Ultimate Guide to Summer in Atlanta
Published May 28, 2025
Artículo disponible en español.
Atlanta comes alive during summer. From family-friendly attractions and free admission days to memorable date nights and outings with friends, Atlanta is bursting with fun all summer long.
Summer Fun at Atlanta’s Top Attractions
Georgia Aquarium
This summer, Georgia Aquarium is lighting up the night with a brand-new evening experience running from May 30 to Aug. 17. During Glow Nights, the aquarium transforms into a glowing wonderland with UV-lit exhibits, live performances and interactive fun — all included with general admission. Plus, guests can save $10 on tickets after 4 p.m. for an extra-bright deal.
Where: 225 Baker St. NW
Children’s Museum of Atlanta
Scooby-Doo and the gang are bringing a mystery to the Children’s Museum of Atlanta from May 17 through Sept. 7. In this hands-on adventure, created with Warner Bros. Themed Entertainment, families can team up with Mystery Inc. to analyze clues, crack puzzles and track down a sneaky jewel thief. As young detectives explore the rooms of a spooky mansion, they’ll uncover hidden secrets and put their problem-solving skills to the test.
Where: 275 Centennial Olympic Park Drive NW
World of Coca-Cola
Debuting in April, the new Coca-Cola Stories experience is the star attraction at World of Coca-Cola this summer. This immersive exhibit brings the brand’s rich history to life with rare artifacts, interactive displays and cutting-edge AI features. Guests can explore the archives, test their Coca-Cola knowledge, and dive into a tech-driven journey through the world’s most iconic beverage.
Where: 121 Baker St. NW
Experience five must-see attractions, handpicked and packaged together at a 49% savings, with an Atlanta CityPASS.
Cool Things to Do with Teens and Tweens
Get ready for a sweet time at the 15th annual Atlanta Ice Cream Festival in Piedmont Park on July 26. It’s free to explore the festival grounds and enjoy live entertainment, making it a fun day out for all ages. Treat yourself by supporting local vendors and sampling delicious ice cream and other goodies. Don’t miss the KIDS Zone — it’s sure to be a hit with the little ones.
Where: 1322 Monroe Drive
Play for the day or purchase an annual pass to Skyline Park at Ponce City Market for unlimited daily access to The ROOF, where you’ll find carnival-style games, mini-golf and more. Hang onto that pass come winter as it’s also good for ice skating.
Where: 675 Ponce De Leon Ave. NE
Ride SkyView Atlanta Ferris wheel for a unique view of Downtown 20 stories up and over Centennial Olympic Park.
Where: 168 Luckie St. NW
Splatter Studio invites guests to dive into a liberating and immersive art experience that’s both creative and fun. Enjoy Splatter sessions open to all ages, while Acrylic Pour Painting sessions are best suited for those 13 and older (with adult supervision required). Plus, every first Saturday at 10 p.m., the Sandy Springs location hosts Black Light Night — a glow-in-the-dark celebration designed for ages 13 and up.
Where: 792 North Highland Ave. NE (Virginia Highland) and 5920 Roswell Road (Sandy Springs)
Beat The Bomb Atlanta offers a unique immersive escape room experience where your team of four to six players will gear up in hazmat suits and advance through five high-tech video game rooms to earn time on the bomb clock. Disarm the bomb in the final room or be blasted with paint or foam, depending on your mission. Slime bomb mission coming soon.
More Fun Things to Do
- There is nothing more nostalgic than a drive-in movie theater, and Starlight Drive-In Theater has been an Atlanta landmark for more than 70 years. Open seven days a week. Admission is $10 for adults and $1 for children.
- Your 3rd Spot at Chattahoochee Food Works offers more than 80 games ranging from old-school video games to yard games.
- Andretti Indoor Karting and Games allows guests to get behind the wheel whether or not they have a state-issued license. However, those who do can participate in an Adult Race, provided they’re at least 54 inches tall and 15 years old. Without a license, tweens and teens of the same height can participate in an Intermediate Race. There’s also a classic arcade, laser tag, VR experience and bowling.
Nightlife in the A
- Puttshack puts a tech-infused spin on putt-putt, where you don’t have to keep score because the balls do. Adult supervision required; 18+ after 8 p.m.
- Don’t miss the gaming action at The Painted Duck, The Painted Pin or the brand new this summer – Painted Pickle – where you can play duckpin bowling, darts, shuffleboard, pickleball and more.
- Experience all the fun and remember it tomorrow with these fun alcohol-free things to do in Atlanta.
- Atlanta after dark is on another level. From the lively bars and low-key lounges to the vibrant venues for gaming or live music, you will never run out of options when it comes to exploring the nightlife in the ATL. Check out our ultimate guide to Atlanta nightlife.
Summer Festivals and Celebrations
Atlanta loves to celebrate and not just the holidays. Annual summer festivals include Flying Colors Butterfly Festival at Chattahoochee Nature Center as well as artists markets – Virginia Highland Summerfest, Piedmont Park Summer Arts Festival and Grant Park Summer Shade Festival. Film lovers and movie buffs will want to visit the Atlanta Underground Film Festival or attend a panel discussion at BronzeLens. Here are some other celebrations around Atlanta this summer.
