Atlanta Georgia’s Most Amazing Experiences
Everyday is an opening day in Atlanta. Like other Southern cities, it goes by many nicknames. The big peach. A-Town. Hotlanta. Dogwood City. Empire City of the south. Upon arriving at ATL’s gigantic airport, you’ll feel the bustling nature of this energetic city. There’s a huge diversity of cuisines, world class attractions, and historical sights to enjoy scattered throughout each neighborhood. Here’s our top 8 best things to do in Atlanta and what you can expect from your first visit.
The Vibe of Atlanta
There’s always something going on in Atlanta. The sprawled out attractions create pockets of activity with trendy bars and restaurants between quieter suburban areas. Atlanta’s role during the Civil War and Civil rights Movement is on display at many of the historical sites around the city. Located downtown, Centennial Olympic Park contains many of Georgia’s iconic highlights including one of the world’s largest aquariums and the birthplace of the world’s most successful beverage. The other museums are just a short ride away from the center of downtown. Fortunately it is a relatively affordable city, comparatively speaking. Spending 3 to 4 days should be enough to appreciate the main sights.
Where to Stay in Atlanta
Atlanta is filled with a mix of trendy neighborhoods and business districts. Downtown contains many of the largest attractions within walking distance and is extremely affordable. Midtown has lots of museums, cultural spots, and a diversity of restaurants but is a bit more upscale. Buckhead is another up and coming area that is a bit more luxurious but is full of exciting nightlife.
Transportation in Atlanta
Many of the iconic sights in Atlanta are grouped within certain areas. Staying downtown will be great for walking between iconic monuments. Fortunately the subway system is useful, cheap, and even transits directly to the airport. However, be warned that you may see lots of homeless people and hustlers. Ridesharing apps like Uber are fairly priced and also make for a good option for getting around. Most streets are lined with an abundance of electric scooters which could be the most fun transportation method.
Top 8 Best Things to do in Atlanta, GA
8. Stone Mountain Park
Located about 30mins from downtown, Stone Mountain is great for those who love being surrounded by nature. The gargantuan rockface is carved with Civil War generals. Along with breathtaking trails, there are many attractions to enjoy such as museums, a cable car, and more! There’s also an impressive laser show on the mountain’s face after dark. Purchase tickets for a private tour with transportation here.
7. Atlanta Food Scene
Despite Georgia’s lack of a signature meal, the Atlanta food scene is a culinary utopia. Of course, you can find great Peaches, peanuts, pimiento cheese, and peach cobbler in abundance. But the cultural cuisines you’ll find are genuinely delicious. Head to Buford Highway or Ponce City Market for a delicious diversity of international dishes. Mary Mac’s Tea Room is a great choice for outstanding Southern comfort food like shrimp & grits. There’s also a ton of amazing choices for fried chicken including the famous Ludacris Chicken & Beer restaurant at Gate D5 in the airport. Any other type of meal imaginable can be found in excellent quality in this city.
6. Centennial Olympic Park
Centennial Olympic Park is located in the heart of downtown Atlanta and is surrounded by the city’s most iconic attractions. This huge 22-acre park was created in 1996 and is a homage for the Olympic games. Unfortunately, the park is currently closed until further notice, but the perimeter can still be enjoyed. For great views of the skyline, try the SkyView Atlanta Ferris wheel nearby.
5. High Museum of Art
Located in Midtown’s art district is the High Museum of Art, where you can find an eclectic collection on display. The institution takes “high” to a literal level as you climb the elevated walk ways to exhibits on the top floors. It is pretty huge so I would recommend spending at least a couple of hours here. To skip the long line, purchase your tickets ahead of time online.
4. Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Park
Atlanta’s influence on the Civil Rights Movement is preserved at the Martin Luther King Jr National Historic Park. With Atlanta as the birthplace for this legendary leader, there are many sites here dedicated to MLK. His birth home along with his final resting place can both be visited within a few minutes walking distance. In front of the tomb is a blazing eternal flame that signifies the inextinguishable vision in pursuit of his ideals. It is free to enter so make some time to pay respects.
3. Ponce City Market
This former warehouse was developed into a versatile hangout spot with a diverse food hall, shops, office spaces, and even a rooftop amusement park! You can try foods from each corner of the world like ramen, Puerto Rican mofongo, Sushi, oysters, Chinese dumplings, Indian chicken and more. There’s lots of tasty desserts as well, including the famous popsicles at King of Pops. Pay the fee to the rooftop entrance and you can enjoy loads of games and activities with a nice view. I recommend heading there early to take full advantage of all the stores and restaurants.
2. World of Coca Cola
Despite being an anti-soda drinker, The World of Coca Cola museum is a must see in Atlanta. The complex uncovers over a century of the most iconic beverage’s history with fun interactive exhibits. Before purchasing a ticket, I HIGHLY recommend getting the Atlanta CityPass. You’ll gain access to the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca Cola, and the Zoo Atlanta along with your choice of 2 more attractions between Fernbank Museum of Natural History, College Football Hall of Fame, or National Center for Civil & Human Rights. If you plan on visiting a few of these museums, this pass can provide tremendous value.
1. Georgia Aquarium
Georgia Aquarium is the largest aquarium in the world, contains more than 100 different species, thousands of unique animals, and holds over 11 million gallons of water! There’s not many places in the world where majestic creatures are put on such an extravagant display. It is the only place (outside of China) to house 2 whale sharks which instantly makes the high entry price worth it. For an experience of a life time you can even snorkel with them! Cage diving or swimming with the sharks and gentle giants books extremely quickly, so expect to schedule it months in advance to secure a slot. The only downsides are an expensive ticket, and a separate price for both the aquarium admission and edited footage of the swim. But floating within inches of these massive behemoths is a priceless memory you’ll never forget.
Here’s our 48hrs in Atlanta travel vlog, including clip of out shark diving experience and more!
Here’s our entire whale shark diving experience!
