Things to Do in Atlanta This Weekend: Fun, Unique & Free Must-Dos

The Best Places to Visit During an Atlanta Weekend

Given how hectic life can be the idea of taking a few weekend vacations rather than an annual long one is tempting to more and more people these days. Getting away from home for two or three nights is the perfect way to clear your mind, recharge, and reconnect with your partner (and kids), and it’s a lot less expensive than buying pricey airline tickets to fly to Europe, Hawaii, or Disney World.

Atlanta’s location in the heart of the U.S. Southeast makes it an easy weekend drive from all of Georgia, North Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, and western North Carolina. For those who prefer to fly in, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is home to Delta Air Lines and combined with other airlines offers more than 1,000 flights each day from destinations worldwide.

Let’s take a look at the myriad of fun weekend activities that await you in Atlanta.

Museums and Historical Sites

Georgia Aquarium

The largest aquarium in the U.S. is home to hundreds of water species and thousands of animals. There are seven major galleries totaling over 11 million gallons of water. The whale shark exhibit alone features a tank with more than six millions gallons of water. Visitors especially enjoy the sea lions, bottlenose dolphins, whale sharks, manta rays, beluga whales, tiger sharks, and sea otters. The aquarium is located downtown across from Centennial Olympic Park.

Centennial Olympic Park

FREE! Built for the summer Olympic Games hosted by Atlanta in 1996, this attractive downtown park offers a relaxing respite from constantly being on the go. Park features include plenty of green space, a kids play area, and the biggest draw – the Fountain of Rings show which takes place four times daily. Everyone will enjoy the 15-foot high water jets, an amazing fogging system, and evening performances also include a 360-degree LED light show.

World of Coca-Cola

Popular exhibits about this world-famous beverage include the newly opened, The Studios, Coca-Cola Stories, Icons, the Beverage Lab, a tastings area, historical items in The Loft, and a short film about the storied beginning of Coca-Cola in Atlanta. Of course there’s also a store on-site for Cokeaholics to explore.

President Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum

Learn about the incredible life of President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, from their humble beginnings in Plains, Georgia, all the way to the White House. See a life-size replica of the Oval Office, learn about the Camp David accords, and the Carter’s dedication to Habitat for Humanity. His amazing life and lifelong generosity are an unequaled story of giving and caring.

Atlanta History Center

Explore 33 acres of historical houses, lush gardens, and fascinating exhibits about Atlanta’s rise from a regionally and nationally recognized city, to being one of the most vital cities in the United States, and beyond. The Goizueta Children’s Experience is 5,000 square feet of fun and exhibits that includes storytelling about Atlanta then and now.

National Center for Civil and Human Rights

History buffs will thoroughly enjoy this incredible museum. Learn via immersive exhibits about the life of Martin Luther King, Jr., the Reconstruction Era, Human Rights, and U.S. Civil Rights history. There’s also “Reclaiming History”, an amazing collection of art that celebrates the ongoing struggles for human rights in countries around the world.

Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park

FREE! Tour the MLK, Jr. Birth Home, Ebenezer Baptist Church where he was baptized and later became a co-pastor, the neighborhood of his youth, and where he is buried. The visitor’s center features memorabilia and features talks from park rangers.

High Museum of Art

Located in Midtown Atlanta, “The High” is known for a broad collection of more than 20,000 pieces of African, American, Decorative, Folk, Modern, Contemporary, and Photo Art.

Fernbank Museum of Natural History

This fascinating museum is ideal for adults and families to explore. The Fernbank features dinosaurs, ancient fossils, prehistoric history, and even has live animals in the largest collection of urban Piedmont forest in the U.S. Immersive exhibits and special programming brings science to life right before your eyes. Located just under two miles east of downtown.

Children’s Museum of Atlanta

Permanent exhibits at this kid’s-centric museum are designed for ages 0-eight years. (yes, they start quite young here.) Kids learn about food, science, tools, and various early learning activities while exploring their personal creativity and the world around them. Centrally located in downtown Atlanta across from the World of Coca-Cola and Centennial Olympic Park.

Center for Puppetry Arts

Check the website for current workshops, exhibitions, live shows, and unique events for puppet lovers and puppeteers of all ages. Permanent collections feature global puppets and the world’s largest collection of Muppets created by Jim Henson. Look for the giant green building in Midtown.

Jackson Street Bridge

FREE! One of the best spots to get a photo worthy view of Atlanta’s amazing skyline. Located within walking distance of several downtown hotels, the small overpass is undergoing an update to provide better separation between viewers and local traffic passing through. The bridge is situated on the border between the Sweet Auburn and Old Fourth Ward Park neighborhoods.

