35 Free Things to do in Atlanta, Georgia

Traveling with kiddos can be expensive, so I wanted to make a list of FREE things to do in Atlanta, Georgia with a family. From museums and parks to street art and movie locations, you are sure to find something fun for everyone in the family. Atlanta, Georgia is a great city for families to visit. There are so many fun things to do there!

Parks

• Centennial Park – Located in Downtown Atlanta, this popular park features the Fountain of Rings – a splash pad where kiddos can play and cool off. Click HERE for more information on upcoming events at Centennial Park.
• Piedmont Park-In addition to gorgeous views of the Atlanta skyline, this park features walking/jogging paths, picnic facilities, playgrounds, tennis courts, public swimming pools, two ponds, and a dog park.
• Atlanta Beltline – This park is a great place to bring your dog, rent a bike (or bring your own bike, skates, or scooter), and/or take the kiddos to Historic Fourth Ward Skate Park. You can also enjoy outdoor Art Exhibits during Art on the Beltline.
• Sandy Springs Playable Art Park – This park features a playable art structures playground, a pavilion, picnic tables, and restrooms.
• Brook Run Park – Located in nearby Dunwoody, this park has a large awning-covered playground, a 2-mile loop trail (for walking, biking, and riding scooters), a skate park, a dog park, a community garden, and event pavilions.

Parks (continued)

• Caney Creek Preserve– Located in Forsyth County, this (mostly shaded) park consists of a spider web climbing area, a dinosaur dig area, and a water play feature. There is also a dog park and 1.5 miles of Nature trails here. See the park map HERE.
• Piedmont Park (FREE Concerts) – Sunset Sessions at Piedmont Park is a FREE weekly music concert series. See all events HERE (example: free yoga classes)
• Blue Heron Nature Preserve – This preserve is 30 acres of green space that is located in the heart of Atlanta. The nature trails are free, but there are no public restrooms. Click HERE to see all of the upcoming festivals and events at Blue Heron Nature Preserve.
• Lullwater Park – This 154-acre preserve can be found on
  Emory University’s campus. The park features tons of green space to run and play, a 210-foot suspension bridge over Peachtree Creek, and miles of walking trails. Wildlife runs free in the area and you might see a few animals, including ducks, geese, and deer.

Museums

There are many free museums in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a great, family-friendly activity while in this city.

• Children’s Museum Downtown Atlanta – This museum is free on the 2nd Tuesday of every month. We have been several times – sometimes the crowds are okay, but most of the time, the line to enter goes around the corner. Even with the crowds, this museum is well worth a visit.
• Marietta Fire Museum – Located in Metro-Atlanta, this two-story museum houses fire trucks and memorabilia.
• Roswell Fire Museum – In addition to historical artifacts, this museum features a 1947 Ford American LaFrance Pumper.
• High Museum – Admission to this art museum is free for children ages 6 and under. They also offer Toddler Thursdays which include tours, crafts, and activities (Thursdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). They also have
  Saturday Toddler Tours begin at 10:30 a.m. in the Taylor Lobby on the first Saturday of each month.
• Fernbank Science Center -This science center is small but full of little gems that the whole family will enjoy. Exhibits include the real Apollo 6 Command Module and Live Animals. The center offers planetarium shows that cost about $5-7, but the museum and exhibits are free.

Historical & Iconic Sites

• Martin Luther King, Jr National Historic Site – This is not really a museum, but you can tour Martin Luther King Jr’s birth home, the 35-acre district, and Ebenezer Baptist Church.
• Georgia State Capitol – You visit for a 20 to 40-minute guided tour or you can download This APP for your own self-guided tour.
• Jackson Street Bridge – This iconic bridge is the perfect place to get some pretty pictures and/or Instagram photos.
• Living Walls Atlanta – Speaking of Insta-worthy spots in Atlanta… Living Walls Atlanta has helped local and international artists create 100 public murals featured throughout the metropolitan area. You can download the City of Atlanta Public Art App for a self-guided tour of Atlanta’s finest street art and murals.
• Anne Frank Exhibit – Located in nearby Sandy Springs (about 16 miles from ATL), this exhibit includes 600 photos, documents, and a video about Anne Frank and the Holocaust. Parking and admission are free.
• The Governer’s Mansion – The tour at The Governor’s Mansion is self-guided but there are several, knowledgeable volunteers available to answer any of your questions. Public tours are conducted throughout the year on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays between 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

