50+ Free And Cheap Things To Do In Atlanta

Very cool things abound in a city as diverse and lively as Atlanta, Georgia. Many of the cool things to do can be done for free or very cheaply.

This article will show you some of the best free and cheap things to get into around Atlanta.

Here Are 50 Free And Cheap Things To Do In Atlanta

Keep reading to check out the best free and cheap things to do in Atlanta. Even if you’re visiting and only have 24 hours in the city, there are still some pretty cool things to do here are cheap, educational as well as entertaining.

In this article, you’ll find:

• Free And Cheap Outside Activities
• Free Landmarks To Visit
• Cheap Live Venues
• Cheap Places To Eat

Atlanta is the state capital of Georgia, so it has tons of monuments and landmarks illustrating its rich history, including its Civil War past, the civil rights movement and more.

You’ll get an education as well as fun time at the World of Coke, the Atlanta History Center, the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site and massive Georgia Aquarium as these buildings represent what’s best about the city and region.

Free And Cheap Outside Activities

All of the things mentioned here are free, cheap or affordable, which is a necessity down here in the South. Check out all these cool things to get into in Atlanta, Georgia, the city too busy to hate:

Candyland Free Entry & Free Drink

Want to enjoy a free drink and a hard DJ? Check out Candyland at 134 Baker Street Northeast Atlanta, GA 30308 on Thursdays.

Van Gogh

If you’re the artsy type, you’ll love this immersive Van Gogh experience being offered in Atlanta. Get tickets.

Visit The Selfie Museum

116 Centennial Olympic Park Dr SW

The Freeski

Yes, it’s free music and more on Sunday, August 25 · 8 – 11pm EDT. It’s happening at Crazy ATLanta Restaurant, BAR & Event Venue at 182 Courtland Street Northeast Atlanta, GA 30303.

Here’s everything you need to know before you go.

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience that will please your ears like no other. Get tickets

One of the most naturally beautiful spaces in the city, the Atlanta Botanical Garden features 30 acres of plants, statues & fountains with with a conservatory.  High society events like concerts, parties and more take place right here, giving the building a fun, aristocratic flair for the old and new moneyed alike. 1345 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309.

Housing the city’s preeminent historical archive, the Atlanta History Center sits on 33 acres in the heart of Buckhead. The center features one of the state’s most storied antebellum homes, as well as exhibits, grounds & gardens. 130 West Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305.

Got children? Then you’ll love the Children’s Museum of Atlanta in downtown Atlanta. Among the fun things to do here are tons of rides, interactive activities for the whole family and more. The museum features 30,000 square feet of hands-on exhibits, including an indoor playground, sand table and more. The museum is appropriate for children ages 2 to 8. 275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313.

Atlanta is the home of Coca-Cola so it’s no wonder that the World of Coke is here! Check out this downtown Atlanta museum showcasing the history, heritage and future of the most popular soft drink in the world. Bring the whole family out to enjoy memorabilia, interactive exhibits and more on weekends. The site gets tens of thousands of visitors annually, solidifying its reputation as one of the top fun things to do in Atlanta year by year. 121 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313.

Zoo Atlanta promises the wildest time in the city. With more than 1,500 animals, including a world-class panda exhibit, in modern habitats, the zoo is one fun hoot. On the weekends, join hundreds of families as they peruse through the park-like settings and gawk at antelopes, zebras, gorillas and more. Even in the Atlanta summer heat, the zoo guarantees a good time. The zoo is a short walk from iconic Grant Park and is in a revitalized area. Buy tickets for Zoo Atlanta.

Downtown Atlanta houses the storied halls of the College Football Hall of Fame, which features historical exhibits on famous college football players and coaches. You’ll love the big screen TVs and the indoor football field. Come on out on Saturdays before the big games and indulge in collegiate gridiron greatness. 250 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313,

Go Skating

Around the year, there are several great skating rinks in Atlanta. In the winter, you can visit the ice rink at Park Tavern in Midtown Atlanta for a great time with the kids.

Other ice rinks in the city include:

• Skate the Station at Atlantic Station
• Avalon on Ice at The Avalon
• Skate the Sky at Ponce City Market

Cider Run!

Drinking cider is not only a seasonal tradition in autumn, but it’s absolutely delicious. Here are Atlanta spots where you can get some good cider.

• Urban Tree Cidery
• Treehorn Cider
• Biltong Bar

Of course, these are not all of the spots you can get cider in Atlanta. If you know of a place, let us know in the comments.

