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Fun Things to Do in Atlanta
November 22, 2019 | By: Taylor Randolph
Atlanta is like the New York City of the South. Even Atlanta’s nickname, “The Big Peach,” encourages this comparison. Atlanta has grown to become one of America’s favorite cities due to its unbelievably delicious cuisine, inspiring art scene, and popular shopping destinations. If you are wondering what to do on your next visit to this trendy city, check out this ultimate Atlanta checklist and we promise your visit will be just peachy-keen!
Festivals
Celebrate Atlanta’s art, music, food, and culture at the numerous fairs and festivals around the city. The festivals here are one of the favorite local things to do in Atlanta GA. If your vacation dates are flexible, you should schedule your trip around one of the terrific events. Festivals are going on all year long, so no matter what time of year you want to visit, there will be able to choose from plenty of options.
- Dogwood Festival – Outdoors fine arts market in Piedmont Park featuring sculptures, paintings, pottery, jewelry, photography and much more.
- AJC Decatur Book Festival – Largest independent book festival in the US, enjoy presentations by authors, writing workshops, readings, and signings
- Atlanta Food & Wine Festival – Showcases the best Southern cuisine featuring over 250 restaurants, artisans, chefs, and producers. More than 90 integrated learning experiences are also offered.
- Taste of Atlanta – Dedicated to celebrating the Atlanta food scene with over 90 Atlanta restaurants represented as well as 3 live cooking stages, a bartending competition, and marvelous live music from local artists
- Atlanta Ice Cream Festival – A delicious way to cool off in the summer at Piedmont Park
- Inman Park Festival and Tour of Homes – Atlanta’s most eclectic festival with a parade that is known for attempting to beat the Guinness World Record for “largest gathering of people dressed as garden gnomes.”
- Lantern Parade – A glowing procession of light, music, and color along the Atlanta BeltLine
Food & Drinks
You never have to worry about what to do in Atlanta, because Atlanta is the ultimate foodie destination. You can enjoy fantastic Southern fare as well as delicious international cuisine that reflects the diversity of the city. There is no shortage of amazing restaurants, bars, and cafés, but we listed here a few of our favorite spots.
- Rowdy Tiger Whisky Bar - Check out one of the largest whiskey collections in Atlanta and eat amazing Southern favorites
- ASW Distillery is an Atlanta staple and makes award-winning pot-stilled whiskeys. You can take a tour of the distillery and stop in for a tasting of their famous Duality Double Malt. They are always holding fun events like Mixology classes or Yoga at the Distillery.
- Empire State South – Delicious Southern dishes served up by the “Iron Chef,” Hugh Acheson
- South City Kitchen – Iconic contemporary Southern cuisine in a 1920s bungalow
- Einstein’s – Atlanta’s favorite neighborhood bar and restaurant as well as one of the best brunches in America
- Cypress Pint and Plate – Rotating lineup of beers on tap with fantastic American fare
- Bulla Gastrobar Midtown – Upscale Spanish cuisine and tapas with amazing sangria
- Takorea – Korean-Mexican fusion that is highly rated by the Food & Wine Magazine
Local Things to Do in Atlanta
The Big Peach is filled with plenty of undeniably cool venues that the hip locals love to frequent. The city boasts remarkable shopping, dining, and cultural spots. Don’t miss these outstanding places to visit in Atlanta.
- Ponce City Market is like a modern-day bazaar with shopping and dining market stalls. There are phenomenal local places as well as many commercial favorites.
- Skyline Park has stunning and sweeping views of the Atlanta skyline
- Atlanta BeltLine is a walking path with cool murals, breweries, local art installations, and so much more. If you are looking for free things to do in Atlanta, the BeltLine is the perfect solution.
- The Goat Farm Arts Center is a visual and performing arts center with a terrific coffee shop
- Piedmont Park is the Atlanta equivalent of Central Park in NYC. Enjoy the beautiful green lawn, peaceful lakes, and lovely walking paths
- Fox Theatre hosts a variety of performances from Broadway to rock to comedy to movies.
- Paris on Ponce is an eclectic mix of over 30 unique chic boutiques and vintage market stalls
- Krog Street Market is a hip food hall and marketplace in a 1920’s warehouse located right off the BeltLine trail.
- Cheer on the Atlanta Braves at a baseball game at SunTrust Park
Best Atlanta Attractions
Atlanta is a hotspot for the arts and culture, so it’s no wonder that some of the best museums in the US are located here. There are plenty of family-friendly things to do in Atlanta, so make sure that you put a few of these on your agenda.
- Georgia Aquarium - The largest aquarium in the US, home to over 100,000 aquatic animals including massive whale sharks, Beluga whales, dolphins, and penguins.
- World of Coca-Cola – All ages will love the interactive displays and the soda fountains that dispense over 100 Coca-Cola flavors including classics and limited editions.
- National Center for Civil and Human Rights - Learn about the American Civil Rights movement
- Home of Martin Luther King Jr. - You can visit where he was born in 1929.
- Legoland Discovery Center - The ultimate playground features 2 rides, 10 LEGO build and play zones, and a 4D cinema. This is one of the top things to do in Atlanta with kids.
- Fernbank Museum of Natural History - This is not your typical museum. There are over 75 acres of outdoor exhibits with walking trails, a canopy bridge, native wildlife, and natural playgrounds.
- Atlanta Cyclorama & Civil War Museum - Features The Battle of Atlanta, a 132-year-old painting that stands at 49 feet tall, over 100 yards, and weighs 10,000 pounds.
- High Museum of Art - The leading museum in the Southeast US with over 15,000 works of art in its permanent collection. It features work from Claude Monet, Martin Johnson Heade, and Dorothea Lange, just to name a few.
- Atlanta Botanical Garden – One of the most beautiful spots in the city. Don’t miss walking amongst the treetops on the Canopy Walk footbridge, which is suspended 40-feet above the lovely blooming flowers.
- Zoo Atlanta - See more than 1,000 animals from around the world, including giant pandas and great apes.
- Children’s Museum of Atlanta - Outstanding museum to encourage curiosity and imagination for children 0-8 years old.
Now you are fully prepared for your trip to Atlanta thanks to this post and all the helpful tips! Georgia's exploration doesn't just end in Atlanta alone. Take your time to explore the many things to do in Georgia as a whole.
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