Atlanta is a popular and exciting city found in the southeastern United States. You’ll find many great attractions as well as several dining options here. You will also find lots of arts and entertainment, including museums and music venues to explore.
Whether you are a couple, a family or a group of friends, Atlanta is a great place to visit. There are quite a few public transportation options in the city to get you around. Because the city is so geographically large, a better choice is often to have a rental car. When you have a larger group an SUV or a minivan or passenger van is a great way to get around the city.
- 1. Georgia Aquarium
- 2. World of Coca-Cola
- 3. Zoo Atlanta
- 4. Centennial Olympic Park
- 5. Piedmont Park
- 6. Six Flags Over Georgia
- 7. Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park
- 8. Atlanta Botanical Garden
- 9. Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame
- 10. Children’s Museum of Atlanta
- Best Places to Eat & Drink in Atlanta
Must-see attractions in Atlanta
1. Georgia Aquarium
This aquarium is equal parts entertainment and education. This aquarium does a great job of rescuing endangered animals to rehabilitate them. Once you step on the grounds of the aquarium, you will find several exhibits and shows. All the offerings here will serve to teach you more about the aquatic life you find in the area.
Address: 225 Baker St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: Aquarium hours
Time required to see the attraction: 2-4 hours
2. World of Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola is a product that is synonymous with the US, and it originated in Atlanta. This museum showcases the history of the company and this beverage that’s found around the world. When you visit, you can try out a whole host of different flavors. They even offer a 3-D movie that tells the story of Coca-Cola.
Address: 121 Baker St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: World of Coca-Cola hours
Time required to see the attraction: 1 to 2 hours
3. Zoo Atlanta
For wild animal lovers, this is a great stop on your visit. This is a sprawling complex that makes a fantastic place for an afternoon stroll. There are plenty of exhibits and shows that help give visitors more insight into the animals here. Also, you will also find some great food choices when you visit the zoo.
Address: 800 Cherokee Ave. SE, Atlanta, GA 30315
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: Zoo hours
Time required to see the attraction: 2-4 hours
4. Centennial Olympic Park
These are the grounds of the Olympics held in Atlanta in 1996. Today this is a lush 22-acre public park. The park features several walking trails and water features. There is also a large Ferris Wheel in the center of the park. The park is home to many summer music concerts and an Independence Day fireworks display.
Address: 265 Park Ave W NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Entry fees: Free
Hours: https://www.gwcca.org/centennial-olympic-park/visiting-the-park
Time required to see the attraction: 1 hour
5. Piedmont Park
This park sits 1 mile northeast of downtown Atlanta. At this park, you will find some amazing green areas to stroll through. There are also several summer concerts that happen at this park. With all the paved trails this is a great place to go for a walk or bike ride. Piedmont Park also has a large lake in the middle of it.
Address: 1320 Monroe Dr. NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
Entry fees: Free
Hours: https://piedmontpark.org/alerts-closures/
Time required to see the attraction: 1 hour
6. Six Flags Over Georgia
If you are a bit of a thrill-seeker this is the place for you. The park is a short drive in your rental car west of downtown Atlanta. The park offers everything from intense roller coasters to tamer rides for kids. Quite a bit of Six Flags Over Georgia follows themes from Warner Bros. such as Looney Tunes and DC Comics. There are also plenty of food options for any taste.
Address: 275 Riverside Pkwy., Austell, GA 30168
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: Park hours
Time required to see the attraction: Plan on spending a full day here
7. Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park
This is a 35-acre complex dedicated to the work of this well-known civil rights leader. One of the things you will find here is his boyhood home. You will also find the Ebenezer Baptist Church where he was a pastor. The gravesites of Dr. King and his wife Coretta Scott King can also be found here.
Address: 450 Auburn Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30312
Entry fees: Visiting fees
Hours: Park hours
Time required to see the attraction: 1 hour
8. Atlanta Botanical Garden
This 30-acre botanical garden sits next to Piedmont Park. During the holiday season, the garden offers an incredible light display. One of the highlights of this area is their canopy walk. This allows visitors to see one of the city’s last remaining forests in an urban setting. On the walk, you will be viewing the forest from around 40 feet in the air.
Address: 1345 Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: Garden hours
Time required to see the attraction: 2 hours
9. Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame
If you are a college football fan this is a must-see on your visit to Atlanta. At nearly 100,000 square feet, this exhibit sits right in the heart of Atlanta’s entertainment district. The College Football Hall of Fame offers many interactive exhibits that are a good time for the family. There’s even a large replica football field right in the center of the facility.
Address: 250 Marietta St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: Hall of Fame hours
Time required to see the attraction: 2 hours
10. Children’s Museum of Atlanta
If the kids have come with you to Atlanta, pack them in your rental car and head to this museum, which has a reputation as a museum without walls. There are a virtually endless number of exhibits for kids to explore and interact with. Kids travel through the exhibits with The Imaginators who offer hands-on activities for children.
Address: 275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr. NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Entry fees: Tickets
Hours: Museum hours
Time required to see the attraction: 2 hours
Best Places to Eat & Drink in Atlanta
The city of Atlanta has a great mix of well-known chain restaurants as well as local favorites that are sure to please. This is a fantastic city to hit up a unique Southern restaurant, find an amazing brunch, or head out for a multi-course dinner.
The General Muir: This makes for a fantastic brunch spot. This is about as close to a traditional New York deli as you will find in the southern United States. This restaurant offers traditional fare like bagels and lox. Be forewarned to pack an appetite for some of the large plates you will find here.
Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q: It is hard to imagine coming to Atlanta and not trying some barbecue. This restaurant offers all the traditional barbecue favorites you would expect. They also offer some less traditional items such as chicken-fried ribs. Make sure you add some sides like their mac and cheese or their Brunswick stew to round out your meal.
Staplehorse: If you’re looking for a classy and sumptuous sit-down dinner, this is the choice for you. They offer a variety of beautifully plated dishes that have what seem to be random ingredients that blend well together. If you are not able to get a reservation, try grabbing a spot on the patio or the upstairs cocktail bar.