Exploring the Great Outdoors

Stone Mountain Park

An immensely popular park located 17-20 miles east of downtown Atlanta depending on which route you follow, there’s something for everyone here. FREE activities include access to several miles of hiking and nature trails, the 363-acre lake, a covered bridge, quarry exhibit, and a kid’s playground. You will have to pay for parking, though. Activities with fees attached include a scenic railroad ride, ziplining, Dinosaur Explore, a skyride to the summit, films in the 4D theater, and mini golf. A single attractions ticket provides admission to all of these fun things to do.

Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail

FREE! This 3.6-mile paved trail just minutes east of downtown and Midtown offers plenty of outdoors fun for everyone. Run, bike, or just take a leisurely stroll in the great outdoors. In total, the trail is a 22-mile loop through many Atlanta neighborhoods, but the Eastside Trail is what we’d recommend checking out for weekend visitors. Bike rentals and bike tours are offered, and there are plenty of shopping and dining options along the way.

Piedmont Park

FREE! Take a break from all there is to do in Atlanta and spend a couple of hours here. With over 200 acres of green space in the heart of the city, this is the Central Park of Atlanta. Swim in the pool, run the track, enjoy the natural surroundings, biking, and sightseeing tours that begin here are all options. Docent led history tours are offered on Saturdays from March to November at 10 a.m.

Atlanta Botanical Garden

For half a century this has been one of most beautiful parts of Atlanta. Highly regarded for its plant collections of native and transplanted horticultural gems, this is truly a 30-acre oasis in the heart of Midtown. Visitors will enjoy the Storza Woods with its Canopy Walk, the Skyline Garden, and there’s also a wonderful Children’s Garden. From mid-November to mid-January the annual “Garden Lights, Holiday Lights” display illuminates the garden with an incredible display of thousands of lights. Be sure to pre-purchase admission tickets to this special event.

Zoo Atlanta

Just minutes from downtown Atlanta in historic Grant Park, animal lovers won’t want to miss a visit to this amazing place. Since opening in 1889, millions of visitors have fallen in love with the wide range of animals that call this place home. The gorillas and pandas may have stolen the show over the years, but there’s no shortage of other amazing animals. Lions, elephants, giraffes, macaws, warthogs, zebra, red pandas, and so many other incredible residents of Zoo Atlanta are awaiting your visit.

SkyView Atlanta

Climb inside one of the 42 climate-controlled gondolas for a thrilling Ferris Wheel ride high above Centennial Olympic Park. From nearly 20 stories above ground level, you can take in a stunning view of downtown Atlanta and the surrounding area. SkyView is a short walk from the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, State Farm Arena, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

For Aviation Enthusiasts

Planespotting at ATL

With more than 1,000 daily arrivals and departures, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is a primo airport to watching aircraft come and go. Take the kids or go solo. The roar of takeoffs and watching the precision landing of a massive jetliner is FREE, exciting, and a superb photo opportunity.

Delta Flight Museum

Atlanta’s home airline and one of the largest carriers in the world invites you to tour their headquarters museum where you can learn about the history, people, and aircraft that make Today’s Delta recognizable around the world. Vintage aircraft including a retired Boeing 747 are yours to explore and photograph in the two 1940s hangars that Delta has saved from the wrecking ball to house their artifacts.

Atlanta and Sports Go Hand-in-Hand.

College Football Hall of Fame

In downtown Atlanta across from Centennial Olympic Park and a short walk to State Farm Arena (NBA and WNBA basketball), as well as to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home of the Atlanta Falcons. A popular plan is to combine a visit to the museum with a live hoops or football game.

Atlanta Braves Baseball

Major League Baseball is alive and well in suburban Cumberland, about ten miles northwest of downtown Atlanta. The season runs from April through September, and if the Braves make the playoffs, into October as well. With 81 home games during the regular season, scheduling an Atlanta weekend to coincide with a baseball game is easy as can be.

Atlanta Hawks Basketball

The best basketball players in the world compete in National Basketball Association games at 16,888-seat State Farm Arena in downtown. The NBA season stretches from October through April, and potentially beyond if the Hawks make the playoffs.

Atlanta Dream Women’s Basketball

The Dream play in the Women’s National Basketball Association, also playing their home games at downtown’s State Farm Arena. The regular season schedule runs from May to October and includes 22 home games, with possible playoffs following.

Atlanta Falcons Football

Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the home of the city’s National Football League team. With seating for 71,000 fans, downtown Atlanta is the place to be when the home team is in town during the September through mid-January NFL season. And if the Falcons find success in the playoffs, there could be another game or two at home before heading to the Super Bowl.

Atlanta United FC Soccer

Atlanta’s Major League Soccer (MLS) team also plays at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in downtown. The league’s season is a long one, from February to October, with the playoffs continuing onward into December.