Animal Encounters

• Noah’s Ark – Donations are appreciated, but self-guided tours are free at Noah’s Ark. Self-guided tours are available from 12 pm – 3 pm Tuesdays through Saturdays.
• Sandy Springs Turtle Tours – While donations are accepted and appreciated, these tours are free. These themed tours include a fun story, a guided museum tour, and activities or crafts for children under 5. Parents are required to stay and siblings are welcome.

Outdoor Activities

• Chattahoochee River – Tube down the calm waters. You probably want to bring 2 cars – one for getting into the water and a second one for getting out of the water.
• Free Activities at Stone Mountain – Although many things at Stone Mountain require a fee, there are a few activities there that are free. In addition to the hiking trails, the Grist Mill, The Covered Bridge, The Quarry Exhibit, the Historical and Environmental Education Center, and the Children’s Playground. You can also bring a blanket, chairs, and frisbee to the Great Lawn to watch the park’s Laser Show.
• Hike Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield State Park – Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield State Park is a National Battlefield that preserves a Civil War battleground. In addition to its rich history, this 2,965-acre park offers some great hiking trails. You’ll enjoy the lush forest and gorgeous summit views.
• Silver Comet Trail – This trail is great for walking, jogging, and biking. The trail is mostly shaded and is very well-maintained.

Self-Guided TV and Movie Location Tours

• The Goat Farm Arts Center (Hunger Games & Walking Dead) – Scenes from “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” were filmed here (the Goat Farm served as District 12). Scenes from “The Walking Dead” were filmed here. It’s a great place to tour, take photos, grab some coffee, and visit some art studios.
• Grant Park, Jackson Street Bridge, Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre (Walking Dead) – See Rick Grimes’ abandoned house from the first episode at Grant Park, Rick riding across Jackson Street Bridge into Atlanta on a horse, and see the Cobb Center (where the Center of Disease Control was blown up – not really, just special effects).
• Marvel Movie Locations– Several scenes from Avengers were filmed at Metropolitan Avenue. In Guardians of the Galaxy, Lord’s mom and Kurt Russel Stop at a Dairy Queen, which is actually BB’s Cafe at Stone Mountain. The Avenger’s headquarters in Captain America: Civil War is actually the Porshe Experience Center. Spider-man sees Shocker selling weapons at the dog park at Piedmont Park. The Hindu Temple of Atlanta is where Tony Stark and Peter Parker talk. The best list of Marvel Movie Locations (with Map and scene details for each location) can be found HERE.

Events

• Castleberry Hill 2nd Friday Art Stroll – On the second Friday of each month, the community hosts this FREE event where local galleries have their art on display and visitors can enjoy a self-guided tour. This area was once Atlanta’s old transportation hub so it is a great place to learn about the history of the area.
• Dekalb Farmer’s Market – Entrance is free and many times free samples are offered. I recommend visiting the Farmer’s Market for lunch or for purchasing snacks. Even though the event is free, these delicious foods are difficult to pass up.
• Festivals – Atlanta offers festivals all throughout the year and many of them of free. Click on the link above to see upcoming Atlanta Festivals.
• Movies in the Park – See free movies in Canton, Cumming, Alpharetta, and Dawsonville. Click on the link above to see upcoming Movie in the Park Events (click on SCHEDULE and pick your preferred location).

You might also enjoy: 25 Things to do with Kids in Atlanta, Georgia

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