14 best things to do in Atlanta: A local-approved guide

Why Atlanta deserves a spot on your 2026 travel list

Atlanta, like many of the larger cities in the US, has its own unique vibe. At the same time, perhaps no other city is at the intersection of the history of the American civil rights movement and modernity, with Atlanta being one of the hottest spots for music, including hip-hop, art, and contemporary attractions, like museums.

The city has a lot to offer. Explore the history of the civil rights movement, which is an integral part of Atlanta’s history, with it being the birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr. Try out Atlanta’s excellent food scene, visit many of the attractions and parks that are perfectly suitable for families, or walk along the Atlanta Beltline. Whatever your choice, you can have a very full travel agenda on your hands, even if you’re staying longer in Atlanta.

Accessing the capital of Georgia via Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is easy for most visitors. The airport has held the crown of being the busiest in the world in the past two decades — except for 2020 — and with a vast number of routes domestically and internationally, flying to Atlanta, even as a part of a wider US trip, will be a breeze.

In terms of when to travel to Atlanta, the city’s location in the southeastern part of the US means that humidity during the summers can get extreme. The city, after all, is nicknamed “Hotlanta.” As a result, if you’re planning a trip to Atlanta, your best bet is to avoid the summers and winters and to travel during either the late spring or early fall. During the late spring, yes, Atlanta will be humid, but with lower temperatures compared to the peak summer periods, it is tolerable. The same could be said about early fall in the city, with temperatures slowly beginning to drop around late September to early October.

Are you planning to travel to Atlanta from outside the US, with Atlanta’s airport welcoming international flights from 50 countries in June? Stay connected while visiting the city by downloading Saily’s eSIM app and buying a data plan for the US, which can include a dedicated US phone number with calls and SMS messages!

📌 Tip: If you’re flying from/to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), make sure you know how to connect to Atlanta airport’s Wi-Fi in case of any connectivity struggles.

Best things to do in Atlanta for first-time visitors

Experiencing Atlanta for the first time will be a magical and fulfilling experience! The city’s entertainment options and attractions could overwhelm you with choice, but here are the top places that every first-time visitor should visit in Atlanta:

1. Georgia Aquarium

Georgia Aquarium, which has been open for more than 20 years, is one of the largest aquariums in the world, located just a few minutes away from the Centennial Olympic Park. Even if you’re not traveling with your kids — but especially if you are — the aquarium provides plenty of entertainment and information about the animals that live in our oceans. Infotainment, if you will!

Imagine yourself looking at an aquarium tank that holds over 6.3 million gallons, or over 23.8 millions of liters, of water. That’s the size of the “Ocean Voyager,” the aquarium’s largest — and one of the largest in the world — exhibits, with over 50 species living in the tank.

Hear it from people who have also been to the aquarium, if not from us — in a post on Reddit a couple of months ago, one visitor from New York said that coming to Atlanta just to visit the aquarium was worth it, rating the experience 9.5 out of 10. The 0.5 was docked off the rating because of the crowds, and admittedly, it can get crowded.

2. The World of Coca-Cola

Atlanta has no place for a Coca-Cola versus Pepsi debate, considering that the first Coca-Cola was poured at Jacobs’ Pharmacy in Atlanta in 1886. While the original building is no longer there — a historical marker indicates the spot where Coca-Cola’s history began — the beverage maker still has a major presence in the city with the World of Coca-Cola museum and its headquarters.

The World of Coca-Cola is the Georgia Aquarium’s next-door neighbor. However, visiting both during a single day might be a stretch, and if you’re in no rush, you might as well step foot into the two museums on separate days.

What can you actually see at the World of Coca-Cola? “The Vault Experience” includes the history of Coca-Cola’s formula, the stories and myths of the formula, and the actual, real vault holding Coca-Cola’s formula. Beyond “The Vault,” you can discover how scents influence taste at the “Scent Discovery,” explore various Coca-Cola-related artifacts at “The Loft,” or take a picture with the brand’s beloved mascot, the “Polar Bear.”

