Things To Do
Red Top Mountain State Park
This popular park on Lake Allatoona is ideal for swimming, water skiing and fishing. Visitors can BYO boats or rent from nearby marinas. A sand swimming beach is nestled in a cove and surrounded by trees, providing a great place to cool off. Picnic shelters and group shelters may be rented. Guests often stay overnight in rental cottages, a spacious campground, or the park’s lakeside yurt. While best known for the 12,000 acre lake, Red Top Mountain is also a hiker’s haven. More than 15 miles of trails wind through the forested park, providing opportunities for exercise and nature photography. A short, paved trail behind the park office is suitable for wheelchairs and strollers, welcoming guests to explore a reconstructed 1860s homestead. The gravel-topped 4 mile Iron Hill Trail is open to both hikers and bikers, offering pretty views of the lake’s shoreline. The park also maintains Allatoona Pass Battlefield, a historically significant battlefield.
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park Visitor Center
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park is a 2,965 acre National Battlefield that preserves a Civil War battleground of the Atlanta Campaign. Opposing forces maneuvered and fought here from June 19, 1864 until July 2, 1864. Although most famous as a Civil War battlefield, Kennesaw Mountain has a much richer story.
Marietta Square
Whether you come to shop, eat or be entertained, there is something for everyone at the Marietta Square in downtown Marietta, GA. Stop in at the Welcome Center in the old train depot to pick up maps, information and restaurant advice. You might even start your Marietta Square souvenir shopping here. At the center of the square is historic Glover Park, a great place for picnics, photos and playtime. During the 19th century, the land was donated by Mayor John Glover with the stipulation that the site must always remain a park or it will revert to his heirs. A fountain sits at the heart of the park, but children will make a bee-line for the train engine playground area featuring a replica of the famous locomotive known as The General. The gazebo on site is a wonderful destination for photos and for weddings. Opposite it, the “bandstand” (or stage) is a focal point for concerts and events.
Six Flags Over Georgia
For the thrill seekers
Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site
See one of Cartersville’s most popular attractions! This major Mississippian Period Cultural Center was home to several thousand Native Americans from 1000 to 1500 AD. The largest mound stands over 63 feet high and covers three acres. The impressive archaeological museum interprets life in what is now known as the Etowah Valley Historic District. Beyond the mounds lies the Etowah River where original Indian fish traps can be viewed. The Etowah Archaeological Museum and Grounds are open daily 9 AM-5 PM (guests are requested to begin departure at 4:30 PM; see rates below). Museum is Handicap Accessible. Experience the most intact Mississippian Cultural Site in every season.
Pettit Creek Farms
Nestled in the foothills of North Georgia, lies the home of the largest camel herd in Georgia. Along with camels and many of your common farm animals, our farm is home to many exotic animals such as giraffes, zebras, capybaras, llamas and more from around the globe! (Psst…several of Santa’s reindeer make Pettit Creek their second home when not busy pulling Santa’s sleigh.) Our working farm is open for tours. We also host Pumpkin Fest mid-September through October, and A Country Christmas, which opens Thanksgiving at 6 PM and continues through December 30. We offer open fields for games, picnic tables under the oaks, Petting Zoo, and; most important of all, the Hayride Tour itself! We host Individual family tours, Corporate Outings, Church Groups, & Class Reunions! Pettit Creek Farms offers plenty of “down home” country fun for your special gathering.
B.J. Reece Orchards
I highly recommend this place. Me and bestie go every year. It's a great place to get beautiful fall photos :) B.J. Reece Orchards is a family-owned and operated peach, nectarine and Asian pear orchard, as well as a U-Pick apple orchard during September and October. Tucked away in the North Georgia Mountains, the scenery is breathtaking. We offer hayrides/farm tours, petting farms, pony rides, apple cannons, corn maze , U-pick pumpkins and viewing of exotic animals. Come ready to eat some delicious, made from scratch bakery items like our world famous fried apple pies. If you are not in the mood for apple, we also have peach, strawberry, cream cheese and coconut fried pies, just to name a few. Don't forget the apple cider donuts and fresh made apple breads. From August until November, we grow a variety of vegetables in our Georgia dirt, and they are available inside our market for you to enjoy! Cool off with cider slushies or warm up with hot apple cider, it's totally up to you!
Berry Patch Farms
Another cute place for fall photos and experiences :) Provides a pick-your-own blueberries, pumpkins and Christmas trees experience for the whole family. Enjoy a picnic and a hayride, or a visit to the barnyard. Blueberry season ends August 1st - open 8-9 and closed on Mondays. Pumpkin season during October open weekends and daily. See website for times.
Piedmont Park
We went here on our 1st date. Needless to say, we had a blast :) This 185-acre park, home to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens and to summer festivals, is also popular with joggers.
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park Visitor Center
Start at the visitor center and then work your way around the three main sites in this historic park: the home in which the leader of the Civil Rights movement in America was born, the church where he preached and the memorial site where he is buried. A major Atlanta attraction, the park draws some 500,000 visitors each year.
World of Coca-cola
Immerse yourself in World of Coca-Cola, the one and only place you can explore the story of the world's most popular beverage brand. It's a place where anyone can experience moments of happiness and wonder. At World of Coca-Cola, inspiration is around every corner - from the vault where we secure our secret formula, to world-class art and memorabilia to more than 100 beverages to taste from around the world. With opportunities to meet the Coca-Cola Polar Bear, take a VIP Guided Tour - and more - it's no wonder that the World of Coke is a must-see among the top things to do in Atlanta, Georgia.
Centennial Olympic Park
Built for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games, this public park offers weekly free concerts, a dancing water fountain for the kids and a memorial quilt in remembrance of the victims of the 1996 Olympic bombing.
Georgia Aquarium
Georgia Aquarium contains more than 70 amazing habitats, with thousands of marine animals such as whale sharks, manta rays, beluga whales, and more. Don’t miss out on the animal encounter programs, where you can get up close and personal with dolphins, penguins, and sea lions. Take on a shark cage dive, or scuba dive in the Ocean Voyager exhibit. Catch a show at the 4D theater, check out the virtual reality simulator, and even have an overnight sleepover. Combine your visit to the aquarium with other top attractions and enjoy additional discounts with the Atlanta CityPASS. You might also want to visit around Halloween or the holidays for special themed activities or presentations.
Atlanta Botanical Garden
Step into a world of magic and serenity at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, where features like the Fuqua Orchid Center treat visitors to a rare collection of high-elevation orchids never before grown in the southeast.