Adventuring in Atlanta: Top Outdoor Activities to Explore

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Atlanta is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. Warm weather throughout the year and a variety of fun activities to explore, make Atlanta a great place to get outside and stoke your sense of adventure. Here are five of the top outdoor activities to consider in this vibrant and eclectic city!

Atlanta skyline
Atlanta skyline

Piedmont Park

Outdoor lovers will delight in all of the vast offerings of this city park. This sprawling green space is a haven in the middle of the city, featuring sweeping views of the stunning Midtown Atlanta skyline. The park features walking and cycling paths, tennis courts, a public swimming pool, dog park, and much more.

Piedmont Park is home to some of Atlanta’s most beloved festivals and special events, including the Atlanta Jazz Festival and the Atlanta Dogwood Festival. You can make a day out of it by visiting the adjacent Atlanta Botanical Garden, featuring some of the city’s most extravagant blooms and displays. The best time to visit Piedmont Park is during a special event, allowing you to get a true taste of the city’s vibe.

Centennial Olympic Park

This urban oasis boasts a myriad of special events and festivals and serves as a gathering spot for the community. The park opened in 1996 in celebration of the city’s hosting of the Summer Olympic Games. The 21-acre park is a lasting legacy of the city’s involvement in the games. Centennial Olympic Park plays host to Atlanta’s popular summer concert series and is also the home to Atlanta’s 4th of July concert and fireworks display. Independence Day is a great time of year to visit this park.

Living Mammoth in botanical gardens
Living Mammoth in botanical gardens

Stone Mountain Park

Located just outside of Atlanta, this family-friendly destination is the perfect day trip. This gem features a treetop adventure course, a scenic train ride, and a historic collection of buildings. A laser show and fireworks display run on selected nights, delivering the perfect nightcap to your day of adventure. Atlanta’s public transportation system, MARTA, services the city of Stone Mountain. Although the park is open all year round, not all of the attractions run every day of the year. It is advised to check the park’s calendar prior to your visit. While it does not cost anything to enter the 3,200-acre natural park, there is a fee for certain attractions.

Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park

History buffs will appreciate the significance of this national tribute to the most important Civil Rights leader in the history of the country. The Atlanta Streetcar provides direct transportation to this park, making it easy to spend time here exploring the park and learning about King, and the legacy he offered to the country. Be sure to stop by the visitor’s center when you arrive so that you can plan your itinerary.

You will not want to miss touring King’s birth home, the historic Ebenezer Church, and King’s gravesite. The park also offers a myriad of films and exhibits that help visitors to gain a better understanding of the man and leader. The entirety of the park is free to visit.

Atlanta Beltline

When you want to work up a sweat, do as the locals do and head to the beltline. This sustainable redevelopment project is working up to create 33 miles of multi-use trails spanning through 1,300 acres of public parks. Although the entire network is not yet complete, there are many areas already open for use. A comprehensive mobile app makes navigating the beltline a breeze. Run, walk, or bike to your heart’s content in this innovative system of trails!

Whatever your outdoor fancy, Atlanta can help scratch your itch for adventure and fun! For more general info on A-Town, take a look at this Atlanta moving guide by Suddath. It helped me figure out the basics before diving deeper.

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Kim Harington

I'm a content writer out of Jacksonville, Fl. I love to write about travel, current events, and really anything that tickles my fancy. I love being outdoors and just about anything involving water!

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