The Top 10 Things to Do in Atlanta, GA
#10 - World of Coca-Cola
Sample cokes from all around the world and find out the secrets to the Coca-Cola recipe at this unique museum. We all know and love the refreshing taste of an ice cold Coca-Cola, but here you get to learn all about its history and influence on pop culture. Admission to this museum is included on the Atlanta City Pass and it is conveniently located in the downtown Centennial Park District next to the Aquarium, College Football Hall of Fame, and the Mercedes-Benz Football Stadium. Suitable for all ages, this museum boasts an artifacts exhibit, a Bottle Works exhibit, an informational theater, the secret vault exhibit, and photo opportunities with the Coca-Cola Polar Bear. We especially enjoyed the iconic pop culture art and giant coke bottles throughout the museum. End your tour with an amazing tasting experience, sampling cokes from many different countries all over the world! If you dare, sample the Italian drink “Beverly” (spoiler: it’s disgusting). We highly recommend this as a stop on your trip! There is paid parking available, but if you don’t have a car with you, walk, ride a bike, or rideshare. You will be able to spend the entire day just in this area.
#9 -
Atlanta Botanical Garden
Step away from the city and get inspired by nature at this spectacular 30-acre garden. The beautiful oasis has continued to grow and evolve since opening its doors in 1976. New and revolving displays make each visit a unique and enchanting experience. Along with the numerous showcases of gorgeous plant life, you can also enjoy the wonderful art on display as you stroll through the garden. Spot a rare collection of blooms in the Fuqua Orchid Center or go for a walk beneath the shaded canopy as you take in the gorgeous waterscapes around you. Great for all ages, the garden also includes a Children’s Garden and Edible Garden to add to the fun. Tours are available, but we took in the beauty with a peaceful walk by ourselves. This attraction is also included on the CityPass. If you are staying in Atlanta for a few days, this pass was definitely worth it! We were very pleased with this unplanned stop and will definitely revisit!
#8 -
Chick-Fil-A College Football Hall of Fame
While we’ll admit we’re not the biggest college football fans, this is such a fun place! Not only do they have a TON of memorabilia from colleges all around the country, they have an indoor playing field with all sorts of athletic challenges. We attempted field goals, diving catches, and more! Had it not been included on the Atlanta City Pass, we probably wouldn’t have visited, but it turned out to be one of the most memorable parts of our trip! It is very conveniently located in the downtown Centennial Park District next to the World of Coca-Cola, Georgia Aquarium, and Mercedes-Benz Football Stadium. Great fun for everyone!
#7 -
Truist Park
Big baseball fans here, so naturally we had to visit this stadium a few times on our trip. A little far out of Downtown Atlanta near the museums, but a beautiful park and area! We happened to stay in a hotel close by and could easily walk over the bridge and right into the stadium. The area around the stadium also hosts a number of restaurants and bars for pre or post game activities. Take in the glory of the game while cheering on with the Chick-Fil-A Cow and experiencing a stadium full of fans doing the Tomahawk Chop. While visiting, you can even take a tour of the stadium and learn more about the organization’s history and transformation over time. Located in the main concourse behind home plate, their Monument Garden is a great place full of information presented in a fun and elegant way.
#6 -
Georgia Aquarium
Dive into some fun at one of the largest aquariums in the western hemisphere! With thousands of animals, hundreds of species, and 7 galleries of learning and excitement, everyone is sure to see something they like. Check out tortoises and sea stars in the Aquanaut Adventures Exhibit or get splashed over at Dolphin Coast. You can even visit the Cold Water Quest to see penguins, sea otters, and beluga whales! The aquarium is great for all ages, especially kids, incorporating touch pools, crawl tunnel viewing windows, STEM based learning opportunities, and alligator viewing right under your toes! Don’t forget to visit its largest exhibit, the Ocean Voyager. Filled with over 6 million gallons of water, this 100 foot tunnel showcases over 50 species of marine life. Even better? This attraction is included on the discounted CityPass and is situated next to the other museums listed on this page. Wave to the California sea lions at the SunTrust Pier 225 experience and enjoy your visit!
#5 - The Varsity
Hungry from all that museum walking? Make this iconic food joint a stop at any time of the day! Much like the In and Out craze that all Californians know and love, The Varsity offers burgers, fries, and shakes to satisfy those taste buds. In addition, they serve up chili dogs, sandwiches, salads, grilled cheese, and desserts. Don’t leave without trying the frosted orange shake! Dine inside or at the drive-in carhop as you take in the history and fun-filled lingo of this family-owned restaurant that has been in existence since 1928. Check out all of the famous people who have visited and of course you can go home with some merch! While they might not serve 5 star gourmet cuisine, it’s still a lot of fun. The only question left is-”What’ll ya have?”
#4 - CNN Studio Tours
Take a Behind-the-Scenes Tour of the world’s largest news organization! Also included on the CityPass and in close proximity to the other attractions mentioned on this list, it allows you to see inside the great CNN Center where all the action happens. The tour lasts about 50 minutes and goes over the history of how it all started and where they are now. A tour guide will walk you through the center and give you an in-depth look into how the global news is broadcast. They will show you how special effects are added and give you exclusive peeks into the newsroom. You might even get your own chance in front of a green screen. Bonus-Grab a snack or souvenir in the food court and gift shops that reside in the heart of the building. Sidenote-There are also VIP tours available, but we took the basic tour and it was great! Overall, it was a fun and informative addition to our trip!
#3 -
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park
This area is actually several different historical buildings spanning over 30 acres. You can visit Martin Luther King, Jr.’s boyhood home and the Ebenezer church where he was baptized and later gave sermons. You can also see the ”I Have a Dream” World Peace Rose Garden to pay a moment of tribute to the great civil rights leader. Other notable things to see include the Behold Monument, Fire Station No. 6, Freedom Hall, The International Civil Rights Walk of Fame, the Ghandi Statue, and several murals throughout the park. Top it off with a visit to the King Center, which is Martin Luther King, Jr’s final resting place. It is free to enter the park area and audio tours are available.
#2 -
Centennial Olympic Park
This centrally located 22-acre park was originally created for the 1996 Olympic games. It boasts a colorful Olympic Rings Sculpture and Fountain of Rings in salute to the hosting honor. It consists of an amphitheater that hosts several events including concerts, shows, holiday events, and fireworks displays. It is a beautiful place to take a stroll or visit one of its many museums. These include the World of Coca-Cola, the Georgia Aquarium, the College Football Hall of Fame, CNN Center, Center for Civil and Human Rights, and the Children’s Museum. Check out our entire Atlanta list for information on these attractions! It is a safe and walkable park, close to several restaurants and hotels. It is also home to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the SkyView Atlanta Ferris Wheel. A must visit when in Atlanta!
#1 -
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Opened in August 2017 and home to the Atlanta Falcons, this colossal stadium spared no expense. With more electronic displays than any stadium in the world, the Mega Column, luxury clubs and suites, the Halo Board, and the gorgeous Art Collection, this stadium is a beauty. With fans in mind, they created more space, restrooms, discounted food pricing, and wifi for all. You can also enjoy the 100 Yard Club concourse, AT&T Perch, and the Budweiser Biergarten while taking in a game. Taking place of the former Georgia Dome, they have created The Home Depot Backyard, which meets all of your tailgating needs. It is also the first stadium to include ApplePay and a more efficient entry experience. The can’t be missed feature of the stadium is its amazing retractable roof that is a work of art in itself. Stadium tours are available and it is located in Centennial Olympic Park (see this on our list) near many downtown hotels. In addition to the Falcons, they also host college football, soccer, concerts, and more!
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