanta Village, Buckhead Village.

• Nature and outdoors without leaving the city

  • BeltLine trails, Piedmont Park, Grant Park, Freedom Park, Candler Park.

Knowing these key places in Atlanta, Georgia makes it much easier to plan a visit, settle into life here, or simply understand how the city fits together. From the tourist‑heavy core in Downtown to neighborhood favorites along the BeltLine, Atlanta is built around clusters of places that each offer a different slice of the city’s identity.