It’s easy to explore Atlanta without spending a lot. There are free museum days – some free all the time – parks to explore, fountains to splash in, even sky-high views to admire. Walk the Atlanta BeltLine, honor Jimmy Carter and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., tour a mansion, check out incredible art and more – all at a reasonable price that won’t break your vacation budget or, better yet, free. Consider these ideas for spend-conscious travelers when you’re in Atlanta.
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1. Hike on Arabia Mountain
Roam for miles at Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area and the Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve. You’ll find farmland, lakes, hiking trails and more in a landscape that has been forming for 400 million years. Bike the paved Arabia Mountain PATH, discover rare plants and take in views of the city in the distance. At the Flat Rock Archives, you can learn about how a group of slaves formed a community that lived through enslavement, emancipation and segregation.
Roam for miles at Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area and the Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve. You’ll find farmland, lakes, hiking trails and more in a landscape that has been forming for 400 million years. Bike the paved Arabia Mountain PATH, discover rare plants and take in views of the city in the distance. At the Flat Rock Archives, you can learn about how a group of slaves formed a community that lived through enslavement, emancipation and segregation.
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2. Get Some Exercise on the Atlanta BeltLine
Connecting Atlanta’s neighborhoods, the Atlanta BeltLine is a great place to take a long walk or bike ride. Guided walking tours are available on Fridays and Saturdays. As you explore, you may find free fitness classes in session, take a peek at the largest temporary outdoor art exhibition in the south and join in family-friendly events.
Connecting Atlanta’s neighborhoods, the Atlanta BeltLine is a great place to take a long walk or bike ride. Guided walking tours are available on Fridays and Saturdays. As you explore, you may find free fitness classes in session, take a peek at the largest temporary outdoor art exhibition in the south and join in family-friendly events.
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3. Learn the History of Money
Ironically, you can take a self-guided tour for free at the Atlanta Monetary Museum. Learn the history of money and what the Federal Reserve does through interactive exhibits. Get a front-row seat on the cash-procession operation, see examples of rare coins and currency and see the bank’s automated vault.
Ironically, you can take a self-guided tour for free at the Atlanta Monetary Museum. Learn the history of money and what the Federal Reserve does through interactive exhibits. Get a front-row seat on the cash-procession operation, see examples of rare coins and currency and see the bank’s automated vault.
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4. Enjoy a Peaceful Afternoon at the Carter Center
While there’s a small fee (kids under 16 are free) to enter the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum, it is free to walk through the grounds, where you can see the Circle of Flags, the rose garden, a Japanese garden and a koi pond. If you choose to go inside the award-winning museum, you can step into a replica of the Oval Office and take a virtual trip to fight disease and promote democracy.
While there’s a small fee (kids under 16 are free) to enter the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum, it is free to walk through the grounds, where you can see the Circle of Flags, the rose garden, a Japanese garden and a koi pond. If you choose to go inside the award-winning museum, you can step into a replica of the Oval Office and take a virtual trip to fight disease and promote democracy.
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5. Be a Germ Fighter
Inspired by recent events and want to learn how scientists learn about and control the spread of disease? Visit the David J. Spencer CDC Museum, where you can learn about the history of the Centers for Disease Control and about the science that attempts to combat mysterious diseases.
Inspired by recent events and want to learn how scientists learn about and control the spread of disease? Visit the David J. Spencer CDC Museum, where you can learn about the history of the Centers for Disease Control and about the science that attempts to combat mysterious diseases.
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6. Gaze at the Stars
At the Fernbank Science Center, the observatory, library and exhibits are free. Pay a small fee and attend one of their many planetarium shows,
At the Fernbank Science Center, the observatory, library and exhibits are free. Pay a small fee and attend one of their many planetarium shows,
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7. Tour a Mansion
Go inside the 24,000-square-foot Georgia Governor’s Mansion and tour the 18-acre estate grounds on a history-filled tour. The home was built in 1968 and is a showpiece of Greek Revival architecture. Free tours are held Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Go inside the 24,000-square-foot Georgia Governor’s Mansion and tour the 18-acre estate grounds on a history-filled tour. The home was built in 1968 and is a showpiece of Greek Revival architecture. Free tours are held Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
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8. Admire Art
The premier art museum in Atlanta, the High Museum of Art, is free for everyone on the second Sunday of each month. See more than 17,000 pieces, including a growing collection of African and folk art, photography and 19th- and 20th-century fine and decorative arts.
The premier art museum in Atlanta, the High Museum of Art, is free for everyone on the second Sunday of each month. See more than 17,000 pieces, including a growing collection of African and folk art, photography and 19th- and 20th-century fine and decorative arts.
