Tours & Attractions

Atlanta attractions captivate visitors with its rich history and culture, offering museums, music, shopping, amusement and scenic parks and more to explore. The state’s capital city is home to Centennial Olympic Park — a 21-acre park in the heart of downtown Atlanta and site of the 1996 Olympics — where concerts, festivals and family activities are highlighted with daily shows of The Fountain of Rings. Many architectural wonders shape Atlanta’s attractions with sites such as the Georgia Aquarium, the world’s largest. The restored Georgia State Capitol shimmers with its signature gold dome, while the World of Coca-Cola enlightens visitors with a 4D theater and more than 60 Coca-Cola products from around the globe to sample. These are just a few of the must-see attractions in Atlanta.

	Atlanta University Center and Historic West End The West End historic district of Atlanta holds the country's largest concentration of African-American colleges and is often referred to as the Atlanta University Center (AUC). The AUC is comprised of Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Morehouse School of Medicine, and Spelman College. It is home to the Clark Atlanta University Art Gallery, Morehouse Chapel, Morehouse School of Medicine's National Center for Primary Care, and the Spelman College Museum of Fine Art. The Historic West End community dates back to the 1830s and features restored period homes and Victorian cottages. Museums in the area include Hammonds House Galleries, known for its exhibitions of African-American and Haitian art, and The Wren's Nest, home of Joel Chandler Harris who wrote the Uncle Remus stories.
	Centennial Olympic Park This 21-acre site was one of the most popular spots in the city during the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games. Today, year-round programming featuring concerts, family activities and festivals make the park a gathering place for Atlantans and visitors. The park features the world's largest Olympic Ring fountain.
	City Segway Tours Cruise through beautiful parks and downtown Atlanta sidewalks while receiving a great historical and informational orientation of the city. The Segway is the first of its kind: a self-balancing personal transportation device designed to operate in any pedestrian environment.
	The Georgia Aquarium Dive into a one-of-a-kind aquatic experience at the world's largest aquarium, the Georgia Aquarium! Get up close with gentle whale sharks, toothy sand tiger sharks, graceful beluga whales, playful sea otters and aquatic animals from around the globe. With the largest collection of aquatic animals, you are sure to see things you've never seen before!
	Georgia State Capitol Georgia native gold tops the dome of the Georgia State Capitol. This restored 1889 building houses a museum which collects, maintains and exhibits significant artifacts, including a priceless collection of Georgia's state flags. 60-90 minute tours are available.
	Inside CNN Atlanta Journey into the heart of CNN Worldwide and get an up-close look at global news in the making. Inside CNN is a 55-minute guided walking tour with exclusive, behind the- scenes views of Atlanta's CNN studios and an exciting glimpse of news and broadcasting in action from the world headquarters of CNN.
	Imagine It! The Children's Museum of Atlanta Located on Centennial Olympic Park, Imagine It! The Children's Museum of Atlanta features hands-on, colorful exhibits and activities where children can discover, imagine and explore as they learn how things work in their world. Whether it's building a sandcastle, painting on the walls, or exploring the latest exhibit, children will discover why it's the smart place to play.
	Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site & Sweet Auburn District The area of Sweet Auburn served as the thriving center of Black enterprise in Atlanta from the 1890s through the 1940s, and is the birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. At the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, explore his birth home, visitor center, historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, and The King Center, where Dr. King's Nobel Peace Prize is on exhibit. The crypt and gravesite of Dr. King and his wife, Coretta Scott King, are also located at The King Center.
	World of Coca-Cola From a multi-sensory 4-D theater, a marvelously restored 1880s soda fountain, a one-of-a-kind World of Coca-Cola glass bottle produced in a real, live bottling line, to an opportunity to sample nearly 70 different beverages from around the world, you'll experience something inviting around every corner.
	Underground Atlanta Six city blocks have been transformed into a spirited marketplace that offers historic guided tours, more than 100 specialty stores, Kenny's Alley, the trendy hangout with exciting nightlife and restaurants, street-cart merchants and annual events. The Peach Drop, the largest New Year's Eve celebration in the Southeast, St Patrick's Day Festival, and Heritage Arts Festival are just a few of the special events that take place.
	Atlanta Botanical Garden This peaceful oasis includes 30 acres of gardens, an urban forest, wildflower trails, the Dorothy Chapman Fuqua Conservatory and a 10,000 square-foot Fuqua Orchid Center. A charming bridge links the main gardens to the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Children's Garden. The Garden also offers year-round special events, exhibits and workshops.
	Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO) is a Grammy Award winning, internationally-renowned ensemble now in its 62nd season. Currently flourishing under the creative partnership of Music Director Robert Spano and Principal Guest Conductor Donald Runnicles, the ASO has garnered 23 Grammy Awards.
	Atlantic Station Atlantic Station offers a city within a city feeling to all its visitors with a walkable streetscape-style setting with brick paved streets and a Central Park. Great boutiques, sidewalk cafes, hip restaurants reign at Atlanta's new Main Street. Atlantic Station has a Regal Cinemas 16, lots of festivals, concerts and TWELVE® Hotel. Free shuttles are available from the Arts Center MARTA Station.
	Center for Puppetry Arts Center for Puppetry Arts is the largest organization in North America dedicated to the art of puppetry. The center offers performances from the Family Series and New Directions for adults. An interactive museum, Puppets: The Power of Wonder, is the largest puppetry museum in the United States.
	High Museum of Art The High Museum of Art is the leading art museum in the southeast. Expect a broad, diverse selection of art comprising 19th/20th century American works, European paintings, decorative arts, African, African-American art, photography, and modern and contemporary art. The High is currently involved in a three-year partnership that brings treasures from the Musee du Louvre to the city. “The First Emperor: China's Terracotta Army” (Nov. 16, 2008 – April 19, 2009) is another must-see, coupled with “Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs” (Nov. 15, 2008 – May 22, 2009 at the Atlanta Civic Center). Purchase a hotel package with tickets to both exhibitions here.
	Margaret Mitchell House Margaret Mitchell House is the three-story Tudor Revival mansion in Midtown where author Margaret Mitchell lived from 1925 to 1932 and wrote her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, Gone With The Wind. The House offers tours, a museum and museum shop, as well as a literature series that showcases Southern authors.
	Walking Tours Midtown walking tours are available for visitors in Atlanta, from historic neighborhoods to prominent buildings. The Atlanta Preservation Center offers guided walking tours of neighborhoods such as Ansley Park and The Fox Theatre, one of the few remaining exotic movie palaces of the 1920s.
	Millennium Gate The Millennium Gate is a new, classically designed monument in Atlantic Station. Winner of the prestigious 2006 Palladio Award for design of a public space, Millennium Gate showcases world-class architecture, art and history in an intimate gallery setting and beautiful grounds.
	Piedmont Park Atlanta's Central Park, Piedmont Park, with more than 180 acres, is situated between 10th Street and Piedmont Avenue and is joined with the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Experience lush woods, Lake Clara Meer, picnic spots, skating paths and many annual events.
	William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum Through its exhibitions, publications and resources, this museum of the Atlanta Jewish Federation explores Jewish heritage in general and how it relates to other cultures and religions. It contains two permanent galleries and hosts special rotating exhibits.
	Atlanta History Center This Buckhead attraction features 32 acres of gardens, wildlife trails and woodland areas. The complex includes the 1840s Tullie Smith Farm, a fully restored 1928 Swan House mansion and Swan Coach House restaurant. The museum features exhibitions on subjects such as the Civil War, African-American heritage and Southern folk art. The Atlanta History Center includes a wing dedicated to the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games.
	Chastain Park Amphitheatre Chastain Park Amphitheatre each spring and summer plays host to some of the finest, best known musicians in the world. The Classic Chastain series features musicians and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra performing at Chastain Park Amphitheatre while guests dine by moonlight.
	City of Decatur Walkable, friendly Decatur, six miles east of downtown Atlanta, has more than 200 boutiques, restaurants and galleries. Head to the square for outdoor concerts, the Decatur Arts Festival in May, the Decatur Beach Party in June and the Decatur Book Festival Labor Day weekend. Eddie's Attic provides live entertainment nightly. The best part? Decatur is right on the Marta line.
	Fernbank Museum of Natural History Come face to face with the world's largest dinosaurs, explore the development of life on Earth through the landscapes of present-day Georgia, connect with cultures from around the globe, engage in a variety of hands-on exhibits and enjoy the incredible 5-story experience of an IMAX® film. Don't miss Martinis & IMAX®, Atlanta's perfect mix of culture and cocktails offered every Friday (January - November).
