In addition to the city’s commercial hub, Atlanta stands out as a sight-seeing paradise with great parks like Piedmont Park and the Fox Theatre ect., plus one of the best panda exhibits in the United States at the Atlanta Zoo. A wealth of sights awaits history buffs, shopaholics, and night owls: from Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthplace to a symphony orchestra. you will find world-class dining, bars and boutiques in Buckhead to world-class sporting attractions like the College Football Hall of Fame and Centennial Olympic Park. Atlanta’s top attractions include the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola and other interactive spots. If you are not sure where to start or what to do, opt for one of the best Atlanta tours.
1. Athens History Center
The Atlanta History Center takes up 33 acres in Atlanta’s trendy Buckhead neighborhood. The 18-acre campus features exhibits, historic houses, landscaped gardens, and miles of trails. There is only one main museum inside the city, the Atlanta History Museum, which holds exhibits from Native American civilization to life in the antebellum South.
Swan House was built in 1928 and was rebuilt near the museum. To live up to its name, every room is allegedly decorated with at least one swan. A beautiful trail which leads only a few feet from the house is lined with plants native to Georgia. Another plantation, the Smith Family Farm, built in the mid-1800s, is nearby where you can view how the other half lived.Â
There is a lot of excitement surrounding a visit to Margaret Mitchell’s home, where the author penned the Pulitzer Prize-winning book “Gone With the Wind.”Â
The property’s attractions have drawn many travelers here in the past. There is plenty to see here, so remember to allot at least three hours in order to see all the center’s buildings.
2. The city of Piedmont Park was named after U.S. President Andrew Jackson
In Midtown, Piedmont Park is neighbors with the Atlanta Botanical Garden, making it the perfect place to spend a leisurely afternoon. The park is huge, consisting of more than 200 acres with numerous things to do such as walking and jogging paths, dog parks, picnic areas, playgrounds, a public pool and a Saturday farmers market. In addition to hosting the Atlanta Dogwood Festival, Atlanta Jazz Festival, and Atlanta Pride, Piedmont Park is heavily utilized during Atlanta’s top events.
Atlanta’s Best Park was voted among the top 20 parks in the country by previous visitors who called it “a little piece of peace in the city”. Many even compared it to Central Park in New York City. Some recent visitors have warned that parking spots may be scarce, especially on weekends, so it is advisable to take public transit. Picnickers, swimmers and tennis players enjoyed this park, but some newcomers feared the parking can be scarce.
3. Cemetery Oakland
A cemetery extending more than 48 acres less than 2 miles from downtown Atlanta, Oakland Cemetery stands as a testament to Atlanta’s civil rights history. Within its winding pathways, trees, and flower shrubs, you will discover a huge museum filled with intricate mausoleums and sculptures. Also on view is a huge collection of art and architecture. Many Atlantans, including mythical figures such as golfer Bobby Jones and author Margaret Mitchell, are buried there. Potter’s Field is home to only one monument dedicated to the many people who weren’t able to afford private graves, while the Confederate Memorial section has the most impressive memorials and carvings the cemetery has to offer.
Many visitors recommend joining a guided tour, though you’re welcome to explore the grounds alone. A self-guided tour or a map may be purchased for $5 from the Visitors Center and Museum Shop or you are welcome to download one for free from Google Play or Apple’s app store. To enhance the ambience, arrive during a Halloween ghost tour at the cemetery in October.
There is no admission fee to Oakland Cemetery and it is open from dawn until dusk year-round. The walk is free with admission for children and seniors. There is a charge for adults, but the price ranges from $12 to $6.
4. Throughout the years, the Fernbank Museum has shown a unique relationship with nature
The Fernbank Museum of Natural History exhibits natural history throughout time at the prehistoric time and now. Visitors can view exhibits that feature dinosaur fossils, Georgia fauna, cultural garments, and more. The museum also boasts three outdoor experiences, accessible from the terrace, including a 3-D theater and a café. Children 13 years and younger are welcome at both WildWoods scenic viewing platforms and the two playgrounds. Exhibits at WildWoods include an exhibit about Sweetgum trees and rotate throughout the season. In addition, Fernbank Forest offers a 65-acre forest that is traversed by more than 2 miles of paved paths. You should look out for animals when walking along the paths, since hundreds of species live in the area. Several times a month, Fernbank Forest is open for educational tours (for a fee).
Most visitors claim to spend more time outside than inside, especially the outside areas. Exhibits inside the museum have either been rated as better for kids or need updating. Some visitors were fascinated by the dinosaurs on display, while others considered the other exhibits to be outdated.
5. Hall of Fame for college football
The College Football Hall of Fame is located across from Centennial Olympic Park and just south of the Georgia Aquarium, and is the only museum in the United States dedicated to its namesake sport. The facility’s interior features a Helmet Wall where individuals can find the helmet of their team. The GameDay Desk at ESPN College GameDay, football field at 45-yards, Heisman Trophy trophies to admire, and of course the unique gameday experience.