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9. Learn Atlanta’s Civil War History
With 17 miles of interpretive trails, monuments and a museum, the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park is a living history lesson on Atlanta’s role in the Civil War. Learn about the Battle of Atlanta in 1864 that raged on this 2,965-acre battlefield. Along the trails, you’ll see historic earthworks, cannon emplacement and insightful interpretive signs.
With 17 miles of interpretive trails, monuments and a museum, the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park is a living history lesson on Atlanta’s role in the Civil War. Learn about the Battle of Atlanta in 1864 that raged on this 2,965-acre battlefield. Along the trails, you’ll see historic earthworks, cannon emplacement and insightful interpretive signs.
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10. Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Tour the home where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. grew up and visit the King Center, where you’ll find a wealth of information about the great civil rights leader and his accomplishments. Explore the surrounding Sweet Auburn Historic District, one of the city’s most important historical African-American communities.
Tour the home where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. grew up and visit the King Center, where you’ll find a wealth of information about the great civil rights leader and his accomplishments. Explore the surrounding Sweet Auburn Historic District, one of the city’s most important historical African-American communities.
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11. Spend a Day in Piedmont Park
Play the day away in 211-acre Piedmont Park, home to numerous festivals throughout the year, gorgeous meadows, Lake Clara Meer, the Education Garden, a swimming pool and the always-free Legacy Fountain Splash Pad.
Play the day away in 211-acre Piedmont Park, home to numerous festivals throughout the year, gorgeous meadows, Lake Clara Meer, the Education Garden, a swimming pool and the always-free Legacy Fountain Splash Pad.
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12. Imagine Yourself an Olympian
Snap a photo with the Olympic rings at Centennial Olympic Park, where kids can splash around in the Fountain of Rings or play on vast urban green spaces. Surrounded by shopping and dining, the 21-acre park was a gathering spot for visitors during the 1996 Summer Olympic Games.
Snap a photo with the Olympic rings at Centennial Olympic Park, where kids can splash around in the Fountain of Rings or play on vast urban green spaces. Surrounded by shopping and dining, the 21-acre park was a gathering spot for visitors during the 1996 Summer Olympic Games.
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13. Step Inside a Historical Mural
At the Atlanta Cyclorama, you can experience the world’s largest diorama revolving painting. The mural depicts the 1864 Civil War Battle of Atlanta (a great follow up to visiting Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park). You’ll watch an intro video, explore two levels of exhibitions on the Civil War, then enter the painting rotunda.
At the Atlanta Cyclorama, you can experience the world’s largest diorama revolving painting. The mural depicts the 1864 Civil War Battle of Atlanta (a great follow up to visiting Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park). You’ll watch an intro video, explore two levels of exhibitions on the Civil War, then enter the painting rotunda.
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14. Walk Through Atlanta’s Historic Neighborhoods
Pick the brain of your expert guide on a walking tour of Atlanta’s neighborhoods and significant historic sites. Choose from Downtown, Sweet Auburn/Martin Luther King Jr. Historic District, Inman Park, Druid Hills and more.
Pick the brain of your expert guide on a walking tour of Atlanta’s neighborhoods and significant historic sites. Choose from Downtown, Sweet Auburn/Martin Luther King Jr. Historic District, Inman Park, Druid Hills and more.
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15. Celebrate African-American Art
Visit the Hammonds House Museum, set in one of the three oldest houses on the West End. Interesting fact: The home was the site of Atlanta’s first kindergarten. Within the house museum, you can view more than 250 art pieces, the majority of which were done by African-American artists and date back to the mid-19th century.
Visit the Hammonds House Museum, set in one of the three oldest houses on the West End. Interesting fact: The home was the site of Atlanta’s first kindergarten. Within the house museum, you can view more than 250 art pieces, the majority of which were done by African-American artists and date back to the mid-19th century.
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16. Go to the Drive-In
Get nostalgic and take the family to Atlanta’s only drive-in theater, the Starlight, originally opened in 1949. Nothing beats spending an evening together watching movies and munching popcorn from the comfort of your car. Admission is just $1 for kids ages 9 and younger.
Get nostalgic and take the family to Atlanta’s only drive-in theater, the Starlight, originally opened in 1949. Nothing beats spending an evening together watching movies and munching popcorn from the comfort of your car. Admission is just $1 for kids ages 9 and younger.
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17. Soar to the Sky
At the Westin Peachtree Plaza, you can ride a glass elevator 73 stories -723 feet – up into the sky. From here, you’ll get a revolving, 360-degree view of Atlanta for just $8 for adults and $4 for kids. If you dine at The Sun Dial restaurant, famous for its classic cuisine and live jazz, there’s no charge for the view.
At the Westin Peachtree Plaza, you can ride a glass elevator 73 stories -723 feet – up into the sky. From here, you’ll get a revolving, 360-degree view of Atlanta for just $8 for adults and $4 for kids. If you dine at The Sun Dial restaurant, famous for its classic cuisine and live jazz, there’s no charge for the view.