The Best Things to Do in Atlanta for Any Kind of Trip

A food stall destination that was originally built in the 1920s, it's now a bustling landing strip for all of the hippest local cuisine and ingredients. Check out the directory to see where you might want to chow down.

Two of the most retro and fun things to do—see a drive-in movie and shop for antiques—in one place! Sounds like heaven on Earth, doesn't it? And it all exists at Starlight. The flea market is open every weekend during the day, and once the sun sets, it's show time.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park is a campus of sites formed to honor Dr. King's instrumental societal change. It includes his birth home, Ebenezer Baptist Church—where King was co-pastor and where his funeral was held—and The King Center, which is also his resting place, alongside his wife, Coretta Scott King.

Explore over 11 million gallons of water at the Georgia Aquarium, which is home to all kinds of your favorite aquatic creatures, including sharks, piranhas, turtles, and more. You can even elevate the experience with a dolphin encounter or dive with sharks.

Towering nearly 20 stories above Centennial Park, the SkyView Ferris wheel provides a view of the city like no other. Sit back and relax in one of its 42 private, climate-controlled gondolas to take in the breathtaking panoramic scenes.

Atlanta's Tony Award-winning theatre is the ideal destination for live entertainment. Check their website to see what shows you can catch on the Coca-Cola stage while you're in town.

Named one of America's Classic Restaurants by the James Beard Foundation in 2022, stop by The Busy Bee Cafe for iconic Southern food. Best known for its fried chicken, the 76-year-old establishment also serves delicious baked macaroni & cheese and cornbread muffins. Fun fact: Oprah has visited for lunch!

Piedmont Park is a 200-plus-acre green space in the heart of Atlanta that's always bustling with something to do: go on a stroll, join a fitness class, catch a concert... or simply stop and take in the beautiful contrast of Atlanta's striking city skyline against the vast, lush green park. Fun fact: The park has been featured in a handful of movies and shows, like Spider-Man and American Idol.

The home of author Margaret Mitchell in Atlanta is deemed a national historical place because it's where she wrote Gone With the Wind, a book (and movie) that shaped narratives around the Civil War for decades to come.

As the Atlanta History Center points out, although the story was well-loved, it's not a work of non-fiction: "Both the book and the movie depict a rosy myth of the Old South, casting the institution of slavery in a benevolent light," the site reads. "We encourage open discussion about the content of the book and film, the evidence from historical reality, and Margaret Mitchell's life."

The Atlanta Zoo became known for its giant panda exhibit when it welcomed the only giant panda cub born in the United States in 2006. Now, you can even feed one in a giant panda encounter. It's worth noting that the tickets are sold on a timed system to limit the number of guests in the zoo at a given time.

The Wren's Nest is the historic home of author and journalist Joel Chandler Harris, who was best known for recording and publishing the Br'er Rabbit folktales as told by the fictional character Uncle Remus. The stories played a significant role in shaping American literature. The house hosts tours and live storytelling events, and admission is $12.

Football fans won't want to skip this stop on their Atlanta tour. The museum features a three-story wall of helmets from various players and teams—and after registering your ticket, your chosen helmet will light up from its post. A continued customized tour features a specialty exhibit and an indoor playing field.

Did you know Atlanta has been the backdrop for many popular TV shows and movies—like The Walking Dead, Stranger Things, and The Hunger Games? The Swan House—located on Atlanta History Center's 33-acre campus—was used as President Snow's mansion in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and Mockingjay: Part 1. You can go on a tour or just explore the grounds.

Speaking of Stranger Things, Sleepy Hollow Farm is home to Hopper's cabin—and you can embark on an escape room adventure in the cabin with Escape Woods. (Just make sure you book the cabin tour specifically, or you risk not being able to see it!)

An unexpected reprieve from the busy city, Cascade Springs is the perfect place to go for a day hike with views. On the trail, you'll traverse a rolling forest and babbling creek, and you'll even spot a beautiful stone springhouse.

Kids and adults alike will love the one-of-a-kind experience offered at the Illuminarium. Themed exhibits are brought to life via 4K laser projection, audio beams, and in-floor haptics to give visitors an immersive sensory show. Some of the rotating show themes include space, sports, and a New Year's celebration.

The Beltline is Atlanta's impressive outdoor space that consists of 22 miles of unused railroad tracks circling the core of the city. It includes walking and biking trails, green space, and art installations to enjoy along the way.

At the Delta Flight Museum, guests can not only tour the first Boeing 747-400 produced, but walk on its wing. They can also channel their inner pilot and fly the only Boeing 737 flight simulator open to the public in the United States.