The Best Things To See Around Atlanta: A Local’s Guide to Exploring the City

Atlanta is a city where history, culture, food, music, and nature all overlap within a relatively short drive. Whether you live here, are visiting for a weekend, or just trying to understand what makes Atlanta unique, there’s a lot to see beyond the usual tourist checklist.

Below is a practical, Atlanta-focused guide to the top things to see around the city—organized so you can mix and match based on your interests, neighborhood, and time.

Quick Overview: Top Things To See Around Atlanta

Downtown & Centennial Olympic Park Area

If you want a one-stop hub for big-name attractions, Downtown Atlanta is the place to start.

Georgia Aquarium

The Georgia Aquarium is one of Atlanta’s major draws, with huge viewing windows and diverse marine life. It’s especially popular with families and first-time visitors.

• Location: 225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
• Tip: To avoid the biggest crowds, mornings on weekdays are usually calmer than weekends and holidays.

World of Coca‑Cola

Right next door, the World of Coca‑Cola is a museum-style experience focused on one of Atlanta’s most famous brands. It showcases advertising, memorabilia, and a tasting room featuring drinks from around the world.

• Location: 121 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
• Good for: Visitors who enjoy brand history, pop culture, and interactive exhibits.

Centennial Olympic Park

Built for the 1996 Summer Olympics, Centennial Olympic Park is a central green space surrounded by major attractions.

• Location: 265 Park Ave W NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
• Things to see:
  • Fountain of Rings
  • City skyline views
  • Seasonal events and festivals

SkyView Atlanta

SkyView Atlanta is a large Ferris wheel across from Centennial Olympic Park, offering skyline views in enclosed gondolas.

• Location: 168 Luckie St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Best time: Around sunset or after dark when Downtown is lit up.

Civil Rights & Atlanta History

Atlanta is a key city in the story of the Civil Rights Movement. Much of what’s most meaningful to see is within a short stretch on the east side of Downtown.

Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park

This national historical park is one of the most significant cultural sites in the city.

Highlights include:

• Dr. King’s birth home (guided tours available)

• Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he preached

• The King Center, with exhibits and reflecting pool

• Historic Fire Station No. 6

• Location: 450 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312

It’s walkable, reflective, and an essential stop for understanding Atlanta’s history.

National Center for Civil and Human Rights

Located across from Centennial Olympic Park, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights connects the U.S. Civil Rights Movement to global human rights issues.

• Location: 100 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
• Expect: Immersive exhibits, letters, audio experiences, and rotating installations.

Sweet Auburn and Auburn Avenue

Sweet Auburn was once called “the richest Negro street in the world” because of its thriving Black-owned businesses and institutions.

Key things to see:

• Historic Auburn Avenue corridor
• Murals and small cultural landmarks
• Proximity to the MLK Jr. National Historical Park

It’s an area best experienced on foot, taking time to notice the architecture and street-level history.

Midtown, Piedmont Park & Arts District

Midtown offers a blend of green space, arts, food, and city views.

Piedmont Park

Often compared to a smaller Central Park, Piedmont Park is a huge urban green space with walking paths, sports fields, a dog park, and skyline views.

• Main access: 400 Park Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
• Things to see:
  • Lake Clara Meer
  • Midtown skyline from the park’s meadows
  • Seasonal festivals (food, arts, and music events)

Atlanta Botanical Garden

Nestled next to Piedmont Park, the Atlanta Botanical Garden is one of the city’s most scenic spots, with themed gardens and seasonal plant sculptures.

• Location: 1345 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
• Highlights:
  • Canopy walk
  • Orchid house
  • Holiday lights in winter

High Museum of Art

The High Museum of Art is Atlanta’s flagship art museum and a central part of the Midtown arts district.

• Location: 1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
• Good for: Classic and contemporary art, architecture, and special exhibitions.

Fox Theatre

The Fox Theatre is a historic, ornate performance venue that’s worth seeing even if you don’t attend a show.

