Things to do in Atlanta
Spring and fall bring warm, comfortable days, blooming dogwoods and azaleas, and lower humidity. Summers are hot and humid with afternoon storms; winters are mild but can turn briefly icy.
Best months: April, May, September, October
What is worth your time in Atlanta
Atlanta BeltLine Eastside TrailDo not miss
A vibrant former rail corridor of murals, public art, breweries, and patios linking Piedmont Park to Krog Street and beyond.
Scenic Route · 2.3 hr4.8
Martin Luther King Jr National Historical ParkDo not miss
Dr King's birth home, Ebenezer Baptist Church, and his tomb anchor the most important civil rights pilgrimage in America.
Historic Site · 2.8 hr4.8
National Center for Civil and Human RightsDo not miss
A powerful, immersive museum linking the American civil rights movement to today's global human rights struggles.
Museum · 2 hr4.8
Piedmont ParkDo not miss
Atlanta's signature green, with a lake, meadows, and a postcard view of the Midtown skyline over the water.
Park · 1.5 hr4.8
Fox TheatreDo not miss
A jaw-dropping 1929 Moorish-Egyptian movie palace under a ceiling of twinkling stars, still hosting Broadway and concerts.
Historic Site · 2 hr4.7
Georgia AquariumDo not miss
One of the largest aquariums in the world, home to whale sharks, beluga whales, and a vast ocean tunnel.
Activity · 3.3 hr4.7
High Museum of ArtDo not miss
The Southeast's leading art museum, with a luminous Richard Meier building and strong folk and modern collections.
Museum · 2.8 hr4.7
Centennial Olympic ParkDo not miss
The 1996 Olympics legacy park with the Fountain of Rings, a hub framed by the city's top downtown attractions.
Park · 53 min4.6
Ponce City MarketDo not miss
A landmark Sears warehouse reborn as a buzzing food hall, shops, and a rooftop carnival with skyline views.
Market · 2.3 hr4.6
World of Coca-ColaDo not miss
Atlanta's hometown brand told through vintage ads, the secret-formula vault, and a tasting room of 100+ global sodas.
Museum · 2 hr4.4
Atlanta Cyclorama
A restored, room-encircling 1880s painting of the Battle of Atlanta, presented with light and sound at the History Center.
Cultural Experience · 1 hr4.8
Center for Puppetry Arts
The largest US organization devoted to puppetry, with a Jim Henson collection and live performances.
Cultural Experience · 1.6 hr4.8
Jackson Street Bridge
The definitive downtown skyline photo, made famous by The Walking Dead, best caught at sunset.
Viewpoint · 30 min4.8
Michael C Carlos Museum
Emory University's elegant museum of ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and Asian art, including real mummies.
Museum · 1.6 hr4.8
And 31 more, which the planner picks between based on your dates, pace and what you are into.
Worth knowing
- Atlanta is car-centric and traffic is heavy; budget extra time and use MARTA rail to reach downtown, the airport, and Midtown without parking.
- The downtown attractions around Centennial Olympic Park (Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, civil rights center) cluster within an easy walk of each other.
- Summers are hot and humid; plan outdoor stops for the morning and carry water.
- Tipping is customary: 18 to 20 percent at restaurants and for tours.
- The BeltLine connects many neighborhoods on foot or by bike and is the best car-free way to see the eastside.