Atlanta is a city where history meets innovation, and Southern tradition blends with global culture. From world-class aquariums and civil rights landmarks to urban trails and rooftop bars, this city offers a diverse range of activities for families, couples, solo travelers, and everyone in between.
Whether you’re spending a long weekend or just passing through, you’ll find the best of what Atlanta has to offer in our list below. Get ready to explore attractions that have shaped American culture, savor beverages from around the world, and stroll along trails that connect dozens of neighborhoods across the city.
1. Georgia Aquarium
Home to more than 100,000 animals representing over 500 species, the Georgia Aquarium is one of the world’s largest aquariums. The facility holds more than 10 million gallons of water across seven major galleries, featuring whale sharks, beluga whales, manta rays, dolphins, penguins, and sea otters. The Ocean Voyager exhibit, built by The Home Depot, features a 100-foot underwater tunnel where visitors can walk beneath thousands of marine animals.
Beyond viewing galleries, the aquarium offers dolphin and sea lion presentations, 4D theater experiences, and animal encounters where visitors can touch stingrays or swim with whale sharks (with proper certification).
Insider Tip: Arrive right when doors open to avoid crowds, especially on weekends. The dolphin and sea lion shows fill up quickly, so reserve your spot through the Georgia Aquarium Explorer app as soon as you arrive.
Address: 225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Phone: (404) 581-4000
Hours: Daily 9am-6pm (hours vary seasonally)
Estimated Cost: $45-55 adults, $40-45 children (ages 3-12)
2. World of Coca-Cola
The World of Cocoa-Cola is a 20-acre attraction celebrating the history and global reach of the world’s most famous soft drink. Visitors can explore the vault containing the secret formula (though the actual recipe remains hidden), watch a functional bottling line, meet the Coca-Cola Polar Bear for photos, and taste more than 100 beverages from around the world in the tasting room.
The museum features hundreds of artifacts spanning Coca-Cola’s 125-year history, a 4D movie experience, and exhibits showcasing the brand’s advertising campaigns and its impact on pop culture. The recently added Coca-Cola Stories exhibit recreates a vintage town, with an old-school pharmacy and immersive experiences. Everyone who comes here receives a commemorative glass bottle of Coca-Cola produced on-site.
Insider Tip: Head straight to the tasting room first to try international flavors when it’s less crowded. Beverly from Italy is notorious for its bitter taste, so brace yourself for the zing.
Address: 121 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Phone: (404) 676-5151
Hours: Mon-Thu 10am-5pm, Fri-Sun 10am-6pm
Estimated Cost: $21-26 adults, $17-22 children (ages 3-12)
3. Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park
This 35-acre National Park Service site preserves the birthplace, church, and final resting place of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the leader of the American civil rights movement. Visitors can tour the Ebenezer Baptist Church where King preached, view exhibits at the visitor center, pay respects at the tomb of Dr. King and Coretta Scott King, and explore Fire Station No. 6, which features exhibits on the desegregation of Atlanta’s fire department.
The park spans several blocks in the historic Sweet Auburn neighborhood, once considered the heart of Black Atlanta. Ranger-led programs provide context about the civil rights movement and Dr. King’s philosophy of nonviolent resistance. The “I Have a Dream” International World Peace Rose Garden and the Gandhi statue add additional layers to the site’s message of peace and justice.
Insider Tip: Arrive early to tour Dr. King’s birth home. Tours are first-come, first-served and limited to 10 people, so they fill up fast, especially on weekends.
Address: 450 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312
Phone: (404) 331-6922
Hours: Daily 9am-5pm
Estimated Cost: Free!
4. Walk or Bike the Atlanta BeltLine
The Atlanta Beltline is a 22-mile loop of multi-use trails connecting 45 neighborhoods around the city, offering one of the best ways to explore Atlanta like a local. The most popular section, the Eastside Trail, runs 3.5 miles from Piedmont Park to Reynoldstown, passing public art installations, restaurants, breweries, and parks along the way. The BeltLine also features more than 11 miles of completed trails, with an additional 10 miles of connector paths.