Georgia Tech Basketball and Football

The Georgia Institute of Technology fields teams in dozens of collegiate sports, with basketball and football offering the most seats for fans to attend. The on-campus Bobby Todd Stadium at Hyundai Field hosts the Yellow Jackets home football games in the fall, with 55,000 fans packing into the Midtown facility. Also on campus is McCamish Pavilion, nicknamed the Thunderdome, where 8,600 fans can watch the men’s and women’s Georgia Tech basketball teams play in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

Atlanta’s Best Places to Shop

Phipps Plaza

Shopping Mall in Buckhead. Atlanta’s top luxury shopping locale including Gucci, Hermes, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and many more familiar upscale names. In total, about 100 stores are located here, along with a food court and several excellent fine dining restaurants.

Lenox Square

Shopping Mall, also in Buckhead, across the highway from Phipps Plaza. With 250 stores and dining spots to explore, you’ll find Neiman Marcus, Macy’s, Banana Republic, American Eagle, and many other nationally popular brands here.

Ponce City Market

Adjacent to the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail and convenient to I-75/85, MARTA (Atlanta’s train lines) and inner Atlanta, this historic collection of buildings has been redeveloped to offer shopping, housing, and an apartment/hotel. Popular stores found here include Anthropologie, Bridge Boutique, Buck Mason, J. Crew, Lululemon, Warby Parker, West Elm, and Williams Sonoma. As for food options, if you are craving something ethnic, this is the place for you. Asian, ice cream, a French cafe, Mexican, cakes, Chinese, breakfast specialties, a brew pub, social club, sushi, pizza, and the list goes on and on. You will definitely not go hungry at Ponce City Market.

Two other large malls which are in fact the largest in the Atlanta area are further out from the city center and Midtown but are worth mentioning. Perimeter Mall, with 150 stores, is adjacent to I-285 on the north side, about 15 miles from downtown, and the 200+ store Mall of Georgia in Buford is 35 miles northeast of central Atlanta.

Atlanta City Pass

While the Atlanta City Pass only offers discounts to a half dozen popular attractions, if these are places that you are considering visiting you may want to take a look at the possible savings available. The attractions with discounts via the Atlanta City Pass are the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, Zoo Atlanta, Fernbank Museum of Natural History, College Football Hall of Fame, and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. Descriptions of each of these with links to their websites are available earlier in this article.

The Best Places to Stay in Atlanta

As the largest metropolitan area in the Southern U.S., Atlanta, and its suburbs sprawl across an extensive amount of real estate. Depending on whether you are driving or flying into town, you may want to consider different areas for hotel accommodations.

We often rely on the hotel booking website Travelated to find just the right properties to consider, and we already know that they known Atlanta a lot better than we do. Listed below are a few popular hotels you may want to consider, though Travelated offers hundreds of hotels throughout Greater Atlanta in all price ranges. From low-priced accommodations that are clean and well-rated to extravagant luxury properties, Travelated has the best selection and prices you will find.

1. Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park

Address: 190 Marietta St Nw, Atlanta, 30303, GA, US

Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park

2. The Westin Peachtree Plaza, Atlanta

Address: 210 Peachtree St. Nw, Atlanta, 30303, GA, US

The Westin Peachtree Plaza

3. Moxy Atlanta Midtown

Address: 48 13th Street Ne, Atlanta, 30309, GA, US

Moxy Atlanta Midtown

4. Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta

Address: 75 14th Street Northeast, Atlanta, 30309, GA, US

Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta

5. Canopy By Hilton Atlanta Midtown

Address: 1414 West Peachtree Street, Atlanta, 30309, GA, US

Canopy By Hilton Atlanta Midtown

6. Loews Atlanta Hotel

Address: 1065 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, 30309, GA, US

Loews Atlanta Hotel

7. JW Marriott Atlanta Buckhead

Address: 3300 Lenox Road, Atlanta, 30326, GA, US

JW Marriott Atlanta Buckhead

8. Kimpton Sylvan Hotel Buckhead Atlanta

Address: 374 East Paces Ferry Road Ne, Atlanta, 30305, GA, US

Kimpton Sylvan Hotel Buckhead Atlanta

9. Aloft Atlanta at The Battery Atlanta

Address: 950 Battery Avenue, Atlanta, 30339, GA, US

Aloft Atlanta at The Battery Atlanta

10. Sheraton Suites Galleria Atlanta

Address: 2844 Cobb Parkway Se, Atlanta, 30339, GA, US

Sheraton Suites Galleria Atlanta

Atlanta Weekends Are Perfect for Everyone

No matter what your primary purpose is to visit Atlanta for a weekend, you are sure to discover a lot more than you ever knew was possible. Culture, sports, family fun, superb dining, and a welcoming atmosphere await you here. Get planning and put Atlanta into your calendar for one and multiple weekends.