The dogs days of summer don’t have to get you down, there are still plenty of fun things to do in Atlanta this August! From super fun festivals to delicious drinks and beyond! Have a blast this August, and enjoy the rest of the last full month of summer in style! Keep scrolling to see our recommendations of all the fun happenings in the ATL this August!
1. Get inspired at the Piedmont Park Arts Festival
Ranked among the top 100 arts festivals in the U.S., the Piedmont Arts Festival is a two day event that is NOT to be missed! Browse the art of over 250 artists, including photographers, metalworkers, painters and so much more! And on top of all the amazing artist vendors, enjoy yummy festival food, a fun kids area, and live music! This year, the festival will be August 17th and 18th!
For all the details, check out our article about the festival here!2. Check out the beautiful Atlanta Quilt Festival
For the entire month of August, you can enjoy the beautiful Atlanta Quilt Festival! This nonprofit festival works to showcase and celebrate African American art, specifically textile arts like quilts and dolls! The festival runs from August 2nd – September 8th this year, with an Opening Ceremony from 12pm – 4pm on August 2nd! Learn all about the festival and what to expect here!
3. Impress your boo with dinner at one of these beautiful restaurants
Whether you’re looking to take your date somewhere swanky and fun or you just need a night out with the girls where you can dress UP, we’ve got you covered! From flowers on ceilings to gorgeous glass chandeliers and more, Atlanta truly has the best of the best when it comes to beautiful spots to eat! And the food lives up to the hype at these gorgeous places!
See the full list of spots to check out here!4. Gaze at glowing hot air balloons during this stunning festival
Enjoy the last little bits of summer at this illuminating hot air balloon festival in Callaway Gardens! With tethered hot air balloon rides, fireworks, and glowing hot air balloons, you’ll wish August could last forever! Learn more about this truly breathtaking festival here!
5. Enjoy tons of beautiful art exhibitions in Atlanta right now!
Atlanta is the cultural hub of the Southeast, and for good reason! At any given time, we’ve got tons of art exhibitions, shows, and more happening in the city! If you wanna stay up on the culture, you definitely need to check out these gorgeous art exhibitions and shows happening in Atlanta right now! Check out some of our recommendations below!
- Tyler Mitchell: Idyllic Space at the High Museum of Art
- The Warehouse
- The Largest Outdoor Art Exhibit in the Southeast
6. Take an emotional trip on Titanic: An Immersive Voyage
Take a deeply emotional voyage on the Titanic, and see the tragic wreck in a whole new way. With more than 300 recreated artifacts, life-sized reconstructed rooms to explore, 3D views, video animations, ant state-of-the-art VR technology, this immersive experience will teach you more about the Titanic and its devastating end than you’ve ever been taught before.
You can get tickets for this truly one-of-a-kind experience here!7. Step into the colorful world of Van Gogh’s art with this immersive experience!
Have you ever stared at a painting and wondered what it would be like to step into that brush-stroke world? Well… wonder no more! With the incredible projection and VR technologies of Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience, you’ll see the iconic painter’s world from the inside. Take a journey like no other, through a land of art! Learn more and grab your tickets for this amazing experience here!
8. Enjoy a mesmerizing evening of music bathed in candlelight!
Surround yourself and your loved ones in a sea of flickering LED candles, all while listening to the most beautiful music performed by a live orchestra. If this doesn’t sound like the perfect way to spend your evenings, we don’t know what does! You’ve got tons of amazing options for a night full of music! Check out our recommendations below!
And see the full list of Candlelight Concert options here!9. Celebrate International Beer Day at Atlanta’s best breweries
August 2nd is International Beer Day… but why not celebrate all month long!? We’ve got some of the best breweries around, and we wanna show them off! So whether you’re looking for a mouth-puckering sour or a classic IPA (or anything else!), there’s an Atlanta brewery with your name on it!
See our full round up of the best breweries in the ATL here!10. Dine in the Dark at this completely unique dining experience
If you’re looking for something exciting and new to do, we’ve got you covered! Dining in the Dark is hosting a few more incredible dinners in Atlanta this August, and you can’t miss out! Choose a menu option: meat, seafood or vegan… and Dining in the Dark takes it from there! Put on your blindfold, and let your tastebuds be your guide! A secret 3 course menu includes appetizer, main and dessert, all for you to discover on your evening out!
