The Best Indoor Things To Do in Atlanta: Local Guide to Staying Entertained Inside

Atlanta weather can swing from blazing hot and humid to chilly and stormy. On days when you’d rather be inside, the city still has plenty to do indoors—from world‑class attractions and museums to hidden local hangouts.

Whether you live in Atlanta, you’re visiting for a weekend, or you’re planning a rainy-day backup plan, this guide walks through practical, Atlanta-specific indoor activities you can actually do right now.

Top Indoor Attractions in Downtown & Midtown Atlanta

If you want big-name attractions and classic “only in Atlanta” experiences, start in Downtown and Midtown. Most of these are easy to reach via MARTA.

Georgia Aquarium

One of Atlanta’s most popular indoor destinations, the Georgia Aquarium offers hours of indoor exploring.

• Highlights: Whale sharks, manta rays, touch pools, dolphin and sea lion presentations, behind-the-scenes tours.
• Good for: Families, groups, date days, out-of-town guests.
• Tip: Weekday mornings usually feel less crowded than weekends and holidays.

Location:
Georgia Aquarium
225 Baker St NW
Atlanta, GA 30313
Phone: (404) 581-4000

World of Coca‑Cola

Right next door to the aquarium, World of Coca‑Cola is a fully indoor attraction focused on the history and culture of the Coca‑Cola brand.

• What to expect: Brand exhibits, memorabilia, short films, and a tasting area with drinks from around the world.
• Good for: Visitors who want a “classic Atlanta” stop; older kids and adults.

Location:
World of Coca‑Cola
121 Baker St NW
Atlanta, GA 30313
Phone: (404) 676-5151

National Center for Civil and Human Rights

A powerful, educational indoor experience, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights focuses on the American civil rights movement and global human rights issues.

• Highlights: Interactive exhibits, artifacts connected to the civil rights era, rotating exhibits.
• Good for: Teens and adults, history and social studies enthusiasts, meaningful rainy-day outing.

Location:
National Center for Civil and Human Rights
100 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW
Atlanta, GA 30313
Phone: (678) 999-8990

College Football Hall of Fame

If you’re a sports fan, the College Football Hall of Fame is an all-indoor, hands-on attraction directly across from Centennial Olympic Park.

• What you’ll find: Interactive exhibits, a large indoor playing field area, team gear, and hall of fame displays.
• Good for: Families with kids, sports fans, groups.

Location:
Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame
250 Marietta St NW
Atlanta, GA 30313
Phone: (404) 880-4800

Museums & Cultural Spots: Art, History, and Science Indoors

Atlanta’s museum scene covers everything from contemporary art to airplanes. These are ideal for rainy days, hot afternoons, or quiet weekends.

High Museum of Art

Atlanta’s flagship art museum, the High Museum of Art, is fully indoors and easy to reach in Midtown.

• Highlights: American art, African art, decorative arts, photography, and regular rotating exhibitions.
• Good for: Solo visits, date afternoons, art lovers, slow-paced days.

Location:
High Museum of Art
1280 Peachtree St NE
Atlanta, GA 30309
Phone: (404) 733-4400

Fernbank Museum of Natural History

Located in the Druid Hills area, Fernbank Museum mixes natural history exhibits and immersive experiences.

• Indoors you’ll find: Dinosaur skeletons, natural history galleries, science exhibits, and often special exhibitions.
• Note: Fernbank Forest and some play areas are outdoors, but there’s plenty fully inside.

Location:
Fernbank Museum
767 Clifton Rd
Atlanta, GA 30307
Phone: (404) 929-6300

Atlanta History Center (Indoor Areas)

The Atlanta History Center includes outdoor historic homes, but there’s also a substantial indoor museum component.

• Indoors you can see: Exhibits on Atlanta’s history, the Civil War, local culture, and rotating displays.
• Good for: Residents wanting to better understand Atlanta’s past; history-minded visitors.

Location:
Atlanta History Center
130 West Paces Ferry Rd NW
Atlanta, GA 30305
Phone: (404) 814-4000

Delta Flight Museum

Near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the Delta Flight Museum is housed in historic airline hangars.

• Indoors you’ll find: Restored aircraft, aviation artifacts, and exhibits on Delta’s history and commercial flight.
• Good for: Plane enthusiasts, older kids and teens, anyone with extra time before or after a flight.

