Whether you’re planning to visit Atlanta GA for the first time or you’ve lived here for years, there are plenty of things to do. The city is known for its modern art installations and great alternative culture. There are also many green spaces throughout the city that you can enjoy.
Piedmont Park is one of the best places to visit in Atlanta. This city park is a popular family destination. It features a large fishing lake, a basketball complex, and a playscape. It’s also home to the Atlanta Braves, the city’s baseball team.
Another must-see in Atlanta is the High Museum of Art. This arts and science facility is located in the Midtown Arts District. The museum boasts a collection of over 17,000 pieces. It also includes a theater that focuses on the Civil Rights Movement.
Another interesting attraction is the Delta Flight Museum, which is housed in two large hangars. This is the only full-motion flight simulator in the country, and the exhibits focus on the aviation industry.
The College Football Hall of Fame is also worth a visit. The 95,000-square-foot building includes 50 interactive exhibits. It’s also close to the Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca-Cola.
Oakland Cemetery is the oldest cemetery in Atlanta. Its 48 acres include headstones, sculptures, and walking trails. It was established in 1850. You can see the graves of famous people such as author Margaret Mitchell.
The Fernbank Museum of Natural History is a fun and educational place to visit. The museum covers prehistory, human history, and scientific advancement. It’s also home to dinosaur fossils and interactive exhibits.
Piedmont Park
Located on the edge of Atlanta’s Midtown, Piedmont Park is a greenspace of more than 200 acres. It’s a great place to enjoy a picnic, play tennis or swim. The park is also home to many events throughout the year. There are a variety of festivals, including Music Midtown, Atlanta Pride, and the Annual Fall Festival.
The park features an active oval that includes baseball fields, soccer, volleyball and a community swimming pool. It also has playgrounds and restrooms. You can rent a bike to explore the area. The park is also home to the Atlanta Botanical Garden. It’s best to visit early in the day.
The Atlanta Botanical Garden is home to 30 acres of beautiful gardens, with a variety of native and edible plants. It’s a popular destination for families. The garden has a large Edible Garden and a Tropical High Elevation House. It also offers a stunning canopy walk that’s 600 feet long. You’ll find whimsical sculptures and a peaceful koi pond.
Another favorite destination is the World of Coca-Cola. This museum is filled with unique experiences. There’s a pop culture gallery, cola-making stations and a taste-testing area. There’s also a 3-D theater. Unlike most museums, there’s no admission charge.
The National Civil Rights Museum is also located in Piedmont Park. The museum is a great place to learn about the history of the Civil Rights movement. There are several exhibits to explore, and visitors can listen to taunts against African-Americans.
High Museum of Art
The High Museum of Art is one of the leading art museums in the Southeast. The museum’s collection includes works from Africa, European art, and modern and decorative arts. The artwork is categorized into seven themes.
The museum also offers a wide variety of events and programs. These include art talks, art classes, and jazz concerts. The museum also holds family-friendly movement activities each week. The Atlanta Public Broadcasting Channel broadcasts tours and field trips to local schools. The High Museum of Art offers tickets to events for discounted prices.
The museum has a gift shop that sells art related items, including souvenirs from special exhibits. The shop also has a wide selection of books on art.
The building was designed by architect Richard Meier and features a number of interesting features. For example, there is a unique light system at the top of the building. The building also features a winding walking path.
The museum is also home to the Doris and Shouky Shaheen Collection, which features works by legendary artists. The collection includes works by Amedeo Modigliani and Henri Matisse. The museum also has a permanent display of European art.
The museum’s building is located in the Midtown neighborhood of Atlanta. The surrounding area is full of local restaurants, bars, and stores. The nearby Highland Bakery serves healthy food options. The Colony Square mall offers chain restaurants. The High Museum of Art is close to the Arts Center MARTA station. There is also a parking deck across the street from the museum.
World of Coca-Cola
The World of Coca-Cola is an interactive museum that showcases the history and evolution of the soft drink. The museum features exhibits on Coke’s humble beginnings, marketing campaigns, and bottling process. You can also try more than 100 Coca-Cola products from around the world in the Tasting Room.