• Location: 660 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
• What to notice:
  • Moorish-style architecture
  • Starry “night sky” ceiling inside the main theater
  • Marquee lights on Peachtree Street at night

Eastside: BeltLine, Ponce City Market & Inman Park

On Atlanta’s east side, older neighborhoods and revitalized industrial spaces are connected by the BeltLine, making it easy to see a lot in one outing.

Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail

The Eastside Trail of the Atlanta BeltLine is a paved path for walkers, runners, and cyclists, linking popular neighborhoods.

• Common access points:
  • Ponce City Market area (675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE)
  • Inman Park / Krog Street Market area
• What you’ll see:
  • Public art and murals
  • City views and active street life
  • Cafes, breweries, and local shops along the trail

🚲 Tip: Biking or walking the Eastside Trail is one of the easiest ways to “see” multiple Atlanta neighborhoods in a couple of hours.

Ponce City Market

Ponce City Market is a converted historic Sears building now filled with food stalls, shops, and a rooftop entertainment space.

• Location: 675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
• Things to see:
  • The central food hall
  • Views of the BeltLine and skyline
  • Rooftop amusement-style area (tickets required)

Inman Park

Inman Park is known for its Victorian homes, tree-lined streets, and neighborhood charm.

• Good for:
  • Walking tours of historic houses
  • Casual dining and coffee shops
  • Access to the BeltLine and nearby Krog Street Tunnel (famous for street art)

Grant Park & Zoo Atlanta

South of I‑20, you’ll find one of Atlanta’s oldest neighborhoods and largest parks.

Grant Park

Grant Park is a large, historic park with shaded paths and rolling green space.

• Location: 840 Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30315 (general park area)
• What to see:
  • Neighborhood streets with historic homes
  • Walking trails and open fields
  • Seasonal local events and farmers’ markets nearby

Zoo Atlanta

Inside Grant Park, Zoo Atlanta is a longtime family favorite with a variety of wildlife exhibits.

• Location: 800 Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30315
• Highlights:
  • Giant pandas (when on exhibit)
  • Reptile and bird areas
  • Educational talks and feedings

Druid Hills & Emory Area: Science & Nature

East of Midtown, the Emory and Druid Hills area offers more museum and nature experiences.

Fernbank Museum of Natural History

The Fernbank Museum combines natural history exhibits with an outdoor forest experience.

• Location: 767 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30307
• Things to see:
  • Dinosaur fossil displays
  • Giant screen theater
  • Fernbank Forest outdoor trails

Lullwater Preserve (Emory University)

Within Emory’s campus area, Lullwater Preserve offers wooded trails, a creek, and a small waterfall.

• Access (public pedestrian entry): Near 1463 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30322
• Good for: A quieter nature walk not far from the city core.

Westside & Castleberry Hill

On the west and southwest edges of Downtown, you’ll find industrial-chic neighborhoods and creative spaces.

Castleberry Hill

Castleberry Hill is a historic warehouse district turned arts neighborhood just southwest of Downtown.

• What to see:
  • Murals and public art
  • Loft buildings and cobblestone-style streets
  • Occasional art walks and open studio events

West Midtown / Westside Provisions Area

While primarily known for dining and shopping, the Westside area also has walkable streets, converted warehouses, and design-focused spaces.

• Around Howell Mill Rd NW and Huff Rd NW
• Expect:
  • Industrial architecture
  • City views from certain vantage points
  • Galleries and design showrooms interspersed with restaurants

Family-Friendly Things to See Around Atlanta

If you’re planning for kids, Atlanta has several concentrated family attractions that are easy to reach.

Children’s Museum of Atlanta

Near Centennial Olympic Park, the Children’s Museum of Atlanta focuses on hands-on learning and play for younger children.

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

College Football Hall of Fame

Also near the park, the College Football Hall of Fame offers interactive exhibits, a giant indoor field, and plenty of photo ops.

• Location: 250 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

Tellus Science Museum (Farther Out but Popular)

If you’re willing to drive north of the city, the Tellus Science Museum in Cartersville is a larger science and history museum popular with families.

• Location: 100 Tellus Dr, Cartersville, GA 30120
• Note: It’s outside metro Atlanta proper, so plan for travel time.

