Whether you’re a true Atlanta native or just landed here, this city never fails to blow your mind. From culture to music, history to food, and everything in between, Atlanta’s got it all. That’s why we’ve put together the ultimate Atlanta bucket list for you to dive into. Ready to soak up every bit of what this city has to offer? Here are 24 things to add to your Atlanta bucket list!
1. Check out the incredible King Tutankhamen exhibit before it’s too late!
King Tut is a legend that nearly everyone has heard of before… but do you know his real life (and death) story? Explore thousands of beautifully recreated artifacts, and learn all about the young pharaoh and his legacy!
Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures is a treat for sure; spend the evening surrounded by gold and history! Get your tickets for Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures now!
2. See some of the beautiful art exhibits in the city
A V&A Exhibition – Touring the World
In a city surrounded by art, there are always great art events to check out! We’ve got an amazing roundup of art events that we keep updated, so you can always find the best ones to see! From the current exhibits at the High Museum of Art to smaller, local artists’ shows, Atlanta is an artist paradise!
Check out our full round up of must-see art exhibitions around town!
3. Experience the magic of a Candlelight concert
If you don’t already have a Candlelight concert on your Atlanta bucket list, what are you doing!? This enchanting live musical performance will have you floating on air as you listen to iconic music, all while surrounded by the twinkling lights of a thousand LED candles. Candle Light concerts are the perfect place for a date especially, since there’s no way not to feel romantic while dazzling with thousands of candles!
4. Try a brand new local coffee shop
If you’re looking for the perfect cuppa Joe in Atlanta, you’ve definitely gotta try one of these local spots! With so many amazing places to choose from, you might be at a loss: don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Make one of these your go-to spots this year!
Here’s the full round up of cute coffee shops in the ATL!
5. Step straight into a Van Gogh painting
If you’ve ever dreamt of stepping right out of the world and into a painting, you’ll love this awe-inspiring journey into the artistic world of Vincent Van Gogh! Explore his world: his life, his work, and his secrets, all while walking through cutting-edge 360-degree immersive digital projections of his art.
You can also expect a one-of-a-kind VR experience, and a light and sound show to delight your senses.
This unique experience brought to you by Exhibition Hub has thrilled millions of visitors in the United States already.
Don’t delay, grab your tickets now for Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience!
6. Cheer on the Atlanta Braves!
As the weather warms up, the Atlanta Braves will be back out on the field getting ready for a new season! If you’ve never been to a game, you definitely need to add this to your bucket list! Braves games are so much fun–for both baseball fanatics, but also for those who just love to get out and show a little city-pride!
For more information on the Braves and to see the game schedule, check out their website here!
7. Enjoy Atlanta’s coolest concert: Shaky Knees
Another incredible experience to add to your bucket list is to attend Atlanta’s coolest indie concert: Shaky Knees. See the coolest indie performers right here in Atlanta! This year’s got a great line up too, including Noah Kahan, Arcade Fire, Young The Giant, Weezer, Queens of the Stone Age, The Offspring, Girl in Red, Foo Fighters, Billy Idol, Portugal The Man, and SO MANY MORE!
You don’t want to miss out on Shaky Knees in 2024, Atlanta!
8. Get fancy at one of Atlanta’s newly Michelin-recommended restaurants
If you haven’t check out the brand-new Michelin Guide in Atlanta yet, you’re missing out! You should definitely try at least one Michelin-recommended restaurant right here in Atlanta!
The list of Michelin recommendations includes all different types of food, including American, Japanese, Thai, Mexican, and so much more! You can’t go wrong with a Michelin-recommended spot!
9. Grab a drink at an iconicly unique Atlanta bar
Atlanta is jam-packed with tons of quirky and unique bars! What better experience to add to this year’s bucket list than a totally one-of-a-kind bar right here in Atlanta? Grab your friends and hit up one of the coolest bars in the city! Who knows… you might even find a new favorite spot!
Here’s our full list of the best unique bars in the city!
10. Put your tourist cap on and head to the GA Aquarium
You might’ve already been to the GA Aquarium, but if you haven’t, it’s definitely something to add to your bucket list. We’re the only aquarium in the United States that has two rescued whale sharks! Enjoy the beauty of the ocean, right here in land-locked Atlanta, by heading to the truly iconic GA Aquarium!
Check out more details at their website!
11. While we’re on the topic of ATL animals, go wild at Zoo Atlanta
With thousands of animals on display, learn all about the incredible animal kingdom this year! Zoo Atlanta has some of the coolest animals on the planet: from giant pandas to graceful flamingos. If you haven’t been to Zoo Atlanta, go ahead and add this cool experience to your this year’s bucket list!
Get your tickets for Zoo Atlanta now!12. Get trippy at the Museum of Illusions
If you’re looking for an amazing and unique experience in Atlanta, hit up the Museum of Illusions, right here in the ATL! With locations all over the U.S., the Museum of Illusions has been a fun destination for so many already! Get ready to have your mind blown at some of the incredible installations and enthralling images. You won’t be able to look away from the perspective-changing illusion rooms and mind-boggling optical illusions.
The only thing that’s not an illusion at the Museum of Illusions is how much fun you’ll have!
For more information, check out the Museum of Illusions’ website!
