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In honor of summer, I have created a list of the top 25 free things to do in Atlanta. I hope that you can use this list as a quick reference point to maximize the value of your trip! There are tons of green spaces as well as historic locations to add to your trip.
Top 25 FREE Things To Do In Atlanta
Lets start things off with a visit to Centennial Olympic Park. This park is a product of the 1996 Olympics and provides a great place for all residents of Atlanta to hang out and enjoy great music.
Castleberry HillCastleberry Hill represents the warehouse district of Atlanta but has been turned into one of the most “artistically progressive neighborhoods” of the city. The monthly art stroll shows off the art studios and paintings in the area and the guided tour is free!
Their doors are always open for free to the public. Enjoy a stroll through modern art and enjoy extras like lectures, special events and kids events. Don’t miss out on some truly beautiful modern art!
Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was one of the greatest heroes of the United States of America. Visit his tomb and get a tour of where he lived growing up, all for free. This is a great place to bring the kids to educate them on the Civil Rights movement.
Need to take the kids out to run around, walk paths, or even bike? Come by Piedmont Park and enjoy the sights of beautiful trees and greenery. This is a great place to let some energy out.
This is one is an educational stop. Learn all about the Federal Reserve, what they do, and how they control the money supply. Also see the importance of a federal reserve system. A great place for kids.
Atlanta offers free tours of the Governor’s Mansion every Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10 to 11:30 am. It is a great way to learn some history about the city and see the elegance of the mansion.
This massive trail is 61.5 miles long and right next to Atlanta. Take the family out and plan a fun walk to see some of the beautiful country side of Georgia. Pack a lunch make it an afternoon adventure.
Do you have a child interested in space? This gem inside the perimeter features not only exhibits on space but also has its very own planetarium and observatory! Fernbank also is home to several live animal exhibits. Check out the schedule for current events and exhibits.
Tour the lovely Capitol building of Georgia located in downtown Atlanta. Built in 1884 the Capitol is quite a site. It is a sign of the “new south” and modeled after the Capitol building in D.C.
The Sweet Auburn neighborhood is full of amazing history and facts about the civil rights movement. Sweet Auburn is filled with memorials and culture about Atlanta’s African American community.
Little Five Points has lot of fun, quirky shops that you can browse around in. No need to spend any money just soak in the culture!
Cascade Springs Nature Preserve Trail
This green space in Atlanta features kid-friendly walking trails and mini waterfalls.
The Chattahoochee River is a great place to cool down after being in the heat of the South! Bring your own tube and enjoy some of the best free summer fun known to man in the Chattahoochee River.
Central Park in Atlanta has free movies that play throughout the summer! Make sure to check the schedule, bring a blanket or two, and enjoy the movie.
This nature center is free and open to the public and has lots of cool stuff to explore.
Take a break and enjoy a lazy afternoon on Lake Allatoona. Explore the area and see what you and the kids can find!
While you’re not going to be allowed into the laboratories, the Centers for Disease Control does have a museum attached it to it that you can visit.
After wandering around trails and historic parks walk down to the Oakland Cemetery. Built in 1850, it is filled with interesting gravestones, including many of Atlanta’s founders.
Another art walk hits the list, but nothing beats free art. Located in the Marietta Square electric art scene, there are a ton of cool art exhibits to visit and neat little boutiques to explore.
This museum features fire equipment dating back to the mid-1800s!
Local college Emory University is always having events going on that are usually free. Check the schedule out and see if any interest you and your family.
I love farmers’ markets and enjoy visiting other cities’ markets. It’s always fun to see what products are for sale and a great place to just walk around.
The Robert C. Williams Museum of Papermaking
Not only is Georgia Tech one of Atlanta oldest schools in Atlanta, it also has a great museum about the history of paper and the art of papermaking. Exhibits, workshops, and collections at the museum make this a pretty unique and artistic place to visit!
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