Its former railway corridor has been transformed into a linear park and transportation network, featuring the Atlanta BeltLine Arboretum, which showcases trees, grasses, and wildflowers. Along the route, you’ll find Ponce City Market, Krog Street Market, Historic Fourth Ward Park, and countless murals and art installations. (This project is one of the largest urban redevelopment programs in the United States!)
Insider Tip: Park at Ponce City Market to access the Eastside Trail’s midpoint, or start at Piedmont Park for the northern entrance. Visit on weekday mornings to avoid the weekend crowds of cyclists and scooters.
Address: Multiple access points (Piedmont Park, Ponce City Market, and others)
Phone: (404) 477-3517
Hours: Open 24/7
Estimated Cost: Free!
5. Ponce City Market
The Ponce City Market is another massive adaptive reuse project in the city that transformed the historic 1926 Sears, Roebuck & Co. building into Atlanta’s premier food hall and mixed-use destination. The ground floor features dozens of food vendors offering everything from ramen and tacos to oysters and artisan ice cream. The Central Food Hall brings together local chefs and national brands in a lively marketplace atmosphere.
Beyond food, Ponce City Market houses boutique shops, a vintage arcade, and office spaces. The rooftop features Skyline Park, an amusement area offering mini-golf, carnival games, and stunning skyline views. The building also sits directly on the BeltLine’s Eastside Trail, making it a natural stopping point for trail users.
Insider Tip: Visit the rooftop at sunset for the best skyline views and cooler temperatures. Parking in the building’s garage can be expensive, so consider walking from the BeltLine or finding nearby street parking.
Address: 675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
Phone: (404) 900-7900
Hours: Mon-Sat 7am-11pm, Sun 7am-10pm (individual vendor hours vary)
Estimated Cost: Free entry. Food and activities vary ($5-25 per person for food)
6. Explore Piedmont Park
Piedmont Park is Atlanta’s premier green space, spanning 200 acres in Midtown and offering a Central Park-style retreat with athletic fields, tennis courts, a swimming pool, playgrounds, dog parks, and miles of walking paths. The park hosts major annual events, including the Atlanta Dogwood Festival, Atlanta Jazz Festival, Atlanta Pride, and Music Midtown.
Visitors can enjoy scenic views of the Midtown skyline, which are particularly stunning at sunset. The Saturday Green Market (running from late March through early December) brings local farmers, artisans, and food vendors to the park. The park also connects to the BeltLine’s Eastside Trail and sits adjacent to the Atlanta Botanical Garden, making it a natural starting point for exploring the area.
Insider Tip: Parking fills up quickly on weekends, especially during events. Arrive early or use the BeltLine to access the park on foot or by bike. The Active Oval area is best for running and cycling.
Address: 1071 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
Phone: (404) 875-7275
Hours: Daily 6am-11pm
Estimated Cost: Free!
7. Atlanta Botanical Garden
The Atlanta Botnaical Garden in Midtown showacases 30 acres of plant collections, elaborate seasonal displays, and year-round exhibitions. The Fuqua Orchid Center houses rare high-elevation orchids in a climate-controlled environment. The Canopy Walk features a 600-foot elevated walkway through the treetops, offering a unique perspective on the urban forest, and thehe Japanese Garden provides a tranquil escape with koi ponds and traditional landscaping.
Seasonal highlights include the Summer Concert Series and the holiday lights display, which transforms the garden into a winter wonderland with thousands of twinkling lights and elaborate illuminated sculptures. The Edible Garden demonstrates sustainable food production, while the Desert House showcases plants from arid climates around the world.
Insider Tip: Buy tickets online in advance, especially for special events like the holiday lights. Visit on weekday mornings for a quieter experience. (Members get free admission and can skip the line).
Address: 1345 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
Phone: (404) 876-5859
Hours: Tue-Sun 9am-7pm (hours vary seasonally)
Estimated Cost: $30-35 adults, $20-25 children (ages 3-12)
8. Fox Theatre
The Fox Theatre is a 1929 movie palace and one of America’s most iconic theaters, featuring Moorish and Egyptian design elements that create an over-the-top fantasy atmosphere. The “Fabulous Fox” hosts Broadway shows, concerts, classic films, and special events throughout the year. The interior features a sky ceiling with twinkling stars and drifting clouds, ornate archways, and elaborate decorative details that transport visitors to another era.
