The South's so-called capital isn't nicknamed Hotlanta for nothing, y'all. Charismatic and lush, Atlanta is a feverish, easy-on-the-eyes cavalcade of culture, cuisine and Southern hospitality. Here are some of the best things to do in Atlanta.
Dive into Atlanta's tasty food scene
Atlanta's once-stuffy culinary scene has evolved over the last decade into one of the most vibrant and dynamic dining scenes in the Southeast, if not the nation.
You can nosh on bountiful, filling fare around Atlanta's Southern-fried cafes or go-for-broke at many New Southern and New American foodie darlings or at trendy and upscale options – filling your belly in Atlanta ain't no joke. Top chefs like Ford Fry, Anne Quatrano, Kevin Gillespie, Kevin Rathbun and Hugh Acheson are just a few of the city's most creative cooks.
Experience the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Park
The Civil Rights movement owes a great debt to the actions of various martyrs, communities and political actions throughout the American South, but almost no aspect of the movement can be mentioned without including Atlanta and the city's most famous son, Martin Luther King, Jr.
The power of walking in the steps of this Baptist preacher turned international Civil Rights icon at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Park cannot be overstated.
Visit the High Museum of Art
As the most acclaimed museum in the Southeast, the High Museum of Art was the first to exhibit art lent from Paris' Louvre and is a destination as much for its architecture as its world-class exhibits.
The striking, bright-white art repository, with its curved ramps and monumental swooping three-story glass atrium that shelters natural light like a precious resource, is a Midtown icon. Its reflective white enamel facade stands in stark contrast to the surrounding skyscrapers and greenery. It earned its designer, Richard Meier, the 1984 Pritzker Prize.
The best time to visit Atlanta
Sleep at a historic bed & breakfast
Atlanta's neighborhoods hide a gorgeous lineup of historic Queen Anne Victorian architecture and a few of them have been converted into stunning B&Bs, mostly in the city's East Side in trendy neighborhoods such as Inman Park and Virginia-Highland.
When it comes to deciding between a cookie-cutter chain hotel in Downtown or Midtown or a stunning bed and breakfast loaded with Southern hospitality like at the Social Goat B&B or Sugar Magnolia B&B, the choice is a no brainer, ya hear? Sleep tight.
Bike or walk along the Atlanta BeltLine
Strolling or biking Atlanta BeltLine's Eastside Trail, part of the city's largest greenway and the most comprehensive transportation and economic development effort ever undertaken in Atlanta, makes for a perfect outing.
Connecting Piedmont Park in Midtown with the hip and happening neighborhood of Inman Park, this 3-mile section of the multi-use trail links big attractions such as the Atlanta Botanical Garden with some of the city's hottest bars, breweries, restaurants, markets and urban parks.
The five best parks in Atlanta
Cheer on the Braves at Truist Park
The Atlanta Braves moved into this new, 41,149-capacity stadium 10 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta in Cobb County in 2017. It was part of a $1.1-billion entertainment complex known as the Battery. The MLB season runs from late March to early October, meaning there's always time for some peanuts and crackerjack as you root for the home team.
The Braves beat the Houston Astros to win the World Series in 2021.
Lounge at Piedmont Park
Piedmont Park, Atlanta's largest green space, is a pristine, 185-acre urban oasis in the middle of Midtown that has it all, from history (Atlanta's first professional baseball team played in the park from 1902–04) to numerous music and cultural festivals to bars, breweries and big-ticket attractions such as the Atlanta Botanical Garden. But it works just as well as a place to picnic, go for a run or bike ride or tuck away under a tree for an afternoon nap.
Take in a game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
The sustainably bent and architecturally wowing Mercedes-Benz Stadium easily ranks as the coolest sports stadium in North America. The $1.6 billion multipurpose, eight-petal retractable roof stadium is home to the Atlanta Falcons as well as the Major League Soccer team – Atlanta United FC.
Even if you don't manage to catch a game, it's worth popping into the latest addition to the city's skyline – organized tours visit the locker rooms and field, among other behind-the-scenes locations.
Spend a day in Centennial Olympic Park
Hopping from museum to museum around the big attraction-concentrated Olympic legacy Centennial Olympic Park makes for a near-effortless big day out. You can drink yourself silly on international sodas inside the World of Coca-Cola, get a history lesson inside the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, root for your favorite college football team while romping through the Chick-Fil-A College Football Hall of Fame or ogle the penguins inside the impressive Georgia Aquarium – without even breaking a sweat!
Best free things to do in Atlanta
Go wild at Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve
Smack in the middle of the city (well, OK – out in Decatur, but you get the idea), you'll find this 28-acre nature preserve, home of beavers, foxes, box turtles, red-spotted newts, coyotes and veritable clouds of birds. It's a welcome slice of wilderness in the heart of an enormous urban area.
Enjoy Atlanta's drink scene
Traditionally Atlanta has lagged behind more brew-friendly Southern cities like Asheville, Nashville or Memphis due to legislation that prevented on-site beer sales at breweries.
With that law in the rearview mirror as of 2017, Atlanta is poised to become the South's next best beer city, led by one of the most iconic names in American brewing, Mitch Steele, at New Realm Brewing Co. In other Atlanta drinking news, craft cocktails form the foundation of the city's lively bar scene, which fuels nocturnal madness in hot neighborhoods from Decatur to Buckhead.
Play at the Center for Puppetry Arts
A wonderland for visitors of all ages and hands down one of Atlanta's most unique attractions, the museum – expanded in 2015 – houses a treasury of puppets, some of which you get to operate yourself. A major addition is the Worlds of Puppetry Museum, housing the most comprehensive collection of Jim Henson puppets and artifacts in the world.
Spend a night out at the Apache
An eclectic performance-art venue for hip-hop, spoken-word poetry and soul artists on the rise, this is a must-stop for those looking to dive into Atlanta's diverse Black music scene. Make sure to come with an empty stomach because the cool spot also serves up tasty Southern cuisine.
Have lunch at the Ponce City Market
A mixed-use complex housed inside the historic former Sears, Roebuck and Co headquarters in Atlanta, the largest brick structure in the Southeast. More than 30 food vendors occupy this food hall, ranging from candy sellers to Holeman & Finch (Atlanta's best burger), At the Tap (56 taps of craft beer), Spiller Park Coffee, Five Daughters Bakery and a Mediterranean market.
Atlanta is on our 2022 Best of Travel list. For more stories from some of the world’s most exciting destinations click here.
Safety recommendations and restrictions during a pandemic can change rapidly. Lonely Planet recommends that travelers always check with local authorities for up-to-date guidance before traveling during Covid-19.
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