The 20 best things to do in Atlanta

Looking for exciting things to do in Atlanta? Affectionately called “the A” by locals, Georgia’s capital is a deeply historic city with Civil Rights roots, a rich arts & culture scene, and special events all year long. Whether you’re a foodie, a history enthusiast, or an art aficionado, Atlanta offers an array of attractions that cater to all interests. Let’s explore some must-see spots and hidden gems to add to your trip itinerary.

Table of Contents

• Shopping and Markets

• Festivals and Events

• Nightlife and Entertainment

• Major Attractions

• Historical Sites

• Museums and Art Galleries

• FAQs

• Book Your Stay in Atlanta

Shopping and Markets in Atlanta

Ponce City Market

Located in a former Sears & Roebuck building, Ponce City Market in Old Fourth Ward is home to restaurants, shopping, and special events. Climb up to the roof to enjoy carnival-style games and rides in Skyline Park, learn mixology at 12 Cocktail Bar, or sip the signature Ocho Margaritas on Nine Mile Station’s patio, while taking in panoramic views of Atlanta.

Visiting Ponce City Market is free. Tickets are needed for Skyline Park, starting at $15 for adults and $7 for kids.

Atlantic Station

Shop ‘til you drop at Atlantic Station in Westside. Home to over 50 shops and a Central Park, this outdoor promenade is lined with retail stores, restaurants, sidewalk cafés, and an IMAX cinema. Central Park often plays host to exciting live events—such as Cirque du Soleil, outdoor improv, and creator’s and midnight markets—and even opens an outdoor skating rink in the wintertime.

Krog Street Market

At the heart of Inman Park, you’ll find Krog Street Market inside an old Atlanta Stone Works building from 1889, filled with shops and counter-service restaurants. Wander the market stalls of this historic factory setting and peruse ready-to-enjoy meals, fresh produce, and sweet treats. Attention, dog owners! Krog Street Market is strictly a pet-free space.

Festivals and Events in Atlanta

Atlanta Dogwood Festival

Celebrate the arrival of spring at the Atlanta Dogwood Festival. Held every year in Midtown’s Piedmont Park where the dogwood trees bloom, this outdoor festival gives center stage to (almost) every kind of art imaginable—from live music, improv theater, and cultural dancing to artisan-made arts & crafts. Find a treasure to take home at the juried Artist Market where pottery, jewelry, painting, photography, and other creations are judged for top honors before being made available to interested buyers.

The Atlanta Dogwood Festival delivers a full weekend of art-filled fun for families and young adults alike—and even better, it’s free to attend.

Dragon Con

Spend your Labor Day Weekend at Dragon Con! As America’s leading multimedia and pop culture convention, this three-day event transforms downtown Atlanta into a haven for fans of sci-fi, fantasy, comics, and pop artists. Meet actors from iconic series like Lord of the Rings, Star Trek, and Marvel films. Show off your best cosplay at the Dragon Con Parade. And explore hundreds of exhibitors and vendors selling one-of-a-kind merchandise.

Badge prices vary, with both weekly and day passes available. Workshops are individually priced and require separate registration.

Nightlife and Entertainment in Atlanta

Fox Theatre

Grab movie tickets, catch a show, or party it up inside the Fox Theatre. Once a mega-cinema for a bygone Hollywood era, this historic 4,665-seat venue is a beloved fixture in Atlanta’s entertainment scene, hosting over 150 performances per year. Check out the Fox Theatre’s eclectic event calendar of Broadway shows, film festivals, book tours, comedy shows, and all types of concerts. Even if you don’t have tickets, this former movie palace’s lavish Moorish architecture and timeless charm make it worth a visit.

The Battery Atlanta

Catching a Braves game at Truist Park? Situated next to the ballpark, The Battery Atlanta in Cumberland, Georgia, is your go-to destination for dining, shopping, and fun before the first inning. With 2.25 million square feet to explore, this lifestyle destination offers something for everyone. The Battery Atlanta also plays host to the Coca-Cola Roxy, a 4,000-venue for live music.

Variety Playhouse

First opened in 1940, Variety Playhouse is a long-standing venue for live music in Little Five Points. Combining a cozy theater atmosphere with top-notch acoustics, this concert hall hosts a wide array of rock, indie, and folk performers. Concertgoers have access to a full bar, selected snacks, and different venue sections for sitting, standing, or dancing the night away.

Major Attractions in Atlanta

Georgia Aquarium

Plan an underwater adventure to Georgia Aquarium, the downtown home to over 500 species. Docked in landlocked Atlanta, this aquatic attraction is the largest aquarium in the Western Hemisphere, both by number of fish (tens of thousands) and volume of water (over 11 million gallons). Suit up to interact face-to-face with sharks and stingrays, watch the majestic beluga whales, attend a dolphin show, or go behind-the-scenes at the sea lion facility.

Tickets start at $39.99 if you book in advance or $64.99 at the door. 

World of Coca-Cola

Explore the history of an iconic global brand at the World of Coca-Cola in downtown Atlanta. Stroll through interactive exhibits, including the hands-on Beverage Lab and Taste It! to sample fizzy beverages from around the world. Get within steps of Coca-Cola’s well-guarded secret formula inside The Vault. And snap a photo for your group chat with the most bubbly animal in town, the Coca-Cola Polar Bear.

It’s recommended to book in advance. General admission starts at $21 for adults, $19 for seniors (65+), $17 for youths, and free for toddlers under 2. To book a guided tour, expect to pay $45 per person.

