10 Must-Do’s in Atlanta for Every Type of Traveler

Ever since the 1996 Olympics, Atlanta has seen a massive surge in both business and tourism. Post Olympics, the city has drawn numerous Fortune 500 companies. Today, the city is one of the most visited in the US with over 50 million tourists per year. With a walkable city center and numerous museums and attractions, the downtown is always bustling.

The revitalization of the downtown has drawn tourists from all over the world, particularly those who are interested in history. Living in both Greenville, SC & Asheville, NC for 2 years, I was located within easy roadtrip distance.

The city spent years prior to the Games improving the downtown by way of new hotels, walkways, and the iconic Centennial Park, which today still serves as the central gathering spot, just like it did 20+ years ago. Besides the Olympics, the city is most associated with Coca Cola, Waffle House, Chick-Fil-A, the Civil rights movement, Martin Luther King, the busiest airport in the world, CNN, and Gone with the Wind.

The downtown is much nicer than I expected and I was really impressed especially with Centennial Park & the Georgia Aquarium. It was nice to park once and be able to walk to and from various touristy attractions. Everything was pretty crowded during my summer visit, so I recommend a weekday vacation if you can’t handle crowds.

At the World of Coca-Cola, you can learn more about the history of Coke, plus sample 100+ beverages. If I still drank pop (Coke was always my favorite), this would be number one on my bucket list. Unfortunately with the high admission price, it just isn’t’ worth it unless you are up for a lot of samples.

At the renowned Georgia Aquarium, you will find many fantastic exhibits including an aquarium tunnel you can walk underneath. As one of the world’s largest aquariums, you can expect big crowds any given weekend!

Below you will find my guide to ten memorable attractions, with a bit of variety sprinkled in to account for different interests. Whether you are a foodie, history buff, nature lover, or just looking for a few fun things to do, this list should give you more than a few worthy additions to your trip itinerary. This is a great start for first time visitors, but of course there are endless activities to consider.

For fitness buffs

Take a leisurely bike ride along the Big Creek Greenway

The 8.5 mile long paved recreational path known as the Big Creek Greenway is the city’s nicest bike path. I love biking especially during the summer season so I had to check this one out. This is an excellent place to enjoy a long shady run or bike ride. The path is flat and reasonably quiet, and thus, the perfect weekend recreational choice for fitness buffs looking to enjoy a peaceful, relatively easy workout session.

The trail is located in the upscale suburb of Alpharetta. There are lots of pretty trees lining the path, and thus, this one is doable even during the miserable hot & humid “Hotlanta” summer season. If you are looking for a quiet place to escape the city congestion, this is a great place for a low-key workout.

I enjoyed the quiet setting and felt like I got in a great workout. As a fitness buff (who rarely skips a workout even when I travel), I try to incorporate healthy activities like bike rides into my trip plans to have a bit of fun and get in a workout at the same time.

Tip: There is a great southern chain nearby called Maple Street Biscuit Company. Here you can enjoy scratch made biscuits, tacos, and special bowls. The coffee is pretty tasty as well and they offer several specialty espresso based drinks.

Note: The Atlanta Beltline is a nice alternative for those who prefer to stay close to the city. The 22 mile path transverses numerous vibrant sections of the city. A recently opened art installation will give your eyes plenty to feast upon along the route.

Additional Details

• The best access point is near the Alpharetta YMCA: 3655 Preston Ridge Road.
• Parking is free.
• Need a bike rental? Check out the Bike Sharing program conveniently located at the Alpharetta YMCA, just a short walk from the trail access point.

For night owls…

Take a ride along the SkyView Ferris Wheel

Unfortunately, there is not a whole lot to do at night besides bars and nightclubs. I’m not huge on the bar scene, outside of a drink or so at a restaurant. A ride on the 20 story Skyview Ferris Wheel is a fun alternative for those looking to avoid the noisy bar scene. SkyView is conveniently located nearby Centennial Park, so you can walk here from most other attractions.

The line was incredibly long, however, this really is the best time for a ride as you get to take in the beautiful city lights. While it cannot compare to more scenic Ferris Wheel rides like the Linq High Roller in Vegas, the ride is under 20 bucks and makes for a budget friendly date night. I thought the views were great and would recommend a ride (esp if you find a deal like I did on Groupon).

Before your ride, I recommend enjoying dinner at one of numerous restaurants located in the immediate vicinity. Although I try to avoid chains, Hard Rock Cafe is one of my favorites for tasty comfort food. They have the best mac and cheese anywhere and I love their apps especially the nachos. Why did they get rid of the jumbo appetizer and those amazing spring rolls though?