Go Kart Racing

Love NASCAR driving? Take a trip to Andretti’s to let the kids race around the track.

If you or a family member is a science geek, the Fernbank Museum of Natural History in Druid Hills has it all: dinosaurs, skeletal models and a comprehensive exhibit spread our over a three-story, sky-lit great hall. Talk about fun things to do: Every third Friday, there’s a dance party you don’t want to miss. 767 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30307.

Come to downtown Atlanta to see more than 120,000 animals of the sea. The Georgia Aquarium is one of the world’s largest aquariums, with tons of seasonal and permanent exhibits, interactive galleries & fun activities for kids and adults alike. 225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313.

High Museum of Art

 1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309 | (404) 733-4400

Atlanta’s most famous museum is the High Museum of Art in Midtown. It features an eclectic and diverse art collection, among them historical photographs, lithographs, paintings and modern architecture. 1280 Peachtree Street Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30309.

Located in the western Atlanta suburb of Austell, Six Flags Over Georgia is the area’s largest amusement park — and since the 1960s, it’s been a hoot for people young and old. If you’re a fan of high-speed roller coasters, kids rides, cotton candy and water attractions, Six Flags is a must. The park opens in March through January annually. 275 Riverside Parkway Southwest, Austell, GA 30168.

Yep, ATL has a ferris wheel. The 20-story Skyview Atlanta ferris wheel has gondolas that are air-conditioned and roomy. If you want to get into truly fun things to do in Atlanta, this is one of them. Take a ride to see a bird’s eye view of downtown and Centennial Park. 168 Luckie St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303.

Starlight 6 Drive-In Theater

2000 Moreland Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30316

East Atlanta features one of the iconic relics for yesteryear, a drive-in theater. Talk about a fun thing to do in Atlanta? Watch an outdoor movie! Starlight 6 Drive-in features six outdoor screens show current major motion pictures year-round; $8 adult admission and $1 for children 9 years old and younger.

Go Kayaking Down The Chattahoochee River

Some children love the water, while others love to hate it. In any case, they’ll love to canoe or kayak at the Chattahoochee Nature Center. Get tickets at Canoe With CNC.

Walk A Trail

The big advantage that autumn has over the other seasons is that it’s cooler so you can stand being outside longer. You also get to take in the brilliant colors of the leaves.  And nowhere is this more apparent than on a trail.

You can find some great trails in all the major metropolitan counties surrounding Atlanta. Here are some great ones.

Hike a Mountain

You can hike Stone Mountain in about an hour’s time and it won’t burn you out. Kennesaw Mountain is more of a trek, but there are numerous places. Here are some mountains near Atlanta.

Ride The Trolley

Want to see the sights around downtown Atlanta? Grab the whole family and just take a ride on the Peachtree Trolley. Plan your trip.

Best Free Landmarks In Atlanta

If you’re looking for some fun places to visit around Atlanta, these free landmarks are your best bet. Many of these places have great historical significance not only to Atlanta, but the world.

The largest park in downtown Atlanta, Centennial Olympic Park was birthed for the 1996 Olympics. The park now hosts private events, concerts and is full of serene walking paths and water gardens. During the warm months, bring the kids out to enjoy the Fountain of Rings. Come out at night or on the weekends to see the stars illuminate the site.  265 Park Avenue West, Atlanta, GA 30313.

Krog Street Market

99 Krog St NE, Atlanta, GA 30307

Perhaps the most entertaining cemetery in the nation, Oakland Cemetery is more than a memorial place, it’s a who’s who of Atlanta and Georgia’s dearly departed. Who knew that being in a graveyard could be so fun and exciting? The 1850s-era site has voice-recorded tours of Atlanta’s most notable people as well as Confederate veterans and famous African-Americans.  248 Oakland Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312.

Few green spaces have the visibility of Woodruff Park, located along the city’s spine of Peachtree Street. The park located in the center of Georgia’s financial center, downtown Atlanta and Georgia State University has fountains, sculptures, a famous chess court and a pavilion. What makes it a fun thing to do is the beautiful and peaceful contrast it provides to the concrete jungle around it. You’ll love the serenity of hearing and looking at the water fountain do its thing. 91 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303.

Cheap Live Music In Atlanta

Let’s get into some of the best live music venues in Atlanta and how to get there:

Apache Cafe

880 Woodrow St SW, Atlanta, GA 30310 | (404) 594-1170

If you want to enjoy one of the city’s musical gems, Apache Cafe is the place to go. Aside from being the venue where India Irie was discovered, patrons will enjoy the daily happy hour, food and drinks.

