Things to do in Atlanta
- Atlanta is the only city in the United States with a major airport that has served as the busiest in the world for over two decades.
- The city is built along the Eastern Continental Divide, meaning rainwater on one side of the street flows toward the Gulf of Mexico, while the other flows toward the Atlantic Ocean.
- Atlanta maintains one of the densest tree canopies of any major American city, with over 47 percent of the city covered by forest.
- The city was originally named Terminus, as it was founded in 1837 as the end of a major state-sponsored railroad line.
- Atlanta is the birthplace of the modern civil rights movement and remains the only major U.S. city where the primary leader of that movement was born, preached, and is buried.
About Atlanta
Atlanta serves as the primary economic and cultural engine of the American Southeast, uniquely defined by its expansive tree canopy and role as a global transportation hub. The city balances rapid urban development with a deep commitment to civil rights history, anchored by sites like the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park. Residents and visitors alike utilize green spaces like Piedmont Park and the Atlanta Botanical Garden, which serve as essential recreational lungs for the metropolitan area. The city's geography remains a blend of historic neighborhoods and modern downtown architecture, including landmarks such as SkyView Atlanta.
Highlights of Atlanta
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Parks
Explore the expansive canopy walk suspended through the treetops of an urban forest.
Zoos
Observe a large population of giant pandas and diverse wildlife in an accredited zoological facility.
Parks
Visit the city's premier urban park for expansive green space and skyline views.
Parks
Reflect on the legacy of the 1996 Summer Olympics amidst the iconic fountains and open plazas.
Museums
Walk the site that preserves the childhood home and spiritual foundation of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Amusement parks
Experience panoramic views of the downtown district from a climate-controlled gondola.
Museums
Walk through a massive hardwood forest featuring elevated paths and dinosaur fossil exhibits.
Museums
View an extensive collection of 19th- and 20th-century art, including significant folk and self-taught artist works.
Top things to do in Atlanta
The 324 highest-rated places in Atlanta, ranked by travellers.
1
Parks
Stone Mountain Park is centered around a massive exposed quartz monzonite dome rising 825 feet above the surrounding Geo...
2
Parks
The Atlanta Botanical Garden is a 30-acre horticultural facility located in Midtown Atlanta, adjacent to Piedmont Park....
3
Zoos
Zoo Atlanta is one of the few institutions in the United States to house giant pandas, serving as a significant site for...
4
Parks
Piedmont Park is Atlanta's premier urban green space, spanning 211 acres in the heart of the city. The park features the...
5
Amusement parks
Six Flags Over Georgia is a 290-acre theme park situated along the Chattahoochee River, famous for its extensive collect...
6
Parks
Centennial Olympic Park is a 21-acre public green space in downtown Atlanta, originally constructed to serve as the gath...
7
Museums
The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park preserves the birthplace, family home, and final resting place of D...
8
Amusement parks
SkyView Atlanta is a 200-foot-tall Ferris wheel located across from Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta. The att...
9
Museums
Fernbank Museum is a comprehensive natural history institution situated in a 65-acre mature forest in the Druid Hills ne...
10
Parks
Sweetwater Creek State Park is defined by the ruins of the New Manchester Manufacturing Company, a five-story textile mi...
11
Parks
Grant Park is Atlanta's oldest city park, established in 1883 on land donated by Lemuel P. Grant. The 131-acre recreatio...
12
Museums
The High Museum of Art is recognized for its signature white porcelain-paneled building designed by architect Richard Me...
13
Museums
The Birth Home of Martin Luther King, Jr. is a Queen Anne-style house where the civil rights leader was born in 1929 and...
14
Parks
Alexander Park is a 121-acre recreational facility in Lawrenceville, Georgia, featuring a distinct blend of paved and na...
15
Parks
Brook Run Park is a 115-acre green space in Dunwoody, Georgia, serving as the city's largest municipal park. The grounds...
16
Parks
Historic Fourth Ward Park serves as a critical 17-acre stormwater management facility designed to mitigate regional floo...
17
Museums
The Delta Flight Museum is housed within two historic 1940s-era aircraft maintenance hangars at Delta Air Lines' world h...
18
Amusement parks
Fun Spot America Atlanta is an amusement park located in Fayetteville, Georgia, featuring a collection of thrill rides,...
19
Venues
Lakewood Amphitheatre is a major outdoor concert venue in Atlanta featuring a permanent covered pavilion and a large, sl...
20
Temples
The Hindu Temple of Atlanta is a traditional Hindu place of worship built in the Dravidian architectural style of South...
21
Historical places
The King Center serves as the official memorial and final resting place of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott...
22
Venues
Center Parc Stadium serves as the home field for Georgia State University football, formerly known as Turner Field. It i...
23
Parks
Lenora Park is a 170-acre multi-use recreational facility managed by Gwinnett County in Snellville, Georgia. The park fe...
24
Museums
The Children's Museum of Atlanta is a 30,000-square-foot facility specifically designed for children aged zero to eight....
25
Parks
Lilburn City Park is a central green space located in the historic Old Town district of Lilburn, Georgia. The park serve...
26
Venues
Center Stage Theater is a multi-venue entertainment complex in Midtown Atlanta that hosts touring bands, theater product...
27
Places of interest
Krog Street Tunnel is a functional underpass connecting the Cabbagetown and Inman Park neighborhoods that serves as an e...
28
Temples
Al-Farooq Masjid serves as a primary religious and community center for Atlanta's Muslim population, located in the Lori...
29
Venues
The Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse is an authentic Elizabethan-style playhouse located in downtown Atlanta that operates a...
30
Parks
Freedom Park is a 200-acre linear park in Atlanta that serves as a vital green corridor connecting several historic neig...
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Atlanta on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Atlanta
Spring, specifically April and May, is ideal due to blooming azaleas and moderate temperatures before the onset of humid summer heat.
3-4 days to cover both the downtown museum corridor and the surrounding historic neighborhoods.
The city is primarily car-dependent, though the MARTA rail system provides access to the airport and core tourist districts, and the Atlanta BeltLine offers walkability between specific neighborhoods.
Midtown is the most convenient area for proximity to arts and parks, while Downtown provides the best access to convention centers and primary historical attractions.
Atlanta is a mid-range destination, with costs comparable to other major U.S. metropolitan centers.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 324 curated attractions in and around Atlanta, ranked by traveller ratings.
Stone Mountain Park is the highest-rated place to visit in Atlanta right now.
The largest category is parks, with 137 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Downtown Los Angeles, Bayonne, New Jersey, Washington, D.C..
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