Top tourist attractions in Atlanta, GA.
Whether looking for the perfect date spot, a fun day with your kids, or something to do with the whole family, Atlanta has something for everyone. However, while the city is a popular tourist destination, you should consider some safety considerations before your trip.
One of the best things to do in Atlanta is visit the Georgia Aquarium. It is the largest indoor aquarium in the Western Hemisphere. It features interactive activities and thousands of marine animals. There is even a glass tunnel for you to walk through.
Another top attraction in Atlanta is the Delta Flight Museum. This museum has a real-life flight simulator and antique airplanes from the 1940s. This is a great way to learn more about planes.
The Atlanta History Center is a great place to learn more about the city’s past. This museum chronicles the Civil War, the 1960s Civil Rights Movement, and other events in the city’s history. The museum’s exhibits are impressive and beautifully presented.
The High Museum of Art is another excellent place to visit. It is home to more than 11,000 works, including European, American, and African art. It has rotating exhibitions, as well as a permanent collection.
The Fernbank Museum of Natural History is also a popular attraction. It is home to a vast IMAX theater and traveling exhibits. It also offers hands-on, dinosaur, and “Sensing Nature” displays.
Top 15 things to do in Atlanta, Georgia
- Georgia Aquarium
- Six Flags Over Georgia
- World of Coca-Cola
- Zoo Atlanta
- Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Piedmont Park
- Ponce City Market
- Centennial Olympic Park
- Mary Mac’s Tea Room
- Fox Theatre
- SkyView Atlanta
- Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park
- Krog Street Market
- Six Flags White Water
- Fernbank Museum
Georgia Aquarium
Located in downtown Atlanta, the Georgia Aquarium has thousands of marine animals. This non-profit organization also raises funds for conservation and research. It is one of the most popular attractions in the city.
Visitors can choose from seven galleries. The Aquanaut Adventure is a fun and interactive gallery that shares information about aquatic life and its habitats. It also includes a virtual reality simulator: dive in prehistoric seas.
Among the Georgia Aquarium’s many exhibits are the Sea Lions Up Close program and the Sea Otter Encounter.
These programs allow guests to meet and interact with whale sharks and sea otters. In addition, they are an excellent way to learn about these magnificent animals.
The best time to visit the aquarium is early in the morning. You can avoid crowds. This is especially true if you stay on the weekend.
Six Flags Over Georgia
Located in the Atlanta suburb of Austell, Six Flags Over Georgia is a theme park offering thrills for years. This family-friendly destination offers a wide variety of entertainment for all ages.
There are more than a dozen rides, including some that are record-breaking. It is one of the largest regional parks in the United States.
In addition to its rides, Six Flags Over Georgia is home to a water park. The Hurricane Harbor water park features four world-class attractions. It includes a 125-foot whirlpool and interactive play structure. There are also wave pools, slip-and-slides, and various multi-slide complexes.
Six Flags Over Georgia has more than 40 rides, making it a fun and exciting experience for the entire family. The park also has live shows, dining options, and shopping districts.
World of Coca-Cola
The World of Coca-Cola is a fun attraction to check out in the downtown Atlanta entertainment district. It’s a 92,000-square-foot exhibit with various memorabilia and interactive elements. Guests can learn about the history of Coca-Cola and the company’s secret formula. In addition, visitors can sample an infinity tap of sweet drinks.
You can get the most out of your visit by booking a ticket in advance. Purchasing a ticket online will allow you to bypass the line at the main entrance. It will also ensure that you’re guaranteed entry. A ticket costs $19 for adults and $15 for kids.
The museum offers seven different exhibits and features. One of the most popular is the “Taste It!” gallery. This displays 100 other Coca-Cola products from around the world.
Zoo Atlanta
Zoo Atlanta is an AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) accredited zoological park in Atlanta, Georgia. This wildlife attraction features over 1,000 animals worldwide, with one of the largest populations of great apes in the U.S.
It is also home to two giant pandas, making it one of only four zoos in the United States to have this endangered species.
The 127-acre nature and entertainment complex offers a range of attractions, including exhibits, trails, and an aerial adventure course. It also includes the Ford African Rain Forest, the nation’s largest gorilla population.