With a weekly schedule of events that features Pangea’s Afrosocial, spoken word, karaoke, art, live music and more, this place is a must-visit. See upcoming events.

Blind Willie’s

828 North Highland Avenue NE Atlanta, GA 30306 |  (404) 873-2583

The world-renown Blind Willie’s is the premiere spot in Atlanta for some down-home blues music. See upcoming concerts.

Center Stage / The Loft

1374 W Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309 |  (404) 885-1365

Center Stage is one of the most accessible places in Atlanta to hear some live music. National acts on the pop music and hip-hop scene regularly come through to perform.

The Loft is a more intimate music venue adjacent to Center Stage. It’s a standing-room only place that allows the venue to transform into a gigantic dance floor. See upcoming shows.

City Winery

650 North Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA 30308 | (404) 946-3791

City Winery in Midtown Atlanta has some of the biggest acts week in and week out. If you want to see a top-notch live show, City Winery is the place to be. See their schedule.

Coca-Cola Roxy

800 Battery Ave SE #500, Atlanta, GA 30339 | (470) 351-3866

The Coca-Cola Roxy is a spacious venue at the Battery across the street from SunTrust Park, where the Atlanta Braves play. The Roxy plays big-name acts and packs a crowd on the weekends. See Coca-Cola Roxy events.

Kat’s Cafe

970 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309 | (404) 347-2263

If you’re looking for a lively night of creative arts, Kate’s Cafe in Midtown Atlanta may be just the thing. Neatly tucked away amid some residential homes at 970 Piedmont Ave NE, a short distance from 10th Street, Kat’s Cafe live music bar and restaurant is definitely one of those cool things to do in Atlanta on any day of the week.

Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre

5239 Floyd Rd SW, Mableton, GA 30126 | (770) 819-7765

The Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre draws some major acts to southern Cobb County. If you live out that way, Mable House packs a crowd. See events here.

Northside Tavern

1058 Howell Mill Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318 | (404) 874-8745

Northside Tavern in West Midtown is a great place to catch some live music and enjoy some good food at the same time. This is Atlanta’s unofficial “home of the blues” powered by house band Mudcat. Check out their calendar.

The Tabernacle

152 Luckie St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303 | (404) 659-9022

The Tabernacle in downtown Atlanta draws some big acts every week. You can see their event schedule to find someone you no doubt know. See event information.

Terminal West

887 West Marietta St NW C, Atlanta, GA 30318 |  (404) 876-5566

In West Midtown, Terminal West is a best-kept secret when it comes to places with live music in Atlanta. See Terminal West events.

See more of the best live venues in Atlanta.

Cheap Places To Eat In Atlanta

Did somebody say cheap food? Atlanta has some great restaurants that won’t hurt your wallet. Here are some of our favorites places to eat around the city.

The Varsity is arguably the most famous restaurant in Atlanta. It all started about a century ago in Midtown Atlanta and gradually branched out to a handful of locations around metro Atlanta. And no wonder. Where else can you get iconic chilli dogs, hamburgers and onion rings that have made their way into pop culture and the fabric of the area’s dining scene?  Come check out the largest drive-in fast food restaurant in the world. : 61 North Avenue NW Atlanta, gA. 30318.

Chido & Padre’s

128 E Andrews Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30305 | (404) 848-9100

Here’s what one reviewer says about Chido & Padre’s: “Chido & Padres is a very nice, chic Mexican place to eat. They have a good variety of well prepared selections to choose from, I had the tacos. You can choose the authentic “street tacos” or the flour.”

Paschal’s

180 Northside Dr SW #B, Atlanta, GA 30313

Intl Airport, Concourse B, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, N Terminal Rd Suite T120, Atlanta, GA 30320

Known as the kitchen of the civil rights movement, Paschals has had the most continuous success of any soul food joint in the city. The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Ralph David Abernathy and Hosea Williams all planned protests in the back room while collard greens and corn bread baked only feet away from them. Today, Paschal’s has morphed into a mid-upscale eatery with a cosmopolitan clientele. But it still has some of the meanest soul food in the ATL. Best dishes include Gulf shrimp, chicken and Andouille as well as the Caribbean Fish Tacos.

Dat Fire Jerk Chicken

226 Northside Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30313 | (404) 254-4494

At Dat Fire Jerk Chicken, you can get the Jerk Chicken Meal (11am-2pm) Comes w/ rice n peas, can soda or bottled water and choice of cabbage salad or collards.

Oz Pizza

2805 Main St., East Point, Ga. 30344

Oz Pizza in East Point also has a great lunch special through the week.