This touristy hotspot is located just a few blocks away. The rock n’ roll vibe and fun menu makes it a prime vacation choice. It’s okay to splurge a bit while on vacation in my opinion! Meehan’s Public House (authentic Irish fare) is another great choice which we randomly found and enjoyed.

Additional details

• Skyview is located at: 168 Luckie St NW.
• Admission is $19.50, $14.50 (kids ages 3-11), $17.50 (seniors). No cash.
• Deals can frequently be found on Groupon.
• Hours are 10am-10pm (11 on weekends)

For family friendly fun…

See the panda at Zoo Atlanta

Zoo Atlanta is one of just a handful of US zoos which houses a panda bear. If you have never seen this adorable bear up close before, this is one of your only chances in the US to do so as these unique bears are native only to south central China. Update: Lun Lun, Yang Yang, Ya Lun, and Xi Lun returned home to China in October of 2024. That being said, it’s still a great zoo to add to your bucket list.

This zoo is spacious enough, although the weekends tend to be insanely crowded, so plan for a weekday visit or at least arrive right at opening. One of my other favorite exhibits is The Primate House, an impressive reptile house, and a beautiful aviary which just opened in April of 2019. The gorgeous African lion, the endangered red panda, the mesmerizing Bald Eagle, & the colorful flamingos are also must-sees.

A new African Savanna exhibit opened in Summer 2019 which is pretty exciting.

Tip: Before/after your visit, stop at the Grant Park Farmers Market, held every Sunday from 9am-1pm. It’s one of the best in the area.

Additional details

• Admission ranges from $27-34 per adult, $21-27 per child aged 3-11, and $25-31 for seniors.
• The zoo is located at: 800 Cherokee Ave SE. Parking is free.
• Check Groupon for special discounts.
• Hours are: 9am-3:30 (4:30 on weekends)

For cat lovers…

Play with cats while you sip on coffee at Java Cats Cafe

Update: Java Love unfortunately closed in 2022. There are several other options including: Happy Tabby, The Frisky Whisker, and the Catfe in Lawrenceville.

Cat cafes are seemingly popping up in trendy cities across the country today. The first US cat cafe, Cat Town Cafe, opened in Oakland in 2014. Since then, you can find these cat cafes in almost any big city or popular tourist area. The premise is simple. You sit in a room (along with a handful of people) and sip coffee as you watch felines in action. You have the option to adopt, or simply walk away knowing that you donated to a great cause! I’ve visited many of these including the wonderful Crumbs and Whiskers in D.C.

Java Cats is located just outside of the downtown region and is worth the detour if you love cats. Java Love has partnered with PAWS Atlanta, a no kill shelter. All cats are adoptable (and are up to date on shots) with adoption pricing ranging from $50-125. As the number of people admitted at one time is limited to just 10 or so people, there is often a lengthy wait on weekends. Reserve your spot in advance as walk ins are limited.

Additional details

• Admission is just ten bucks and includes a drip coffee or tea.
• Java Cats is located at: 415 Memorial Drive Southeast Ste C Ste C.
• If you find a cat you would like to adopt, you will fill out an application with PAWS. Ask Java for additional details.

For history buffs…

Explore The Center for Civil and Human Rights

Update: This museum underwent a massive 2 story expansion in 2025. You can look forward to 6 new galleries and more hands on experiences.

The city of Atlanta played a pivotal role in the civil rights movement, with many key events taking place here. As prominent leaders, including Martin Luther King, fought for equal rights, the city became known as “the cradle of the civil rights movement.”

In 2014, the Center for Civil and Human Rights joined an ever growing collection of museums in Atlanta’s Centennial Park region. The center details both the American & global civil rights movement, by way of videos, recordings, artifacts, and artwork.

The museum is split into 3 sections: civil rights, human rights, as well as a large exhibit dedicated to Martin Luther King, an Atlanta native. The Lunch Counter is considered to be the most moving exhibit by most. You will sit down, put on headphones, close your eyes and imagine what it would be like to be a protester in the 60’s facing violence over fighting against the segregation of Atlanta’s lunch counters.

Additional details

• The museum is located at: 100 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW.
• Hours are Noon-5pm (10am on Sat), Closed on Monday. Last admission is one hour prior to closing.
• Admission is $26, $20 (ages 6-12), $21 (senior & student)