One Day Itinerary for Exploring Some of the Best Attractions in Atlanta
Travel and tourism attractions are starting to open back up again, but it seems like most folks are staying in country for their travel. Although some of the attractions on this list are still closed due to the coronavirus, you might find this list handy in the future. If you ever find that you have only one day to spend in the city of Atlanta, here is my suggested itinerary.
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Morning
Centennial Olympic Park
First, spend about 45 minutes exploring Centennial Olympic Park. Most of the other attractions do not open until 9:00 or 10:00 in the morning, so early morning is a good time to enjoy this free 22-acre green space that was the main gathering site during the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta.
It is right in the middle of Atlanta’s downtown district, so it is a great place to start. You are within walking distance of several major attractions, so you can just leave your car in one spot.
COVID Update: Currently, as I write this in June 2020 the Visitor’s Information Center, Fountain of Rings, and the Playgrounds are closed until further notice due to COVID. However, we visited in the winter and never went in the Visitor Center or fountains anyway. It was still fun!
Georgia Aquarium
Next, head over to the Georgia Aquarium (estimated time 2 – 3 hours). It is a 3-minute walk from Centennial Olympic Park, and you can get there right when it opens.
Atlanta’s aquarium is the largest in the Western hemisphere. It is the home of tens of thousands of water creatures with 500 species from around the world and over 60 different habitats. There are lots of different interesting special exhibits as well.
Their largest exhibit is actually 284 feet long, 126 feet wide, and 30 feet in depth at the maximum depth. It holds 6.3 million gallons of water! My favorite part if where you can walk through a tunnel and look up and see sharks swimming over your head through the glass. It is something you don’t want to miss!
COVID Update: The aquarium is open, but tickets can only be purchased online in advance of your visit. They have established time blocks with limited capacity. Temperatures will be scanned upon entry, and visitors are encouraged to wear masks.
Insider Tip: If you plan on visiting more than one attraction that costs to get in, I suggest that you purchase an Atlanta CityPASS. You can save up to 50% on combined prices for admission to popular attractions. Shop now on CityPASS.com.
Afternoon
World of Coca-Cola
Head to the World of Coca-Cola (estimated time 2 hours) where you will learn everything you ever wanted to know and more about the famous soft drink. There are some really interesting exhibits, retro ads, and a cool replica of the actual bottling process.
There is a really fun short film in the theater there called “Moments of Happiness” that celebrates some of life’s most memorable moments experienced by different people of all ages and cultures.
In the loft you can see a lot of different historical and international artifacts that represent more than 125 years of Coca-Cola memories. Then there is the Vault, where the famous Coca-Cola secret formula is secured. You learn about the origins of this secret formula, which is one of business’s closely guarded and best kept trade secrets ever, how competitors tried to copy their success, how the owners kept the formula secret throughout the years, and how all this secrecy gave birth to tons of myths and legends.
COVID Update: World of Coca Cola is closed at this time but plans are for it to reopen July 15, 2020.
CNN Tour
There are several options for your afternoon after the Coca-Cola museum. One is to take an Inside CNN Atlanta Tour (estimated time 50 minutes). Reservations must be made in advance, but this will make it easier for you to time your day.
The CNN Tour is a 50 minute guided walking tour through the halls of CNN Center where you get an exclusive, behind-the-scenes inside look at how a live broadcast is produced. You get an in-depth look at how the world’s largest news operation operates in the world headquarters of CNN. Even if you usually watch a different news channel it is interesting to see how things work behind-the-scenes.
COVID Update: Currently all tours are temporarily suspended, and the CNN store is temporarily closed.
College Football Hall of Fame
The Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame is another option that is within walking distance from the aquarium and Coca-Cola museum. It celebrates all of the best things about college football. There are three floors with five themed galleries. One wall three floors high is covered with 750 college football helmets. There are over 50 interactive exhibits, including a 47-yard football field!
So if college football is your thing, you will probably want to fit this attraction in to your day in Atlanta for sure.
COVID Update: Reopening July 1 (with precautions).
Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site
Another option is the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site. You will have to drive there, but there is free parking. You could also take a MARTA bus. The Sweet Auburn district of Atlanta is the birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the visitor’s center there tells the story of Dr. King and a lot of what happened during the civil rights movement. The restored King birth home is there as well as Ebenezer Baptist Church, where three generations of the King family preached. You can also see Dr. King’s burial site, and there are usually special exhibits going on as well. Estimated time is 1 1/2 hours.
COVID Update: Temporarily closed.
Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum
Located next to the Carter Center, the Jimmy Carter Library and Museum has a replica of the Oval Office and President carter’s Nobel Peace Prize. There are often traveling exhibits there as well. Estimated time is about 2 hours. You will also need to drive there, but the parking there is free also. There is also a 1.5 mile pedestrian and bike path between these two attractions called the Carter-King Peace Trail if you want to see both and walk in between.
COVID Update: All in-person public events are canceled for now, but their Facebook page has information about virtual events.
Evening
SunDial Restaurant Bar & View
Have dinner in the SunDial Restaurant atop the Westin Peachtree Plaza, which is the tallest hotel in the western hemisphere, and take in a view of the city. (Estimated time: 2 hours)
COVID Update: Closed until further notice.
Atlanta Braves Game
If you want a more casual evening between April and October, try to catch an Atlanta Braves game in Truist Park (formerly Suntrust Park). You can also take a tour of Truist Park where you can see the broadcast booth, the dugout, the clubhouse (only when the team is out of town), the press box, and even the luxury suites.
If you are a true Braves fan visit the Battery Atlanta before and after the game at Truist Park, where you can taste some of the finest food and wine at various restaurants where some of Atlanta’s best chefs are found.
COVID Update: Games: 2020 regular season will begin at the end of July. Truist Park tours are currently suspended indefinitely.
Other Options:
Atlanta History Center
Fox Theater
Center for Civil and Human Rights
Children’s Museum of Atlanta
Where to Stay in Atlanta
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Do you have any other to add to the list? If you only have one day to spend in Atlanta pick your top 4 must-see attractions and schedule your fun. Drop a comment below and let me know how you like this list.
