Atlanta is one of the oldest cities in America, but still one of the most developed. Once the center of ownership of the old world and the Old South, it became the vanguard of the New South combining southern tradition with slick modernism. A trip to Atlanta continues to offer famous manners and cuisine in movies like Gone With the Wind. However, it is also home to three skylines, a burgeoning music industry, and a flourishing city center. Here is our list of the top tourist attractions and things to do in Atlanta.
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Stroll through the Atlanta Botanical Garden
Tourist attractions and things to do in Atlanta: The Atlanta Botanical Garden offers a lovely space with a variety of well-laid-out gardens, including formal flower beds and majestic trees that frame the urban landscape of Midtown Atlanta. The Botanical Garden is a great place year-round, with something always in bloom.
Spring is, of course, an amazing time with a riot of colors. Some of the highlights include the Orchid Display House in the Fuqua Orchid Center, the Winter Garden, the Japanese Garden, the Conservation Garden, and the Desert House. Two of its major specialties are the Rose Garden and the hydrangeas, each of which comprises the largest collections in the southeast.
A special garden area is designed for children, and an elevated boardwalk gives visitors tree-top views down into the forest, another popular activity for families. What you will see there depends on the time of year you are visiting, although the indoor gardens are always beautiful at any time of year.
Piedmont Park
This park in the Northeastern Atlanta near Midtown began life as an out-of-the-city gentleman’s farm owned by a doctor named Benjamin Walker. It went through a series of owners, ultimately ending up the property of the Piedmont Exposition Company. The park has had several architects of importance working on different parts, most notably Olmstead of Central Park fame, who created many pathways still in use today. It also includes a large basketball complex and was home to Atlanta’s first team in the early twentieth century. A large fishing lake, playscape, and large lawn that is host to many concerts are just a few of the other offerings here.
World of Coca-Cola
The World of Coca-Cola illustrates the history and triumphal progress of the world-famous drink in entertaining ways that will please all ages. A new exhibit, Scent Discovery, explores the sense of smell and the origins of various fragrances, testing your sense of smell and exploring the sources of different aromas.
Atlanta BeltLine
The Atlanta BeltLine is an in-progress, citywide network of 22 miles of streetcar rails, 33 miles of trails (for walking, biking and more) and roughly 2,000 acres of parks. The city is opening the BeltLine in phases and plans to finish the entire system by 2030. As of summer 2019, visitors are welcome to enjoy seven parks and five trails along the BeltLine. Some of the parks include Historic Fourth Ward Skatepark, Atlanta’s first public skate park which offers obstacles for skateboarders of all abilities; Gordon White Park, which hosts music events, farmers markets and offers free fitness classes; and Perkerson Park, which boasts tennis courts, softball fields, and an 18-hole disc golf course. The five paved trails are perfect for bike riding, taking a stroll through nature or walking by places like Ponce City Market and Piedmont Park. You can also take a free tour of the Atlanta BeltLine to learn more about the network and the communities surrounding it.
Stone Mountain Park
This park in Metro Atlanta boasts a huge monolith called Stone Mountain. The bas-relief on the mountain’s north face is the biggest in the world. It features a sculpture called the Confederate Memorial Carving of Confederate President Jefferson Davis, General Robert E. Lee, and General Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson. The top rises 825 feet (251 meters) above the surrounding area and provides a beautiful view of Atlanta. The nearby museum Confederate Hall has information about the mountain’s geology. There is also the Antebellum Plantation and Farmyard, which is an open-air museum complete with farm animals that visitors can pet, and 19 historic buildings meant to depict a pre-Civil War plantation.
Georgia Aquarium
Georgia Aquarium has the honor of being the largest in the Western Hemisphere, and before it was beaten by the aquarium in Singapore, it was the largest in the world. A number of especially notable species can be found here, including beluga whales and manta rays. This aquarium is the only location outside of Asia where a whale shark, the world’s largest fish, can be found. It is divided into five ecoregions, including tropical reefs, open ocean, arctic waters, freshwater rivers, and large marine mammals. As part of a conservation project, the aquarium has been working on a captive beluga whale breeding program, though successful calving has not yet been achieved.