Outdoor Adventures & Scenic Views Around Atlanta

You don’t have to travel far from the city to find trails, mountains, and sweeping views.

Stone Mountain Park

Just east of Atlanta, Stone Mountain Park offers hiking, lake views, and attractions around a massive granite outcrop.

• Location (park entrance): 1000 Robert E Lee Blvd, Stone Mountain, GA 30083
• Key experiences:
  • Hike the Walk-Up Trail to the summit for panoramic views
  • Scenic railroad and other attractions within the park

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

Northwest of the city, Kennesaw Mountain combines history and hiking.

• Visitor Center: 900 Kennesaw Mountain Dr, Kennesaw, GA 30152
• Things to see:
  • Civil War battlefield markers
  • Summit views of the Atlanta skyline on clear days
  • Network of wooded trails

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

Along the northern edge of metro Atlanta, the Chattahoochee River features multiple units with riverside trails and picnic spots.

Popular access points near the city include:

• Cochran Shoals – Interstate North: 1956 Eugene Gunby Rd, Marietta, GA 30067
• Island Ford: 8800 Roberts Dr, Sandy Springs, GA 30350

Good for:

• Walking and easy hikes
• Kayaking and tubing (seasonal, via outfitters)
• Birdwatching and river views

Murals, Street Art & Local Culture

Atlanta’s creative side shows up around nearly every corner, especially in certain neighborhoods.

Krog Street Tunnel

The Krog Street Tunnel is one of Atlanta’s most photographed street art spots.

• Location: Krog St NE at DeKalb Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307
• Expect:
  • Constantly changing murals and graffiti
  • A direct connection between Inman Park and Cabbagetown

Little Five Points

Little Five Points is known for its alternative, artsy character.

• Roughly centered around the intersection of Euclid Ave NE and Moreland Ave NE
• Things to see:
  • Colorful storefronts and murals
  • Unique local shops
  • Side streets with interesting architecture and public art

Downtown & Old Fourth Ward Murals

Scattered across Old Fourth Ward, Edgewood Avenue, and Downtown, you’ll find large-scale murals on building sides and underpasses.

Exploring on foot or bike along the BeltLine and adjacent streets reveals many of these without a strict route.

Day-Trip Worthy: Things To See Just Outside Atlanta

If you have a car and a full day, there are several short trip options that still feel connected to Atlanta.

Marietta Square

In Marietta, northwest of the city, the town square is a walkable, historic area with a central park, courthouse, and surrounding shops.

• Location (Glover Park): 50 N Park Sq NE, Marietta, GA 30060
• Good for: A small-town feel, local eateries, and seasonal events.

Roswell Mill & Vickery Creek

In Roswell, north of Atlanta, the historic mill area offers a mix of old structures and nature.

• Trailhead near: 95 Mill St, Roswell, GA 30075
• What you’ll see:
  • Old mill ruins
  • Covered bridge
  • Waterfall along Vickery Creek

How to Plan What to See in Atlanta Based on Your Time

To make the most of your visit or weekend:

If you have half a day:

• Stay focused on one zone:
  • Downtown (Aquarium + Centennial Olympic Park + Coke, or
  • Midtown (Piedmont Park + Botanical Garden), or
  • BeltLine Eastside (Ponce City Market + short walk or bike ride)

If you have one full day:

• Combine:
  • Morning: Civil Rights history (MLK Jr. National Historical Park + Auburn Ave)
  • Afternoon: Downtown attractions or Midtown arts
  • Evening: BeltLine stroll or Ponce City Market

If you have a weekend or more:

• Add:
  • One nature outing (Stone Mountain, Kennesaw Mountain, or Chattahoochee River)
  • One neighborhood-focused day (Inman Park, Virginia‑Highland, Little Five Points, Castleberry Hill)

Exploring Atlanta is largely about pairing big-name attractions with neighborhood wandering. From world-class museums and historic landmarks to parks, murals, and riverside trails, there’s always something new to see within a short drive or MARTA ride of the city center.