Are you planning a trip to Atlanta? I have lived here for my whole life, and still feel like there is so much that I haven't seen/done. Sometimes I forget that people travel to my home, and I can easily make a day trip (or more) out of some of these areas. This city is growing faster than ever, which means that more events, good food... but also traffic.. are making their way here! Even though Atlanta is the area that people know most, I've included things within an hour or two from the city as well! I didn't even list close to half of things to do, but I have broken this list down into Shopping and Activities/Tourist attractions! Most of these are great for the whole family. I'll be doing a separate post on just ATL food! If you are looking for a package deal for the super touristy spots (also listed below), the Atlanta City Pass offers a good deal.
Shopping/Trendy areas
*all these areas have cute events fairly often, also!
- Ponce City Market (my FAV, so many cute shops, food places etc.)
- The Beltline (not shopping, but trendy spot for biking. You can bike/walk from Ponce City Market to Krog Street)
- Krog Street
- Atlantic Station (and there is a Christmas market here during the winter!)
- Decatur Square
- The Avalon
- The Collection/ The Avenue
- The Forum
- Duluth Town Center
- Suwanee Town Center
- Lenox Mall
Activities/Tourist Attractions (by price range)
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- Tubing in Helen, Georgia "Shoot the Hooch." So much fun! It's about $10 for Cool River Tubing, and there is a bus to drop you off at the starting location at the end.
- Fruit picking- locations vary across Georgia (seasonal- berries, apples, peaches, pumpkins, etc.)
- Anderson's Sunflower Farm (seasonal)
- Red Oak Lavender Farm (seasonal)
- Hiking in North Georgia- there are so many scenic places to hike, my favorites are Amicalola Falls and Tallulah Gorge, especially in the Fall
- Kayaking or white water rafting at the Chattahoochee River
- Picnic at Piedmont Park
- Jackson Street Bridge (it's so pretty at sunset, and you get a view of the city)
- Historic Fourth Ward park
- Stone Mountain- you can hike to the top of the mountain or do the fun activities offered throughout the area. My family and I used to picnic there and watch the laser show after sunset.
- The Bamboo Forest
- The High Museum of Art
- Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA)
- Dekalb Farmers Market
- Wholefoods Midtown Atlanta- seems weird that I put it in the "activites" section, but there's a trendy rooftop with food and games!
- Georgia State Fair
- Goat Farm Arts Center (has been a filming location for The Walking Dead and The Hunger Games)
- Centennial Park (this park is currently closed due to the pandemic, but I included it here because I really hope they will open it back soon!)
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- Atlanta Botanical Garden (right now they have an Alice in Wonderland theme!)
- Atlanta Zoo
- Fernbank Museum of Natural History (this is fun for the whole family, but they also have themed date nights sometimes!)
- Georgia Aquarium
- Gibb Garden
- National Center for Civil and Human Rights
- Six Flags over Georgia- a fun amusement park with lots of roller coasters and other rides for you and the family!
- Six Flags White Water (my fav childhood water park)
- Sky View Atlanta- ferris wheel overlooking the city
- The Coca-Cola Factory- my favorite part is the end where you can sample all the Coca-Cola products from around the world!
- The CNN Center
- The Painted Duck- bowling and fun games (age restriction after 5 pm)
- The Painted Pin- bowling and fun games (age restriction after 5 pm)
- Topgolf (super fun golf place with food and drinks)
- Punch Bowl Social- has all sorts of fun games and activities (age limit after 10 pm)
- Revery VR Bar (21+ only)
- Visit a brewery (New Realm Brewing)
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-Atlanta festivals (Music Midtown etc.) there are always fun events during the summers like concerts, food trucks, and events like ice cream festivals and grilled cheese festivals! Right now everything is on hold due to COVID-19, but I'm sure they'll be back!
- Chateau Elan Winery Resort
- Cooking class at Sur La Table
- Rent a cabin in Elijay, GA
- Watch a show at the Fox Theatre
- Watch a game at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium
- Watch a concert at the Tabernacle
If you have any other places you love in Atlanta, let me know!