Top 18 Things To Do In Downtown Atlanta, Georgia

1. Enjoy the panaromic views from Skyview Atlanta Ferris wheel

Located in Luckie Street, Skyview Atlanta Ferris Wheel gives you a magnificent panoramic view of downtown Atlanta. The wheel is 20 stories high and it has no obstacles to obstruct wonderful views. Whether you choose to get on it in the morning or the evening, you will be surprised by nothing but magnificence. The night time view is especially amazing as you can see the entire city glitter below you. There are 42 air-conditioned gondolas in the Ferris wheel. One of them is a luxurious, leather-seated and glass-bottomed booth. If you want a VIP experience, this is the one to go for.

Skyview Atlanta Ferris wheel

Address: 168 Luckie St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA

Website: Skyview Atlanta Ferris wheel

Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 12pm - 11pm; Fri - Sat: 10am - 12am

2. Browse through the contemporary artwork in ZuCot Gallery

ZuCot Gallery provides a different art experience than you have ever encountered. It is a huge 3500-square-foot (325-square-meter) gallery. The display of art pieces as well as what they present are contemporary. Be a part of their regular and innovative art tasting evenings as well as their talk sessions. You get the chance to talk to the contributing artists and hear their stories.

ZuCot Gallery

Address: 100 Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313, USA

Website: ZuCot Gallery

Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 10am - 4pm; Sat: 1pm - 4pm (closed on Sun & Mon)

3. Watch a performance at Agatha’s Mystery Dinner Theater

Do mystery and dinner sound fascinating to you? Then Agatha’s Mystery Dinner Theater is definitely for you. This theater has been hosting murder dinner shows for 30 years now. It is one of the most entertaining places to be in downtown Atlanta. You will be amazed right from the moment you take your seat in their vintage-styled dining room. Enjoy their delicious five-course meal while watching the mystery unfold before you. You will get everything from laughter and suspense to good food here.

Agatha’s Mystery Dinner Theater

Address: 161 Peachtree Center Ave | Atlanta, GA | 30303

Website: Agatha’s Mystery Dinner Theater

4. Experience global news in the making at CNN News Studio

The CNN center is not just a hub of the global news company’s broadcasting facilities, but it also houses retail outlets and restaurants. You can begin your tour by riding the world’s longest free-standing elevator. You will then be escorted by your guide. You will be given information about the company’s history. You also get to see a newsroom during a live broadcast. If you choose the VIP tour, you get to enter a live newsroom and also meet the presenters. Isn’t this an absolutely brilliant opportunity?

CNN News Studio

Address: 190 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA

Website: CNN News Studio

Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)

5. Enjoy a game of basketball at State Farm Arena

State Farm Arena is the place to go for a lively match of basketball or to see a live concert. The arena has a seating capacity of about 20,000. There is everything that you may want in an arena. There are wonderful restaurants serving every type of dish, right from soul food to Italian. The beer halls provide excellent views of the pitch. There are also private lounges that have plush and luxurious decors. This is a wonderful place to enjoy a couple of drinks with your pals while enjoying a good game.

State Farm Arena

Address: 1 State Farm Dr, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA

Website: State Farm Arena

6. Explore the Fountain of Rings at Centennial Olympic Park

The Fountain of Rings in Centennial Olympic Park is very special. It has been designed to replicate the Olympic rings and it is also the largest of its kind in the world. The feature that makes this fountain very exciting is the computer choreographed music shows that it performs four times a day. You must definitely catch one of these shows while you are here. On a hot day, this is the perfect place to cool down. The nighttime show is absolutely hypnotic and brilliant.

Centennial Olympic Park

Address: 265 Park Ave W NW, Atlanta, GA 30313, USA

Website: Centennial Olympic Park

Opening hours: 7am - 11pm (daily)

7. Try out the Relay Bike Share scheme at Centennial Olympic Park

With the Relay Bike Share scheme, you can grab a cycle and take a ride around all the areas. It is a very fun and exhilarating thing to do that will definitely bring some activity to your holiday. Downtown Atlanta is one of the best places for cycling. There are numerous well laid out cycling paths here. Plan a route for yourself and explore Downtown Atlanta at your own pace.

Relay Bike Share scheme

Website: Relay Bike Share scheme

8. Spend an eventful day at World of Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola is one of the most refreshing drinks available in the world and it is the favorite drink of many. Now, you can know all that you have always wanted to know about Coca-Cola. The museum, located in Baker City, is completely dedicated to the Coca-Cola company. The exhibits at the museum are extremely interesting. There is a working bottling machine as well as presentations on the drink’s unique formula. The museum also has a tasting center where you can taste about 60 variants of the drink. Imagine what a wonderful excursion this would be. You will gain a lot of knowledge and also get a chance to taste flavors you never knew existed.

World of Coca-Cola

Address: 121 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313, USA

Website: World of Coca-Cola

9. Satisfy your shopaholic soul at Ponce City Market

Ponce City Market is a community hub that is located in an old department store building. It is a diverse market that caters to almost every need you may have. There are excellent shops, a produce market as well as a food hall. The food hall has over 30 eateries where you can find almost everything that your heart craves. What is even better than the shops is the rooftop. Apart from giving you unmatched views, it also has numerous cocktail bars, an amusement park, and a mini-golf course. Shop, eat and have some fun at the Ponce City Market. You are surely going to love this amazing day out.

Ponce City Market

Address: 675 Ponce de Leon Ave., NE, Atlanta, GA

Website: Ponce City Market

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 9pm; Sun:11am - 8pm

10. Learn about African-American history at Apex Museum

Dedicated to the African-Americans in Atlanta and Georgia, Apex Museum is a great place to get some valuable insights. The museum commemorates the presence of the African-Americans right from their arrival to the present time. There are photographic exhibitions, video presentations, artifacts, and more to get you acquainted with one of the most important portions of American history. Visiting this place is going to enhance and update your knowledge. Bring your kids here too, so they can learn a very critical part of history without it being too boring.

