Fun, Local, and Unique: The Best Stuff To Do Around Atlanta

Atlanta is the kind of city where you can spend a morning hiking to a skyline view, an afternoon in world-class museums, and an evening at a rooftop bar or neighborhood festival. Whether you live here, just moved to town, or are visiting for a few days, there’s no shortage of things to do around Atlanta—you just need a game plan.

Below is a practical, locally focused guide to Atlanta activities, organized so you can quickly build an itinerary that fits your interests, budget, and schedule.

Classic “Only in Atlanta” Experiences

These are the big, signature attractions many locals recommend to visitors—and that residents often revisit.

Downtown & Centennial Olympic Park Area

1. Centennial Olympic Park & Surrounding Attractions
Located in the heart of downtown, Centennial Olympic Park is a good starting point for exploring:

• Georgia Aquarium – One of the largest aquariums in the world, with whale sharks, manta rays, and interactive exhibits.
  • Address: 225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
• World of Coca-Cola – A museum built around the Coca-Cola brand history, memorabilia, and tasting room.
  • Address: 121 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
• National Center for Civil and Human Rights – A powerful look at the U.S. Civil Rights Movement and global human rights issues.
  • Address: 100 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

These are all within walking distance of each other and easy to combine into a half-day or full-day downtown itinerary.

Midtown & Arts District

2. High Museum of Art
The High Museum of Art in Midtown is Atlanta’s flagship art museum, known for its modern and contemporary collections, architecture, and rotating exhibits.

• Address: 1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309

3. Fox Theatre
The historic Fox Theatre hosts Broadway tours, concerts, and classic film nights. Even if you don’t catch a show, guided tours of the building’s interior and “Egyptian/Moorish” décor are a draw.

• Address: 660 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308

Neighborhoods to Explore Like a Local

Atlanta is a city of neighborhoods, each with a distinct vibe. Exploring by neighborhood is one of the best ways to get to know the city.

Inman Park & Little Five Points

Inman Park offers tree-lined streets, Victorian homes, and direct access to the Eastside BeltLine Trail. Little Five Points (L5P) nearby is known for vintage shops, tattoo studios, and alternative music venues.

Ideas in this area:

• Walk or bike the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail
• Browse record shops and boutiques in Little Five Points
• Picnic at Freedom Park

Virginia-Highland & Poncey-Highland

These adjoining neighborhoods are walkable with bungalow homes, restaurants, and bars along the main corridors.

• Stroll North Highland Avenue for coffee, brunch, and patios
• Visit Ponce City Market in Poncey-Highland for food hall options, shopping, and a rooftop amusement area
  • Address: 675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308

Old Fourth Ward

Known for its role in civil rights history and fast-growing food scene.

Key stops:

• Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park
  • Includes MLK’s birth home (by tour), Ebenezer Baptist Church, and The King Center.
  • Visitor Center Address: 450 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312
• The BeltLine at Historic Fourth Ward Park for walking, dog-walking, and relaxing by the lake

Outdoor Activities in and Around Atlanta

Despite being known for traffic, Atlanta is also a very green city with plenty of ways to get outside.

Parks and Green Spaces Inside the City

Piedmont Park
Often called “Atlanta’s Central Park,” Piedmont Park is ideal for:

• Walking and running loops

• Pick-up sports and fields

• Dog parks

• Seasonal festivals and farmers markets

• Address: 1320 Monroe Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30306

Atlanta BeltLine
The Atlanta BeltLine is a series of multi-use trails on former rail corridors. The Eastside Trail is the most popular, connecting Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, Ponce City Market, and Midtown.

Activities:

• Walking, jogging, or biking
• Checking out murals and street art
• Stopping at patios, coffee shops, and breweries along the way

Grant Park
Home to shady walking paths, historic homes around the perimeter, and the city zoo.

• Park Address: 537 Park Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312

Quick Nature Getaways Just Outside the Core

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
The “Hooch” is a go-to for:

• Tubing and kayaking (mainly warm months)
• Riverside trails
• Fishing in designated areas

Popular access points near the city:

• Palisades (Cobb Parkway): 3444 Cobb Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30339
• Powers Island: 5450 Interstate N Pkwy, Sandy Springs, GA 30328

Stone Mountain Park
Stone Mountain is a major outdoor and family destination, known for:

• Hiking the mile-long walk-up trail to the mountain’s summit

• Scenic railroad and lake

• Seasonal events and festivals

• Address: 1000 Robert E Lee Blvd, Stone Mountain, GA 30083

Family-Friendly Things To Do Around Atlanta

If you’re visiting with children or planning a kid-focused weekend, Atlanta is well set up for families.

Zoo & Animals

Zoo Atlanta (Grant Park)
Zoo Atlanta features gorillas, pandas, reptile exhibits, and a children’s zoo. It’s compact enough for a half-day visit.