The museum also offers a tour of the Vault of the Secret Formula, which contains the real formula for the drink. Before entering the vault, you must undergo security clearance. It’s a fun experience. Guests can watch a 3-D film about the formula and learn about the history of Coca-Cola.
In addition to the museum’s main exhibits, there is also a store that sells branded T-shirts, baseballs, and home decor. There is also a cafe that serves burgers and ice cream floats.
One of the highlights of the experience is the “Taste It!” exhibit. There are five stations scattered throughout the museum that offer more than 60 products. You can choose from several different Coca-Cola family brands, including the classic U.S. beverage and other varieties from around the globe. You can also enjoy a commemorative bottle of Coke.
The first stop on the tour is the Loft, which features tons of Coke memorabilia from all over the world. The next is the Vault of the Secret Formula, which is an interactive exhibit that provides visitors with a look at the history of the formula. It’s a good idea to wear a mask.
Atlanta Botanical Garden
Located in the city’s Midtown neighborhood, the Atlanta Botanical Garden is a great attraction for families. The garden is free to visit and it has several indoor and outdoor attractions. It also hosts events throughout the year.
The gardens feature many different themed gardens. These include the Alice’s Wonderland Re-imagined display, which has several topiaries over 16 feet tall. The Queen of Hearts, Rabbit and Cheshire cat are featured in this display. You can also enjoy a musical fountain and the observation hive of honeybees.
Another special attraction is the Kendeda Canopy Walk. This 600-foot walkway gives visitors a unique perspective of the garden’s surroundings. It connects to the main property and provides a glimpse of Storza Woods. The path features interactive displays, more than 18,000 live annuals, and a water feature.
The Rose Garden is another popular attraction. Its collection is one of the largest in the southeast. Its pond, waterfall and vine-covered lattice are all spectacular when the plants are in full bloom. The Conservatory is also a great attraction. It has a huge collection of plants from around the world.
The Fuqua Orchid Center is another great attraction. It has unique high-elevation orchids. There are brick walking paths and reflecting ponds.
There is also a special children’s garden at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. This includes an observation hive of honeybees, a vegetable garden and a splash fountain. The garden also includes specialized exhibits on nutrition and botany.
Georgia Aquarium
Founded in 2005, the Georgia Aquarium is the largest indoor aquarium in the world. It is home to more than 100,000 animals, representing over 500 species. The aquarium is a nonprofit organization that raises money for research and education. The mission of the aquarium is to preserve aquatic biodiversity worldwide.
The Georgia Aquarium is open 365 days a year. It is located in Atlanta, Georgia. It is accessible through MARTA, a public transit system. The Blue/Green and Red/Gold lines connect the Georgia Aquarium to Peachtree Center and the Civic Center MARTA Stations. The facility is also accessible by bus, Route 32.
The aquarium is located at 357 Luckie Street in northwest Atlanta. It is within a 10-minute walk from the Civic Center Station. Guests can use the free Wi-Fi.
The Georgia Aquarium offers several exhibits that are fun to see. It is home to beluga whales, a type of whale that lives in deep offshore waters. These whales communicate with growls and honks. They consume marine fishes, as well as freshwater fishes.
The Sea Lions Up Close program allows guests to participate in a sea lion encounter. There is also a Shark and Ray Interaction and Sea Otter Encounter. The aquarium is the only aquarium in the United States that houses whale sharks. They are the largest fish in the world.
The world’s largest aquarium is planning to add a $110 million dolphin exhibit in 2011. This exhibit will include a variety of encounters with dolphins. It will also feature viewing windows.
Centennial Olympic Park
Centennial Olympic Park is an urban oasis. It is one of the largest green spaces in the city and offers a variety of special events and festivals throughout the year. It also hosts the annual Fourth of July Celebration, which is Atlanta’s most impressive fireworks display.
The park features lush sections of grass, walking paths and fountains. It also has a play area and splash pad for children. Visitors can visit the park free of charge from 7 am to 7 pm daily. There is also a visitor center across the street from the park.
The park is home to several events and festivals throughout the year, including Holiday in Lights and Music@ Noon. The Music@ Noon event features live music from local artists every Tuesday through October.
