Atlanta has many attractions and events year-round. Below are listed some of the most popular places to visit. For current listing of events in Atlanta, visit: www.accessatlanta.com/events. (Adapted from GT OIE Guide for Visiting Scholars)
Atlanta Botanical Garden
The Garden features 15 acres of outdoor display gardens, the Upper Woodland showcasing five acres of shade-loving ornamentals from around the world and the 10-acre Storza Woods with natural undergrowth and walking trails. In addition, the Conservatory green-house contains rare and endangered plants from the tropics to the deserts.
The Atlanta History Center
Learn about the rich history of the city of Atlanta from pre-civil war to today. Tour the 1928 Swan House mansion, explore the lush gardens, and visit an 1840’s southern farmhouse to understand how southern farmers worked.
The Carter Presidential Center
The Carter Presidential Center, located on 30 acres of land, features a museum detailing Jimmy Carter’s life and presidency through films, videos, and displays. A restaurant and Japanese garden with a view of the Atlanta skyline are other features of the center.
Chattahoochee Nature Center
A community center for the understanding and enjoyment of nature, the center offers forest and marsh trails, wildlife exhibits on and around the Chattahoochee River, educational programs, and the Nature Store.
Fernbank Museum of Natural History and Science Center
Home to a world of dinosaurs, artifacts, science interactives, shells, wildlife, IMAX® films and more. Unique permanent exhibitions, such as “A Walk Through Time in Georgia, Sensing Nature and Giants of the Mesozoic,” combine with distinctive special exhibitions and special educational programming and unique travel opportunities to teach visitors about the earth's history, the physical universe, the environment, and human culture.
Georgia Aquarium
The World’s Largest Aquarium, housing more than 100,000 animals representing 500 species from around the globe, including two whale sharks – the largest fish on the planet. Also located at the aquarium is the popular 4-D theater, café and gift shop.
High Museum of Art
The High Museum of Art is a leading art museum in the Southeastern United States. The High Museum holds more than 11,000 works of art in its permanent collection. Included in this collection are 19th and 20th century American art, European art, decorative arts, African American art, modern and contemporary art, photography, and African art.
Lake Lanier Islands
Four islands on the southern shore of Lake Lanier, one of the most popular lakes in the country, offers water sports and many other outdoor activities. The main attraction is the Lake Lanier Islands Beach and Water Park. A great day-trip for a hot summer‘s day!
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site
This national historic site is a memorial to America's most revered civil rights leader and the place where Dr. King was born, lived, worshipped, and is now buried. National Park Service rangers provide guided tours of Dr. King's birth home as well.
Stone Mountain Park
Home to the world's largest relief carving on the world's largest mass of exposed granite. Visited by over 4 million visitors annually, it is one of the most popular attractions in the country. Visitors can explore 3,200 acres of beautiful scenery, pristine lakes, forestland, spectacular flora, & miles of nature trails. In addition, it offers a great variety of recreational & entertainment activities including unique attractions, tennis, golf, fishing, hiking, & camping. The nightly summer Laser Show & fireworks display are not to be missed.
World of Coca-Cola
Dedicated to the history and future of the Coca-Cola drink. Explores the 100 year-old relationship between Coca-Cola and its consumers. Features the world’s largest collection of Coca-Cola memorabilia. Taste every drink that Coca-Cola makes worldwide, and learn how Atlanta contributed to the success of this dark, sugary drink.
Zoo Atlanta
Zoo Atlanta is home to nearly 1,000 animals - large, small, furry, scaly, feathered, hoofed, winged, striped, and horned. They live among the trees, in the hills, alongside streams and watering holes, in naturalistic habitats that look and feel like their homes in the wild. This encourages the animals to "act naturally". Zoo Atlanta is considered one of the top zoos in the country.
Atlanta Botanical Garden
The Garden features 15 acres of outdoor display gardens, the Upper Woodland showcasing five acres of shade-loving ornamentals from around the world and the 10-acre Storza Woods with natural undergrowth and walking trails. In addition, the Conservatory green-house contains rare and endangered plants from the tropics to the deserts.
The Atlanta History Center
Learn about the rich history of the city of Atlanta from pre-civil war to today. Tour the 1928 Swan House mansion, explore the lush gardens, and visit an 1840’s southern farmhouse to understand how southern farmers worked.
The Carter Presidential Center
The Carter Presidential Center, located on 30 acres of land, features a museum detailing Jimmy Carter’s life and presidency through films, videos, and displays. A restaurant and Japanese garden with a view of the Atlanta skyline are other features of the center.
Chattahoochee Nature Center
A community center for the understanding and enjoyment of nature, the center offers forest and marsh trails, wildlife exhibits on and around the Chattahoochee River, educational programs, and the Nature Store.
Fernbank Museum of Natural History and Science Center
Home to a world of dinosaurs, artifacts, science interactives, shells, wildlife, IMAX® films and more. Unique permanent exhibitions, such as “A Walk Through Time in Georgia, Sensing Nature and Giants of the Mesozoic,” combine with distinctive special exhibitions and special educational programming and unique travel opportunities to teach visitors about the earth's history, the physical universe, the environment, and human culture.
Georgia Aquarium
The World’s Largest Aquarium, housing more than 100,000 animals representing 500 species from around the globe, including two whale sharks – the largest fish on the planet. Also located at the aquarium is the popular 4-D theater, café and gift shop.
High Museum of Art
The High Museum of Art is a leading art museum in the Southeastern United States. The High Museum holds more than 11,000 works of art in its permanent collection. Included in this collection are 19th and 20th century American art, European art, decorative arts, African American art, modern and contemporary art, photography, and African art.
Lake Lanier Islands
Four islands on the southern shore of Lake Lanier, one of the most popular lakes in the country, offers water sports and many other outdoor activities. The main attraction is the Lake Lanier Islands Beach and Water Park. A great day-trip for a hot summer‘s day!
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site
This national historic site is a memorial to America's most revered civil rights leader and the place where Dr. King was born, lived, worshipped, and is now buried. National Park Service rangers provide guided tours of Dr. King's birth home as well.
Stone Mountain Park
Home to the world's largest relief carving on the world's largest mass of exposed granite. Visited by over 4 million visitors annually, it is one of the most popular attractions in the country. Visitors can explore 3,200 acres of beautiful scenery, pristine lakes, forestland, spectacular flora, & miles of nature trails. In addition, it offers a great variety of recreational & entertainment activities including unique attractions, tennis, golf, fishing, hiking, & camping. The nightly summer Laser Show & fireworks display are not to be missed.
World of Coca-Cola
Dedicated to the history and future of the Coca-Cola drink. Explores the 100 year-old relationship between Coca-Cola and its consumers. Features the world’s largest collection of Coca-Cola memorabilia. Taste every drink that Coca-Cola makes worldwide, and learn how Atlanta contributed to the success of this dark, sugary drink.
Zoo Atlanta
Zoo Atlanta is home to nearly 1,000 animals - large, small, furry, scaly, feathered, hoofed, winged, striped, and horned. They live among the trees, in the hills, alongside streams and watering holes, in naturalistic habitats that look and feel like their homes in the wild. This encourages the animals to "act naturally". Zoo Atlanta is considered one of the top zoos in the country.