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My Go-To Tourist Ish Spots in Atlanta for When My Friends Visit-By an 18 Year Local
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items I’ve live in the Atlanta area for around 18 years. Check out my list of must-dos for when my friends and family come to town!
This list contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them—at no extra cost to you.
Sections
7
History-Related
Scenic/Outdoorsy
Stuff for Kids
Sports
Possible Day Trips Outside the City
Random Fun and Relaxation
History-Related
These are some places I recommend for history buffs to visit. I’ve been to them all myself and most multiple times.
Great center where history comes alive! This center discusses more about Dr. King Jr.’s life and legacy.
The King Center | The Center for Nonviolent Social Change
Great place to visit for some civil and humane rights history! Free once a year or so. Check out the lunch counter sit-in experience they have if you can. This is part of the Citypass ticket- see below for more info on how to get one of those.
National Center for Civil and Human Rights
Love this place-so much to see. You can also get in free once a month. Also, there is an area where you can get an activity kit for kiddos to help them experience the museum more fully. Sometimes they also hold events such as dance classes as well.
High Museum of Art
Great historical museum. This place focuses on African American history.
Apex Museum: Visit
Historic church where MLK Jr preached
Ebenezer Baptist Church
MLK Jr’s house… you need to get here when it opens as they only allow a certain small amount of visitors per day.
Birth Home of Martin Luther King, Jr
Historical Atlanta tourist spot. I’ve been to this one once. From what I recall it was a room with a large, detailed painting on the wall…I remember it being impressive but this one is probably for the super history buff 😀
Cyclorama: The Big Picture | Exhibitions
Scenic/Outdoorsy
Lovely place, great for a scenic walk. They often have special exhibits and there is a place for snacks and drinks on site.
Atlanta Botanical Garden | Tickets
Beautiful scenery and plants. It’s quite a hike so I would not recommend going when it’s too hot. There was a chapel area that’s very pretty.
Callaway Gardens
Lovely spot to spend the day. This is old ruins leftover from the civil war. Very scenic-one time when I went someone was painting there.
Sweetwater Creek State Park
Trails, playground, river overlooks. Great place for a picnic. This is nice for a chill, quiet afternoon.
Yellow River Park
So much to see on this walking and biking trail. Nice areas to enter are behind Ponce City Market or the Historic 4th Ward Park.
Atlanta Beltline
Lovely park near the zoo. Great playground and farmer’s markets in the spring and summer.
Grant Park
Fantastic park where festivals often happen. Make sure to look it up online and see if anything is on the schedule re: events before you come!
Piedmont Park
If you’re thinking of doing multiple things try bundling your tickets with a city pass for some savings.
Atlanta CityPASS
Stuff for Kids
Hiking, festivals and fun with kids. I recommend buying the annual parking pass if you live anywhere nearby. Tickets for the paid child park portion sometimes appear on Groupon. There’s still a lot to do without paying more than parking (there’s a pl...
Stone Mountain Park
Lots of fun for kiddos! They often have special exhibits. I recommend going when most kids are in school…it can get crowded.
Children's Museum of Atlanta
Free fun for hours. The center has a water conservation theme with a ton of cool hands on learning opportunities. There is also a historical house on the back of the property and a fun large net over the trees for the kids’ to play in.
Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center
Covers the history of Coke with a fun tasting opportunity at the end of the tour. They also send you home with a little Coke as well, or at least they used to! This is part of the Citypass ticket-check out my history section for more info on how to g...
World of Coca-Cola
This is one of the area science centers. It is a little far out compared to some of the other sites.
Tellus Science Museum
If you have any train lovers in your family, make sure to check out this awesome train museum!
Southeastern Railway Museum
This is a great spot for children. There are a lot of cool standing and seasonal exhibits and an awesome immersive theater. They also have a cafe and some really great souvenirs available. This is part of the Citypass ticket-check out my history sect...
Fernbank Museum | 3D Theater | Forest
This place is a ton of fun! I recommend watching a few videos with your kids of the sliming experience before buying it if you are considering…I saw lots of kids refuse to do it after their parents paid for it, so worth confirming with them first.
Sloomoo Institute
This is a great kids’ activity that my children and I really enjoyed. One note of caution-the descriptions on how to do many of the optical illusions are not clear and there is barely any staff around to help you…I recommend watching a couple influen...
Museum of Illusions
Great place to interact with rescue animals. It has expanded over the years to give the animals more space to live and play. There is feed you can buy to feed them as well.
Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary
Quiet place for a quick hike and picnic. This property includes an old post office, an old school, and a couple of other buildings. Definitely a fun and informative afternoon for visitors.
Yellow River Post Office
This park has a great splash pad, adorable walking areas and trails, a great playground, and is super close to the Beltine where there are a ton of food options.
Historic Fourth Ward Park
Fun zoo to take the kids to. There is an option at certain times to buy tickets to feed the giraffes as well. It also has several great playgrounds, a slash pad, a merry-go-round, a train, and multiple food and snack options. This is part of the City...
Zoo Atlanta
This is one of the biggest aquariums in the country. My favorite part is the area where you can pet the stingrays! This is part of the Citypass ticket-check out my history section for more info on how to get one of those.
Georgia Aquarium
Sometimes this is free and sometimes there is a small fee but it’s always a great time! This show starts when it gets dark and is maybe an hour or so long. It includes fireworks, music and lasers. Definitely worth it to stop by if you’re in the area....
Classic Lasershow- Limited Engagement
Sports
Great culture, great team…make sure you take out a tailgate before the game. Also, I suggest pre-checking out what restaurants are in the stadium if you are eating in there…there are so many! My favorite restaurant to eat at is Molly B’s right next t...
