Atlanta, GA — Staycation Inspiration
10 Things To Do In Town
- BeltLine Eastside Trail Walk + Ponce City Market
- Vibe: Urban and energetic
- Description: Walk or bike a repurposed rail trail lined with street art, then eat/shop/play at Ponce City Market.
- Special Events: Art on the BeltLine
- Best Time: Spring and fall
- Georgia Aquarium
- Vibe: Massive and awe-inspiring
- Description: See whale sharks, belugas, sea lions and more at one of the world’s largest aquariums.
- Special Events: Sips Under the Sea (21+)
- Best Time: Weekdays year-round
- MLK Jr. National Historical Park
- Vibe: Reflective and powerful
- Description: Walk through Dr. King’s birthplace, church, and museum in Sweet Auburn.
- Special Events: MLK Day celebrations (January)
- Best Time: Year-round
- Piedmont Park + Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Vibe: Green and grounded
- Description: Relax in ATL’s version of Central Park, then explore tree canopy walkways and orchid exhibits next door.
- Special Events: Garden Lights (Nov–Jan), music festivals
- Best Time: Spring and early fall
- Catch a Braves Game or Concert at Truist Park
- Vibe: High-energy and social
- Description: See the Braves play or enjoy a live show in this entertainment-meets-ballpark venue.
- Special Events: Fireworks Fridays, playoff games
- Best Time: Spring to early fall
- Center for Civil and Human Rights
- Vibe: Emotional and deeply moving
- Description: Learn about civil rights leaders and ongoing human rights struggles worldwide.
- Special Events: Panel discussions, special exhibits
- Best Time: Year-round
- Little Five Points Thrift + Art Walk
- Vibe: Funky and alternative
- Description: Dig through vintage shops, grab vegan eats, and check out murals or record stores.
- Special Events: L5P Halloween Parade
- Best Time: Fall weekends
- World of Coca-Cola
- Vibe: Quirky and brand-loyal
- Description: Sip sodas from around the world and explore Coke’s pop culture empire.
- Special Events: Seasonal tasting flights
- Best Time: Year-round
- SkyView Atlanta + Centennial Olympic Park
- Vibe: Bright and iconic
- Description: Ride the ferris wheel for skyline views, then relax in ATL’s downtown plaza.
- Special Events: Fountain shows, summer concerts
- Best Time: Evening, spring or fall
- Westside Provisions + Rooftop Dining
- Vibe: Stylish and local
- Description: Shop, sip, and dine on breezy rooftop patios with views over the city’s trendiest district.
- Special Events: Maker markets and food pop-ups
- Best Time: Spring and summer evenings
10 Things To Do Within 30 Miles
- Stone Mountain Park
- Vibe: Outdoorsy and historic
- Description: Hike the granite dome, take the cable car, or stay for the laser light show.
- Special Events: Pumpkin Fest (Oct), Christmas lights
- Best Time: Fall or spring
- Chattahoochee River Paddle + Trail
- Vibe: Peaceful and nature-filled
- Description: Rent a kayak or inner tube and float down the river for a chill afternoon.
- Special Events: River cleanups, guided floats
- Best Time: Summer
- Decatur Square + Bookstore Crawl
- Vibe: Literary and laid-back
- Description: Coffee, indie books, cozy pubs, and southern brunch — all walkable in downtown Decatur.
- Special Events: AJC Decatur Book Festival (Sept)
- Best Time: Spring and fall
- Atlanta History Center + Swan House
- Vibe: Elegant and enriching
- Description: Dive into Southern history and tour the stately mansion made famous by The Hunger Games.
- Special Events: Holiday programming, lectures
- Best Time: Year-round
- Krog Street Market + Tunnel Art Walk
- Vibe: Tasty and artsy
- Description: Feast at food stalls and walk through one of the most colorful street art tunnels in the U.S.
- Special Events: Murals festivals
- Best Time: Weekends, year-round
- Ponce City Market Rooftop Skyline Park
- Vibe: Playful and elevated
- Description: Play mini-golf and sip cocktails on the roof with panoramic views.
- Special Events: Ice skating (winter), movie nights
- Best Time: Sunset, spring through fall
- Cascade Springs Nature Preserve
- Vibe: Hidden and peaceful
- Description: Hike shaded trails with a waterfall and Civil War-era ruins — right inside the city.
- Special Events: Guided nature walks
- Best Time: Spring and fall
- BeltLine Westside Trail + Lee + White District
- Vibe: Up-and-coming and social
- Description: Bike or walk the trail and grab beer or bites in a cool converted warehouse hub.
- Special Events: Westside Art Crawl
- Best Time: Fall weekends
- Buford Highway Food Tour
- Vibe: Global and delicious
- Description: Taste dumplings, tacos, banh mi, and bubble tea from dozens of immigrant-owned gems.
- Special Events: Foodie tours and night markets
- Best Time: Evenings, year-round
- Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area
- Vibe: Lunar and serene
- Description: Hike across otherworldly granite terrain and wildflower fields, just east of town.
- Special Events: Guided moonlight hikes
- Best Time: Spring and fall
10 Things To Do Within 60 Miles
- Serenbe Community (Chattahoochee Hills)
- Vibe: Wellness and farm-chic
- Description: Escape to this sustainability-focused community for farm-to-table meals, trails, and spa vibes.
- Special Events: Serenbe Playhouse outdoor shows
- Best Time: Spring through fall
- Lake Lanier
- Vibe: Summery and splashy
- Description: Boat, swim, or just chill on a dock with drink in hand.
- Special Events: Margaritaville Water Park, holiday lights
- Best Time: Summer
- Amicalola Falls State Park
- Vibe: Dramatic and woodsy
- Description: Hike to Georgia’s tallest waterfall, or start your Appalachian Trail adventure.
- Special Events: Waterfall hikes and birdwatching
- Best Time: Fall
- Athens, GA Day Trip
- Vibe: Music-loving and academic
- Description: Explore the UGA campus, shop indie stores, and enjoy live music at legendary venues.
- Special Events: AthFest (June), Twilight Criterium
- Best Time: Spring and early summer
- North Georgia Wine Trail
- Vibe: Rustic and refined
- Description: Sip local wines among the rolling hills near Dahlonega and Helen.
- Special Events: Wine hikes and harvest dinners
- Best Time: Fall
- Helen, GA Bavarian Town
- Vibe: Quaint and quirky
- Description: A German-style town with bratwurst, alpine architecture, and river tubing.
- Special Events: Oktoberfest, Christmas Market
- Best Time: Fall or winter holidays
- Sweetwater Creek State Park
- Vibe: Close and calming
- Description: Hike riverside trails past Civil War mill ruins — great for solo wanders.
- Special Events: Paddleboard yoga, ranger hikes
- Best Time: Spring and fall
- Dahlonega Gold Rush + Waterfalls Loop
- Vibe: Historic and adventurous
- Description: Learn about Georgia’s gold rush, then chase waterfalls like Minnehaha or Anna Ruby.
- Special Events: Gold Rush Days Festival (Oct)
- Best Time: Fall
- Callaway Gardens
- Vibe: Garden escape
- Description: Bike scenic paths, visit butterfly conservatories, or relax by the lake.
- Special Events: Fantasy in Lights (winter), Azalea season
- Best Time: Spring and holidays
- Covington, GA (“The Hollywood of the South”)
- Vibe: TV-famous and small-town
- Description: Take a Vampire Diaries tour or explore historic squares used in countless films.
- Special Events: Walking ghost tours
- Best Time: Fall and winter
