Things To Do In Atlanta On a Thursday: A Local’s Guide to Weekday Fun

Thursday in Atlanta feels like the unofficial start of the weekend. Happy hours are livelier, shows are easier to get into than on Fridays, and you can still beat the weekend crowds at many of the city’s biggest attractions.

Below is a Thursday-focused guide to things to do in Atlanta, tailored for both locals and visitors who want to make the most of a weekday in the city.

Quick Look: Popular Thursday Things To Do in Atlanta

Start Your Thursday With Classic Atlanta Sights

Explore Atlanta’s Major Attractions With Smaller Crowds

Thursday is a smart day to hit big-name attractions before the weekend rush:

• Georgia Aquarium – 225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
  One of the largest aquariums in the world. Thursdays are typically less packed than Saturdays, giving you more time at the big exhibits.

• World of Coca‑Cola – 121 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
  Learn about the history of Coke, taste flavors from around the world, and explore the museum-style exhibits.

• National Center for Civil and Human Rights – 100 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
  A powerful, immersive museum near Centennial Olympic Park that often feels calmer on weekdays. A meaningful way to spend a Thursday morning or early afternoon.

These three are all in Downtown, within walking distance of each other, so you can easily combine them.

Walk, Bike, or Skate the Atlanta BeltLine

Make the Most of Thursday on the Eastside Trail

The Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail is one of the city’s most popular spots for a casual Thursday outing:

• Walk or bike from Ponce City Market to Krog Street Market
• Stop at patios along the trail for a drink or snack
• Check out public art murals and sculptures along the way

Ponce City Market – 675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
Inside you’ll find a food hall, shops, bars, and, on many evenings, special events or rooftop activities.

Krog Street Market – 99 Krog St NE, Atlanta, GA 30307
A smaller, laid-back food hall perfect for grabbing dinner or drinks on a Thursday night.

📝 Tip: If you want to people-watch without weekend crowds, Thursday late afternoon on the BeltLine is ideal.

Dive Into Atlanta’s Neighborhoods on a Thursday

Midtown: Arts, Culture, and Easy Nightlife

Midtown is one of the best places to be on a Thursday in Atlanta.

Highlights include:

• High Museum of Art – 1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
  Check for Thursday evening programs or exhibitions; weekdays are generally quieter.

• Atlanta Symphony Orchestra – 1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
  Depending on the season, you may find Thursday performances or special concerts.

• Colony Square – 1197 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30361
  Features restaurants, an outdoor plaza, and events that sometimes run on Thursdays like outdoor movies or live music.

Midtown is also full of bars, lounges, and casual restaurants that ramp up energy on Thursday nights but are still easier to navigate than Friday.

Old Fourth Ward & Inman Park: BeltLine Adjacent

Just east of Midtown, Old Fourth Ward (O4W) and Inman Park are great Thursday hangout areas:

• Grab a drink or dinner at Ponce City Market or nearby BeltLine spots
• Walk to Historic Fourth Ward Park for a calmer green space
• Explore Inman Park’s tree-lined streets and local restaurants

These neighborhoods feel active but not overwhelming on a Thursday.

Little Five Points: Alternative and Artsy

If you want something more eclectic, Little Five Points is a go-to:

• Vintage and independent shops along Euclid Ave NE
• Tattoo shops, record stores, and laid-back bars
• Occasional Thursday night shows at local music venues

Thursday works well here because weekends can get very crowded.

Enjoy Thursday Night Live Music and Shows

Catch a Show at a Local Venue

Atlanta has a strong live music and performance scene, and Thursday nights often feature great lineups without sold-out crowds.

Some well-known venues include:

• Tabernacle – 152 Luckie St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  A historic venue in Downtown that hosts touring artists and comedians.

• Center Stage / Vinyl / The Loft – 1374 W Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309
  Three venues in one Midtown complex, with many weekday shows.

• Variety Playhouse – 1099 Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307
  In Little Five Points, known for a wide range of acts.

• The Eastern – 777 Memorial Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30316
  A newer venue in the Reynoldstown area, often active on Thursdays.

Theater, Comedy, and Improv

If you prefer theater or comedy:

• The Fox Theatre – 660 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
  Hosts Broadway tours, concerts, and special events; Thursday performances are common during runs.

• Alliance Theatre – 1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
  A major regional theater at the Woodruff Arts Center, often with Thursday evening shows.

• Local comedy clubs and improv theaters frequently schedule Thursday night stand-up or improv sets, which can be easier to get into than weekend headliner nights.

📝 Tip: For any show, Thursday is often a good night for better seat options and lower ticket demand compared to Friday and Saturday.

Eat and Drink: Thursday-Friendly Food & Nightlife

Try a Food Hall for a Low-Stress Thursday Evening

Food halls are ideal when everyone wants something different:

• Ponce City Market – Old Fourth Ward
• Krog Street Market – Inman Park/Cabbagetown
• Politan Row at Colony Square – Midtown (1197 Peachtree St NE)

You can sample local restaurants, enjoy indoor and outdoor seating, and often catch casual live music or events on Thursday nights.

