Visiting Atlanta? Here it the ultimate bucket list to help you plan your trip.
The vision for Local Adventurer first came when we moved away from Atlanta in 2013. Jacob was born and raised in ATL, and I had lived here since high school. It’s a place we both call home, but we realized while living there we had both gotten so comfortable that we had only explored a small fraction of what the city had to offer.
The month before we left, we decided to play tourist in our own hometown and see as many of the spots we had taken for granted.
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Last Updated: September 9, 2024
The Ultimate Atlanta Bucket List (101 Things to Do in Atlanta)
We created the ultimate bucket list for LA, Vegas, San Diego, Portland, and NYC, but we’re finally getting our act together to write one out for Atlanta. I have a running list in my head, but it’s always nice to get it down on paper (or in this case on the interwebs :P). Plus, if you’re headed to Atlanta, I hope you find this helpful during your trip! You can click on the links to find full posts.
Tourist Attractions
- 1.
Atlanta Beltline
22 miles of unused railroad tracks turned bike trails and walkways that circle the core of the city’s in-town neighborhoods.
- 2.
Amazing flora and permanent Chihuly collection on display.
- 3.
Callaway Gardens
Don’t miss the Butterfly Center!
- 4.
Centennial Olympic Park
Built for the Olympic Games as part of the 1996 Summer Olympics.
- 5.
Ride the longest freestanding escalator in the world to the entrance of the studio.
- 7.
Georgian Terrace Hotel
Grab a drink or stay the night.
- 8.
Korg Street Tunnel
Known for its street art that is constantly changing. The tunnel links the Cabbagetown, Reynoldstown, and Inman Park neighborhoods.
- 9.
Learn to make a puppet here!
- 10.
Adults must be accompanied by a child, with the exception of Adult Night events.
- 11.
peachtree Dekalb Airport
Great for kids to play and watch airplanes.
- 12.
Porsche Experience Center
Drive a Porsche on a world renown race track and also see the space that serves as the Avengers HQ in Marvel films.
- 13.
Skyview Atlanta
20-story Ferris wheel w/ scenic views of downtown Atlanta.
- 14.
iFly Atlanta
Indoor skydiving inside a 175 mph vertical wind tunnel.
- 15.
Jackson Street Bridge
You’ll recognize this view as the opening scene in The Walking Dead.
- 16.
We just call it the Coke museum, and every time we go, we overdo it and feel sick from trying every Coke-brand soft drink around the world. Get tickets here.
- 17.
One of the only zoos in the United States that hosts giant pandas from China. Get tickets here.
- 18.
Six Flags over Georgia
Our favorite rollercoaster is Batman: The Ride.
- 19.
Be an Extra
Tons of movies are being shot in Atlanta now. Or just tour filming locations.
See More: 25 Best Instagram Spots in Atlanta
Museums + Memorials + Monuments
- 20.
At&t Telephone Museum
(Midtown) Reservations only. Be sure to call ahead to schedule a tour.
- 21.
Baps Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Temple
Traditional Hindu temple that will transport you to India.
- 22.
Scad Fash Museum of Fashion & Film
Various exhibits of Hollywood gowns and other designer garments made for the cinema.
- 23.
National Center for Civil and Human RIghts
Dedicated to the achievements of both the civil rights movement in the US and the broader worldwide human rights movement.
- 24.
Senior, students, and military tickets are only available at the box office.
- 25.
Children’s Museum of Atlanta
Exhibits designed for and geared toward children under the age of nine.
- 26.
Delta Flight Museum
All visitors ages 18+ need to present photo identification at the Security gate to check in.
- 27.
Ebenezer Baptist Church
(National Park Unit) MLK’s church.
- 28.
Martinis & IMAX or salsa / swing nights.
- 29.
Free admission every second Sunday of the month.
- 30.
Jimmy Carter National Historic Site, Library, and Museum
(National Park Unit) Learn about the 39th president of the United States. Free admission for kids under 16.
- 31.
The King Center
(National Park Unit) MLK related photos & artifacts, plus rooms on Gandhi & Rosa Parks.
- 32.
Apex Museum
Museum of history presented from the black perspective.
- 33.
Margaret Mitchell House
(National Park Unit) The structure was home to Gone With The Wind author.
- 34.
MLK’s Home
Visit early in the day on weekdays. Long waits on the weekend.
- 35.