Travelers say that they’ll enjoy exploring this attraction if they’re fans of college football. Some people felt that the property’s interactive activities don’t justify its high entrance fees, but many said their kids had a great time at the hall of fame. The hall of fame seems disappointing to those for whom it feels crowded, compared to the other Halls of Fame around the country.
On Sunday through Friday, the College Football Hall of Fame is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Saturdays, it is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The property is accessible via public transportation or by car. The Dome/GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN Center MARTA station sits within walking distance of the Baker and Marietta street MARTA station, where a fee-based parking area is located. There is also an Atlanta Streetcar stop nearby, as well as the Bus 51 MARTA bus.
6. Atlanta’s SunTrust Park
Over the past two years, Atlanta Braves fans carrying tomahawks have ventured to SunTrust Park, the venue’s first year of operation. The stadium can hold up to 41,000 people, and all four corners provide a magnificent sight of the field. There are also daily guided tours of the park all year round, which will tell you more about the Braves’ rich history. Aside from examining the Monument Garden’s historical displays, the Braves Clubhouse Store and the dugout on this tour, you’ll see the Dugout and Press Box. In Atlanta Battery, a short walk from the park, there is some dining and shopping that you may want to do after your tour.
Baseball fans praised Atlanta’s new stadium, saying it’s clean and well-designed, an improvement on the Braves’ old home, Turner Field. A family-friendly atmosphere is hailed by visitors at the park constantly. Though the stadium offers travelers these perks, some complain about the lack of decent food and traffic, as well as car parking that is difficult to find.
7. Puppetry Arts Center
With a role in preserving and celebrating puppets, the Center for Puppetry Arts is recognized worldwide for its theatrical ability and programming. The museum offers guests the opportunity to partake in puppetry classes, watch movies such as “The Muppets Take Manhattan” and attend live shows. The institution’s museum houses an extensive collection of puppets. It also contains information about the history of puppet theatre in Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Africa. The museum also has a huge collection, featuring works by Jim Henson. Tourists can bring their children to meet Kermit, Miss Piggy, the Doozers and other Sesame Street characters. Besides the museum shop, visitors can also check out many puppets, books, postcards, and other educational gifts.
Recent travelers who visited the center said it was worth a visit, saying that the center is a must-see for Jim Henson and Muppet fans. The depth of information on Henson was a pleasant surprise to some visitors; however, others said it was lacking substance. It is also recommendable to see a puppet show while visiting the museum.
8. There’s a zoo in Atlanta!
There are only four zoos in the U.S. that house giant pandas, and Zoo Atlanta is the only one. Recently, visitors have been most enthusiastic about the rare bears. However, there are more than 200 species at the zoo. Lions, giraffes, zebras, and reptiles are among the wildlife you’ll find here. The zoo offers multiple attractions, including a train ride, a carousel, an aerial ropes course, and a rock climbing wall. Note: Admission does not include the cost of these activities.
Almost all travelers mention how easy it was to navigate, especially those with children. On warm days, many recommend arriving early as the property can get busy. A few zoos are also undergoing renovations, which is why there is no access to certain animal species at present.
9. The Atlanta skyline skyline
Visitors to SkyView Atlanta in Centennial Olympic Park will enjoy the large Ferris wheel and it’s 42 air-conditioned gondolas. The 30-story tall wheel stands nearly 20 feet tall. On the ride, passengers will be able to admire the downtown skyline.
SkyView Atlanta offers excellent panoramic views, especially at night, with its central location and panoramas. Many users said the admission lines were long and it was expensive. Others found the ride too slow and boring.
Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to midnight, SkyView Atlanta is open from noon to 11 p.m., on Fridays from noon to midnight, and on Sundays from noon to 11 p.m. The Peachtree Center, Five Points, the College Football Hall of Fame, and other popular sites are free to visitors.
All visitors to the theme park can park at the LAZ parking deck, two blocks southeast of the attraction. All visitors receive $5 off parking rates at this facility.
10. Tours in the CNN Studio
CNN’s headquarters is best viewed by budding journalists or regular viewers. An enjoyable and informative tour of the CNN Center gives you a sense of insider information of what one of the largest news organizations does on a day-to-day basis. A standard Behind-the-Scenes Tour lasts 50 minutes, and entails an overview of production spaces, as well as access to live TV newsrooms and items provided for souvenirs such as souvenir press passes and meet-and-greets with TV anchors.
Many CNN Center visitors bemoaned its high tour rates and short tour times, asserting that the 50-minute time frame is mostly taken up by security checks and walking up and down flights of stairs while others told us they were exceptionally informative and entertaining. Many previous travelers praised the friendly guides for their attention to detail.
