9 Most Popular Things To Do In Atlanta (2024)
Exploring Atlanta on your next Georgia holiday? Well, then there’s no better idea than doing it right away. Atlanta, the largest Georgian city, is also one of the most popular urban travel destinations in the Southeast USA. The city of Atlanta is neck filled with art, culture, nature, and history and has some funky nicknames like “City in a Forest,” A visit here opens up multiple opportunities, all with respect to living some of the best Southeast experiences. Anyone who is looking for a classic American experience must-visit Atlanta at least once in their lifetime.
South’s largest city, Atlanta, boasts a number of historic landmarks, some world-class museums, a few glorifying outdoor playgrounds, and an eclectic range of activities to try. No matter what age you are or what activities interest you, there is always something in Atlanta that will keep you engaged for hours and longer. Fortunately, many of these key attractions and activities are indoors, providing handy access year-round. With that said, here are options for some of the best things to try when in Atlanta. Have a look:
9 Most Popular Things To Do In Atlanta
1. Watch A Movie Performance At The Fox Theater
When in Atlanta, watching a show at the Fox Theater is a must-to-do thing. This performance venue is an iconic landmark and was built in the 1920s as the Yaarab Temple Shrine Mosque. It’s extremely posh Arabian-themed design and history during the Great depression make it even historically important. The interior of the place, though, is majorly restored, but one can still see original elegance and heritage furniture. For watching a performance, options are quite diverse at the Fox Theater. One can enjoy anything from movies, operas, ballet, rock concerts, etc. Check out a regular schedule featuring dance performances, comedy acts, symphony orchestras, and more to find yourself a spot. However, if the shows aren’t on, you can still visit the Theater for an architectural and historical tour.
2. Dine at the SkyLounge
One of the most popular things to do in Atlanta is dining and drinking at the SkyLounge. It is a rooftop restaurant and bars sitting atop the Glenn Hotel. SkyLounge has a mix of sophistication and relaxed Southern charm with modern décor and placement. Sitting here, one can grab fantastic views of all across Atlanta Skyline and especially the SkyView Ferris wheel. Dining at the SkyLounge is best on weekdays since it is less crowded. However, during weekends, the restaurant stays extremely crowded, and thus reservations are a must. For drinks, try their signature Glenntini with a blend of infused vodka garnished with a fine cucumber slice. For sides, try their Chorizo Flatbread, Humus, and Bavarian soft Pretzels served with Pimento Beer Cheese. The best time to visit here is after 7 pm since it is when live music and glittering lightings add four moons to the experience.
3. Summit Skyride at Stone Mountain
Stone Mountain Park is a popular place to visit near Atlanta. This open playground is better for walking and hiking around, but for a unique experience, taking the Summit Skyride is always better. Summit Skyride is basically a cable car that takes individuals to the top of Stone Mountain. The Swiss cable car along the way opens a bird’s-eye view of the Memorial Carving about 825 feet above the ground. On a clear sky day, riders can enjoy the panoramic views of the Appalachian Mountains far away. Tickets for the same are $6 per person, one-way, and $10 per person, round-trip. Though since each car features only a few seats, be ready to take this short ride standing. The best part about the Summit Skyride is that the operator provides a bit of fun historical detail along the way.
4. Take A Ride At The Skyview Atlanta
If you happen to visit Atlanta any time of the year, do take a ride at the SkyView for the most glorifying experience. It is basically a 200 feet Ferris wheel located at the southern end of Centennial Olympic Park. This almost 20 stories high Ferris wheel features 42 climate-controlled + private gondolas, each of which can hold up to 6 people. A ride inside allows individuals to enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views of downtown Atlanta and the surrounding metropolitan area. While a few gondolas are slightly basic, some of the exclusive ones’ amongst them feature Ferrari-style seats, glass floor, and a longer flight time. Tickets are priced at $50 per person for exclusive VIP gondolas, whereas $13 per person for regular gondolas that give four rounds each. SkyView Atlanta is within proximity to many popular tourist attractions of the city.
5. Take A Stroll/ Walk Through Piedmont Park
Piedmont Park is an urban park in Atlanta, located 1 mile northeast of Downtown. It was originally on a private hold of Dr. Benjamin Walker, who used it as his out-of-town gentleman’s farm and residence, though today it operates as a public park. Being a central focal point of the midtown community, the Piedmont Park invites individuals to jog, run, or a leisurely walk. The trails here form a four miles loop by passing through its gently rolling meadows and shady groves. Every few steps you will find one or the other scenic spot in the park. It also features a swimming pool, gardens, sports fields, a lake with fishing piers, children’s playgrounds, an off-leash dog park, along with a splash pad for kids. On Saturdays, the park turns into a hosting ground for the Green Market, a local market that sells everything from food to goodies and raw goods.
6. Visit the College Football Hall of Fame
The College Football Hall of Fame is a 94,256-square feet attraction ideal for sports and entertainment lovers. The facility is close to the Georgia Aquarium and right adjacent to Centennial Olympic Park. It has a huge three-story-tall wall that features helmets from 775 college teams. For easily spotting one, visitors can press a button to have their favorite team’s headgear illuminated. The Quad’s helmet wall is undoubtedly one of the most impressive and attractive features of the place. Besides that, the facility has 50 engaging and interactive exhibits. It even has an indoor football field big enough for young visitors to run and play around. College Football Hall of Fame is one fine place to visit during the evening.
7. Go For A Walk At The Historic Oakland Cemetery
One of the largest cemetery green spaces, the Historic Oakland Cemetery is a must-visit in Atlanta. It was originally found in 1850 on six acres of land southeast of the city. Later it was renamed for the large number of oak and magnolia trees that grow in the area. Over the years, the cemetery became a burial ground for those who were killed during the Great American Civil war. Later in 1976, it was declared a National Historic Landmark, and individuals from Atlanta and across started visiting here for touristy fun. Today, the Historic Oakland Cemetery operates as a green space, an art gallery, an open-air classroom, and for organizing weddings. Individuals visit here to celebrate the city’s rich and fascinating past and its promising future. Membership programs, tours, picnics, and events are some of the specialties of the place.
8. Walk Through the Different Establishments of Centennial Olympic Park
Spending time in the Centennial Olympic Park is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Atlanta. The park was originally built for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games, but later it remained back and became one of the biggest open ground facilities in Atlanta. With so much to see and do, the most popular activity here is to watch those dancing fountains. Especially with those choreographed programs of water spouts and colored lights set to music, the Fountains of rings appears truly mesmerizing. The park features other popular attractions, including SkyView Atlanta Ferris wheel, CNN Studio Tours, Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights inside or nearby. It is also a hotspot for local festivals and events, including the popular ones like Christkindl Christmas Market and the Chinese Lantern Show. It is also a popular place to jog off or take a walk during the summer season.
9. Shop And Eat At The Ponce City Market
When done exploring all those popular Atlanta attractions, then visit the Ponce City Market for some excellent shopping and dining experience. In recent years, Ponce has undergone urban renewal and redevelopment and has become one of the top shopping and entertainment venues in Atlanta. It has everything from galleries to boutique shops, casual cafés to elegant fine-dining restaurants, and more. One of its popular venues is 9 Mile Park, a sleek indoor-outdoor space offering sweeping unobstructed views of Atlanta’s skylines. Another must explore Rooftop terrace, a facility meant for organizing private and corporate events. Its huge rooftop area features patio seating, event space, and an arcade-style attraction reminiscent. Spending an evening here seems like one fine romantic plan. Other notables and must-visits here include Skyline Park and the 12 Cocktail Park.
