If you’re looking for things to do in Atlanta, Georgia, this list is sure to help you out! Whether you’re taking a family vacation or just looking for stuff to do in Atlanta this weekend, you’re sure to find something fun to do!
Sometimes you just want to get away, yanno? For me, that often involves a road-trip or mini-vacation. I really do love to travel and a good, old-fashioned road-trip just hits the spot sometimes.
If you’ve never visited Atlanta, you may want to consider it! There’s so many things to do in Atlanta that you could never get bored! While I can’t list all of them in one blog post, I have listed a few of my favorites below. That way, when you visit Atlanta next, you can easily find stuff to do!
How to Save Money on Stuff to Do in Atlanta
Saving money on a vacation can be hard, but if you’re visiting Atlanta, it’s rather simple. Atlanta, Georgia has a CityPASS which means you can save on up to five local attractions! In fact, you can save up to 44%!
If you’re not familiar, CityPASS offers you a way to save on popular attractions in several US cities and Canada. When you purchase the Atlanta CityPASS, you’ll automatically get admission to three attractions plus your choice of two additional ones.
Once you begin using your CityPASS tickets, they are valid for nine days. You’ll need one CityPASS booklet for each person who will be traveling with you.
You can get more information on the Atlanta CityPASS on their website HERE. I have noted which attractions below qualify for CityPASS.
Georgia Aquarium
Starting off strong with a great attraction that can entertain all ages, visit the Georgia Aquarium! Aquariums are great for children and families, and also make perfect solo and couple trips to enjoy interesting marine life while learning new things about them through the educational side of the location.
Georgia Aquarium has millions of gallons of water for its marine life including many sharks, dolphin presentations, sea lions, penguins, rays, and more. It features its own 4D theater as well as a unique gallery themed to sharks. You can also attend dolphin or sea lion presentations while there. Admission to the aquarium has access to all galleries, access to the presentations for dolphins and sea lions, and The 4D Theater depending on availability.
The Georgia Aquarium is one of the Atlanta CityPASS attractions.
Read Georgia Aquarium reviews HERE.
Zoo Atlanta
Marine life not your thing? Or maybe you already visited the aquarium and want to explore more in the same vein of ideas. Zoo Atlanta is the best next stop on your itinerary. It’s miles above many other zoos you may have seen in your lifetime and awesome for family trips.
This zoo hosts over one thousand animals with its own African Savanna themed setting as well. One of the visitor favorites is the giant panda exhibit, and there are so many animals to see that it’ll easily keep your little ones or family entertained for a whole day trip.
Entry to Zoo Atlanta is just general admission at $34.95 per adult, and once you’re in you have access to seeing all of these amazing exhibits and animals at no extra cost to you. Enjoy a full day of exploring!
Zoo Atlanta is another one of the Atlanta CityPASS attractions.
Read Zoo Atlanta Reviews HERE.
Martin Luther King Jr Birth Place
This National Park site is a compilation of several locations including the Martin Luther King Jr birth home, a fire station, and the rose gardens. You can also visit the Ebenezer Baptist Church where Martin Luther King Jr was baptized and where he and his father pastored. Finally, you can visit and pay your respects at the final resting place of Martin Luther King Jr..
Admission for the Martin Luther King Jr National Historic Site is free.
Read Martin Luther King Jr National Historical Site reviews HERE.
Fernbank Museum of Natural History
Looking for something educational that can still be interesting? The Fernbank Museum of Natural History has a ton of varying exhibits both indoors and outdoors, and attractions that will keep the eye of any individual. You could spend hours trying to see everything this place has to offer.
Fernbank can be attended in any weather since you can spend time inside and outside for their exhibits. The museum owns over 70 acres of land for nature trails and outdoor season-based attractions. There are even play areas for your kids to get out some energy. Inside the museum is three floors of learning from all types of displays.
Daytime general admission can include a giant screen film, entry to all exhibitions including special ones, varied programs and guides, nature adventures outside the museum, and free parking.
The Fernbank Museum of National History is one of the optional Atlanta CityPASS attractions. When you purchase your pass, you choose two of the three optional attractions to round things out.
Read Fernbank National Museum of National History Reviews HERE.
CNN Studio Tour
Ever wonder how news is made? Well, wonder no longer because taking a CNN Studio tour is on our list of top 10 things to do in Atlanta. Purchase your tickets and you’ll get to take a tour behind one of the biggest news networks in the world. You’ll be able to see how they produce everything from the news and weather to how they manage their sister channels. As a bonus, you will also get to climb the largest escalator in the United States which can be an added bonus for the kids!
General admission rates are $15.00 per adult, $14.00 for ages 13-18 and $12.00 for kids ages 4-12.
Read CNN Studio Tour Reviews HERE.
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
Located just outside the Atlanta metroplex this Civil War battlefield is well worth the drive. For kids, they will not only learn history at the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, but they can also complete their Junior Ranger badge here.
The park is a sprawling 2,965 acres. The most popular thing to do here is to either hike or drive to the top of the mountain where you are treated to historic information about the fighting that took place in the park from June 19, 1864 – July 2, 1864 as well as battle cannons once you reach the top. The views from the top include downtown Atlanta and are breathtaking making earning this a definite spot in our top things to do in Atlanta.
Admission is free, but you may have to pay for parking.
Read Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park Reviews HERE.
Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum
Love them or hate them, but every president leaves their mark on history. The presidential libraries are a fantastic way to see those marks. Visiting a presidential library such as the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum is a great way to learn the history and events that President Carter is famous for. Sure, you may not like a certain president but learning from their mistakes and triumphs is the only way to be successful in the future.
Admission can be paid at the door and will cost you $8.00 per adult. Children under 16 are free. Students between 16 and 18 will run you $6.00 each with a student ID.
Read Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum Reviews HERE.
College Football Hall of Fame
Created by Chick-fil-A, the College Football Hall of Fame has interactive ways to learn about the sport and have fun. Kids of any age could enjoy this even if they don’t know anything about football, and adult football fanatics will love this entirely sport themed attraction.
College Football Hall of Fame teaches about football as a sport with colorful and eye-catching exhibits as well as some ways to learn more by getting hands on, and its own indoor playing field. Any college football nerds will be over the moon with this trip and it’s easy to attend.
Excited to see it? General admission for the College Football Hall of Fame gives you access to all this knowledge and more with entry into the location that includes interactive exhibits and the indoor playing field.
The College Football Hall of Fame is a part of the Atlanta CityPASS program. Otherwise, general admission will cost you $21.99 for adults and $17.99 for kids ages 3-12.
Read College Football Hall of Fame Reviews HERE.
Atlanta History Center
The Atlanta History Center is a 33-acre neighborhood in Atlanta that features museums, historic houses, gardens, and plenty of other activities that you won’t want to miss when you visit Atlanta. From the historic Swan House – which gives you a peek into the rich and famous 1930s Lifestyle – to the living history of the Smith Family Farm – where you can hear stories of the Civil War and how an 1840s plantation was run – it really is one the top things to do it Atlanta. You could spend the entire day and still not see or hear everything!
The Atlanta History Center is great for history buffs, but also fantastic for families who are wanting to learn a bit more about Civil War era life. If you’re wanting to tour the Margret Mitchell House while you’re visiting, make sure to ask about the tour when you buy your history center tickets.
General admission runs $16.50 per adult, $13.00 each per student (ages 13-18) and $11.00 for kids ages 4-12. Tickets can be purchased via the Atlanta History Center website.
Read Atlanta History Center reviews HERE.
World of Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola is not only a household soda name that many of us recognize instantly, but a unique story of products and history as well as the secret behind this specific soda and its taste. You can learn the history behind discovering the flavor that makes Coca-Cola so loved and so much more.
There are even places in the World of Coca-Cola to try different drinks in the Coca-Cola branded family for some fun and delicious sugary beverages you may recognize or may be trying for the first time. There’s even a special exhibit teaching you all about our scent receptors and how smell relates to the taste of sodas like Coca-Cola.
General admission to World of Coca-Cola includes the 3D theater, admission to the attraction with expedited options for busy times, entry to the Scent Discovery exhibit, and sample beverages. Some items may be limited or not available at certain times.
General admission for adults (ages 13-64) will cost you $17.00 per person. Youth admissions (ages 3-12) are $13.00. Tickets can be purchased on the World of Coca-Cola website or for a discount, grab the Atlanta CityPASS.
Read World of Coca-Cola reviews HERE.
Stone Mountain Park
Stone Mountain Park is Georgia’s most visited attraction each year (over 4 million visitors per year!) and it’s easy to see why! Not only can you hike up to see the mural carved into the side of the mountain , but there is a whole slew of other activities to do! While you’re visiting Stone Mountain Park, make sure to take a train ride, visit a farm yard, cool off at the waterpark, play mini golf, or take in the a historic square of old homes. There’s also a duck boat tour, a nightly light show, golf, camping and a whole lot more! Even better is that Stone Mountain Park has 4.5 star reviews!
When you visit Stone Mountain Park, you will be buying an all-day ticket, but if you’re visiting this as one of the top things to do in Atlanta, we recommend that you book a hotel or campground and stay a day or two. One day really isn’t long enough to see it all! Ticket prices vary depending on what you’re looking for and can be purchased on the Stone Mountain Park website.
Read Stone Mountain Park Reviews HERE.
National Center for Civil and Human Rights
Need somewhere educational and important to human rights movements? The National Center for Civil and Human Rights takes you on a pause to recognize, learn about, and do better about important civil rights causes. Adults can learn a lot from this location, but it’s great for child education too.
Learn what protests really felt like, dive into the thoughts and minds behind huge advancements in human rights causes, listen to powerful audios, and even see some personal artifacts of civil rights champions. The National Center for Civil and Human Rights has it all on this topic.
To get in for the day all you need is general admission, which grants you full access to everything the National Center for Civil and Human Rights has to offer visitors. Some of the more interactive exhibits may be temporarily changed or down for health risks.
The National Center for Civil and Human Rights is part of the Atlanta CityPASS.
Read National Center for Civil and Human Rights Reviews HERE.
Atlanta as a city has so much else to offer for locals and for visiting tourists, but these main attractions are definitely on most travelers’ bucket lists for good reason. The city itself can be quite stunning especially at night with everything lit up, and you’ll find loads of great food or stay options while there.
If you want to venture further, surrounding areas of Atlanta also have more attractions of similar pricing and caliber as well as better pricing on hotels and lodging because of the distance from the main city. It would mean a little more travel time for attractions but may help for those on a tighter budget.
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