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17 Free Things to Do in Atlanta

Visiting Atlanta on a budget? Here are fun and free things to do!

ATL has plenty of activities to offer, but for those of you looking to have fun on a budget, we’ve put together a list of fun free things to do in Atlanta GA.

Even though we’ve been moving from city to city, Atlanta is and will always be home to us. We love the community and miss Southern hospitality (if you’ve never experienced it, you must visit the South!)

17 Free Things to Do in Atlanta - Cheap Things to do in Atlanta for CouplesPin

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Last Updated: August 11, 2023

Free Things to Do in Atlanta

1. Walk Along the Atlanta Beltline

Go for a walk along one of the best urban spaces in America. There are events throughout the year, and it’s a great place to spend the afternoon soaking in the sun.

Of all the free attractions in Atlanta, we highly recommend this one to first-time visitors. If you’ve ever been to the High Line in NYC, this is Atlanta’s version.

2. See the Skyline from Jackson Street Bridge

33.760227, -84.374314, map

This is one of the most iconic views of Atlanta that you can enjoy during the day or night. Photographers love coming here to take long exposure shots with the traffic.

See More: 25 Most Instagrammable Places in Atlanta

jackson street bridge atlantaPin

3. Go on a Self-Guided Walking Dead Tour →

The Walking Dead uses many of Atlanta’s iconic spots for filming locations. We put together a guide where you can visit them on your own. You can also check out Stranger Things filming locations via the link below.

See More: 11 Best Stranger Things Filming Locations

4. Shoot the Hooch (Summer) →

You’ll need to buy a float (we have this one), but once you have your own, you can hop in the Chattahoochee and float along the calm waters anytime. Renting floaties and kayaks will cost you way more.

Local Tip: Having two cars and parking one at the exit will make it way easier. Parking is free.

See More: How to Shoot the Hooch – Everything You Need to Know

5. Hike Stone Mountain

1000 Robert E Lee Blvd, Stone Mountain, 30083, map

If you don’t buy special passes to ride the Skyride or see the laser show, you can simply pay for parking and hike up the mountain. At the top, it has pretty views of the city and all the greenery in Georgia (you’ll miss it if you ever move to the desert).

6. Piedmont Park

400 Park Dr. NE, 30306, map

This vast park has endless possibilities. Run, walk, rollerblade, picnic, play in the playgrounds, take your dog for a walk, and more! It’s a spot that locals enjoy on a nice day. Also, quite a few movies have been shot here, so see if you recognize any of the scenes.

Jacob also proposed to me here.

piedmont park engagement photosPin

7. Martin LUTHER King Jr. National Historic Site

450 Auburn Ave NE, 30312, map

Atlanta has a rich civil rights history. Head to the Sweet Auburn neighborhood and tour Martin Luther King Jr’s birth home, the 35-acre district, and Ebenezer Baptist Church.

See More: Your Complete List of 400+ National Park Destinations in the US

martin luther king housePin

8. Hike Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield State Park

900 Kennesaw Mountain Dr, Kennesaw, 30152, map

This state park has 17 miles of trails, monuments, and a museum that tells you more about the Battle of Atlanta during the Civil War. Parking is free.

kennesaw mountain trailsPin

9. Georgian Terrace Hotel

659 Peachtree St NE, 30308, map

This iconic hotel in Atlanta has been the background of many movies. The classic architecture makes it a popular photo spot (we’ve shot several weddings and portraits here).

See More: 15 Best Places to Stay in Atlanta

Georgian Terrace Hotel - an upscale Midtown Atlanta hotel dates to 1911 and was home to the 'Gone with the Wind' cast during its filming in the 1930s // localadventurer.com

10. Take a Stroll in the Oakland Cemetery

248 Oakland Ave SE, 30312, map

This historic cemetery is a beautiful place to visit and home to some of Atlanta’s most famous deceased people. It’s also a popular spot for photographers (our photography club at Georgia Tech went here on an excursion).

oakland cemetery atlantaPin

11. Cool Off at Centennial Olympic Park

265 Park Ave W NW, 30313, map

The Fountain of Rings is a popular spot to cool off during the summer. There is also free live music and events throughout the year. If you’re visiting the Coke Museum or Georgia Aquarium, it’s a short walk from there.

centennial olympic park atlanta georgiaPin

12. Historic Fourth Ward Skatepark

830 Willoughby Way NE, 30312, map

This is Atlanta’s first public skatepark. If you don’t sk8, you can watch and admire everyone else’s skills.