Location:
Delta Flight Museum
1060 Delta Blvd
Building B, Dept. 914
Atlanta, GA 30354
Phone: (404) 715-7886

Indoor Family Fun: Kids, Teens, and Multigenerational Groups

If you’re in Atlanta with kids or teens, these indoor family-friendly activities can keep everyone busy without worrying about the weather.

Children’s Museum of Atlanta

Designed for younger children, Children’s Museum of Atlanta is fully indoors and located downtown.

• Features: Hands-on exhibits, imaginative play areas, educational activities.
• Good for: Toddlers to elementary school-aged children.

Location:
Children’s Museum of Atlanta
275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW
Atlanta, GA 30313
Phone: (404) 659-5437

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Atlanta (Indoor Mall Attraction)

Inside Phipps Plaza in Buckhead, LEGOLAND Discovery Center Atlanta is a compact, fully enclosed attraction.

• What to expect: Rides designed for children, LEGO building areas, mini city models, play zones.
• Good for: Families with younger kids; combining with shopping or dining at the mall.

Location:
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Atlanta
Phipps Plaza
3500 Peachtree Rd NE, Suite G-1
Atlanta, GA 30326
Phone: (404) 848-9252

Indoor Trampoline Parks & Adventure Centers

Greater Atlanta has multiple indoor trampoline parks and adventure centers that are popular with kids, teens, and groups.

Common features include:

• Trampoline courts
• Dodgeball and basketball zones
• Ninja-style obstacle courses
• Climbing walls or ropes courses (varies by location)

You’ll typically find these in areas like West Midtown, the Perimeter, and surrounding suburbs. It’s helpful to:

• Check age limits and socks requirements
• Reserve in advance for weekends or school breaks

Indoor Active Fun for Adults: Climbing, Golf, and More

You don’t have to be outdoors to stay active in Atlanta. From climbing gyms to indoor driving ranges, there are several options if you want to move without dealing with heat, pollen, or storms.

Indoor Rock Climbing Gyms

Indoor climbing is a popular year-round option in Atlanta. Full-service climbing gyms often include:

• Top-rope and lead climbing walls
• Bouldering areas
• Fitness spaces and yoga classes
• Rental gear for beginners

You’ll commonly find established climbing gyms in areas like West Midtown, Grant Park area, and around the Perimeter. If you’re new:

• Many gyms offer introductory classes.
• Day passes are usually available without a long-term commitment.

Indoor Golf & Driving Ranges

Indoor and partially enclosed golf spots around Atlanta let you practice your swing in almost any weather.

You can expect:

• Climate-controlled hitting bays
• Virtual or simulated courses (depending on venue)
• Food and beverage options

These venues are popular for after-work outings, small groups, and casual golfers. It’s smart to book ahead for evenings and weekends.

Shopping Malls & Indoor Markets

Atlanta’s malls and indoor markets work well when you want a lot of options under one roof: shopping, food, and often entertainment.

Lenox Square & Phipps Plaza (Buckhead)

In Buckhead, Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza are connected by a short walk and offer fully indoor shopping and dining.

• Lenox Square: Wide mix of shops and restaurants; busy on weekends and holidays.
• Phipps Plaza: More upscale atmosphere; also houses LEGOLAND Discovery Center.

Lenox Square Location:
3393 Peachtree Rd NE
Atlanta, GA 30326
Phone: (404) 233-6767

Phipps Plaza Location:
3500 Peachtree Rd NE
Atlanta, GA 30326
Phone: (404) 262-0992

Atlantic Station (Mix of Indoor and Covered Areas)

Atlantic Station in Midtown combines indoor shops, restaurants, a movie theater, and some covered walkways.

• Indoors you can do: Shop, dine, see a movie, visit indoor attractions like occasional pop-up exhibits.
• Note: Some parts are outdoors, but you can structure your visit to mostly stay inside.

Location:
Atlantic Station
1380 Atlantic Dr NW
Atlanta, GA 30363

Indoor Entertainment: Movies, Shows, and Live Performances

Atlanta’s arts and entertainment scene offers plenty of indoor options when you want something more relaxed.

Movie Theaters

Across the Atlanta area, you’ll find:

• Large multiplex theaters with recliner seating
• Smaller theaters that sometimes offer independent or international films

Common areas for theaters include Midtown, Buckhead, Atlantic Station, and the Perimeter. For busy nights, ordering tickets in advance helps secure preferred seats.