Atlanta United
Fun time, a smaller setting than regular Atlanta United games. These games are kind of far out but it’s easy to get phot ops and signatures from the players, some of whom also play on the main Atlanta United team as well.
Atlanta United 2 | ATLUTD2.com
Fun time if you like football! If it’s one of the top rival teams it can be a bit of a rough crowd so beware if you’re bringing the kids!
Atlanta Falcons
Great sports time. Relaxed, family environment.
Atlanta Hawks Official Site: Latest NBA Scores, Stats & News | NBA.com
Fun time for the baseball lover. The area around the stadium is super cute with lots of great food options. Traffic is pretty bad on game days-make sure to head out there pretty early.
Official Atlanta Braves Website
Great for the college football fan. Near the Coca Cola Factory and Civil Eight Museum downtown. This is part of the Citypass ticket-check out my history section for more info on how to get one of those.
College Football Hall of Fame
My favorite part of this park is the photo op by the Olympic rings! This is also nearby the Atlanta Ferris wheel as well.
Centennial Olympic Park
Possible Day Trips Outside the City
Great day trip with lots of fun sights. Make sure you check out the River Walk and the local lighthouses!
Visit Savannah | The Official Guide to Savannah, GA
Cute, college town. Fun food and drink options all around.
Athens, Georgia | Hotels, Restaurants, Events & Things To Do
Lovely day trip to a cute little town with multiple hiking and outdoor activity options. One such option is horseback riding.
Pine Mountain
Great spot for Octoberfest and tubing. Super cute little town.
Helen GA
Beach area near Savannah. Take a dolphin tour if you get the chance!
Tybee Island
Gullah Geechee community. Sometimes there are festivals here.
Sapelo Island
Such a fun safari option. Make sure to rent your car in there and buy plenty of food!
Wild Animal Safari
Lovely place to stay in the Pine Mountain area.
Mountain Top Resort
Great place to see some rescue animals. It’s a little bit of a walk to see everything.
Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary
Lovely free zoo in Athens. Our favorite exhibit was the bears!
Bear Hollow Zoo
Teddy Roosevelt’s home away from the White House where he stayed in Georgia. This is a must-see if you have the time…everything in the house is preserved as he left it the day he died even down to the toilet paper! Truly like stepping into another ti...
Little White House Historic Site
This is an old civil war fort that still has the cannon balls stuck in the side. Super cool step back in time and history lesson…highly recommend!
Old Fort Jackson
Random Fun and Relaxation
Cute spot for movie nostalgia if you’re a Gone With the Wind fan. This is not the house (it doesn’t exist as it was a set) from the movie but there are dresses and other memorabilia from the movie there.
Gone With the Wind Museum at Brumby Hall
Lots of tasty spots to eat and a great walking trail along the Atlanta Beltline in the back.
Ponce City Market
Great food spot similar to Ponce City Market but with other food options.
Krog Street Market
Super reasonably priced, relaxing Korean spa, open late as well…what’s not to love! It also has additional massages, scrubs etc available for an additional price and a food court. Pro tip: some people sleep here instead of in a hotel…floors are heate...
Jeju Sauna
This is a bit of a drive depending on where you’re staying, but super cute area with tons of great food options for a date night vibe.
The Battery Atlanta
Fun Food and Snacks
One of my favorite spots for burgers, drinks and fun photo ops.
The Vortex Bar & Grill
One of my favorite spots for great burgers, drinks and fun photo ops.
The Vortex Bar & Grill
There’s a ton of these…great for late night snacks and bubble tea.
Sweet Hut
Just yum. So many good coconut cups. As far as the drinks-try a mango snowy!
Yezi Coconut Dessert
Tasty brunch…the sweet potato biscuits are amazing.
Sweet Potato Cafe
Best coffee, delicious smoothies and breakfast sandwiches. The owner is also super nice!
Mokhaport Yemeni Coffee
Try the Dubai chocolate cup and chai…so good. Note on this one-there’s not a lot of tables and it stays crowded.
WowBooza
The food is absolutely amazing. I recommend doing the chicken and waffles or shrimp and grits. Heads up, they don’t serve breakfast all day.
Flavor Rich
Lovely coffee spot with great coffee!
Gilly Brew Bar
Super yum! My favorite are the mango shrimp, grandma’s bbq pork, the satay tofu salad, and the mango grapefruit sago for dessert!
Food Terminal
Atlanta must do! Burgers and hot dogs vibz. The one in Norcross is quieter.
The Varsity
Delightful southern food options.
Mary Mac's
Great options for the bbq lover!
Sweet Auburn BBQ - Atlanta
Really great bbq options!
Fox Bros Bar-B-Q
Really tasty frozen custard!
Berens Frozen Custard
Super sweet treats! I usually get a small or split one if it’s the ices. Kids’ love these!
Candy World Drinks N’ Treats
This place not only has great cakes and pies but lovely breakfast options and a decent vegan spread!
Southern Sweets Bakery
Great coffee spot with a heart for the community.
Refuge Coffee Co. Clarkston
Amazing coffee…not cheap but worth the price tag! This place has several locations. They also have a great dessert menu.
Café Intermezzo - Midtown
The food is ok but the cakes are amazing!
Metro Cafe Diner
Really delicious food!
El Ponce
Both the food and price are seriously amazing.
Arepa Grill
This ice cream is so tasty!
Jeni's Ice Creams
Excellent food for an excellent price-great for a family-style meal!
Shalimar Kabab House
Tasty Bosnian food with a market attached. Be sure to try the coffee and desserts as well!
Euro Gourmet
Great pizza but the lasagna is my absolute favorite! The sauce tastes homemade!
Vinny’s NY Pizza
The pizza is ok but the stat of the show is the subs. The blt, add avocado is great!
Harry's Pizza and Subs - Another Day in Pizza Paradise