Historic Fourth Ward Skatepark (Plus More Free Things to Do in Atlanta) // localadventurer.com
photo: Timothy J.

13. Check out the Carter Center

453 John Lewis Freedom Pkwy NE, 30307, map

Visit the Circle of Flags, rose garden, Japanese garden, and koi pond.

carter center atlantaPin

14. Admire the Graffiti at Krog Tunnel

1 Krog St NE, 30307, map

This is one of Atlanta’s favorite photography spots because of the graffiti that covers the area. It’s a fun art stroll even if you aren’t a photographer. Also, less than a 10-minute walk away is the Krog Street Market, a repurposed industrial space full of eclectic shops and vendors.

The Krog Street Tunnel is a tunnel in Atlanta known for its street art. The tunnel links the Cabbagetown and Inman Park neighborhoods // localadventurer.com
photo: Jeff Wright

15. Ponce City Market →

675 Ponce de Leon Ave., NE, map

Once a Sears, Roebuck & Co building, Ponce City Market has taken a historic site and created an amazing community of food, shops, flats, and offices.

See More: 15 Things to Do at Ponce City Market

16. Run, Walk, or Bike the Silver Comet Trail

The Silver Comet Trail is 61 miles of running, walking, or biking trails. You can extend it an additional 33 miles with Alabama’s Chief Ladiga Trail.

silver comet trailPin

17. Dekalb Farmer’s Market

3000 E Ponce de Leon Ave, Decatur, 30030, map

Take in all the new smells and foods that you definitely don’t see at Kroger, Publix, or your regular grocery store.

Bonus: Take a Day Trip to Amicalola Falls State Park

This is not in Greater Atlanta, but it’s one of the most popular day trips from Atlanta. It has beautiful scenery, hiking trails, and Amicalola Falls is the tallest cascading waterfall in the southeast. You can climb to the top via starts and pathways. Parking is $5 (or $50 for an Annual Park Pass).

See More: 15 Best Day Trips from Atlanta GA

amicalola falls hikePin

Map of Atlanta’s Free Attractions

More Free Museums in Atlanta

  • Atlanta Monetary Museum
  • Babyland General Hospital
  • Center for Puppetry Arts (first Saturday every month) – great for the whole family
  • Childrens Museum of Atlanta (second Tuesday)
  • David J. Sencer CDC Museum
  • The Federal Reserve Bank Money Museum
  • Fernbank Science Center (not Fernbank Museum of Natural History)
  • Georgia Aquarium (on your birthday)
  • Georgia Capitol Museum
  • Kennesaw Mountain Museum
  • Heritage Park Veterans Museum in McDonough
  • High Museum of Art (second Sunday each month)
  • Historic Oakland Cemetery
  • Marietta Fire Museum
  • Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site
  • Michael C. Carlos Museum (free with Georgia Public Libraries Family Pass)
  • Museum of History and Holocaust Education
  • Roswell Fire Museum

Essential Travel Tips for Visiting Atlanta

TIPS FOR PARKING IN ATLANTA – Unless specified otherwise, there’s a 50/50 chance you will have to pay for parking in the perimeter (ITP), but it’s generally free outside the perimeter (OTP).

If you’re looking for even more options, check out our Ultimate Atlanta Bucket List.

Best Places to Stay in Atlanta

See More: 15 Best Places to Stay in Atlanta

Planning Checklist

How many of these have you done? Any other free things to do in Atlanta?

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“Discovery consists not of seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes” – M. Proust

Esther and JacobPin

Esther + Jacob

Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, one of the top 5 travel blogs in the US. They believe that adventure can be found near and far and hope to inspire others to explore locally. They explore a new city in depth every year and currently base themselves in Las Vegas.

Follow on Instagram (E + J), YouTube, TikTok, and Pinterest.

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