• Address: 800 Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30315

Georgia Aquarium (Downtown)
Good for all ages with touch pools, large viewing windows, and timed shows.

Science, History, and Discovery

Fernbank Museum
Fernbank combines natural history exhibits, dinosaur displays, and an outdoor forest area.

• Address: 767 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30307

Children’s Museum of Atlanta
An interactive museum focused on younger kids with hands-on play and learning.

• Address: 275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

Arts, Culture, and History

Atlanta has a deep civil rights legacy, a growing film industry, and a strong arts community.

Civil Rights & African American History

• Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park – Core site for learning about MLK’s life and work
• National Center for Civil and Human Rights – Connects Atlanta’s legacy to ongoing global issues

Both are centrally located and often visited together for context on Atlanta’s role in social change.

Visual Arts, Music, and Theater

• High Museum of Art – Permanent and rotating collections, including photography and design
• Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA) – Smaller museum focused on design and innovation
  • Address: 1315 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
• Live music venues across the city, commonly found in:
  • Midtown (larger venues, theater shows)
  • Little Five Points and East Atlanta Village (smaller clubs and local bands)
  • Buckhead (mix of upscale lounges and bars)

Checking local listings before you go usually helps you catch touring artists, stand-up comedy shows, and independent theater productions.

Sports, Festivals, and Big Events

If you like being in the middle of the action, plan around Atlanta’s busy sports and events calendar.

Professional Sports

Atlanta hosts games in all major leagues:

• Atlanta Braves (MLB) – Play at Truist Park in the Battery Atlanta complex.
  • Address: 755 Battery Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30339
• Atlanta Falcons (NFL) and Atlanta United FC (MLS) – Both play at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
  • Address: 1 AMB Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
• Atlanta Hawks (NBA) – Play at State Farm Arena downtown.
  • Address: 1 State Farm Dr, Atlanta, GA 30303

Even if you’re not a major sports fan, the stadiums and arenas double as venues for concerts and special events.

Festivals and Annual Events

Throughout the year, Atlanta hosts:

• Neighborhood festivals (Inman Park, Virginia-Highland, Grant Park)
• Music and arts festivals in Piedmont Park and downtown
• Food and drink festivals around the BeltLine and city parks

These events are typically well-publicized locally and often family-friendly, with food trucks, vendors, and live entertainment.

Food, Drinks, and Nightlife

Atlanta’s food and nightlife scenes are spread across multiple districts, so you can tailor your evening around where you’re staying or which neighborhoods you want to explore.

Where to Find Good Food

Common areas for dining and evening activity include:

• Midtown – Wide variety of restaurants and bars, easy to reach by MARTA rail
• West Midtown / Westside Provisions District – Trendy restaurants and converted industrial spaces
• Buford Highway – A corridor known for diverse international cuisine, especially Asian and Latin American spots
• Old Fourth Ward & Inman Park – BeltLine-adjacent restaurants, coffee shops, and bars

Nightlife Options

Depending on your style, you’ll find:

• Lounges and rooftop bars in Midtown and Buckhead
• Live music in Little Five Points and East Atlanta Village
• Breweries and casual patios along the BeltLine

Public transit options are more limited late at night, so many people use rideshare services after dark, particularly if visiting multiple neighborhoods.

Day Trips and “Beyond the Perimeter” Ideas

If you’re willing to drive an hour or so, there’s even more to do around Atlanta.

Lake Lanier
Popular for boating, jet skiing, and lakeside rentals in warm months.

• General Area: Around Buford, GA and Gainesville, GA

Callaway Resort & Gardens
Known for gardens, walking paths, seasonal light displays, and family activities.

• Address: 17617 US-27, Pine Mountain, GA 31822

Historic Towns Nearby

• Roswell – Historic downtown, riverfront parks on the Chattahoochee
• Decatur – Walkable square with restaurants, bars, and bookstores, just east of Atlanta

Quick Planner: What To Do in Atlanta by Time & Interest

Use this simple overview to match your time and preferences with activities.

Practical Tips for Getting Around While You Explore

• MARTA (Rail & Bus): Useful for reaching downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and the airport.
• Driving: Many attractions have parking decks or dedicated lots, but traffic can be heavy at rush hours.
• Walking & Biking: The BeltLine, Midtown, and some intown neighborhoods (Decatur, Virginia-Highland, Inman Park) are more walkable and bike-friendly than others.
• Addresses & Hours: For major attractions and parks, it’s wise to check current hours, ticketing, and parking details before you go, as they can change seasonally or for special events.

By combining a few of these ideas—classic attractions, neighborhood wandering, outdoor time, and a good meal—you can put together a full list of things to do in and around Atlanta that fits your interests and feels authentically local.