Apex Museum

Address: 135 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA

Website: Apex Museum

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10am - 5pm (closed on Sun & Mon)

11. Visit the Center For Civil & Human Rights

The Center For Civil & Human Rights is dedicated to the results of the Civil Movement, not just in the United States but also in other parts of the world. The exhibits at the center are eye-opening. There is a very informative and interactive gallery about segregation. There are also important artifacts telling us more about the civil rights movement. Also, the center has a very interesting section about some of the world’s most dangerous and worst dictators. You should definitely not miss out on this historical journey. If you are a history buff or if these things interest you, this place is going to be the perfect haunt for you.

Center For Civil & Human Rights

Address: 100 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313, USA

Website: Center For Civil & Human Rights

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 10am - 5pm; Fri - Sat: 10am - 6pm; Sun: 12pm - 5pm

12. Check out the marine species at Georgia Aquarium

Are you a lover of the stunning marine life? Visit George Aquarium, a public aquarium in the state of Atlanta. This is the next best thing to an actual sea. With over 100,000 different animals, this is a complete treat for everyone, regardless of age. The kids will be amazed and awe-struck at this vast beauty, sprawling over 10 million US gallons of marine and saltwater. The aquarium is a great learning experience and the kids would love to know all about the beautiful sea life. This is the best way to teach them all about the vast and diverse marine life without it being boring for them. Let your kids know more about the creatures we share this wonderful planet with.

Georgia Aquarium

Address: 225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313, USA

Website: Georgia Aquarium

Opening hours: Wed - Mon: 9am - 9pm; Tue: 10am - 5pm

13. Chill out at Piedmont Park

Nothing is better than being out in nature and breathing in some fresh air. At Piedmont Park, you can do just this and much more. This beautiful park lets you unwind and relax. You can step on the jogging trails here if jogging excites you and lets you forget all your mundane problems. There are also basketball courts for those who would love to indulge in a game or two. This is also a great place to bring your family and children for a picnic. Apart from several other things, Piedmont Park also has a farmer’s market where you can buy the freshest produce.

Piedmont Park

Address: 400 Park Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30306, USA

Website: Piedmont Park

Opening hours: 6am - 11pm (daily)

14. Visit the animals at Zoo Atlanta

Zoo Atlanta is one of the best zoological parks with an extensive range of animals. You will love being among so many animals which will always manage to fascinate you. The children will especially love being around these beauties. There is everything that you may ever imagine to find in a zoo, from gorillas, pandas, and tigers. Enjoy a lovely Sunday morning exploring this historic zoo that dates back to 1889 and has evolved ever since.

Zoo Atlanta

Address: 800 Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30315, USA

Website: Zoo Atlanta

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9:30am - 5:30pm; Sat - Sun: 9:30am - 6:30pm

15. Bring your kids to the Children's Museum of Atlanta

The Children’s Museum of Atlanta is a very fascinating place, especially for children. This museum provides a hands-on experience for the kids and they get acquainted with the various aspects of human life. The various exhibits at the museum help the children develop different skills such as creative thinking, problem-solving, and artistic expressions. It helps build the foundation of children to develop concepts in a creative and fun way, that is enjoyed by children.

Children's Museum of Atlanta

Address: 275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313, USA

Website: Children’s Museum of Atlanta

Opening hours: Mon - Tue & Thu - Fri: 10am - 4pm; Sat - Sun: 10am -5pm (closed on Wed)

16. Tour the interactive Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame

The Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame was founded in 1951 by The National Football Foundation. The Hall of Fame was established to honor the players and coaches of college football. It is quite an interactive attraction which is sure to pique your interest even if you are not a big fan of football. It is spread over three floors and has five themed galleries. There are 50 interactive exhibits that include a 47-yard football field and a three-story wall of over 750 college football helmets. Are you interested already?

Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame

Address: 250 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313, USA

Website: Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame

Opening hours: Sun - Fri: 10am - 5pm; Sat: 9am - 6pm

17. Enjoy a meal at Big Daddy’s Southern Cuisine

There is no chance of you leaving Atlanta without trying out their delicious local cuisine. Big Daddy’s Southern Cuisine is the place to go for a heart-warming home-style meal that is going to get you hooked. Once you taste their deliciousness, you will not be able to leave the table. Some of their most delectable items that you must try include fried chicken wings, slow-cooked pot roast or smothered beef liver with onions.

Big Daddy’s Southern Cuisine

Address: 121 M.L.K. Jr Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA

Website: Big Daddy’s Southern Cuisine

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10:30am - 5pm (closed on Sat & Sun)

18. Tour the Old 4th Distillery

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

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The Old 4th Distillery is a great place to learn how they distill their beverages. You will be able to see the way in which they produce their beverages. Watch the process of making gin and vodka from fresh ingredients using a technique that is 130 years old. The tour ends in a tasting room where you can taste their amazing drinks. Visit the Old 4th Distillery with your pals to savor a few drinks while having countless things to talk about. This place really brings out the good old days.

Old 4th Distillery

Address: 487 Edgewood Avenue SE, Atlanta, GA 30312

Website: Old 4th Distillery

Start planning your trip

Downtown Atlanta is a great place to create loads of memories with friends and family. There are all these different places here catering to all different age groups. There are places that are perfect for an amazing family rebonding or for some laughter shared with friends. Everything is possible in Downtown Atlanta. Now that you know of some of the most happening places to visit here, why don’t you get started with your planning? Check out all these wonderful things to do in Downtown Atlanta and start making your plans to visit this wonderful place today!