The Fox Theatre

The historic Fox Theatre in Midtown is an iconic, fully indoor venue that hosts:

• Broadway-style productions
• Concerts
• Comedy shows and special events

Location:
Fox Theatre
660 Peachtree St NE
Atlanta, GA 30308
Phone: (855) 285-8499

If you don’t catch a show, there are often guided tours of the building that stay indoors.

Alliance Theatre & Woodruff Arts Center

The Alliance Theatre, part of the Woodruff Arts Center complex, is a key destination for indoor performing arts, especially theatrical productions.

• What you’ll find: Plays, musicals, and family-oriented performances throughout the year.

Location:
Alliance Theatre at Woodruff Arts Center
1280 Peachtree St NE
Atlanta, GA 30309
Phone: (404) 733-4650

Indoor Food & Drink Experiences

Atlanta’s food scene is one of its major draws, and many of the best experiences are entirely indoors.

Food Halls

Food halls offer a variety of local and regional vendors in one indoor setting, making them ideal for groups with different tastes.

Common features:

• Multiple food stalls and counters
• Communal seating
• Often coffee, dessert, and bar options inside

Well-known food halls in and near central Atlanta typically appear in areas like Midtown, West Midtown, and Old Fourth Ward. They’re popular lunch and dinner spots, especially on weekends.

Coffee Shops & Indoor Hangout Spaces

Across Atlanta neighborhoods—such as Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, Virginia-Highland, Decatur, and West Midtown—you’ll find:

• Independent coffee shops with comfortable indoor seating
• Spots ideal for reading, remote work, or casual meetups

These can be great options when you want a low-key indoor activity: bring a book, catch up on work, or simply people-watch.

Indoor Breweries and Taprooms

Atlanta’s brewery scene includes multiple indoor taprooms with seating, games, and tours.

Common amenities:

• Indoor tasting rooms
• Board games or small group games
• Occasional live music (indoors or in connected covered spaces)

They can work well for afternoon hangouts, small groups, or low-key evenings when the weather is uncooperative.

Indoor “Experiential” Activities: Games, Escapes, and Creative Fun

If you’re looking for something interactive, Atlanta has several hands-on, indoor experiences.

Escape Rooms

Escape rooms are scattered throughout the metro area, particularly near Midtown, Buckhead, and key suburban hubs.

• How it works: Your group is “locked” in a themed room and solves puzzles to “escape” within a set time.
• Good for: Friends, coworkers, families with teens, small group outings.

Tips:

• Choose difficulty level and theme based on your group.
• Reservations are usually required, especially on weekends.

Axe Throwing Venues

Axe throwing has become a popular indoor group activity in Atlanta.

Expect:

• A brief safety and technique overview
• Individual or team-based throwing games
• Food and beverages in some locations

Most spots require closed-toe shoes and advance bookings.

DIY Art & Craft Studios

Across Atlanta, you’ll find indoor creative studios, such as:

• Paint-your-own pottery studios
• Guided painting classes
• Craft or DIY workshops

These work well for date nights, small groups, or parent-child outings. Many offer short, one-time sessions you can book on a rainy afternoon.

Relaxing Indoor Activities: Spas, Wellness, and Quiet Spaces

Sometimes the best thing to do inside in Atlanta is to slow down.

Spas and Wellness Centers

In areas such as Buckhead, Midtown, and around the Perimeter, you’ll find:

• Day spas offering massages, facials, and body treatments
• Wellness centers with saunas, steam rooms, or relaxation areas

If you’re planning a spa day:

• Check if advance appointments are needed.
• Ask about access to relaxation lounges or other indoor amenities.

Libraries and Public Reading Spaces

The Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System and other local libraries offer quiet, climate-controlled spaces to read, work, or attend programs.

A central option is the Central Library in Downtown:

Location:
Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System – Central Library
1 Margaret Mitchell Square
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: (404) 612-8700

Libraries often provide:

• Free indoor seating and work areas
• Public computers and Wi-Fi
• Occasional events, book clubs, or workshops

Quick Reference: Indoor Activities by Type

With these options, you can plan indoor days in Atlanta that match your interests, budget, and energy level—whether you’re avoiding summer heat, winter chill, or a surprise thunderstorm.