Things to do in Atlanta for self travelers
Enjoy self-guided audio tours with included attraction tickets in one appTop sights in Atlanta
All self-guided activities
Start your day in Atlanta and end up in the African Savanna. Meet stomping elephants and lanky giraffes. Say *Hakuna Matata* to warthogs and meerkats, just don't be offended if they don't burst into song! The zoo is home to one of North America's largest populations of great apes. See the most mysterious of them in action at the orangutan complex. Did you know the name orangutan comes from _Orang Hutan_, which means 'Person of the Forest'? Well, you do now. And you'll learn lots more fun facts about our animal friends at Zoo Atlanta! Keep things chill like the Aldabra tortoises - the second-largest species of tortoise in the world. There are monkeys, pandas, otters, and more weird looking birds and reptiles than you'd find in Jurassic Park.
_Pop_ into Atlanta's World of Coca-Cola for a culture trip with movies, photos with the famous Coca-Cola Polar Bear, as well as over a thousand artifacts related to Coca-Cola history. Take an immersive multimedia journey in the 'Vault of the Secret Formula'. At World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta, taste more than 100 international and domestic beverages made by the company. Enjoy each refreshing sip! Take the excitement and memory of Coca-Cola home with you, too. The Coca-Cola Store Atlanta offers all kinds of merchandise, including clothes, accessories, and one-of-a-kind items – many of which are unique to the store. This is a Coke fan's ultimate dream.
There's more aquatic life in the Georgia Aquarium than you'll find in any other aquarium! With these Georgia Aquarium tickets, you can see sharks, beluga whales, and octopi, meet river animals like alligators, otters and tree boas, and walk through a 100-foot underwater viewing tunnel surrounded by sharks, manta rays and sea turtles at the Ocean Voyager Gallery. Speaking of sharks, Georgia Aquarium's gallery: *Sharks! Predators of the Deep,* is one of the largest shark exhibits in North America. Home to several well-known species of aquatic apex predators, this exciting new experience brings you face-to-face with the most misunderstood creatures in the sea and explores their vital role in sustaining marine ecosystems.
Explore. Indulge. Play. Sloomoo immerses you in a transformative world of touch, sound, scent, and sight. A mix of science and magic, the space is full of compounds from slime to kinetic sand to new innovations that entertain, soothe and surprise. Think otherworldly CGI videos, kaleidoscopic glow-in-the-dark moments, a 150-foot DIY bar to design your own slime (there are 4,320,000 unique combinations), and more. Every element of the experience was created to awaken your spirit with creative fun. It is best to wear comfortable, casual clothes (you may get messy, so this is not an environment for your best threads. Shirts with sleeves that easily roll up are key).
Enter a universe of playful creativity at Atlanta's LEGO® Discovery Center, an ultimate LEGO playground promising a day of creative adventures built from a staggering two million bricks. Spark your imagination by crafting an impressive space rocket in the LEGO Spaceship Build & Scan experience, and marvel as it ascends into the digital cosmos. Take a tour of MINILAND, brimming with stunning LEGO masterpieces. Flex your creative prowess in workshops, sculpt your own colorful creations in the Build Adventures area, or go for a thrill on the Kingdom Quest ride. Little ones can play to their heart's content at the DUPLO® Park, meet their favorite LEGO® characters, and go on a visual adventure at the 4D cinema.
Plunge into the vibrant history and culture of Atlanta with this self-guided audio tour around Centennial Olympic Park and Pemberton Place. This journey is tailored for history buffs and cultural enthusiasts eager to wander through the chapters of Atlanta's age-old stories and modern-day marvels, all at their own pace. The audio guide leads from the symbolic Olympic Rings, where the tour begins, to the appetizing narrative of Waffle House, where it concludes. Along the route, you'll traverse the Quilt of Nations, admire the Androgyne Planet sculpture, and pay homage at the Paralympic Games Monument. Begin at Centennial Olympic Park's gateway – the Olympic Rings sculptural fountain – and culminate your experience with a peek into an iconic Atlanta diner's past. On this fascinating trail, expect to stand amongst the echoes of Olympic heroes, encounter tributes to civil rights giants, and uncover the roots of Coca-Cola. You'll explore where history was etched into the city's heart and learn stories that continue to shape Atlanta today.
Embark on a captivating stroll through Atlanta's Sweet Auburn, an area that buzzed with the profound energy of the Civil Rights Movement. This in-app audio tour is tailored for history enthusiasts and cultural explorers, aiming to connect with the past in a way that truly resonates. Journey down the same paths civil rights icons walked, and observe the landmarks where pivotal moments unfolded. The tour kicks off outside the Atlanta Breakfast Club and unwinds through the neighborhood's avenues, concluding at the historical site of Madame CJ Walker's original beauty salon. Along the route, key sites such as Martin Luther King Jr.'s birth home, Ebenezer Baptist Church, and The King Center enrich the understanding of the struggles and triumphs that took place here. As you delve into the stories behind the Wheat Street Baptist Church, Historic Fire Station No. 6, and the John Lewis Mural, unveil a deeper connection to Atlanta's heart and soul. Completing the tour, you'll not only have witnessed the power of murals and statues that capture the essence of Sweet Auburn but also have gained an intimate glimpse into a neighborhood that played a significant role in shaping American history.
