The Best Things To Do in Atlanta This Week

Whether you live in Atlanta or you’re here for a short visit, there is always something happening in the city. From free parks and festivals to sports, food, and family-friendly activities, you can easily fill your week without feeling overwhelmed.

Use this guide as a practical playbook for what to do in Atlanta this week, with ideas that work on weekdays, evenings, and weekends.

Quick-Glance Ideas for This Week in Atlanta

Here’s a simple overview of ways to plan your week in the city:

Explore Atlanta Outdoors This Week

Walk, Bike, or Scoot the Atlanta BeltLine

The Atlanta BeltLine is one of the easiest ways to feel the city’s energy during the week.

Popular stretches include:

• Eastside Trail (Inman Park ↔ Poncey-Highland ↔ Old Fourth Ward)
• Westside Trail (Adair Park ↔ West End ↔ Lee + White district)

What to do along the BeltLine this week:

• Grab coffee or ice cream and people-watch.
• Check out public art murals and sculptures.
• Rent bikes or scooters from multiple vendors along the trail.
• Stop at food halls like Ponce City Market (675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308).

Tip: Weekdays are less crowded than weekends, especially mornings and early afternoons.

Relax in Atlanta’s Signature Parks

Piedmont Park
1320 Monroe Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30306

Things to do this week:

• Walk or jog the paved paths with skyline views.
• Pack a picnic for the Meadow or Oak Hill.
• Let kids play at the playgrounds or splash pads (seasonal).

Centennial Olympic Park
265 Park Ave W NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

Right in Downtown, near major attractions:

• Walk through the fountain area and memorials.
• Pair your visit with the Georgia Aquarium or World of Coca-Cola nearby.

Other local favorites:

• Grant Park – tree-lined paths, near Zoo Atlanta.
• Historic Fourth Ward Park – lake, playground, close to BeltLine and Ponce City Market.

Must-See Atlanta Attractions for This Week

If you’re visiting or playing tourist in your own city, these are easy to fit into a single week.

Georgia Aquarium

Georgia Aquarium
225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

Highlights:

• Massive ocean exhibits with sharks and rays.
• Interactive touch pools.
• Dolphin and sea lion presentations (check daily schedule).

Best for: Families, couples, and first-time visitors. Weekdays usually have shorter lines than weekends or holidays.

World of Coca-Cola

World of Coca-Cola
121 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

You can:

• Walk through exhibits on the brand’s history.
• View classic advertising and memorabilia.
• Sample beverages from different regions around the world.

This works well as a half-day paired with Centennial Olympic Park or the aquarium.

Atlanta History Center

Atlanta History Center
130 West Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305

Located in Buckhead, this is ideal if you’re looking for:

• Atlanta and Civil War history exhibits.
• Historic houses on-site.
• Beautiful gardens for a quieter weekday visit.

Enjoy Atlanta’s Arts, Culture, and Museums

High Museum of Art

High Museum of Art
1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309

What to do this week:

• See permanent collections (American, European, African art, photography).
• Check the museum’s schedule for rotating exhibits and special events.
• Combine with a stroll through Midtown or Colony Square.

Center for Civil and Human Rights

National Center for Civil and Human Rights
100 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

Here you can:

• Learn about the American Civil Rights Movement with a strong Atlanta focus.
• Explore exhibits on global human rights issues.

It’s a powerful, focused visit that fits into a morning or afternoon Downtown.

Smaller Cultural Stops

If you want something different this week:

• Trap Music Museum – Westside, themed around trap music culture.
• APEX Museum – Auburn Avenue, focused on African American history.
• SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film – Buckhead, for design and fashion lovers.

Catch Live Sports and Major Events

Atlanta’s sports and events calendar is busy most weeks of the year. Even if you’re not usually a sports fan, the atmosphere around the stadiums can be worth experiencing.

Downtown: Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena

Mercedes-Benz Stadium
1 AMB Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

Home to:

• Professional football.
• Professional soccer.
• Occasional major concerts and special events.

State Farm Arena
1 State Farm Dr, Atlanta, GA 30303

Home to:

• Professional basketball.
• Live concerts and large shows.

Things to know this week:

• Many games and concerts happen on weeknights.
• Arrive early for parking and security lines, or use MARTA to avoid traffic.

Truist Park and The Battery Atlanta

Truist Park
755 Battery Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30339

Even if there’s no baseball game this week, The Battery Atlanta (the mixed-use development around the stadium) often has:

• Restaurants and bars.
• Live music at smaller venues.
• A central plaza area with events and big-screen game viewings.