Learn more and grab your tickets while you still can!11. Shoot the ‘Hooch to beat the heat this summer!
For a fun adventure on the water, check out Cool River Adventures on the Chattahoochee! You’ll have so much fun gently floating down the river in your inflatable inter tube! (And you’ll have a little thrill every time you go over one of the mini waterfalls!) You can stay cool and enjoy the day surrounded by Georgia’s natural beauty! Get all the details for Cool River Adventures here!
12. Make it a summer to remember at one of these thrilling theme parks!
Whether you wanna splash around in a water park, scream your head off on a roller coaster… or even an awesome mix of the two, there are so many fun theme parks and water parks to check out before the summer ends! Make some lasting summer memories with your friends or family, and head to one of the best theme parks in the ATL now! See our full roundup here!
13. Try something new with this silent book club
If you’re looking to try something a little different, you’ve gotta check out Silent Book Club! A great way to meet other book-lovers and to explore the city of Atlanta, Silent Book Club hosts several meet ups each month! Here’s the breakdown:
- 1:00 – Arrive & Settle
- 1:30 – Silent Reading Hour
- 2:30 – Meet & Mingle
And enjoy a nice drink or treat at every location! Grab your book and make some pals at this super cool event in Atlanta! They have dates every month, so check out August’s schedule here!
14. Take on trivia with your team
If you’re always looking for the perfect weeknight hang sesh with your pals, hitting up trivia might be the way to go! Low stakes and lots of fun, there are tons of amazing trivia options across the city! Ranging from the coolest breweries to the coziest restaurants, there’s a little something for everyone! Try out trivia today! See our full list here!
15. Hike Georgia’s iconic ‘Little Grand Canyon’ just 2 hours from Atlanta
With breathtaking views, visiting Providence Canyon will make feel like you’ve left Georgia completely and rolled up to the Wild West. This hidden gem just a couple hours outside of the city is the perfect place to hike and enjoy nature! You’ll be so glad you went while it’s still nice and warm outside! Get all the details about this 2706-acre wonder here!
16. Kick back with a killer view at one of Atlanta’s amazing rooftops
One of the best ways to relish the summer is by heading to one of the many amazing rooftops in the ATL. From refreshing cocktails with a beautiful view of the skyline, to Sunday brunch in the sun, click here to see the full round-up of stunning rooftop bars and restaurants in Atlanta, or check out a few recommendations below.
- Drawbar, West Midtown
- Virtue Rooftop, Midtown
- Hotel Clermont, Poncey-Highland
- St. Julep, Buckhead
17. Rent a private pool for you and your pals
Soak up every drop of summer by renting your very own private pool for you and your friends! Perfect for hosting a pool party or gathering, grilling by the water and taking a dip, you can find the perfect space, just for you! With this new app, Swimply, you’ll be able to find a great pool and rent it for a couple hours, at a great price!
Learn how you can rent your own pool and get started here!18. Or ditch the pool and swim in one of Georgia’s beautiful natural watering holes!
If you’re more of a nature-lover than a pool-side swimmer, then maybe you’d prefer to swim in a natural spring, waterfall or the like! Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered there too! Enjoy a dip in the cool natural waters after a nice hike or drive! See our full list of a couple great natural swimming spots here!
19. Check out these yummy chicken and waffle places
Everyone knows nothing goes together quite like a delicious chicken and waffle meal! Whether you’re grabbing brunch with your friends or taking the kiddos for breakfast for dinner, there’s always room for chicken and waffles! And we’ve got a full roundup of all the best spots here!
20. Save some money, but still have a blast!
With school starting back up soon and summer vacation ending, maybe you’re looking to save a little money–and we get it! That doesn’t mean you can’t still have a wonderful end of summer! We’ve created a roundup of some super fun activities that don’t cost a thing! See the full list here!
21. Book a stay at the iconic hidden alpaca treehouse in Atlanta
It’s not too late for a little summer staycation in the ATL! Make some last-minute summer memories, tucked away in the secret bamboo forest at the heart of the city. You’ll spend the day lofted in the trees, visiting with alpacas and other adorable farm animals! And then gaze up at the gorgeous stars and natural beauty of the woods in Atlanta. Learn all about the secret Treehouse here!