Atlanta and its surrounding areas boast amazing sights and attractions that you won’t want to miss. From educational museums and natural marvels to high-octane theme parks and one-of-a-kind attractions, there’s something here for everyone to enjoy.
In Atlanta
Atlanta Botanical Garden
With 30 acres of cultivated gardens and a fantastic restaurant, the Atlanta Botanical Gardens offers something new to see every season of the year. If you’re visiting during the winter holidays, stop in and see the incredible Garden Lights exhibit after dark.
Fernbank Museum
There’s no better family outing than Fernbank, Atlanta’s natural history museum. With exhibits on Georgia’s biodiverse ecosystems, fossils, a giant screen theater, and an old-growth forest, there’s so much to explore and learn.
Georgia Aquarium
Home to the annual Atlanta Pride Kickoff in October and located in the heart of downtown Atlanta, guests can explore over 11 million gallons of wonder at the largest aquarium in the Western Hemisphere. The Georgia Aquarium features a spectacular collection including whale sharks, bottlenose dolphins, manta rays, sea turtles, African penguins, California sea lions, and hammerhead sharks. All shows are on a first-come, first-served basis. You can plan your visit in advance and save on advanced purchase admission at georgiaaquarium.org/discoveratlanta.
Historic Oakland Cemetery
Historic Oakland Cemetery is Atlanta’s oldest public park and the final resting place of many of the city’s most noted citizens, like Margaret Mitchell and Ivan Allen, Jr. Less than a mile from downtown, its 48 acres are full of treasures: history and gardens, sculpture and architecture, ancient oaks and magnolias.
Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site
Atlanta’s activist roots can be tied to the Civil Rights movement with heroes like Martin Luther King, Jr. Tour the 35 acres dedicated to his life and work and see where he and his wife (and ardent LGBTQ+ ally) Coretta Scott King are now laid to rest. You can also stop by and tour Dr. King’s birth home just down the street.
Michael C. Carlos Museum
Set in the heart of Emory’s campus in Decatur, the Michael C. Carlos Museum is a dynamic, interdisciplinary center for the study of art and culture from around the world, with collections from Africa; ancient Egypt, Nubia, and the Near East; ancient Greece and Rome; the Indigenous Americas; and South Asia; as well as American and European Works on Paper.
Museum of Illusions
Enter the fascinating world of illusions, where nothing is quite as it seems. Get ready to be mesmerized at this new interactive museum, all dedicated to optical illusions. This is a fun, family-friendly, and Instagrammable outing that’s great for anyone.
National Center for Civil and Human Rights
Located in the heart of downtown Atlanta, the Center for Civil and Human Rights connects the African American, LGBTQ+, and global human rights movements in an engaging and thought-provoking way, which is why this attraction is at the top of many lists and has quickly become a favorite among locals and visitors alike.
Piedmont Park
Grab an electric scooter or bicycle or put on your comfiest walking shoes for an afternoon of sheer beauty! The sprawling hills, breathtaking lake, and miles of walking paths are perfect for an afternoon outdoors, and the park is home to Atlanta’s Pride festival and other fantastic events throughout the year. The park offers several baseball fields, beach volleyball courts, several playgrounds, two dog parks, and even a pool for those hot summer days.
SkyView
Enjoy the best views in the city on this 20-story Ferris wheel, located directly across Centennial Olympic Park. Go at night to soak in the lights of downtown from your own climate-controlled gondola.
World of Coca-Cola
Travel through the history of one of Atlanta’s favorite brands in this 20-acre complex dedicated to all things Coke – from exploring the vault of the secret formula to designing your own beverage.
Zoo Atlanta
Come see birds, elephants, monkeys, reptiles, and so much more at Zoo Atlanta — and if you time it right, you can even help feed the giraffes.
A short drive away
Blue Ridge
This mountain town 90 miles north of Atlanta is full of lush scenery, can’t-miss shops, and restaurants in the downtown area. It’s also a surprising haven for a sizable number of LGBTQ+ people, so you’ll see plenty of friendly faces.
Booth Western Art Museum
A little less than an hour from downtown Atlanta, you’ll land in Cartersville — home to Booth Western Art Museum, one of the greatest museums featuring contemporary Western-American art, presidential portraits and letters, and Western-movie memorabilia. There’s also a cafe and multimedia theater on the premises.
Callaway Gardens
Head southwest of the city for 1.5 hours and you won’t regret what you find at this resort complex in Pine Mountain. Gardens of azaleas and magnolias, lakes, and even a large enclosed butterfly habitat dot the area, and the Festival of Lights is worth a drive up during the winter holidays.
Chattahoochee National Forest
Point your car toward North Georgia and take your pick of the 750,000 acres of lush scenery, with rivers, lakes, and waterfalls, plus the perfect terrain for hiking, swimming, picnicking, kayaking, and more.
Fun Spot America
Roughly an hour south of Atlanta, this theme park is nestled in Fayetteville, Georgia. Attractions include a Ferris wheel, a carousel, and various rides and rollercoasters like ArieForce One, the Hurricane coaster, and the Riptide ride.
Helen
Because nothing says “Deep South” quite like a replica of a Bavarian alpine village. Helen is a quirky little north Georgia town, great for a day trip to stroll around the various shops or go tubing on the Chattahoochee. Plus, you’re only a 20-minute drive from beautiful Anna Ruby Falls.
Lake Lanier
Lanier is the most popular lake for Atlanta residents looking for a day or weekend to water ski, swim, sunbathe, or just relax on the water. Make sure to visit Gay Cove on the west side of the lake just north of marker 21 to make some like-minded friends!
The Oddities Museum
Are you a fan of all things eccentric, creepy, and just plain odd? The Oddities Museum in Chamblee is the place for you. For only $10, take in the extensive collection of exotic taxidermy, antique medical equipment, creepy carnival accoutrement, and SO much more.
Savoy Automobile Museum
This unique attraction in Cartersville is a must-visit for car enthusiasts. Savoy Automobile Museum connects people to the cultural diversity of the automobile. Through changing exhibits, educational programs, and engaging experiences, you’ll have the opportunity to appreciate the beauty and history of automobiles.
State Botanical Garden of Georgia
Sure, the Atlanta Botanical Garden is no slouch at 30 acres of beautiful grounds, but head for Athens, Georgia, to visit its much bigger sibling — there are over 300 acres to roam! Be sure to stop for a meal or afternoon cocktail in the always fun downtown area.
Six Flags Over Georgia
Love the thrill of going upside down at 60 miles per hour? Head to Georgia’s most visited amusement park just miles from downtown Atlanta! Located in Austell off the Chattahoochee River, the theme park houses more than 11 roller coasters and a total of 44 rides for all ages. Don’t forget to cool off at Hurricane Harbor with three water slides and more than a dozen attractions.
Six Flags White Water
Take a break from the blistering Georgia heat at Six Flags’ water park, located in Marietta. This refreshing 69-acre park boasts countless exciting water slides, a 700,000-gallon wave pool, and a slew of kid-friendly attractions.
Stone Mountain Park
The city of Stone Mountain is uber LGBTQ+-friendly, with numerous “family-owned” businesses dotting the downtown area and a welcoming mayor to boot. Make sure to visit the 3,200-acre park and either walk or take a chairlift to the top to get the ultimate Georgia view.
Tellus Science Museum
Take a drive out to Cartersville to visit this world-class, 120,000-square-foot natural history and science museum. This hands-on museum, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, is perfect for nature lovers and future scientists.
