Yes, housing and food are expensive in the big city, but you can still find many cool things to do in Atlanta that are relatively affordable. Don’t believe us? Keep reading.
In this guide, we’ll show you the cheap things to do in Atlanta, Georgia.
There are also many monuments, walking tours and bike tours that you can visit that don’t cost a thing.
Cheap Things To Do In Atlanta
Let’s take a walk: Here are the cheap things to do in Atlanta:
Go to the Waffle House Museum
The Waffle House Museum is a must-visit if you love the old fashioned restaurant. It is only open on Wednesdays, so check the schedule before you go. The Waffle House Museum is located in Avondale Estates near Decatur.
What’s interesting is that this is the site of the very first Waffle House restaurant. It opened back in 1955.
Candlelight Concert: A Neo-Soul Evening of Prince and Childish Gambino Tributes
Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience that will please your ears like no other. Get tickets.
Van Gogh
If you’re the artsy type, you’ll love this immersive Van Gogh experience being offered in Atlanta. Get tickets.
Visit Krog Street Market
Try a sweet corn dog at Myungrang Hot Dog-Doraville
Walk through Atlantic Station
Walk the Atlanta Beltline
Running and walking the Beltline has become one of the city’s most fun activities. If you can wake up early, you can come join an REI Outdoor School Instructor and other like-minded adventurers on a morning hike watching the sun rise over the city of Atlanta. You will see Atlanta from a different perspective while learning a few tips to make hiking more comfortable. You’ll have so much fun making new friends and soaking in the views that you won’t even notice you are getting some great exercise too! This is an invigorating way to start your day. Hiking in the morning will boost your energy level and increase your ability to focus throughout the day.
Cost: Free
Climb Stone Mountain
Stone Mountain is the largest landmark in Georgia. Located in DeKalb County, the mountain provides some of the best views in the metro Atlanta area. You can easily climb it in about an hour at an even pace. According to Atlanta Magazine, climbing at sundown is pretty awesome. “The granite is surprisingly bright in the dark, and reasonably fit adults should be able to finish the trek in about half an hour,” the writer says.
Cost: $15 per vehicle per day. Annual parking pass for one vehicle for $40.
Self-Guided Tour Of Oakland Cemetery
The historic cemetery just east of Atlanta’s center has a literal who’s who of Atlanta and Georgia nobility, and it’s all there to see. If you’ve got a pair of walking shoes and want to see the names behind Atlanta history, you don’t need a tour guide (Although their audio tours are great). The cemetery is located at 248 Oakland Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312 and is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the week.
Cost: Free
Enjoy the Chattahoochee River
If you love the outdoors, don’t hesitate to visit the Chattahoochee River. There you can fish, kayak and even do some river rafting at various points.
Cost: Free
Visit a Georgia state park
Cost: Various prices
Visit Zoo Atlanta
Zoo Atlanta is a really fun outing for families and even date night (see more date night ideas in Atlanta here). The zoo has gorillas, pandas, giraffes and more large mammals to gaze at and post on the ‘Gram. Get tickets.
How much does Zoo Atlanta cost?
| Ages | Price Of Entry |
|---|---|
| Adults (Ages 12+) | $25.95-$31.70 |
| Child (Ages 3-11) | $20.70-$25.20 |
| Senior (65+) | $24.20-$29.45 |
| College Student (Student ID Required) | $24.20-$29.45 |
Walk Around Centennial Olympic Park
Centennial Park located in the center of downtown Atlanta rose at the height of the city’s resurgence on the national scene. Gifted with the 1996 Summer Games, Atlanta build up and build out and never looked back. Today, the most visible vestige of that momentous time is Centennial Olympic Park.
Cost: Free
Here are other cheap or free things to do in Atlanta | |
| Facility / Venue | Cost |
| Schedule a walking tour | Free |
| Visit the Apex Museum | From $7 |
| Tour the Governor’s Mansion | Free |
| Visit Fernbank Science Center | $20 general admission |
| Visit the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library | $12 for adults, free for 16 and under |
| Visit the Wren’s Nest Museum | $10 for adults / $8 for children & seniors |
| Visit the College Football Hall of Fame | from $17.99–21.99 |
| Visit the Delta Flight Museum | From $10 to $15 |
| Visit the MLK Center | Free |
Explore all the things to do in Atlanta
- First, to find all the good things happening in the city this week. Subscribe to the #ATLHaps newsletter.
- Take a look at downtown Atlanta. That’s where some of the best restaurants are as well as where the visitors, namely tourists, are.
- For a month’s view: The Official Atlanta Events Calendar
- For a more immediate look, check Things to do in Atlanta This Week
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