	Jimmy Carter Library and Museum The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum is an opportunity to learn about the life and work of the 39th president. Walk into an exact replica of the Oval Office, see exquisite state gifts and special exhibits, and trace President Carter's life from his 6th grade report card to the actual Nobel Peace Prize awarded to him in 2002.
	Little Five Points It's one of the coolest spots on the map. A bohemian hangout with a rich mix of art, theater, and shopping, it has been the epicenter of all things alternative for many years. 7 Stages Theatre, Horizon Theatre, Variety Playhouse, Star Community Bar (with a shrine to Elvis) and many pubs and nightlife places are available.
	Virginia-Highland This community east of Midtown is best known for its restaurants, pubs, galleries and interesting shops. Local favorites include Local favorites include Murphy's, La Tavola, Noche, Blind Willie's blues bar and 20th Century Antiques.
	Zoo Atlanta Located in historic Grant Park, Zoo Atlanta features more than 200 species of animals from the African plains and Asian forests. See Bornean Sumatran orangutans, Asian small clawed otters and Sumatran tigers, plus a pair of Giant Pandas and a new panda cub. The Ford African Rain Forest houses one of the largest captive gorilla populations in North America with a total of 24 gorillas.
	Atlanta Motor Sports The Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton is an 870-acre racing complex hosting NASCAR Nextel Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck Series events in March and October. In addition to the race weekend, the facility hosts driving schools, Thursday Thunder Legends racing, Friday Night Drags, NOPI Nationals and many others. Road Atlanta in Braselton is a 2.5-mile track featuring sports car, vintage, motorcycle, and go-cart races from March through November, plus the Petit Le Mans.
	The Atlanta Opera and the Atlanta Ballet The Atlanta Opera offers four main stage productions each season, in addition to other programs, such as Pre-Opera Lectures and student matinees to further enhance the experience of opera. Atlanta Ballet, founded in 1929, is the oldest professional dance company in America, the largest self-supported arts organization in Georgia and is the official Ballet Company of Georgia. The company's performances combine contemporary and traditional with classic ballets and new choreography. Both companies recently moved to the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.
	Chattahoochee River Fun Sixteen recreation areas along a 48-mile stretch of the Chattahoochee River have been designed to conserve the river and provide outdoor entertainment for the whole family. Contact the Chattahoochee National Park Service to plan your outdoor fun, or Chattahoochee Outfitters, a premier raft, canoe, kayak and pedal boat outfitter. The Chattahoochee Nature Center in Roswell offers educational environmental programs, canoe trips and other activities.
	Marietta Historic District Take a walking or driving tour of Marietta's five National Register Historic Districts. Visit the square, with specialty and antique shops, nightspots, restaurants, Theater in the Square and Glover Park. Tour three heritage museums with the Marietta Heritage Passport or take a ride through history on the Historic Marietta Trolley.
	Medieval Times Journey back to the 11th Century for feasting, fighting and fun. Medieval Times is an exciting, family friendly dinner theater featuring an authentic medieval tournament and feast, with jousting knights and horses.
	Roswell Historic District Take a walking tour of Roswell starting at the Historic Roswell Visitors Center or tour the antebellum homes such as Bulloch Hall, the childhood home of former United States President Theodore Roosevelt's mother, or Smith Plantation built in 1845 and fully furnished in period pieces belonging to the original family.
	See Atlanta from Above Air Atlanta Helicopters has several selections of Atlanta sites to tour from the sky. And, when you take a hot air balloon ride with Balloons Over Georgia you will see North Georgia in a whole new light.
	Stone Mountain Park Stone Mountain Park is home to the world's largest piece of exposed granite rock and is the state's most visited attraction. With more than 3,200 acres of natural beauty, the park offers families recreational activities, special events, lodging and camping. Plus, new in 2008 is Sky Hike, the largest family adventure course in the treetops. Also see the Skyride, Paddlewheel Riverboat, Antebellum Plantation & Farmyard, The Great Barn, Scenic Railroad, Ride the Ducks, Great Locomotive Adventure, Golf, museums and the 1870s town of Crossroads® which includes live shows, craft demonstrations, shopping and dining.
	Yellow River Game Ranch and Kangaroo Conservation Center Visit the 24-acre Yellow River Game Ranch set on a naturally wooded preserve along the banks of the Yellow River. It features more than 600 native Georgia animals, such as deer, buffalo, bears and the famous weather predicting groundhog, General Beauregard Lee. The Kangaroo Conservation Center is America's Aussie Adventure, home to the largest population of kangaroos outside of Australia.