Discover Atlanta: History, Nature and Special Experiences

Atlanta offers a wide variety of reasons to visit: historic sites, museums, gardens, outdoor trails and animal experiences. If you’re looking for a hotel, these interests can help guide your plans. For activities with set times or changing availability, check the latest information.

History, Architecture and Culture

Daily ranger-led tours called “Church Talks” are offered at Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church. Times may change, so check the park calendar before your visit. At the King Center, the free “Freedom Hall” exhibition honors Dr. King, Rosa Parks and Mahatma Gandhi.

Swan House was designed in 1928 by Philip Trammell Shutze for Edward and Emily Inman. It opened to the public as a house museum in 1967 and is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Smith Farm tells the story of rural life and enslavement in Georgia and is located in Atlanta’s oldest surviving farmhouse. Both sites offer insights into different chapters of the history of the city and state.

The “Cyclorama: The Big Picture” exhibition features the fully restored painting “The Battle of Atlanta” and offers a complete 360-degree view of it. At the High Museum of Art, admission tickets include access to the collection galleries and most special exhibitions. Since admission terms may change, check the latest ticket information if a particular exhibition is important to your visit.

Centennial Olympic Park includes the Fountain of Rings and hosts events year-round. The program may change, so check the latest dates if you’re planning a visit around a particular event. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Birth Home offers free presentations open to the public. Check the latest presentation details in advance.

Gardens, Trails and Nature

The Atlanta Beltline follows a 22-mile historic railroad corridor and includes public parks and multi-use trails. The Atlanta Beltline trails include six miles of paved paths for walking and cycling. Before setting out on a particular route, check trail conditions and possible construction, as these may change. The Atlanta Streetcar is a 2.7-mile loop connecting Centennial Olympic Park with the King Historic District in Downtown Atlanta. Routes and operating details may change, so check the latest information before planning to use it.

A canopy walk winds through Storza Woods at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. The Conservation Garden at the same garden includes a collection of carnivorous plants. Goizueta Gardens is a 33-acre landscape with nine distinct gardens. Garden experiences range from a walk through the tree canopy to a special plant collection and a diverse garden landscape.

WildWoods also has a canopy walk. Its trails and experiences are accessible under ADA standards; check their condition before your trip. Fernbank Forest is a 65-acre unspoiled forest. Guided forest walks are offered there year-round in the morning or evening, including themed walks focused on birds, native plants and nocturnal animals. Availability and dates may change, so it’s worth checking the latest program.

Animal Experiences and Guided Programs

At the Georgia Aquarium, “Journey with Gentle Giants” lets visitors swim alongside whale sharks and manta rays. A behind-the-scenes tour of the Cold Water Quest gallery includes a penguin encounter; the “Behind the Seas Tour” goes behind the scenes of the exhibits. For these aquarium experiences, check the latest dates, availability and booking terms in advance.

At Twiga Terrace at Zoo Atlanta, visitors can feed giraffes; availability may change. The free “Keeper Talks” are educational conversations between animal experts and guests, and their schedules may change. At the Atlanta History Center, an animal from a heritage breed walks the grounds every Saturday at 2 p.m. Check the latest schedule for this program as well.

Discover more destinations: Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Duluth, Union City, Palmetto, Fairburn, College Park, Roswell.

For the broader travel overview: Fulton.