The theater was initially designed as a Shriners’ temple and concert hall, but opened as a movie palace during the Great Depression and it narrowly escaped demolition in the 1970s thanks to a massive preservation campaign. Today, it’s one of the highest-grossing theaters in the world and a National Historic Landmark.
Insider Tip: Take a guided tour to learn about the building’s fascinating history and explore areas not open during performances. Book your show tickets early for popular Broadway productions, as they sell out quickly.
Address: 660 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
Phone: (855) 285-8499
Hours: Varies by performance schedule
Estimated Cost: Tours $10-20, show tickets vary widely ($30-150+)
9. Krog Street Market
The Krog Street Market is a renovated 1920s warehouse in the Inman Park neighborhood that functions as a smaller, more intimate alternative to Ponce City Market. Its food hall features a curated selection of vendors, including restaurants, butchers, florists, and specialty shops. Notable food options include Superica (Tex-Mex), Gu’s Dumplings, and The Merchant (seafood).
The market is situated along the BeltLine’s Eastside Trail and is adjacent to the famous Krog Street Tunnel, renowned for its constantly changing graffiti art. The industrial-chic space maintains its warehouse character with exposed brick, steel beams, and large windows, and its bar serves craft cocktails and local beers in a laid-back atmosphere.
Insider Tip: Visit on weekday afternoons to avoid the dinner rush. Walk through the nearby Krog Street Tunnel to see the ever-changing street art, and look for the Tiny Door along the BeltLine.
Address: 99 Krog St NE, Atlanta, GA 30307
Phone: (770) 998-9993
Hours: Mon-Sat 8am-10pm, Sun 9am-9pm (individual vendor hours vary)
Estimated Cost: Free entry. Food costs vary ($10-30 per person)
10. National Center for Civil and Human Rights
The National center for Civil and Human Rights is a powerful museum connecting the American Civil Rights Movement to today’s global human rights struggles. It offers immersive exhibits and includes a lunch counter sit-in experience that allows visitors to feel the tension of peaceful protest, galleries documenting the movement’s key moments, and displays featuring Martin Luther King Jr.’s personal papers and artifacts.
The human rights section examines contemporary issues worldwide, connecting the principles of the civil rights movement to ongoing struggles for justice. The “Rolls Down Like Water” gallery uses powerful multimedia presentations to tell the movement’s story.
Insider Tip: Allow at least two hours to fully experience the exhibits. The lunch counter experience can be emotionally intense, so prepare accordingly. Teachers can access special resources for educational visits.
Address: 100 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Phone: (678) 999-8990
Hours: Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12pm-5pm
Estimated Cost: $20 adults, $15 students/seniors, children under five can enter for free
11. Catch a Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Home to the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and MLS’s Atlanta United FC, the Mercedez-Benz Stadium is an architectural marvel that opened in 2017 with a retractable roof resembling a camera aperture. The stadium accommodates up to 75,000 fans and features the world’s largest video board, a 360-degree halo screen that stands 58 feet tall. In addition to sports, the venue hosts concerts, the college football’s Peach Bowl, and other major events.
The stadium has also made headlines for its fan-friendly pricing, with $2 soft drinks and $5 hot dogs. Its location in downtown Atlanta also makes it easily accessible via MARTA or a short walk from a range of Atlanta’s unique hotels.
Insider Tip: Take a stadium tour on non-game days to access areas usually off-limits, including the field and locker rooms. Use MARTA to avoid game-day traffic and expensive parking.
Address: 1 AMB Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Phone: (470) 341-5000
Hours: Event-dependent, tours available on select days
Estimated Cost: Tours $20-35, game tickets vary ($30-300+)
Get Ready for Your Atlanta Adventure
Atlanta is an incredily diverse destination. Whether you’re drawn to civil rights history, international cuisine, outdoor recreation, or professional sports, The Big Peach can deliver experiences that appeal to all interests and ages. The city’s walkable neighborhoods, efficient MARTA system, and concentration of attractions in downtown and Midtown make it easy to pack multiple experiences into a short visit.
Ready to explore everything Atlanta has to offer? Start your journey by booking a hotel using the HotelsOne booking platform.
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