20 Free Things to Do in Metro Atlanta
Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area and Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve. Roam the mountain, farmland, lakes, hiking trails and a nature preserve on more than 2,000 acres.
Atlanta BeltLine Tours. Take a narrated bus tour of the Beltline, a transit, trails and parks project connecting Atlanta’s neighborhoods. Fridays and Saturdays.
Atlanta Monetary Museum. Self-guided tours explain the history of money and the Federal Reserve’s role.
Autrey Mill Nature Preserve and Heritage Center. Walk two miles of trails, see animal exhibits, and tour buildings reminiscent of rural Georgia in Heritage Village.
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. The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum costs $8 for adults; children under 16 are free.
Centennial Olympic Park. On warm days, kids cool off by cavorting in the Fountain of Rings. Relax in the well-groomed park that pays homage to the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. Free events all year.
Center for Puppetry Arts. See the original Big Bird and puppets from around the world. Free admission 1-3 p.m. Thursdays.
Fernbank Science Center. Visit the observatory and exhibits for free; planetarium shows are $7 adults, $5 students.
Georgia Capitol Museum and Tour Program. See government in action under the Gold Dome, constructed from 1884-1889. The museum includes historic flags and artifacts.
Governor's Mansion. Tours of the 18-acre estate and 24,000-square-foot mansion with antique furnishings offer lessons in history, from 1780-1820.
High Museum of Art. Atlanta’s premier art museum has more than 11,000 pieces, from African and folk art to photography and decorative art. Free for active and veteran military on Sundays and Tuesdays; free for Fulton County residents the first Saturday of each month.
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. Seventeen miles of interpretive trails, monuments and a museum help visitors understand the Battle of Atlanta during the Civil War.
Marietta Fire Museum. Antique firefighting equipment and five trucks are on display, including an 1879 Silsby Steamer.
Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site. The great civil rights leader grew up in a modest two-story home, preserved closely to as it was when he was a child.
Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary. See animals of all stripes in this wildlife rehabilitation center. Tuesday through Saturday. Call before visiting.
Piedmont Park. Children can play on a work of art or the restored Noguchi Playscape with slides, swings and seesaws. Take Fido for off-leash fun in the dog park area. Swimming pool is free 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. weekdays.
Roswell Fire Museum. See a 1945 Ford American LaFrance Pumper Truck and learn about the city’s firefighting history.
Silver Comet Trail. Joggers, walkers, in-line skaters, horse riders and bicyclers flock to this 61-mile paved trail, which begins in Smyrna and extends through Polk County. It then connects with Alabama’s 33-mile Chief Ladiga Trail.
Underground Atlanta. Walk some of Atlanta’s original streets in this shopping and entertainment complex.
Yellow River Park. Explore 566 acres of forests and wildflowers along the Yellow River; also mountain biking, hiking and horse trails.
