When I returned to America this autumn for the first time in 5 years, it was to attend a dear friend’s wedding outside of Atlanta. A city where she and I used to live together. I lived in Atlanta for 4 years, so I felt as though I knew it pretty well, and though many things have changed since I was last there, it was exciting to get to see the city through Sam’s eyes as an Atlanta first-timer and as a tourist.
Sam and I are big “Walking Dead” fans so it was also fun to get to see the city through the lens of someone who only knows Atlanta through the show. Sam was definitely thrilled to see the stretch of road that features in the infamous shot of Atlanta in the very first episode.
So nothing on my list is going to be incredibly surprising, and it will be all quite touristy, but sometimes the touristy things are fun!
10 Things To Do in Atlanta
1. Go to the World of Coca-Cola
It’s such a tourist cliche but it’s legitimately a fun afternoon out. Everyone’s favourite part is always where you get to try different flavours of soda from around the world.
121 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
2. Take a tour of the CNN building
I love the CNN building. It’s free to go in to, and you can just have a coffee or some lunch in the food court and try to spy news anchors but I recommend taking the tour. Then you get to go up the largest freestanding escalator in the world. Plus see the various news floors and see them filming some segments, if you’re lucky.
190 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303
3. Walk around Centennial Olympic Park
The Park is where the Atlanta Olympics was centered. It’s a lovely little Park and has 21 acres of green space.
265 Park Ave W NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
4. Eat at the Varsity
The Varsity is an Atlanta institution. It might not be the best food in the world, but everyone has to experience “What’ll ya have!” at least once during their visit to Atlanta.
61 N Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30308
5. MLK Jr National Historic Site
Visiting Martin Luther King Jr’s birth site, memorial and the rest of the park/historic site is probably the most important place you can visit in Atlanta.
501 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312
6. Explore Little Five Points
When I was in university, nary a weekend would go by without venturing out to Little Five Points. It’s Atlanta’s traditionally “alternative” neighbourhood. The Junkman’s Daughter shop and the Vortex restaurant are two of the most famous places in Little Five.
7. Georgia Aquarium
The Georgia Aquarium is expensive, but it is genuinely one of my favourite days out in Atlanta. It’s so big it’s basically like a theme park filled with interesting sea creatures. I dare you to go and not have a good time.
225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
8. BeltLine / Piedmont Park
It was so hard for me to pick my favourite green space in Atlanta so I didn’t. Explore Piedmont Park and walk a bit of the BeltLine. Piedmont Park is a lovely park between Midtown and the Virginia Highlands. The BeltLine isn’t wholly finished yet, but big chunks of it are and it’s a lovely walking path dotted with artwork and little popups.
9. Fox Theater
Try to catch a show at The Fox. It was originally a cinema and famously hosted Golden Age Hollywood premiers (like the premier of ‘Gone with the Wind’). The Fox was converted to be able to play host to theatre, and everything from ballet to Broadway tours play at the Fox these days. The architecture and detail of the venue are stunning.
660 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
10. Fernbank Natural History Museum
Fernbank plays host to the largest dinosaur ever classified. If you have any interest in science or history, you’ll have a great time at the Fernbank. And you can think of me whilst you’re there: my freshman ball was at the Fernbank.
767 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30307
Have you visited Atlanta before?
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