• Number 1 is 1 slice with 1 topping, house salad & fountain drink
• Number 2: 2 Slices with 2 Toppings & Fountain Drink
• Number 3: 2 Slices of Cheese & Fountain Drink

Bartaco

• 969 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30318 |  (404) 607-8226
• 299 North Highland Avenue Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30307 | (470) 400-8226
• 3802 Roswell Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30342 | (678) 871-8226

At Bartaco, they’ll give you any three tacos, plus a soup or salad for $11.

Farm Burger

Atlanta Locations:

• 275 Memorial Dr. SE  STE 82 Atlanta, Ga. 30312 | 404-748-1310
• 410B W Ponce de Leon Ave, Decatur, GA 30030 | (404) 378-5077
• 3365 Piedmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305 | (404) 816-0603
• 22 14th St NW suite d, Atlanta, GA 30309 | (404) 343-2888

Farm Burger has a lunch special for $8.95, which gives you a burger, fries and drink from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. through the week.

Crazy Atlanta

182 Courtland St NE, Atlanta, GA 30303 | (404) 975-3343

Crazy Atlanta Travel Bar and Street Food Event has several lunch specials, including:

• Two tacos, rice, beans, + one can of soda – $8
• Burrito lunch + one can of soda –  $9
• Pizza slice (cheese or pepperoni) + one can of soda- $6
• Gyro, French fries + one can of soda – ONLY $8
• Chicken wrap, French fries + one can of soda- $9
• Taco salad with chicken + one can of soda – $9

Ms. Icey’s Kitchen & Bar

1371 Clairmont Rd, Decatur, GA 30033

This soul food spot in Decatur comes from owner and restaurateur Sim Walker, whose New York City rearing comes through in the vibe. Ms. Icey’s, named after Walker’s grandmother, is Decatur’s best-kept secret even though it has quickly become a culturally hip gathering place for those in the know. When cornbread comes in an iron skillet, and oxtails do as well, you know you’re in a foodie’s dream. Not only are many of the dishes a nod to Southern and soul food culture, but the drinks are mostly handcrafted, giving the place an organic life. The sweet potato waffles are to die for.

Patria Cocina

1039 Grant St SE, Atlanta, GA 30315 | (404) 622-3501

For those keeping score, Patria Cocina comes to us from the owners of El Mexicano, which used to be the place to go on Moreland Avenue. Run by the Aguirre family, Patria Cocina has a handsome patio that looks out on the front side of the Beacon development, which is Grant Park’s answer to Krog Street Market as well as Ponce City Market.

Superica

99 Krog St NE, Atlanta, GA 30307 |  (678) 791-1310

3850 Roswell Rd NE #100, Atlanta, GA 30342 | (678) 705-1235

This Ford Fry eatery has taken Atlanta by storm since its debut at Krog Street Market. Now it has expanded across Atlanta.

Here’s what one reviewer says about Superica: “Great Mexican cuisine. Very attentive staff and fairly priced. Nice ambiance and very good bar area. Portions are generous. It gets super busy so go early or be ready to wait..a while.”

Is Atlanta A Fun City?

Atlanta has more than 50 million visitors a year. If that doesn’t attest to this Southern metropolis as being a fun city, I don’t know what will.

The metro Atlanta area has the region’s best food, entertainment and economy, by far.

Final Word

Atlanta, Georgia is the jewel of the South, the New York of the South and the Hollywood of the South. For a Southern city, Atlanta’s weekend events are hard to beat.

Atlanta is one of the best places to visit if you’ve got some time on your hands. And having fun by visiting many of Atlanta’s best places shouldn’t cost you a lot of money. In fact, many of the top sites, venues and landmarks are free!

When it comes to cool things to do in and around the city, Atlanta is a great place to live and visit. Now that Georgia has reopened amid the coronavirus pandemic, there are so many fun things to do in Atlanta.

Atlanta continues to be a tourist mecca as gigantic landmarks such as Mercedes Benz Stadium and SunTrust Park boost the metro area’s profile. But what are the fun things to do in Atlanta.

When it comes to finding fun things to do in Atlanta, the city’s sprawling metro area has plenty of more places to see, visit and experience. You may be in the mood for some good home cookin’ — and if you are, here are some top soul food places in Atlanta.

Here are more articles from AtlantaFi.com:

• Here are the REALLY FUN things to do in Atlanta
• Check out these FREE events in Atlanta
• Feeling adventurous? Here are some outdoorsy things to do in ATL