Atlanta Botanical Garden

Escape the urban sprawl and stroll through the flowering paradise of the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Located in Midtown, this 30-acre oasis features blooming gardens, nature-lined walks, and outdoor art, including a spectacular Chihuly collection of glasswork sculptures. Go down the rabbit hole at Alice’s Wonderland Returns and tour around 38 living sculptures, inspired by Lewis Carroll’s classic novels. The Botanical Garden regularly plays host to special events and exhibitions.

For weekday tickets, adult admission starts at $26.95 and child (ages 3-12) admission at $23.95. Prices rise by $3 for both on weekends. Children under 3 can always visit for free.

Historical Sites in Atlanta

Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park

Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park is a historic 35-acre site that pays tribute to the life and legacy of Dr. King and his pivotal role in America’s Civil Rights movement. Visit the home of his birth, hear his famous speeches at Ebenezer Baptist Church, and tour The King Center campus, where you can view inspiring exhibitions and pay your respects at Dr. and Mrs. King’s crypt.

Admission is free to all. Stop by the information desk to reserve your spot on a guided tour of Dr. King’s childhood residence. Tours are first come first served and can fill up fast, so it’s best to reserve earlier in the day.

Atlanta History Center

Dive into Georgia’s past at the Atlanta History Center, one of the Southeastern US’s largest historical institutions. Experience over 20 on-site and digital exhibitions, ranging from the American Civil War to the 1996 Summer Olympics. Don’t miss The Battle of Atlanta, an immense, hand-painted cyclorama that’s longer than a football field. Surrounded by 33 acres of gardens, woodlands, and trail walks, the Center even has an outdoor area to explore.

Atlanta History Center admission ranges from $27 for adults, students, and seniors to $24 for youth (ages 4-12). Kids under 3 can visit for free.

Oakland Cemetery

Immerse yourself in Atlanta’s rich history at Oakland Cemetery, established in 1850. This 48-acre expanse of Victorian gardens, long-standing magnolias, and stone monuments is the final resting place of many late-and-great Atlantans. Famous residents include country superstar Kenny Rogers, golfer Bobby Jones, and Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Margaret Mitchell, who penned Gone with the Wild.

Admission to Oakland Cemetery is free, including if you wish to take a guided tour. Self-directed tours are always welcome too.

Museums and Art Galleries in Atlanta

High Museum of Art

Culture and community intersect inside the High Museum of Art. Heralded as the largest visual art museum in the Southeast, this Midtown institution is the beating heart of Atlanta’s art district on Peachtree Street. Alongside special exhibitions and its packed calendar of events, the High has a permanent collection of 18,000 spectacular works, including their renowned holdings of 19th- and 20th-century American decorative art, contemporary and modern art, and photography.

General admission grants access to the permanent collection and most special exhibitions. Non-members can expect to pay $23.50 per ticket.

Fernbank Museum of Natural History

Plan a dinosaur meet-and-greet at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Giants of the Mesozoic, a permanent exhibition, displays some of the world’s biggest prehistoric beasts, including the aptly named Giganotosaurus and Argentinosaurus. After adventuring in Patagonia, watch an educational IMAX at Giant Screen Theater, or take a stroll through WildWoods, part of Fernbank Forest.

Every second Friday, the Museum hosts Fernbank After Dark evenings where grownups can enjoy exclusive exhibits, concerts, and science-themed fun, paired with an open bar and tapas-style snacks.

When visiting the Fernbank Museum, general admission grants you access to all exhibits, the outdoor grounds, and a film viewing. Non-member tickets are $25.95 for adults, $24.95 for seniors, and $23.95 for children.

The National Center for Civil and Human Rights

The National Center for Civil and Human Rights champions justice and dignity for all through inspiring exhibitions, performances and lectures, and programming for all ages. Opened downtown in 2014, this museum educates visitors on Atlanta’s pinnacle role in fighting for equality as the birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and modern Civil Rights.

The National Center for Civil and Human Rights recommends that visitors reserve tickets online in advance. General admission gives you entry to the Center and all open exhibits, priced at $19.99 for adults, $17.99 for seniors, and $15.99 for youth (ages 7-12). Kids ages 6 and under are admitted for free.

Atlanta Activity FAQs

What is the #1 tourist attraction in Atlanta, Georgia?

Stone Mountain Park is the most-visited tourist attraction in Atlanta, Georgia. Covering a verdant 3,200 acres, this stunning park is just a short drive from downtown, and offers family-friendly attractions like camping, hiking trails, 18-hole golf, a dinosaur park, and high-speed Swiss cable cars up Stone Mountain.

What is the best time of year to visit Atlanta for outdoor activities?

If you’re a nature lover, it’s best to visit Atlanta in the spring (March-May) or the autumn (September-November). The weather is usually warm and sunny at these times of year, making it ideal for experiencing the Atlanta Botanical Garden in full bloom, packing a picnic for Piedmont Park, and wandering the Atlanta Beltline and its 22-mile loop of patios, trails, and public art.

Book Your Atlanta Stay with Placemakr

With so much to enjoy, Atlanta is a favorite travel destination for families, couples, and young adults alike. Whether you plan on exploring the origins of Civil Rights history, visiting  museums and attractions, or taking in the city’s vibrant nightlife, make sure you’re staying near the action. That’s where Placemakr comes in.

Located in the heart of Ponce City Market, Scout Living, powered by Placemakr,  provides stylish, well-situated accommodations for short stints and long-term stays. We’re steps from the city’s best food, shopping, and experiences. Book your plans to visit Atlanta today.