3. The National Center for Civil and Human Rights

Another attraction located just north of Centennial Olympic Park, and near the Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca-Cola, is the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. Unlike the aquarium and the museum, the center focuses on “justice and dignity for everyone, everywhere,” according to the museum.

The National Center for Civil and Human Rights has both permanent and temporary exhibitions, centered on the ideas and movements that shaped progress in our societies, whether in the US or the world. With Atlanta being one of the world football championship host cities for the upcoming soccer tournament in June and July 2026, the center will also welcome a temporary exhibition called “The People’s Game: Soccer and Human Rights.”

An average visit at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights lasts around 90 to 120 minutes, but can be shortened or extended depending upon your level of curiosity and schedule. The museum even has a “Plan Your Visit” tool, which helps you prepare your trip depending on the size of your group, how much time you have, and your personal interests.

4. Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park

Continuing with the civil rights theme, Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park is perhaps the most important place to visit in Atlanta to understand the history and development of the civil rights movement in the US.

The park is home to several sites important to the life and works of Martin Luther King Jr., born in Atlanta, including his childhood home, the church where he was baptized and worked as a pastor, and a memorial tomb to him and his wife, Coretta Scott King. Coretta herself was an important civil rights activist.

You can learn about the life of Martin Luther King Jr. and walk in the steps of many other civil rights activists, quite literally, on the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame. It’s definitely a good place to begin an inspiring journey to learn about civil and human rights in Atlanta!

5. Fox Theatre

Located in Midtown, the Fox Theatre is hard to miss. The building has a facade characteristic of the “south Arabesque” style, unique to the surrounding blocks and the city itself, with what looks like several buildings connected together behind a facade featuring two-toned bricks and two towers that you’d perhaps associate with buildings found in other regions of the world.

While Fox Theatre now hosts a wide variety of events like concerts, comedy shows, and even Broadway shows, you can also go on a tour of the place. Separately, private tours of the famous “Mighty Mo” pipe organ, one of the largest in the world, and the backstage of the theater, are available.

If you decide to get married in Atlanta for one reason or another, you’re in luck because the Fox Theatre is available as a wedding or private event venue. You can choose between the very opulent Egyptian Ballroom or the more intimate Grand Salon, which features many Arabic design elements, creating a unique atmosphere for guests.

6. Atlanta Botanical Garden

Staying in Midtown Atlanta, just north and across from many of the residential and high-rise buildings of the Fox Theatre, is the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Renowned for its plant, art, and amphibian collections, the urban oasis is open for those who want to enjoy nature inside the city between May 8 and September 7.

If you’re a big fan of the nouveau réalisme movement and are traveling to Atlanta in 2026, you will want to visit the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Celebrating its 50th birthday, the garden has hosted more than 40 of artist Niki de Saint Phalle’s sculptures since May 9, 2026. The “Niki in the Garden” event will run until September 6, 2026, and is a brilliant opportunity to view Phalle’s works in the open, including some sculptures that are part of private collections.

7. The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum

Dedicated to his official tenure as the president of the United States and his post-presidency work, the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum has been open for almost 40 years. Some of the museum’s highlights include the cinematic “Day in the Life of the President” experience, showcasing the daily routine of a sitting US president, a replica of the Carter-era Oval Office, and unique artifacts, including Carter’s own Nobel Peace Prize.

With the museum being located a bit further away from the busiest areas of Atlanta, a visit to the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum is a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. The museum is located within Freedom Park, and with plenty of greenery around the destination, you can sit down, relax, and observe Atlanta’s skyline from afar while also learning about the history and life of the Carter family.

8. Stone Mountain Park

Just east of Atlanta, Stone Mountain Park is an ideal one-day trip for those who love to hike or spend time outdoors. The park itself has six trails totaling 15 miles (24 kilometers), with varying degrees of difficulty and length. To get to the top of the mountain itself, hike up the Walk-Up Trail, which provides an amazing view of Atlanta as well as the Appalachian Mountains on the horizon.

