Atlanta: The Empire State of the South

Atlanta has quickly been inundated with evacuated guests due to Hurricane Irma and while this city is bustling, we wanted to give you a quick list of free things to do in Atlanta while visiting our great city.

Free (and almost free) Things to do in Atlanta:

• Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. 17 miles of trails and a beautiful hike to the top of the mountain. There is also a free museum in the visitor center to learn more about the Battle of Atlanta. Kids can do their Junior Ranger Badge for free as well.
• Fernbank Science Center.  You can visit the museum for free, but any shows are extra. Exhibits tend to change so every visit will be different.
• Pick some Apples.  It’s Apple Picking Season here in Georgia! Enjoy the fresh air and sunshine while you stroll in the orchards. While most orchards will allow you to meander for free, there is a cost to take apples with you.
• Anne Frank Museum. Admission is free, but it is recommended for grades 5 and up due to the nature of the Holocaust. This exhibit has over 500 picture that helps tell the story of Anne Frank leading up to her death during the Holocaust.
• Georgia Capitol Museum and Tour Program. View the government and learn how government works. This capital is under the famous gold dome built 1884 – 1889 that includes a museum as well.
• Marietta Fire Museum. You can view antique firefighting equipment and fire trucks on display, including an 1879 Silsby Steamer. This is a kids (and big kids) paradise.
• The Beltline. This intern walking trail is a perfect way to spend a beautiful day. Along the belt line you will find lots of local art (perfect for your instagram feed) and lots of local eateries. You can rent bikes by Krog Street Market (another one of our local favorites) and it’s a great way to see a big part of our city!
• Carter Center. Take a free stroll through the grounds to see the Circle of Flags from all 50 states, a rose garden, Japanese garden, and koi pond. There is a fee to tour the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum but the Carter Center ground are free.
• Woodruff Park Reading Room. An open-air reading room with carts of books that are free to read. Plus at lunch time, there is a reading for kids.
• Atlanta’s Farmers Market. Walk the booth and take in the people. Talk to the farmers and vendors to really get to know the area and the people.
• Governor’s Mansion. Take a tour of the governors antique furnished 24,000-square-foot mansion. This estate also has 18 acres to it. Learn the history of the building from 1780-1820.
• Piedmont Park. Cool off in the splash park, let the dogs run in the dog park and the kids can play on a work of art or the restored Noguchi Playscape with slides, swings, and seesaws.
• Jackson Street Bridge. This bridge is one of the best-kept secrets. It has the best view of the downtown skyline. This is also a prize spot for Walking Dead fans, as well as many other spots in the city.
• Big Trees Forest Preserve. This is a hidden gem! It’s a 30-acre retreat in the middle of the city. Tip: the entrance is in a parking lot of a local office building, so it can be a little hard to find.
• Ponce City Market. This city market is HIGE and has all sorts of local and national vendors, as well as one of the most eclectic food halls in all of Atlanta. This used to be the old Sears, Roebuck & Co. building and the architectural elements are top notch. The rooftop has been turned into a vintage inspired carnival with one of the best views of the city! Beware, this rooftop experience does cost money.
• Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site. Tour the civil rights leader home where he grew up. This modest two-story home is preserved closely to as it was when he was a child.
• Silver Comet Trail. This 61-mile paved trail runs through Atlanta and is open to joggers, walkers, in-line skaters, bicycles and horse riders. Lots of stopping points and things to see along the way and then connects with Alabama’s 33-mile Chief Ladiga Trail.
• Laser Show Spectacular at Stone Mountain. This show is an amazing light show on the famous Stone Mountain best of all it’s free. Bring some chairs or a blanket to sit on and enjoy. Beware parking is $10-$15 depending on the time of the year so bring some friends and split the cost!
• Historic Fourth Ward Skatepark. This is Atlanta’s first public skatepark. If you don’t skate, you can watch and admire everyone else’s skills.
• Festivals. Just about every weekend Atlanta is packed with different types of festivals in and around the city.
• Tiny Doors Scavenger Hunt. Tiny Doors ATL literally installs 6-inch tall doors in strategic places throughout the city. Atlanta has a vibrant art scene, most of which happens on a large scale.

BIG TICKET ITEMS:

Aquarium, Zoo, Botanical Gardens, Coca-Cola Museum, Six Flags, and more.

If you are going to go to any of the major attractions in Atlanta like the World of Coke Museum or the Georgia Aquarium, we recommend getting a City Pass. This will give you up to 40% off and goes straight on to your phone – what’s not to love?

Hitting up any of these awesome places? We would love to follow you on your journey! Tag us on Social Media: @catalysthometeam.

Restaurants we love:

For our foodie friends, we have a ton of options to keep your bellies full and happy.

Brunch:
Sun in my Belly
West Egg
Bread & Butterfly
Buttermilk Kitchen
Local Three
Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall

Dinner:
Canoe
Woody’s Cheesesteaks
The Optimist
Iberian Pig
Marlow’s Tavern
JCT Kitchen
Superica
Antico’s Pizza
Yard House
Grindhouse Killer Burgers
Atlanta Food Truck Park

Coffee Shops We Love:
Read Shop
Chrome Yellow
Octane
Dancing Goats
Land of A Thousand Hills
Chattahoochee Coffee Co. (weekdays for the public)
Spiller Park Coffee