10 Reasons to get excited about Atlanta (Only in ATL)

By Lindsey Ford
Posted December 22, 2020

Not only should you get excited about attending your event, but start thinking about places to visit that are found “only in Atlanta.” We took the liberty of creating a list of experiences to explore. You’ll thank us later.

Walk along one of the largest urban regeneration projects in the United States

Enjoy the year-round fresh air as you walk, bike or jog along Atlanta BeltLine. This redevelopment project will ultimately connect 45 intown neighborhoods via a 22-mile loop of multi-use trails that were created from railroad corridors featuring dining, shopping and greenspaces along the path.

Use your imagination at North America’s largest museum dedicated to the art of puppetry

Take a walk down memory lane with your favorite childhood characters at Center for Puppetry Arts. Visitors of all ages will appreciate the wonder through awe-inspiring galleries, enchanting performances and curriculum-based workshops. Don’t miss the Jim Henson collection featuring more than 500 puppets, props and costumes honoring his legacy with the largest collection of such items in the world. 

Discover your team out of the 750 schools represented on a three-story wall of football helmets

Cheering for any team goes at Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame. Kick off your visit by selecting your team out of the 750 represented on the helmet wall. Immerse yourself in must-see exhibits with content personalized to your favorite team and don’t forget to kick the winning field goal on the 45-yard playing field before you leave.

See the world’s largest fish at the largest aquarium in the Western hemisphere

More than 10 million gallons of water can be found in the heart of Downtown at Georgia Aquarium. From whale sharks and manta rays to sea otters and African penguins, Georgia Aquarium is home to thousands of animals and hundreds of different species. Feeling extra adventurous? You can dive (or swim) right into the Ocean Voyager exhibit, one of the largest single aquatic habitats in the world and the only opportunity where you are guaranteed to swim with whale sharks and manta rays.

Walk in the footsteps of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.

Atlanta is the birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the cradle of the civil rights movement. Visitors will discover Atlanta’s robust heritage through many landmarks and museums that are on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail, including Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park.

Pay your respects to the oldest living U.S. president in history

In March 2019, Jimmy Carter set the record of being the oldest living American president at 94 years and 172 days old. Located on 35 acres, The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum is one of 13 presidential libraries in the U.S. administered by the National Archives. Explore the exhibits highlighting Carter’s life and career and experience a day in the life by stepping into the replica Oval Office.

Explore the culture behind the music genre that started in Atlanta

Immerse yourself in the history of trap music and the culture that goes along with it. The Trap Music Museum combines art galleries with interactive exhibits to showcase the trials and successes of today’s trap stars. Make sure to reserve a time in advance for the escape room to get the full experience.

Order a burger at the iconic Atlanta fast food location

“What’ll ya have?” is the first question you’ll hear as you walk through the doors to order at The Varsity. This iconic Atlanta restaurant has been serving customers since 1928 and has its own lingo for menu items like naked dogs and strings.

Relax in the city’s largest greenspace

At 280 acres, Westside Park will be the perfect place for walking, biking, enjoying a picnic or attending events. Upon completion, the park will connect Proctor Creek Greenway and Chattahoochee River Corridor with Atlanta BeltLine. Keep your eyes open and you may stumble upon a movie set as the park can also be spotted in various television shows and movies shot in Atlanta.

Sip on more than 100 Coca-Cola beverages from around the world

The only acceptable soft drink brand to sip on in Atlanta? You guessed it. Coca-Cola. Visit World of Coca-Cola to learn the story of the famous soft drink, take pictures of the vault where the secret recipe lives and taste Coca-Cola beverages from around the world.