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Atlanta, often shortened to ATL, is one of the most exciting cities to visit in the USA. It effortlessly combines a modern, progressive outlook with the traditional hospitality that Southern America is famous for, making it a place that’s easy to fall in love with.
There’s so much to see in Atlanta that you’ll have trouble packing everything in. If you’re planning a trip to ‘The Big Peach,’ keep reading to discover 19 must-see Atlanta attractions that you won’t want to miss.
1. Georgia Aquarium
Photo Credit: Jakgapong Pengjank
- Website: georgiaaquarium.org
- Address: 225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA
- Opening hours: 9.00 am – 6.00 pm Monday to Thursday / 9.00 am – 8.00 pm Friday & Sunday / 9.00 am – 9.00 pm Saturday
This vast aquarium is home to more than 100,000 aquatic creatures and is a great day out for families. A top attraction at Georgia Aquarium is the whale sharks that can grow an incredible nine meters long. See if you can spot them as you walk through the transparent tunnel that runs beneath their tank.
2. Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Website: atlantabg.org
- Address: 1345 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA
- Opening hours: 9.00 am – 7.00 pm Tuesday to Sunday
Make the most of the Georgia sunshine by spending an afternoon strolling through Atlanta Botanical Garden.
This popular attraction is located in Midtown and is in bloom year-round. Head here to see impressive displays, including the Rose Garden, which has the largest collection of these pretty flowers in the southeast.
3. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park
Photo Credit: EWY Media
- Website: nps.gov/malu
- Address: 450 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA
- Opening hours: 9.00 am – 5.00 pm daily
Civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr was born in Atlanta, and this attraction pays homage to his part in the civil rights movement. The area containing his birth home and the church where he and his father were ministers is now protected as a National Historic Site — come visit to learn all about Dr. King’s life and work.
Tip: The King Center for Nonviolent Social Change is nearby and is less busy than Auburn Avenue, so it’s worth paying a visit if you prefer to learn in a quieter environment.
4. National Center for Civil and Human Rights
- Website: civilandhumanrights.org
- Address: 100 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA
- Opening hours: 12.00 am – 5.00 pm Tuesday to Friday & Sunday / 10.00 am – 5.00 pm Saturday
Atlanta played a big part in the American Civil Rights Movement and this important museum sheds light on the national and international struggle for human rights. Here, you can watch original TV newscasts and listen to personal accounts from those involved in the struggle.
5. World of Coca-Cola
Photo Credit: Michael Gordon
- Website: worldofcoca-cola.com
- Address: 121 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA
- Opening hours: 10.00 am – 5.00 pm Monday to Thursday / 10.00 am – 6.00 pm Friday to Sunday
Coca-Cola was originally invented by a local pharmacist in 1886, and these days, the global company sells almost 20,000 beverages per second. Coke lovers shouldn’t miss a chance to see the World of Coca-Cola, where you can try specialty flavors, get your photo taken with the Coca-Cola Polar Bear, and learn about the history of the brand through interactive exhibitions.
If you have the Atlanta CityPass, you can use it here for money-saving packages.
6. Fox Theatre
- Website: foxtheatre.org
- Address: 660 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA
- Opening hours: Performance times vary, see website for details
Fox Theatre is a historic establishment that was originally built as a mosque in the 1920s. Now listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, much of the interior has been restored to how it looked 100 years ago. Experience the grandeur of this iconic theater by booking tickets to see a show.
7. Piedmont Park
Photo Credit: Ajinkya Kolhe
- Website: piedmontpark.org
- Address: Atlanta, GA
- Opening hours: 6.00 am – 11.00 pm daily
As the oldest and largest green space in Atlanta, no visit to the city is complete without paying a visit to Piedmont Park. This sprawling area includes well-kept gardens, rolling meadows, historic sites, and walking trails. The open-air farmer’s market happens every Saturday from March to December and is a charming place to spend a morning shopping for fresh produce.
8. Atlanta History Center
- Website: atlantahistorycenter.com
- Address: 130 W Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA
- Opening hours: 9.00 am – 4.00 pm daily
This huge complex encompasses the Atlanta History Museum, the Centennial Olympic Games Museum, and several historic gardens. The History Museum is a particularly popular attraction that covers Folk Art of the South and the American Civil War.
9. Zoo Atlanta
Photo Credit: Rob Hainer
- Website: zooatlanta.org
- Address: 800 Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta, GA
- Opening hours: 9.00 am – 3.30 pm Monday to Friday / 9.00 am – 4.30 pm Saturday & Sunday
Zoo Atlanta is one of the top family-friendly attractions in the city and is considered to be among the best animal facilities in the entire USA. You’ll find enclosures from every corner of the world here, including an African rainforest that’s home to monkeys and gorillas and an Asia-inspired enclosure where red pandas hang out.
10. Six Flags Over Georgia
- Website: sixflags.com/overgeorgia
- Address: 275 Riverside Pkwy, Austell, GA
- Opening hours: 6.00 pm – 11.00 pm Friday / 12.00 pm – 10.00 pm Saturday & Sunday
Get your adrenaline fix at Six Flags Over Georgia, where you’ll find 12 exhilarating rides. The Goliath is the most exciting rollercoaster, with speeds of over 100 kph. Keep an eye out for the year-round program of special events, which includes a festive holiday celebration each December.
