Things to do in Atlanta
“Discover the cool vibe of city lights and the warm glow of Southern nights” in Atlanta, the capital of the New South. Host of the 1996 Olympics, Atlanta is home to Braves baseball, Falcons football, the Fabulous Fox Theatre, and the world’s largest aquarium. Atlanta has a thriving cultural scene with the Carter Presidential Center, King Center, High Museum of Art, the Atlanta Botanical Garden, and Woodruff Arts Center. More than 14 of the world’s largest companies are located in the metropolitan area.
Cultural and Heritage Institutions
Attractions
Parks
Sporting Events
Shopping
Cultural and Heritage Institutions
Atlanta Botanical Garden
The Atlanta Botanical Garden in Piedmont Park is a beautiful exhibit of nature's glory in the heart of the city. A walk through the garden is a great stress reliever. There are always special events going on, including unique flowers, summer concerts, romantic jazz nights, and children's activities.
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Atlanta Cyclorama
Experience the Battle of Atlanta in the round through the famous Cyclorama painting and Civil War Museum. The Cyclorama, a large 3-D cyclical painting, is the longest running show in America. The Atlanta Cyclorama is the largest oil painting in the world.
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Atlanta History Center
Founded in 1926 as the Atlanta Historical Society, the history center includes one of the Southeast’s largest history museums; a research library and archives; two historic houses, The Swann House and the Tullie Smith Farm, illustrating over a century of Atlanta’s history; a two-acre Midtown campus; and a series of gardens unique in both design and horticultural presentation in the metropolitan area.
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The Carter Center
Founded in 1982 by Nobel Prize winner and former President Jimmy Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter, the Atlanta-based Carter Center has helped to improve the quality of life for people in more than 65 countries.
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Center for Puppetry Arts
The Center for Puppetry Arts is the largest organization in North America dedicated to the art of puppetry. The center offers performances from the Family Series for everyone and New Directions for adults. An interactive museum, Puppets: The Power of Wonder, is the largest puppetry museum in the United States.
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Fernbank Museum of Natural History
Atlanta’s home to the dinosaurs, Fernbank Museum of Natural History allows visitors to explore Earth’s history, the physical universe, the environment, and human culture through interactive exhibitions, IMAX movies, artifacts, and more.
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With more than 11,000 works of art in its permanent collection, the High Museum of Art has an extensive anthology of 19th- and 20th-century American art; significant holdings of European paintings and decorative art; and growing collections of African-American art, photography, modern and contemporary art, and African art. The High is dedicated to supporting and collecting works by Southern artists.
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Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield is a 2,888 acre National Battlefield that preserves a Civil War battleground of the Atlanta Campaign on Atlanta’s north side. The battle raged from June 19, 1864 until July 2, 1864. It is the only national park that commemorates the Battle of Atlanta.
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Get inspired at the King Center through its many interactive exhibits that illustrate the beloved community that Martin Luther King Jr. envisioned and how that dream can still become a reality.
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Margaret Mitchell House
Literary lovers and Gone With the Wind fans can explore the house where author Margaret Mitchell wrote her famous novel, which now houses memorabilia from the famed author's career and also serves as a literary center for Southern authors. Watch for special author readings and creative writing courses.
Attractions
CNN Center
Take a behind-the-scenes peek at the frenzied world of television journalism with the CNN Studio tour. Gain insight into the world of broadcast journalism. Reservations are highly recommended for the tour.
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The Georgia Aquarium features whale sharks and other creatures of the deep in a world-class facility located in the heart of Downtown Atlanta.
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Six Flags Over Georgia
Atlanta’s premier theme park, Six Flags Over Georgia offers adventure for the whole family with theme rides and a water park.
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Turner Field
Tour Turner Field and explore the varied history of the Atlanta Braves. Get a chance to see the press box, the clubhouse, the dugout, a luxury suite, and the broadcast booth. Don't miss the Braves Museum and Hall of Fame.
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World of Coke
Another kid-friendly attraction in Atlanta, this museum is dedicated to the world's favorite. Learn a bit about the history of Coca-Cola, which was developed in Atlanta, then taste various formulas of the soda from all over the world in the tasting room.
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Located in historic Grant Park, minutes from downtown Atlanta and Turner Field, Zoo Atlanta, founded in 1889, is one of the 10 oldest zoos in continuous operation in the United States. Zoo Atlanta is home to the famous western lowland gorillas and the giant pandas, including our toddler panda Mei-Lan.
Parks
Honoring the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, this expansive park offers a quiet oasis in the middle of bustling Downtown Atlanta, though it can become a beehive of activity, with special events and concerts. For a fun, free way to entertain the kids, let them play in the fountains.
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Piedmont Park
Atlanta’s “Common Ground” since 1904, Piedmont Park is located approximately 2 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta. The finish line for the world-famous Peachtree Road Race, the park is also home to myriad festivals and concerts include the Screen on the Green and Dogwood Festival.
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One of Atlanta's most recognizable tourist attractions, this huge monument to the Confederacy covers 25 million square feet and rises 825 feet above the surrounding area, carved with the likeness of three Confederate heroes. There is plenty to see and do, including the ever-popular laser show, holiday events, hiking, boating, fishing, and souvenir shopping.
Sporting Events
Braves Baseball
Winners of 14 straight division titles and one World Series Championship in 1995, the Atlanta Braves are one of the best games in town. Catch a game at Turner Field.
Hawks Basketball
From Pistol Pete to the Human Highlight Film, the Atlanta Hawks are a franchise rich with history and tradition. The Hawks will celebrate their 40th season in Atlanta in 2007-2008.
Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta’s NFL team, the Falcons, play in the fall. The Falcons played in the Super Bowl in 1999.
Atlanta Thrashers
Founded in 1997, Atlanta’s pro hockey team played its first game in 2000 and made the playoffs for the first time in 2007.
Shopping
Atlantic Station
A national model for smart growth and sustainable development, Atlantic Station combines an attractive mix of affordable, middle-income, and up-scale housing with world-class restaurants, theaters, and retailers.
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Lenox Square
Located in Buckhead, Lenox Square is Atlanta’s premier shopping mall. Anchors include Neiman Marcus and Macy’s. The mall features nearly 250 specialty stores—like Anthropologie, BCBG, Bobby Jones, Burberry, Brooks Brothers, and Cartier.
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Shop below street level while getting your Atlanta souvenirs. Enjoy the spring and summer festivals at Underground.