- The Atlanta History Center will host a free Juneteenth celebration on June 19, with activities for all ages. Guests can enjoy hands-on craft demos and a thought-provoking conversation with author Robell Awake and Dr. Tiffany Momon, all centered on the legacy of Black craftsmanship and artistry.
- The Juneteenth Atlanta annual parade and music festival will take place June 14 and 15 at Piedmont Park, bringing vibrant culture, music and community spirit to the heart of the city. The Juneteenth Atlanta 5K Freedom Run takes place June 19.
- It wouldn’t be the Fourth (of July, that is) in Atlanta without the AJC Peachtree Road Race. The world’s largest 10K is back. Run the race, volunteer as a family or spectate from the finish line at Piedmont Park.
Summer Patio Dining
Summer is the perfect excuse to soak up the sun, sip something refreshing and linger a little longer over a good meal — especially when there’s a patio involved. Whether you’re brunching under string lights or catching a breeze at dinner, Atlanta’s patio dining scene serves up the ultimate taste of summer. Here’s your guide to the best summer patio dining in Atlanta.
Splish, Splash, Take a Dip
Cool off with a dive into the best hotel pools in Atlanta or swim for the day (or longer) in one of these rooftop pools.
Discover Free Things to Do
Get Outdoors
You don’t have to have a big budget to have a lot of fun in Atlanta. Affectionately known as the “The City in the Forest,” Atlanta boasts incredible parks and trails for strolling, playing sports, riding bikes and relaxing.
Centennial Olympic Park
Play in the fountain, explore the gardens or attend a fun summer event at Atlanta’s Centennial Olympic Park.
Where: 285 Andrew Young International Blvd. NW
Chastain Park
Chastain, a beautiful 260-acre park in Buckhead, has paved trails, a golf course, playground, ball field, public pool, horse park and an outdoor amphitheater for summer concerts.
Where: 3885 Northside Drive
Piedmont Park
Perhaps Atlanta’s best-known park, Piedmont Park is home to many of the city’s most iconic summer festivals, an aquatic center and splash pad.
Where: 1320 Monroe Drive
Rodney Cook Sr. Park
This 16-acre park is located in Vine City on Atlanta’s Westside and features a splash pad.
Where: 161 Joseph E. Boone Blvd.
Sara J. Gonzalez Memorial Park
The first park in Georgia to be named after a Hispanic individual, Sara J. Gonzalez Memorial Park offers an all-abilities accessible child- and family-oriented green space. It is wheelchair compliant throughout and focuses on accessibility in all aspects of its design.
Where: 2411 Coronet Way NW
Westside Park
The latest and largest jewel in Atlanta’s park system, Westside Park has transformed Bellwood Quarry into a 200-acre green space for plenty of outdoor fun.
Where: 1660 Johnson Road NW
Explore the Beltline and Outdoor Art Projects
Our ultimate guide to the Atlanta Beltline explores all there is to experience from shopping to food halls and much more. Explore public art such as murals and sculptures by taking a self-guided tour of works produced by Living Walls and the OuterSpace Project or visit the Tiny Doors located all around the city.
Outdoor Movie Nights
Another favorite summer activity is catching the free outdoor movies offered around the city. Check out schedules for The Battery, Atlantic Station Screen on the Green or The Works for a free movie night under the stars.
Free Admission in Top Atlanta Attractions
Many Atlanta attractions offer free admission days. Visit websites to learn which days you can explore High Museum of Art, Atlanta History Center and Michael C. Carlos Museum for free. Admission is always free at the David J. Sencer CDC Museum and Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta’s Monetary Museum. Atlanta is also home to Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, which is always free. The beautiful 35-acre grounds at Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum are free and include two lakes and formal gardens.
Summer Fun for the Entire Family
Between Atlanta attractions and immersive experiences, it’s easy to plan the summer vacation of a lifetime for kids in Atlanta.
Delta Flight Museum
This state-of-the-art museum offers a variety of interactive exhibits including the only full motion flight simulator open to the public in the U.S.
Where: 1060 Delta Blvd.
LEGO Discovery Center Atlanta
LEGO Discovery Center offers new, hands-on, interactive exhibits, rides and a 4D theater ready to welcome children of all ages and abilities.
Where: Phipps Plaza, 3500 Peachtree Road NE
Sloomoo Institute
Guests of all ages will have fun at Sloomoo Institute – a 28,000-square-foot immersive playground oozing with color, sensory play and all things slime.
Where: 3637 Peachtree Road NE
50 Fun (Free & Cheap) Things to Do
Summer is a great time to explore the city. Check out our Check-in Challenge where you can explore 50 Fun things to do around Atlanta.
Joleen Pete is a storyteller and dream-weaver, inspired by the magic in everyday moments and the untold stories waiting to be shared.
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