However, if you want to see Stone Mountain and don’t want to hike too much, get on the Stone Mountain Scenic Railroad. Looping around the park, the 25-minute train journey will take you around the mountain in a locomotive from the 1940s. A cable car also goes up to the mountaintop if you’re not much of a rail enthusiast.

Other than hikes, Stone Mountain Park has several areas that are full of activities. Minigolf, Dinosaur Explore, an attraction featuring more than 20 life-size dinosaurs, or the SkyHike, a tree-top adventure course, are some of the things to do beyond hiking.

Things to do in Atlanta with kids

Traveling to Atlanta with your family? Well, in addition to the aforementioned Freedom Park, the Georgia Aquarium, or even the Atlanta Botanical Garden, the city offers plenty of other opportunities for fun with the family!

9. The Children’s Museum of Atlanta

Just next to the World of Coca-Cola and the Georgia Aquarium is the Children’s Museum of Atlanta, a dedicated space for kids and their imaginations.

Yes, the museum focuses on children, primarily those younger than nine, striving to ignite the spark of their imagination and learning through engaging permanent and temporary exhibits. At the same time, aren’t we all, deep down, children who have a deep desire to play and learn? 

In addition to the permanent staples, the museum’s Morph Gallery is home to temporary exhibitions. The latest exhibition, “Wild Kratts: Ocean Adventure!” focuses on the world’s oceans and the creatures and habitats within them. Interactivity is at the heart of the exhibit, with the museum noting that children “will join the Wild Kratts team to solve problems, help animals, and foil the villains’ nefarious plans.”

10. Zoo Atlanta

Another great family experience is a visit to Zoo Atlanta. And while the zoo had to wave goodbye to its giant pandas in 2024, Zoo Atlanta confirmed in April 2026 that it will once again welcome at least two giant pandas sometime soon.

Anyhow, beyond giant pandas, Zoo Atlanta houses more than 1,300 animals from over 220 different species. Seeing so many animals during a single visit sounds challenging — and it is — so some of the highlights within the zoo include African elephants, African Lions, Bornean orangutans, Sumatran tigers, and all of the reptiles at Zoo Atlanta’s “Scaly Slimy Spectacular” exhibit.

For parents looking for a quieter time with their children, consider going on a “Mornings at the Zoo” tour. The experience, which includes a guide, dives deeper into the mornings at the zoo and the routines of specific animals on specific dates.

11. The Center for Puppetry Arts

The Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta is home to the largest center dedicated to puppetry in the US. Even if you’re not a big fan of the art form — one of the oldest in history! — the center will offer plenty of entertainment and education for kids.

You could assume that much like the Children’s Museum of Atlanta, the Center for Puppetry Arts has the goal to inspire the imagination of every child who visits the place. And your assumption would be correct!

Your child can be inspired by the permanent exhibitions, special exhibitions, or many of the puppet shows that are performed at the center. For a more hands-on experience, the Center for Puppetry Arts has guest artists’ workshops and puppetry classes, offering an opportunity for you or your kids to get into puppetry or at least learn more about a different art form.

Free things to do in Atlanta

Visiting all of these locations does cost money, and Atlanta, like other major US cities, is not cheap. There are still plenty of free things to do while you’re visiting.

The most straightforward answer is to explore the Atlanta Beltline, a 22-mile (35-kilometer) trail that includes some of the more iconic sights and attractions of the city, like the Ponce City Market or the Krog Street Market. Before you ask, yes, you can see some of Atlanta’s famous tiny doors, which are mini art installations measured in inches that reflect the neighborhood or the area they are in, and other art installations, along the trail!

If you’re looking for more specific spots to visit that won’t set you back a fortune, here are some suggestions:

12. Centennial Olympic Park

The Centennial Olympic Park, located in the heart of downtown Atlanta, is a hub for almost every activity in the city. From the park, you can easily reach several of the attractions listed above or even Mercedes-Benz Stadium — known as the Atlanta Stadium during the 2026 football world championship due to sponsorship reasons — or State Farm Arena, the home of the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks.