Museum of Design Atlanta
(Buckhead) Only museum in the Southeast devoted exclusively to all things design.
- 36.
Michael C. Carlos Museum
Check out the Mummy Exhibit.
- 37.
Historic Oakland Cemetery
Final resting place for Bobby Jones and other famous Atlanta residents.
- 38.
Swan House + Atlanta History Center
You might recognize this from the movie, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.
- 39.
Trap House Museum and Escape Room
Hybrid art gallery and exhibits that celebrate trap museum, which originated from Atlanta.
- 40.
CDC Museum
Admission and parking are free.
- 41.
Georgia State Capitol
A National Historic Landmark, also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- 42.
The Wren’s Nest
Storytelling every Saturday 1pm.
See More: Top Free Things to Do in Atlanta
Outdoors + Urban Parks
- 43.
It’s considered one of the best climbing gyms in the US by Climbing Magazine, and their newest bouldering location just opened up in Midtown Nov 2017!
- 44.
Arabia Mountain Hike
Don’t forget to look from all the vantage points along the way, great views of the area.
- 45.
Bicycle Tours of Atlanta
Prices include bicycle, helmet, bottled water, and snacks.
- 46.
Chattahoochee Nature Center
Check out their butterfly garden.
- 47.
Historic Fourth Ward Skate Park
First public skate park in Atlanta.
- 48.
Be sure to check out the Japanese maple garden, especially in the autumn season.
- 49.
Cascade Springs Nature Preserve
Tons of shady trails, waterfalls, and streams, perfect for picnics.
- 50.
Lake Lanier
For all the water sports.
- 51.
Lullwater Park
Explore ruins of a 1920’s powerhouse/ water mill.
- 52.
Piedmont Park
Tons of outdoor activities and festivals throughout the year. Conveniently attached to the Beltline.
- 53.
(National Park Unit) Learn cultural history of Civil War where over 67,000 soldiers died in Atlanta.
- 54.
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
- 55.
Stone Mountain
Hike to the top or take the skyride.
- 57.
Westside REservoir Park / Quarry
Opening late summer 2021 – Massive green space and quarry made famous in movies and shows such as The Hunger Games, The Walking Dead, and Stranger Things.
See More: How to Shoot the Hooch
Spectate: Shows + Events
- 58.
Alliance THeatre or True Colors Theatre
See a show before it goes to Broadway.
- 59.
Threee venues that feature musical acts, comedy shows, and theatrical performances.
- 60.
Go see an Atlanta Braves games.
- 61.
Watch an Atlanta Hawks Game.
- 62.
For an Atlanta Falcons Game or Atlanta United Game.
- 63.
Atlanta’s oldest outdoor music venue.
- 64.
Catch original plays and improv shows.
- 65.
Watch a show. We saw wicked here for the first time.
- 66.
For select performances, student tickets are available for $10, plus a $2 box office fee, by showing your student ID.
- 67.
Inman Park Festival
Parade, live music, and tour some of the old Victorian homes in the neighborhood.
- 68.
Starlight Six Drive-In Theater
BYO food and a cool flea market on the weekends.
- 69.
To see up and coming music talent. We saw Muse here before they got huge.
- 70.
Watch up-and-coming talent (John Mayer was discovered here).
- 71.
Northside Tavern
Great spot for blues.
Shopping or Food Experiences
- 72.
Dekalb Farmer’s Market
Spacious grocery store, cheap, organic produce and specialty foods from around the world.
- 73.
Krog Street Market
Free parking at Lake Avenue & Krog Street and on the corner of Irwin Street and Krog Street.
- 74.
Built in the old Sears, Roebuck & Co. building, which dates back to 1926. You can do a food tour here.
- 75.
The SHops Buckhead Atlanta
World-renowned luxury brands along with today’s contemporary designer labels.
- 76.
Atlantic Station
Open air mall with several dining options and seasonal festivals.
- 77.
The quintessential special occasion dinner spot.
- 78.
(Decatur Square) Great beer selection and pub food.
- 79.
The original location.
- 80.
Authentic German cuisine prepared in true German tradition and over a dozen draft beers.
- 81.
Very popular southern BBQ with Asian flare. Standing room only.
- 82.
The best burgers in Atlanta.
- 83.
Multiple locations, handmade popsicles. Inman Park walk up window serves doggy ice cream.
- 84.
Chic spot serving single-origin coffee drinks, craft beer & wine.