Good option for: Weeknight dinners, casual dates, or group outings.

Discover Atlanta’s Neighborhood Food and Nightlife

You can easily build an evening plan around specific neighborhoods.

Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, and Inman Park

These areas are packed with:

• Trendy restaurants.
• Cocktail bars and breweries.
• Late-night dessert spots.

Ideas for this week:

• Start with the BeltLine Eastside Trail, walk or bike, then stop at a restaurant in Inman Park.
• Explore Edgewood Avenue for more casual bars and nightlife.

Buckhead

Known for:

• Upscale dining and steakhouses.
• Lounges and late-night options.
• Shopping centers like Lenox Square (3393 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326) and Phipps Plaza (3500 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326).

This is a good area if you prefer a polished, more formal night out.

West Midtown and Lee + White

• West Midtown: Converted warehouses, restaurants, bars, and galleries.
• Lee + White in West End: Breweries, food concepts, and the BeltLine Westside Trail nearby.

Perfect for locals or visitors who want something a bit less touristy but still lively.

Family-Friendly Things To Do in Atlanta This Week

Zoo Atlanta

Zoo Atlanta
800 Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30315

Located in Grant Park, Zoo Atlanta offers:

• Animal exhibits including elephants, gorillas, pandas, and more.
• Kid-focused areas and educational programs.
• Shaded walking paths that are manageable for strollers.

Tip: Earlier in the day is usually more comfortable, especially in warmer months.

Children’s Museum of Atlanta

Children’s Museum of Atlanta
275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

Best for younger children, with:

• Hands-on exhibits for play and learning.
• Rotating themed activities.

Located Downtown, it pairs well with a walk through Centennial Olympic Park.

Fernbank Museum of Natural History

Fernbank Museum
767 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30307

What to do:

• Explore dinosaur exhibits and natural history galleries.
• Walk the outdoor forest trails and elevated walkways.
• Check for movie showings in the giant screen theater.

This works well for a half or full day, especially if you enjoy both indoor and outdoor activities.

Free and Low-Cost Things To Do in Atlanta This Week

You don’t need a big budget to stay busy in Atlanta.

Stroll Historic Districts and Street Art Corridors

Ideas for this week:

• Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park
  450 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312
  Walk the area around Dr. King’s birth home, Ebenezer Baptist Church, and the visitor center.
• Auburn Avenue and Sweet Auburn – Learn about Atlanta’s history and civil rights legacy.
• Krog Street Tunnel – Known for constantly changing street art and murals; easy to access from the BeltLine and Inman Park.

Window-Shop and People-Watch

Consider:

• Ponce City Market – Food hall, rooftop amusement area (paid), and shops.
• Atlantic Station – Outdoor shopping and dining with a central plaza, often hosting small events.
• Little Five Points – Alternative, artsy area with vintage stores and unique shops.

Weeknight-Friendly Ideas (After Work or Travel)

If you only have evenings free this week, you still have plenty of options.

Ideas that work well after 5 p.m.:

• Walk the BeltLine and grab dinner along the trail.
• Visit Piedmont Park, then head into Midtown for dessert or drinks.
• Catch a game or show at State Farm Arena or Mercedes-Benz Stadium if something is scheduled.
• Explore The Battery Atlanta after work for an easy mix of food and entertainment.
• Attend a comedy night or open mic (many venues in Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, and East Atlanta Village).

Practical Tips for Planning Your Week in Atlanta

• Transportation:
  • MARTA rail and bus can be useful for Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and airport connections.
  • Rideshares and scooters help bridge gaps between neighborhoods and transit.
• Parking:
  • Most popular spots (Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, West Midtown) use paid decks or lots.
  • Budget extra time for parking before games and concerts.
• Weather:
  • Atlanta weather can change quickly; bring a light jacket or umbrella, especially in spring and fall.
  • In summer, plan outdoor activities earlier in the morning or later in the evening to avoid peak heat.
• Crowds:
  • Major attractions and parks are busiest on weekends and holidays.
  • If your schedule is flexible, consider visiting bigger sites (like the aquarium or zoo) on weekdays.

If you pick a few activities from each section—an outdoor day, a museum or attraction, a neighborhood food outing, and maybe a game or show—you’ll have a full, memorable week in Atlanta without feeling rushed.