11. The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum
Photo Credit: Teresa Otto
- Website: jimmycarterlibrary.gov
- Address: 441 John Lewis Freedom Pkwy NE, Atlanta, GA
- Opening hours: 9.00 am – 4.30 pm daily
See President Jimmy Carter’s Nobel Peace Prize and a reproduction of the Oval Office when you visit this fascinating library and museum. There are more than 27 million pages of official papers stored here, as well as a sizeable collection of photos and videos relating to the 39th US President.
12. Atlanta Beltline
- Website: beltline.org/visit
- Address: Can be accessed at many points
- Opening hours: 24 hours
This 22-mile loop connects 45 neighborhoods and is one of the easiest ways to navigate the city. Keep a look out for ever-changing street art exhibits along the way to discover the thousands of restaurants, galleries, and breweries that are located close to the Atlanta Beltline.
Tip: The Westside trail is a particularly scenic section for a stroll or bicycle ride.
13. Woodruff Arts Center
Photo Credit: EQRoy
- Website: woodruffcenter.org
- Address: 1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA
- Opening hours: Performances and events times vary
There are three institutions at the Woodruff Arts Center: the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the High Museum of Art, and the Alliance Theatre. This cultural center has a jam-packed calendar of events and activities, so be sure to check what’s happening while you’re in town.
14. Atlanta’s Sports Facilities
It’s no secret that Atlanta locals love their sports, so it’ll come as no surprise that the city is home to several stadiums and museums dedicated to the topic. Here are three of the best sporting attractions.
College Football Hall of Fame
- Website: cfbhall.com
- Address: 250 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA
- Opening hours: 10.00 am – 5.00 pm Thursday to Monday
College football is a much-loved sport in Atlanta, and this museum is the best spot in the city to learn all about it. The three-story-tall helmet wall is one of the most exciting exhibits, with headgear on display from 775 college teams.
Truist Park
- Website: mlb.com/braves/ballpark
- Address: 755 Battery Ave SE, Atlanta, GA
- Opening hours: Check the website for game times
Truist Park is home to the Atlanta Braves baseball team and is where you can catch a game, take a behind-the-scenes tour, and shop for memorabilia. Check the website to see what’s on while you’re in town.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
- Website: mercedesbenzstadium.com
- Address: 1 AMB Dr NW, Atlanta, GA
- Opening hours: Various
Home to the Atlanta Falcons American Football team and the Atlanta United FC soccer team. Catch a game to experience the atmosphere, and don’t miss the popular Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl college football event if it’s scheduled during your visit.
15. Children’s Museum of Atlanta
Photo Credit: University of College
- Website: childrensmuseumatlanta.org
- Address: 275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr. NW, Atlanta, GA
- Opening hours: 10.00 am – 3.30 pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday / 9.30 am – 4.30 pm Saturday & Sunday
Kids up to the age of nine will love this children-focused museum. It’s the only place in the city that focuses on hands-on learning through play, and your little ones will love the many educational yet fun things on offer here.
Tip: The Center for Puppetry Arts is another great kid-friendly museum to check out during your visit.
16. Centennial Olympic Park
Photo Credit: JustPixs
- Website: gwcca.org/centennial-olympic-park
- Address: Atlanta, GA
- Opening hours: 7.00 am – 11.00 pm daily
This park was originally constructed for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games that took place in Atlanta and is now a popular hang-out spot. The Centennial Olympic Park is also home to the SkyView Atlanta Ferris wheel, which, at 20 stories high, delivers incredible views of Downtown Atlanta and beyond.
17. LEGOLAND Discovery Center Atlanta
- Website: legodiscoverycenter.com/atlanta
- Address: 3500 Peachtree Rd NE Suite G-1, Atlanta, GA
- Opening hours: 10.00 am – 5.00 pm Monday to Friday / 10.00 am – 6.00 pm Saturday / 12.00 pm – 6.00 pm Sunday
This attraction is located in the residential Buckhead area and is another fun thing for families to add to their itinerary. One of the best-loved displays is the scale model of Atlanta, which features the city’s most famous landmarks and is constructed from more than 1.5 million LEGO bricks.
18. Ponce City Market
- Website: poncecitymarket.com
- Address: 675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA
- Opening hours: 10.00 am – 9.00 pm Monday to Saturday / 11.00 am – 6.00 pm Sunday
Ponce City Market is a bustling multi-use venue that encompasses boutiques, galleries, cafes, and fine dining restaurants. ‘The Roof’ — the rooftop level of the venue — is a vibrant space filled with fairground-style attractions and food and drink options, and the panoramic city views are not to be missed.
19. Stone Mountain Park
Photo Credit: Joseph Sohm
- Website: stonemountainpark.com
- Address: 1000 Robert E Lee Blvd, Stone Mountain, GA
- Opening hours: 5.00 am – 12.00 am daily
For an outdoor adventure to remember, take a trip to Stone Mountain Park. Located 16 miles east of the city, you’ll find countless attractions here, including suspended rope walks, a petting farm, a cable car, and miles of hiking trails.
Discover the Best Atlanta Attractions
Atlanta is a city that practically vibrates with energy, and you’ll love how many attractions there are to discover. What will you discover first during your visit to ATL?