Rooftops and City Views

If you want skyline views on a weeknight:

• Rooftop at Ponce City Market (The Roof area) often offers games and a bar area.
• Several Midtown and Buckhead hotels and restaurants feature rooftop lounges where Thursday nights are lively but not as busy as weekends.

Happy Hour and Casual Nightlife

Neighborhoods with strong Thursday happy hour and nightlife scenes include:

• Midtown – bars and lounges along Peachtree St NE and Crescent Ave NE
• Edgewood Avenue – more casual, with music, bars, and nightlife close to Downtown
• West Midtown – brewery-style spots and modern restaurants

You can usually find drink specials and live DJs on Thursdays, especially in Midtown and Edgewood, without full weekend crowds.

Outdoor & Active Things To Do on a Thursday

Parks and Green Spaces

For a more relaxed Thursday:

• Piedmont Park – 400 Park Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
  Atlanta’s “central park” with walking trails, fields, a dog park, and lake views. Weekdays are generally calmer and ideal for picnics or casual exercise.

• Atlanta Botanical Garden – 1345 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
  Located next to Piedmont Park. Thursday afternoons and evenings are great for strolling the gardens, and certain seasons feature Thursday night events like music or themed nights.

• Freedom Park – stretching across multiple intown neighborhoods
  Great for walking, cycling, or jogging before or after work on a Thursday.

Active & Social Options

If you want to be social and active:

• Many running groups, walking clubs, and fitness meetups host Thursday evening runs around the BeltLine or in Midtown.
• Some local climbing gyms, yoga studios, and fitness centers offer Thursday evening classes that attract young professionals.

These are good ways to meet locals if you’re new to Atlanta or visiting for an extended stay.

Explore Atlanta’s History and Culture

History-Focused Thursday Ideas

Beyond the big museums, consider:

• Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park
  Visitor Center: 450 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312
  Includes the King Center, Ebenezer Baptist Church (Historic), and Dr. King’s birth home area. Weekdays, including Thursdays, allow for more reflective visits.

• Oakland Cemetery – 248 Oakland Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312
  A historic cemetery and greenspace with city views, sculptures, and guided tours on various days, sometimes including Thursdays.

These sites give deeper context to Atlanta’s role in civil rights, politics, and regional history.

Family-Friendly Thursday Activities

Daytime With Kids

If you’re in Atlanta with children on a Thursday, consider:

• Zoo Atlanta – 800 Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30315
  Located in Grant Park. Weekday mornings and early afternoons are typically less busy, making it easier with strollers and young kids.

• Children’s Museum of Atlanta – 275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
  Hands-on exhibits and play areas, right across from Centennial Olympic Park.

• Fernbank Museum of Natural History – 767 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30307
  Dinosaur exhibits, science displays, and outdoor forest experiences; a good Thursday afternoon option.

Evening With Older Kids or Teens

For families with older kids, early Thursday evening works well for:

• Walking the BeltLine and grabbing dinner at Ponce City Market or Krog Street Market
• Visiting SkyView Atlanta (the big Ferris wheel) near Centennial Olympic Park for a nighttime city view

These options let you enjoy the city at night without staying out too late.

Late-Night Thursday Options

If you want to stretch your Thursday a bit later:

• Midtown and Edgewood offer clubs, lounges, bars, and late-night bites.
• Buford Highway (running through Atlanta, Brookhaven, and Doraville) is known for late-night international restaurants, especially Asian and Latin American cuisines.

Thursday nights here tend to feel energetic but more manageable than Friday and Saturday.

Practical Tips for Spending Thursday in Atlanta

• Traffic awareness: Afternoon rush hour (roughly 4–6:30 p.m.) on major roads like I‑75/85 and GA‑400 can be heavy. Plan your Thursday schedule so longer drives happen before or after peak times.
• Parking: Downtown and Midtown use a mix of garages, lots, and street parking. Many attractions near Centennial Olympic Park and Peachtree Street have designated parking decks.
• MARTA access:
  • Five Points Station (Downtown) is near many central attractions.
  • Midtown Station and Arts Center Station are convenient for Midtown, museums, and some venues.
    Using MARTA on a Thursday evening can help you avoid traffic and parking headaches.
• Check hours and event calendars: Many Atlanta venues and attractions adjust their hours seasonally and run special Thursday-only events, so it helps to confirm schedules before heading out.

On a Thursday in Atlanta, you can treat the day like a lighter version of the weekend: explore major sights in the morning, enjoy the BeltLine and parks in the afternoon, catch a show or enjoy a food hall in the evening, and, if you choose, finish with some low-key nightlife. All without the intensity of Friday and Saturday crowds.