In addition to the zoo’s impressive animal collection, the park also features several attractions for visitors of all ages. Among the highlights are the Train, a replica of a historic 1863 locomotive, and the Treetop Trail, an aerial playground.
Atlanta Botanical Garden
Located in Midtown Atlanta, the Atlanta Botanical Garden is an excellent destination for people who love nature and plants. The Garden’s mission is to develop and maintain plant collections adjacent to Piedmont Park.
The Garden is also focused on education and conservation. In addition, the Garden is known for its beautiful displays and exhibits.
The Atlanta Botanical Garden features a variety of exhibits and activities for the entire family. In addition, the Garden has 19 different collections.
These include the Tropical High Elevation House, Storza Woods, and the Lou Glenn Children’s Garden. In addition, the Garden has special events, such as the annual Atlanta Blooms Festival and a winter extravaganza, the Garden Lights, Holiday Nights event.
The Atlanta Botanical Garden is open on most days. On weekends, the Garden can be very crowded. However, if you visit during the week, you can have a quieter visit.
Piedmont Park
Located in Midtown Atlanta, Piedmont Park is a 200-plus acre green space. Atlanta’s famous skyline surrounds the park and is an excellent place to picnic. The park also hosts many different festivals and events throughout the year.
Piedmont Park is open daily from 6 am to 11 pm. The park is ADA-accessible and has four wheelchair-accessible entrances. In addition, there are several playgrounds and picnic areas. The park is also perfect for biking and walking.
The park is a popular destination for locals and visitors alike. The park is home to various activities, including concerts, sporting events, and a weekly farmers market. It also features an educational garden that teaches about composting and organic gardening.
The park also boasts an off-leash dog area. There are separate areas for small and large dogs. There are also boulders and benches for owners.
Ponce City Market
Ponce City Market is a shopping, dining, and entertainment destination in Atlanta, Georgia. It’s in the former Sears, Roebuck & Co. building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The rooftop of the building has an “elevated” beer garden and carnival-style games. Visitors can play a round of mini-golf or slide down a three-story slide. There are also boardwalk-style games. This is a great place to visit on a hot summer day. Aside from the rooftop, there is also a large food hall.
The Flat at Ponce City Market is a residential complex attached to the retail and office complex. The Flats offer studios to three-bedroom units. The apartments are located in a century-old warehouse. They have BeltLine access and are nearby workplaces and shops.
Centennial Olympic Park
Located in the heart of Downtown Atlanta, Centennial Olympic Park is one of the city’s most popular attractions. It is a 22-acre greenspace featuring lush grass, sculptures, and pools. The park is a magnet for locals and tourists, hosting various events and festivals.
Aside from the park itself, visitors can also check out several other Atlanta attractions nearby. Some include the Georgia Aquarium, Georgia World Congress Center, and CNN Center. All three are popular tourist destinations.
The CNN Center houses several newsrooms and a control room for live broadcasts. The center also contains studios for various CNN shows.
The Centennial Park District is home to more than 20 million visitors annually. In addition to the park, the district offers the world’s largest aquarium, a 200-foot Ferris wheel, and other unique experiences.
Mary Mac’s Tea Room
Located in the Midtown neighborhood of Atlanta, Georgia, the Mary Mac’s Tea Room is a well-known and beloved place for locals and tourists alike. It’s an old-fashioned urban lunch spot that has been serving authentic Southern cooking for over 70 years. This is one of the oldest restaurants in the city, and it continues to provide guests with high-quality pies and Dixie cuisine.
Mary Mac’s is known for its Southern favorites, such as fried chicken, Brunswick stew, and sweet potato souffle. The restaurant has been named “Atlanta’s Dining Room” by the city of Atlanta. It’s also a favorite among celebrities, including Jimmy Carter.
The staff goes above and beyond customer service. Visitors receive a complimentary bread basket when they make their order. This includes tasty cornbread and fluffy yeast rolls.
Fox Theatre
Located in Midtown Atlanta, The Fox Theatre is an iconic landmark. It opened in 1929 and has been a hub for diverse entertainment.