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About Atlanta
The must-see attractions in Atlanta for a first visit are:
The best walking tours to do in Atlanta are:
The best tours to do in Atlanta with kids are:
Insider tips for visiting Atlanta
ListenUp Audio is a local guide who has been publishing tours since 2022 for your discovery of hidden gems and local specialities of Atlanta on their personal guide page (view profile). Explore their expert tips planning trip to Atlanta.
When I’m in Atlanta and want something beyond the big-name sights, I head to Oakland Cemetery at golden hour—the Victorian gardens, skyline views, and quiet paths feel like a secret in the middle of Atlanta. For lesser-known attractions in Atlanta, I also recommend the Krog Street Tunnel, where the graffiti changes constantly, then walking over to the tiny galleries and food stalls nearby. If friends ask me what to see in Atlanta, I send them to the Jackson Street Bridge at sunrise for the best city view. Even people booking tours in Atlanta often miss the Swan House gardens on a weekday morning.
I usually recommend late March through early May or mid-October through early November. In spring, Atlanta’s dogwoods and azaleas light up neighborhoods like Inman Park and Druid Hills, and patio weather is actually pleasant before the humidity settles in. Fall is my other favorite time to visit Atlanta, especially when the BeltLine is busy but not packed and evenings stay crisp enough for rooftop drinks. In any travel guide Atlanta locals would trust, summer comes with thick heat and afternoon storms, while winter is quieter and cheaper. If you want comfortable weather for things to do in Atlanta, those spring and fall windows are the sweet spot.
When I visit Atlanta for eating, I usually split my time between Buford Highway, Decatur, and the West End. If you want the most memorable meals when you visit Atlanta, Buford Highway is where I go for late-night tacos, regional Chinese spots, and no-frills Vietnamese bakeries tucked into old strip malls. Decatur feels more polished, with chef-driven kitchens and great brunch within a few walkable blocks. In my travel guide Atlanta advice, I always add the West End for soul food and neighborhood cafes with real local regulars. For things to do in Atlanta, eating your way through these areas tells you more than any museum label ever could.
When I’m with kids in Atlanta, I almost always pick the Atlanta Botanical Garden, especially the Children’s Garden and the Canopy Walk. It’s one of those things to do in Atlanta that actually works for different ages: little kids can splash and climb, while older ones get the skyline views and carnivorous plant house. If friends ask me what to see in Atlanta with family, I tell them to go early before school groups arrive and bring a change of clothes for the fountains. Among the classic attractions in Atlanta, this one feels the least stressful, and even people focused on tours in Atlanta often overlook how easy and fun it is.
When I want to show someone more than the obvious attractions in Atlanta, I mix city spots with easy day trips. In Atlanta, I love walking the Eastside BeltLine early, then ducking into Ponce City Market before it gets loud. For what to see in Atlanta nearby, Arabia Mountain is one of my favorites; in spring the granite blooms with tiny pink diamorpha, and the views feel nothing like the city. I also recommend a drive up to Marietta Square for local shops and a slower lunch. Even people looking for tours in Atlanta often miss how much character sits just outside downtown.
In my travel guide Atlanta advice, I usually tell first-timers to stay in Midtown or Old Fourth Ward. Midtown puts you near Piedmont Park, the High Museum, and easy MARTA access, which makes it simple to visit Atlanta without spending all day in traffic. When I want a more local feel in Atlanta, I choose Old Fourth Ward for the BeltLine, Krog Street Market, and walkable coffee spots tucked into side streets. If nightlife matters, that area stays lively later than Downtown. For things to do in Atlanta, both neighborhoods give you a better home base than airport or highway-chain areas, which can feel disconnected from the city.
When I want a night out in Atlanta, I usually choose East Atlanta Village or Old Fourth Ward, depending on the mood. If you visit Atlanta for dive bars, live music, and a scrappier local scene, East Atlanta Village has the most personality after dark. For rooftop cocktails, busier patios, and easy bar-hopping, I lean toward Old Fourth Ward near the BeltLine. In my travel guide Atlanta notes, I tell people Midtown is more polished, but less memorable late at night. For things to do in Atlanta after dinner, these two neighborhoods feel the most distinctly Atlanta rather than interchangeable nightlife districts.
When I want a date that feels distinctly Atlanta, I start with a sunset walk through Piedmont Park and then head into the Atlanta Botanical Garden during the last entry window, when it’s quieter and the city lights start to glow. It’s one of my favorite things to do in Atlanta because it feels romantic without trying too hard. If friends ask me what to see in Atlanta as a couple, I also suggest drinks afterward in Midtown rather than rushing between attractions in Atlanta. Even people who usually book tours in Atlanta miss how lovely this area feels once the daytime crowds thin out.