- 85.
Southern fried enthusiasts in Atlanta voted their fried chicken as the best in the city.
- 86.
Won the James Beard award for Best Chef SE 2017.
- 87.
Classic brewery that’s a local fave.
- 88.
Craft beers, pub fare, bocce, shuffleboard, darts, and pool tables.
- 89.
Drinks, lawn games, views of the Atlanta skyline.
- 90.
(Old Fourth Ward) Bon Appetit’s best new restaurant in 2016.
- 91.
Super touristy, but the views are nice. You can skip dinner and opt for drinks.
- 92.
Sweet Auburn Curb Market
Historic artisinal market circa 1918.
- 93.
Brewery Tour
Tasting at Monday Night Brewing, Scofflaw Brewing, & Sweetwater Brewery.
- 94.
Cider made in-house for an orchard to glass experience.
- 95.
Not the best fast food but very iconic.
- 96.
Opened 24/7/365. We recommend All Star Special.
See More: 49 Best Places to Eat in Atlanta GA
Day Trips
- 97.
Dahlonega
(65 mi / 1 hr 30 min away) Famous for the discovery of gold in 1828.
- 98.
Amicalola Falls State Park
(71 mi / 1 hr 30 min away) 729-foot waterfall that is the highest in Georgia.
- 99.
Callaway Gardens
(80 mi / 1 hr 20 min away) Be sure to check out their butterfly garden.
- 100.
Toccoa Falls
(93 mi / 1 hr 40 min away) Easy hike, magnificent waterfall.
- 101.
Tallulah Falls Hike
(96 mi away) Pets are not allowed on the gorge floor, sliding rock trail, and Hurricane Falls staircase to the suspension bridge. Leashed pets are welcome on rim trails.
See More: 15 Best Day Trips from Atlanta
Seasonal or Special Events
Atlanta Film Festival
(late April/ early May) USA Today’s top ten film festivals 2020.
Atlanta Dogwood Festival
(mid April) Fine Artist Market that includes sculpture, paintings, pottery, jewelry, photography in Piedmont Park.
Sweetwater 420 Fest
(late April) Live performances, local brews, all in Centennial Olympic Park.
Inman Park Festival
(late April) Arts & crafts, street market, and more.
Decatur Arts Festival
(late May) Kids activities, artist market, live music.
Atlanta Jazz Festival
(late May) Weekend of jazz culture and performances in Piedmont Park.
Atlanta Food & Wine
(mid Fall) Celebrate food & beverage traditions of the South and other regions.
(early June) Artisan craft market, local foods, and more.
Atlanta Summer Beef Fest
(mid June) 200+ beers, live music in Historic 4th Ward Park
Peachtree Road Race
(July 4th) The largest 10k in the world.
(late July) Beat the heat with dozens of ice cream vendors and fun activities.
Dragon Con
(late Aug – early Sep) Largest multi-genre and pop culture convention in the South.
Music Midtown
(mid Sep) Weekend of great music and well known headliners in Piedmont Park.
One Musicfest
(early Sep) Southeast’s largest 2-day, urban progressive music festival.
Taste of Atlanta
(Oct) 3-day food festival with local cuisine and drinks.
101 Things to Do in Atlanta City Map
Essential Tips for First Time Visitors to Atlanta
- How to Save on Atlanta Attractions – If you’re planning on going to a few of Atlanta’s popular attractions, don’t forget to pick up a CityPASS. We did it before we moved and saved a lot of money.
- Best Way to Get Around -Atlanta is a sprawling city, and public transportation is not convenient, so a car is a must. If you’re looking for a Rental Car, check here.
Best Places to Stay in Atlanta
See More: 15 Best Places to Stay in Atlanta
Planning Checklist
- Get comprehensive insurance for your trip.
- Download these helpful language apps.
- Find a great deal on Atlanta hotels.
- Arrange a rental car for your trip.
- Book a tour for your visit.
- Get airport lounge access.
- Buy a travel charger to keep your devices charged.
- Get a new backpack for your trip.
- Buy a Georgia travel guide.
- Pack the appropriate shoes for your trip.
- Don’t forget your in-flight essentials.
- Save money on attractions with CityPASS.
Anything else I’m missing? Have you been to Atlanta? How many of these have you been to? What’s next on your list?
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SEE More CITY Bucket Lists
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“Discovery consists not of seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes” – M. Proust
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.
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