It is also home to the Coca-Cola Summer Film Festival, which showcases classic films and current movies. It is also a popular venue for concerts, Broadway shows, rock concerts, and other cultural events.
It’s worth a visit alone. The building’s architecture is a mix of Egyptian and Moorish styles. The ceiling is made to resemble a night sky. The interior features onion domes, mosque-like minarets, and scarab motifs.
The theater is home to the world’s largest working Moller theatre organ. The 4,000-pipe “Mighty Mo” is heard before every Broadway performance. It was constructed for $42,000 in 1929. Fifty years later, it was valued at $400,000!
SkyView Atlanta
In downtown Atlanta, SkyView is a 20-story Ferris wheel with an incredible city view. It features 42 climate-controlled private gondolas and offers an excellent bird’s eye view of the city’s skyline. You’ll find it here whether you want a daytime or nighttime experience.
Aside from the gondolas, the wheel has umbrella-shaded seating areas and fantastic city views at night. If you’re interested in a romantic getaway, you can arrange a horse-drawn carriage ride for you and your partner.
The museum’s name is a mouthful, but the museum has an assortment of informative videos about HIV and the Ebola virus. You can also visit the exhibitions on various topics, including collections of hazmat suits.
Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park
During the Civil Rights Movement, Atlanta was a hub of activity. The neighborhood, Sweet Auburn, was a bustling part of the city. As a result, the area was a strong community bond.
The National Park Service has many historic buildings that are open to visitors. Most of the buildings were built in the late 1800s and early 1900s. They include a fire station, a church, and the birth home of Dr. King.
The historic buildings are open to the public daily. They are closed on January 1st and Thanksgiving Day. However, self-guided outdoor tours are still available.
The MLK National Historic Site Museum is a great way to learn about Dr. King and his role in the Civil Rights Movement. The museum features a variety of exhibits, including a movie theatre. There are also tombs for Coretta Scott King and an eternal flame.
Krog Street Market
Krog Street Market is a 9-acre mixed-use development in Atlanta’s Inman Park neighborhood. The former Atlanta Stoveworks building is home to various tenants, including restaurants, bars, and retailers.
If you’re looking for a fun and affordable night out, check out Krog Street Market. You’ll find restaurants serving everything from authentic Tex-Mex to Southern fried chicken. In addition, the market features craft beer and wine.
The building was originally a cast-iron range factory. Tyler Perry Studios purchased the building in 2006. In 2012, the market opened. It is a bustling retail and dining district featuring dozens of eateries and drinkeries.
The food hall is open from 7 am to 10 pm, seven days a week. The market also offers valet parking. Individual tenants have their hours. The market is easily accessible by car, rail, and bus.
Six Flags White Water
Whether you are looking for a relaxing day or an adventurous experience, there is something for everyone at Six Flags White Water.
It’s one of the largest water parks in the country, and it has been named one of the top 10 waterparks by the Travel Channel. It is also known as a great family vacation destination. Located in Marietta, GA, this park has many rides for the entire family.
It has three different groups of attractions, including thrill rides, family attractions, and kiddie rides. It also has a 700,000-gallon wave pool. There are also several restaurants and food options. The food choices include funnel cakes, turkey legs, burgers, pizza, Italian cuisine, and more.
There are also numerous water-themed games. This includes the Run-a-Way River, which sends riders down several hundred feet of winding tunnels.
Fernbank Museum
Located in Atlanta, Georgia, the Fernbank Museum of Natural History is an interactive museum connecting visitors to worldwide cultures. Exhibits cover the evolution of the earth, plants, animals, and technology. The museum also features interactive displays, outdoor exhibits, and special events.
Fernbank is one of the most visited attractions in Atlanta. The museum is a popular destination for school field trips. It was created with children in mind and offered many hands-on activities and exhibits for youngsters.
Fernbank has several different exhibits, including one that features dinosaurs. The Giants of the Mesozoic exhibit re-creates the dinosaurs that walked the earth hundreds of millions of years ago.
The show is packed with relics, including the 123-foot-long Argentinosaurus. The museum also has a planetarium and an outdoor playground.