Even if you’re not going to any of those locations, the Centennial Olympic Park itself is worth a visit. The park, which was opened for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, has multiple landmarks dedicated to the games and the city, such as the iconic Olympic Rings. 

The Centennial Olympic Park also hosts free events, including live performances during select dates of one-day Downton Sounds festivals. In 2026, Downtown Sounds will happen in April, May, August, September, and October.

13. Piedmont Park

If Centennial Olympic Park is the heart of Downtown Atlanta, Piedmont Park is the soul of Midtown Atlanta. The park’s premises include the Atlanta Botanical Garden, the Midtown Reflection, which is a phenomenal viewing spot of the Midtown skyline, and the Piedmont Park Pool.

Piedmont Park hosts many community-focused events, especially during the summer. June 2026 alone offers weekly Piedmont Park Conservancy-led walks and yoga classes, and every Saturday, the park will host the Green Market. The market aims to connect local farmers and artists with people who want to enjoy some hyper-local shopping for food and other goods.

Beyond that, Piedmont Park has several basketball courts, softball fields, volleyball courts, a running track, and other sports infrastructure if you’re looking to do something more active while visiting Atlanta!

14. Sweet Auburn and historic walking tours

Sweet Auburn is a historic neighborhood in Atlanta, and Auburn Avenue was called the richest African-American street in America in the 1950s. While the history of the community has many ups and downs, nowadays, Sweet Auburn is home to many historical sites, including those dedicated to the civil rights movement and Martin Luther King Jr.

Within Sweet Auburn, consider visiting the Civil Rights Walk of Fame, Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, and many of the churches along Auburn Avenue. For a quick bite or fresh produce, the Municipal Market, which is over 100 years old, is the go-to place in the neighborhood.

Tips for planning your Atlanta trip

Whether or not you’ve finalized your decision to travel to Atlanta, consider these tips before you arrive:

• Think about renting a car or downloading a rideshare app.

Unfortunately, Atlanta is primarily a car-centric city with a lot of sprawl and interstates surrounding the city. Getting around with a car isn’t easy for everyone, though, since traffic tends to get very, very, and I repeat, very busy during peak travel periods. Alternatively, download a rideshare app like Lyft or Uber to move around Atlanta, and at least you won’t have to drive in traffic.

• Get MARTA’s Breeze Card for public transportation.

MARTA, the public transportation authority in Atlanta, operates heavy and light rail systems as well as buses. Traveling within the city proper with either of those options should be a breeze, especially if you get a Breeze Card. Pun intended!

• Stay near a MARTA station.

One tip to keep in mind when picking out the area you’re going to stay in while on your visit to Atlanta is to have a MARTA station nearby, making your intercity travel easier. However, if you’re looking for specific neighborhood recommendations to stay in, Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and the Old Fourth Ward are all solid choices.

• Explore the city’s art and event venues.

Visiting landmarks, museums, and places like the Georgia Aquarium sounds like a fun adventure, but Atlanta is also known for its lively art and music — especially hip-hop! — scenes. Visit many of the city’s art installations, art galleries, and event venues, and immerse yourself in the local culture.

• Pack plenty of layers and clothes for varying weather.

While late spring and early fall are our picks as the best times to visit Atlanta and the US in general, the city’s weather can get unpredictable. Be mindful that in Atlanta, much like throughout the rest of the South, air conditioning is common and can feel cold to those who aren’t acclimated. Plus, Atlanta can experience sudden rain and thunderstorms, which is why you should always have an umbrella with you.

• Ensure you’re connected to the world with an eSIM like Saily.

Traveling to Atlanta from outside the US means that you will have to either pay a lot for roaming or get an eSIM to stay connected. Saily has multiple data plans for US eSIM services, including an unlimited data plan for five to 30 days.