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

For nature lovers…

Take a peaceful walk at Cascade Springs Nature Preserve

If you are the type of person who prefers the great outdoors, bird watching, and exercising as opposed to busy tourist attractions, you will want to take some time out to explore a nature preserve or state park in the area. I love hiking and waterfalls, so I decided to find a nice park close to the city.

There is some wonderful nature around but most of the bigger parks require a further drive (something we weren’t looking to do after a long, high traffic 2.5+ hour drive from Greenville). Cascade Springs is one of the closest preserves to the city: a quiet place where you can escape the tourist congestion without traveling very far.

A series of easy nature trails, along with a small waterfall and lush foliage make this the perfect place to escape the traffic, if just for an hour or 2. On an interesting side note, Utoy Creek was the site of a Civil War battle. Other nature escapes not requiring a lengthy drive out of town include the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, Blue Heron Preserve, and the Morningside Nature preserve.

If you are willing to travel outside the city, there are plenty of great outdoorsy day trips to consider. Northern Georgia is home to an impressive concentration of waterfalls and natural attractions. The 730 foot tall Amicalola Falls, the tallest waterfall in the state of Georgia, is just over an hour away. Blue Ridge is a bit further at 1.5 hour, however, I really love this cute town and the surrounding nature. You can access the beginning of the Appalachian trail here (check out this great short 2 mile trek called Longcreek Falls).

Additional Details

• The preserve is located at: 2852 Cascade Rd SW
• Hours are 8am-11pm.
• Admission and parking are free.

For fish lovers…

Visit one of the world’s largest aquariums

At one point (2005-2012), The Georgia Aquarium claimed the title of world’s largest aquarium. Marine Life in Singapore eventually overtook the ranking. However, The this aquarium is still the largest in the US with over 10 million gallons of water, as well as 100,000 marine animals on-site. Despite the annoyingly crowded setting, I would put this aquarium up there with iconic institutions like the Shedd in Chicago at The Florida Aquarium in Tampa.

It is also the only aquarium to house whale sharks outside of Asia. A massive 6 million gallon tank houses these incredible sharks. I really enjoyed this tank.

You will also see beluga whales, California sea lions, and all sorts of colorful fish and coral. Admission includes a 4D show, a sea lion show, a penguin walk show, and an incredible dolphin show. The highlight of my visit was definitely the dolphin show. A line begins to form almost an hour before showtime, so plan on getting here at least a half hour early to ensure your spot! Not quite as good as the wonderful long running show at Brookfield Zoo (my home zoo as a Chicago native), but props to the trainers for a fun and educational show.

A new shark exhibit opened in fall of 2020. This expensive addition includes floor-to-ceiling window viewing and interactive experiences including shark cage diving.

Tip: Consider visiting after 4pm for special discounts (details on their website).

Additional details

• The aquarium is located at: 225 Baker St NW.
• Admission is quite hefty at $70 for regular admission (although this does include all shows and you can come back a 2nd day for free). Advance purchase (at least one day prior) tickets start at $55. Dolphin and sea lion presentations are included but require reservations when you arrive.
• The aquarium garage is $20 for the entire day ($15 members) and is located within close proximity to most major attractions.
• Hours vary (open later on weekends)

For sports fans…

Explore Centennial Olympic Park

Centennial Park was constructed before the 1996 Olympics and quickly became a popular gathering spot for visitors. The ’96 Games were one of the most memorable, on account of both triumph and tragedy. Despite the horrific bombing at Centennial Park, American athletes still came up on top with the most gold medals (44) as well as the most medals overall (101). This was my favorite Olympics (as a big gymnastics fan and former gymnast, I could never forget the Magnificent 7). I loved seeing all the memorabilia.

There are numerous commemorative statues including a new Olympic rings structure, which is a popular photo opp with tourists. Take a stroll around and you will see a variety of Olympic memorials.

The choreographed fountain show is really cool too so I recommend stopping by if you have extra time. Several times a day, a fun and spirited show featuring music and lights takes place on the world’s largest interactive fountain featuring the Olympic rings symbol. As this is located just across the street from the Ferris Wheel, it’s a quick time killer before your ride!

A sneak peek of the fabulous fountain show!

Note: College football fans will definitely want to check out the nearby College Football Hall of Fame.

Additional details

• The park is located at: 265 Park Ave W NW.
• Hours are 7am-7pm.
• The Fountain of Rings show runs 4 times a day (12:30, 2:30, 6:30, and 9).

For foodies…

Check out Atlanta’s food scene

Atlanta is becoming one of the top foodie cities in the South. While you can find plenty of traditional Southern style fare, the city is now receiving much recognition for its’ diverse food scene which includes everything from Indian, to Ethiopian, to Japanese, to European inspired fare.

If you like Indian food, Chai Pani in Decatur is a wonderful choice. This restaurant has been the recipient of numerous awards over the years and was even a James Beard semi finalist (for Best Chef in the Southeast) last year.

I usually go for buffets, but I love the Thali special (available meat or vegetarian). A regional specialty is offered daily, and served alongside basmati rice, homestyle daal, homemade roti, raita, kachumber, and papadum. Nothing too fancy, yet the decor was pleasant enough!

For coffee lovers…

Check out the independent coffee scene

Sure Starbucks is convenient and consistent, however, there are plenty of fantastic local coffee shops which easily outdo the corporate chains, both in quality and ambiance. This city is home to a thriving independent coffee scene, with unique shops scattered throughout the metro area.

One of the most recognizable is Hodgepodge Coffee in East Atlanta. This eclectic shop is known for its’ interesting artwork. The vibe is hipsterish and trendy. Besides all the usual espresso drinks, Hodgepodge offers several creative selections.

Try the “Bless Your Heart, a Ghirardelli Caramel and French Vanilla Latte. On especially hot summer days, cool off with a “Slap Yo Pappy,” a cold brew with half and half and Ghirardelli chocolate. Update: Hodgepodge closed in 2023 after 11 years.

Here’s a guide to more local coffeehouses to consider.

Tips for a great visit

• Consider a City Pass if you intend on visiting the zoo, The Georgia Aquarium, and the World of Coca Cola. You will receive admission to all 3 of these, plus the CNN studio tour and the Fernbank Museum of Natural History or the College Football Hall of fame for just over $100 per person. It would easily cost over $100 just to visit the Zoo, Aquarium, and World of Coca Cola. You save with Citypass, plus get 2 additional attractions for free.
• I highly recommend visiting on a weekday to avoid added stress. This city (especially the downtown) is extremely busy on weekends! The zoo and aquarium can get insanely overcrowded, so much so that it is difficult to view the exhibits.
• By staying downtown, you will avoid the hassle of finding parking (on weekends, many garages are completely full). Most major attractions are conveniently within walking distance to most downtown hotels (with the exception of Zoo Atlanta). Omni Atlanta is a nice upscale choice, while Home 2 Suites is a decent budget friendly option.
• Visit the zoo as close to opening as possible. It will be less crowded, plus the weather will be a bit cooler. In a hot and humid climate, even a ten degree drop in temperature helps tremendously!
• The Georgia Aquarium tends to get insanely packed. If you want any chance of actually enjoying your visit, avoid weekend nights at all costs! It is just way too crowded to enjoy the exhibits. Plus, the wait to get through security is crazy!