13. Spend a lovely day in the Atlanta Botanical Garden
The Atlanta Botanical Garden is perfect for every season: with blooming flowers in the spring, fun events and picnics in the summer, scarecrows and pumpkins in the fall and Christmas lights in the winter. You’ll always have a blast at the Atlanta Botanical Garden! Add every season at the Botanical Garden to your Atlanta bucket list to really get the most out of it!
For more information, check out the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s website!
14. Go on an picturesque Atlanta hike
Atlanta isn’t known as the city in a forest for nothing! We’ve got some great hikes around Atlanta (and even some in Atlanta!), so you’ll definitely need to add hikes to your bucket list! Grab your hiking boots and check out all the natural wonders around the city!
To see all the cool hikes in the area, check out our round up here!
15. See a show at the historic Fox Theatre
One of the greatest things about our city is the access we have to the arts! Atlanta has tons of famous theatres, including the history Fox Theatre. The Fox hosts events like traveling comedy tours (for example, Colin Jost, Tina Fey, Amy Poleher to name a few), Broadway shows, and incredible concerts. You definitely want to go to at least one show at the Fox this year, but if you can, go to as many as possible! This year they’ve got Hamilton, The Lion King, Mama Mia, and so many more!
For more information about the Fox Theatre, check out their website!
16. Enjoy getting loud and proud at Atlanta Pride
Everyone knows Pride month is in June, but Atlanta actually celebrates LGBTQ+ Pride twice! Our iconic Pride festival and Pride Parades take place in October! You’ll wanna dawn all your rainbow and head out to celebrate your pride or be an ally to your friends at Atlanta Pride!
This year Atlanta Pride will take place in Piedmont Park on October 12-13, 2024!
For more information about Pride, check out Atlanta Pride’s website!
17. Try something new at the Atlanta Food and Wine Festival
One of the biggest wine festivals around is the Atlanta Food and Wine Festival, which is held in September every year! This year the festival is set for September 13th-15th, 2024!
With over 150 renowned chefs, sommeliers, mixologists, and industry insiders descending to Atlanta for a weekend-long of deliciousness, the festival showcases the best of what the region has to offer. You definitely don’t want to miss the Atlanta Food and Wine Festival!
For more information, check out the festival’s website!
18. Get into the cosplay-mindset with Atlanta’s annual Dragon Con event
People from near and far flock to Atlanta for our annual Dragon Con! Dragon Con is the largest multi-media, pop culture convention in the universe! It focuses on science fiction & fantasy, gaming, comics, literature, art, music, and film… so basically you can be anything you wanna be at Dragon Con!
Dress up as your favorite characters and enjoy the convention with friends! This year Dragon Con will be held from August 29 – September 2, 2024!
Check out their website for more details!
19. Enjoy the spooky spirit during the L5P Halloween Parade!
Atlanta’s quirkiest neighborhood, Little 5 Points, is always hosting crazy fun events and festivals. Their main event however, is probably their Halloween Parade, which takes place in October of course. Dress up in spooky or fun costumes and enjoy local vendors, food, drink and all the good vibes in Little 5 Points!
For more information, check out the Little 5 Points Businesses website!
20. Unleash your artsy side at the Atlanta Film Festival
Atlanta is known as the Hollywood of the South for a good reason: we’re a film hub! Our up-and-coming film scene is always delivering movie magic, and we celebrate that every year with the Atlanta Film Festival! Indie projects made locally and all around the world make it onto the big screen at the Plaza Theatre in Atlanta. This year the festival will take place form April 25th to May 5th, 2024!
Every film person needs to add the Atlanta Film Festival to their bucket list!
For more information, check out their website!
21. Do a no-spend day with one of these free things to do in town!
You can have so much fun in Atlanta without breaking the bank! If you’re looking to save a little money this year, you’ve definitely gotta check out our round up of free things to do in the city. Add something totally free to your Atlanta bucket list!
See the full roundup here!22. Go to Atlanta’s only year-round farmer’s market
If you want to buy more locally sourced produce and products this year, you’ve gotta check out this incredible year-round market in Avondale Estates. One of the only markets in the entire Southeast that’s open every Sunday, rain or shine, you can always find exactly what you’re looking for there!
Grab some local food or some yummy produce form local farmers!
For more information, check out the Avondale Estates Farmer’s Market!
23. Take a trip to Atlanta’s one-of-a-kind Cat Lounge and Sound Gallery
Maybe you’re looking to add a completely unique experience to your Atlanta bucket list… if so, we’ve got you! Underground Atlanta, the city’s incredible indie art scene, recently opened up a cat lounge and sound gallery. Listen to mind-blowing music and play with some adorable kitties while you’re at it. Honestly, what could be better?
Check out The Frisky Whisker Cat Lounge for all your tunes and cat needs!
24. Go indoor skydiving at iFly Atlanta
And finally, if you wanna put something totally rad on your Atlanta bucket list, you’ve gotta try iFly’s indoor skydiving!
This experience will give you all the rush of jumping out of a plane… but with none of the danger! This state-of-the-art vertical wind tunnel will have you feeling the rush of adrenaline right away! And the best part, the skilled instructor will show you exactly what to do, so there’s no experience necessary!
Get your tickets for iFly Atlanta today!Have a great year, Atlanta! Let’s make this the best year yet!