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7 Best Things to Do in Atlanta

A visit to Atlanta would not be complete without experiencing some of the iconic city sites, events, and happenings that Georgia’s capital city is known for. From sporting venues to historical sites to beautiful homes and gardens, Atlanta offers plenty of unique and exciting experiences for anyone visiting Atlanta. Let’s look at seven things you should do on your next visit to the ATL.

1. Stroll Piedmont

Enjoy gorgeous Piedmont Park, located two miles north of downtown Atlanta. With its beautiful Lake Meer surrounded by walking trails, dog parks, and lawn spaces to stretch your legs, Piedmont shows off Atlanta’s natural beauty every season of the year. Grab a snack from one of the many vendors or cafes, visit the botanical gardens, or go for a swim at this iconic place that has brought locals together since 1822.

2. Shop in Buckhead

Sometimes called Atlanta’s Rodeo Drive, this swanky spot is a favorite for shopping and dining. High-end shops cozy up to world-class eateries and beautiful residences, and people-watching here is top-notch. The neighborhood called Buckhead, located just north of downtown, is not to be missed on a visit to Atlanta.

3. Get a Haircut

You might think that you should get a cut before you take a trip, but if you do, you would be missing out on an iconic Atlanta experience. Book an appointment at a top-rated barber shop in Atlanta to experience one of the local hot spots to sharpen up your fade while you soak in the unmatched culture, art, and music. Atlanta’s barbershops are considered some of the best in the country, so don’t miss out. 

4. Visit Sweet Auburn

Learn more about the Civil Rights history of Atlanta with a visit to the Sweet Auburn neighborhood. The neighborhood’s historic homes, interesting parks with history, and gorgeous architecture will keep your eyes and mind busy for hours. Tour Dr. Martin Luther King’s birth home, ride the Atlanta Streetcar, or drop into the famous Royal Peacock Club where Louis Armstrong, Ray Charles, and B.B. King once played.

5. Go to a Game

Sports are a massive part of life in Atlanta, and this southern city’s love of all games is apparent in the teams and schools she loves. If football season is king, don’t miss a chance to see the Atlanta Falcons battle it out at the Mercedes-Benz stadium downtown. Baseball fans love to cheer on the Braves in their beautiful new home, Truist Park, while basketball lovers can experience the Atlanta Hawks at their downtown State Farm Arena location. Golf fans flock to Atlanta for the PGA Tour held here, and tennis fans get in on the action at the Atlanta Open. College fans can catch competitions of all kinds at Georgia State University and Morehouse University, located in Atlanta.

6. Experience Ponce City Market

Not just another shopping area, the Ponce City Market is named after bordering Ponce de Leon Avenue. This community-centered area has everything from a farmer’s market in the morning to the rooftop Skyline Park to enjoy late into the night. Grab a meal or a drink at one of the rooftop hotspots, or just relax with some shopping at some of the hottest and hippest stores around. Residents mingle with visitors and those that work at some of the big offices in this historic building, and visitors will love the urban vibe tinged with history. Ponce City Market also hosts events throughout the year during the days and nights, so check to see if you can catch an Improv show, a seasonal event, or even a concert during your visit.

7. Spend Some Time on Peachtree Street

No stretch of Atlanta is more iconic than Peachtree Street, the thoroughfare that runs through Buckhead, Midtown, and Downtown Atlanta. The convention and entertainment district found in the Peachtree area holds Centennial Olympic Park, where the Olympics were once held and where there’s now a park and entertainment space for Atlantans, as well as the nation’s largest aquarium, the Georgia Aquarium. A popular stop is also the World of Coca-Cola, a fun experience for adults and kids alike. See Atlanta from a new perspective from inside one of the 42 gondolas on the 200-foot tall SkyView Atlanta Ferris wheel.

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