Another popular attraction is the Fountain of Rings. It features a water show that consists of 251 water jets in the shape of Olympic rings. This is a fun activity for both kids and adults. It is also a great place to cool off during hot summer days.
The park also has a huge square inside the park, called Olympic Square. It is home to several Olympic projects, including a giant Ferris wheel and a fountain.
The Atlanta History Center is a large complex that includes the Atlanta History Museum, Kenan Research Center and the Centennial Olympic Games Museum. The museum has a permanent collection and several changing exhibits.
Zoo Atlanta
Located in the historic Grant Park, Zoo Atlanta is home to more than one hundred animals and over two hundred species. It is also a leading conservation organization that saves wildlife habitats through education, research and engaging experiences.
If you have young children, there are plenty of activities and events to keep them occupied throughout your visit. There is a petting zoo, climbing structure and splash zone. If you are looking for some family fun, you can participate in a scavenger hunt or visit the aviary. You can also attend a yoga class.
If you are interested in learning more about history, culture and literature, the Margaret Mitchell House is a must-see. This museum offers a historical home tour, as well as a recreation of a diner sit-in during Jim Crow laws. You will learn about the life of the author.
If you would rather see a different animal, the Asian Forest exhibit features pandas, orangutans, tanukis and Komodo dragons. In addition, the African Savanna area is home to lions, elephants, rhinos and more.
During the winter, you can receive a discount when visiting the zoo on unseasonably cold days. The zoo is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Zoo Atlanta is an excellent place to visit with your children. The zoo is located near downtown Atlanta, which is convenient for those traveling by car. You can also take the MARTA train to the zoo. Ticket prices are relatively cheap, especially compared to other zoos. You can buy your tickets in advance for a slight discount.
Fernbank Museum of Natural History
Fernbank Museum of Natural History is a wonderful place for children and adults to learn about the environment and discover fascinating new discoveries. This museum houses a variety of exhibits, such as dinosaurs, geology, and wildlife. The museum also offers unique science programs and special events. The museum also has a cafe on site that serves lunch and snacks.
The Fernbank Museum is located five miles northeast of downtown Atlanta on a beautiful, 65-acre forest. The museum includes an IMAX theatre and a permanent exhibition on Georgia’s natural history. The museum is a great day trip for the whole family.
In addition to the museum, there is a cafe and outdoor activities, including a 65-acre old-growth forest. Visitors can take a walk through the forest, hike on the paved paths, or participate in the numerous exhibits. The museum also has a planetarium.
The museum also features a children’s discovery room, which includes tree forts and climbing structures. This area is great for kids, who can also explore the fossil walls. The top floor of the museum also has a playground.
The museum is open daily from 10:00am to 5:00pm. During the evening hours, the museum is closed to all but those 21 and older. If you plan to go during the evening, you will need to purchase tickets in advance. Ticket prices for adults are $10, while tickets for children ages three to 18 are $5.
Oakland Cemetery
Originally constructed in 1850, Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta is one of the city’s oldest public parks. It has been constantly adapted to fit the needs and trends of the time.
It is the burial ground of notable people including Maynard Jackson, the first mayor of Atlanta and Alexander Stephens, vice president of the Confederate States of America. It is also home to the largest Confederate monument in the world. It is named after Maynard Jackson, who was buried in the cemetery’s original six acres.
The cemetery also includes the Austell Mausoleum, which was built in Gothic revival style. It sits atop a hill near the original six acres of the cemetery. The cost to construct the Mausoleum was estimated to be around $3 million today.
The Bell Tower building was built in 1899 and serves as the visitor center of the cemetery. It was also the former sexton’s office. Its basement served as a storage area for coffins.
The “Capturing the Spirit of Oakland” tour is a popular activity. Visitors will learn about the history of the cemetery and some of the cemetery’s more notable landmarks. The tour is offered on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
There are numerous other monuments in the cemetery, and many are noteworthy in their own right. The Bell Tower Ridge is an especially beautiful spot.
The park board approved a museum exhibit to be positioned at the site in 2023. The exhibit will provide context on the history of the world’s largest Confederate monument.
