11 of the Best Free Things To Do in Atlanta

Want to know all the best free things to do in Atlanta? I’ve got you covered!

This site contains affiliate links, view the disclosure for more information.

Sometimes it can be hard to find cheap things to do, but don’t worry – there are so many free fun things to do in Atlanta. There are so many ways to fill in your free time with things that won’t break the bank – from live music to walking trails, to special events.

Living in Nashville, Atlanta is a short drive a VERY short flight away, so I travel there pretty frequently.

I’ve done solo trips, trips with friends, and couple’s trips! It’s such a fun city so it’s perfect for a little weekend getaway to the metro Atlanta area.

This post is all about the best free things to do in Atlanta!

Best Free Things to Do in Atlanta!

1.) Check out the Atlanta Contemporary

If you’re an art lover, I’ve got good news for you! The Atlanta Contemporary always has free entry. There are new special exhibitions popping up all the time so make sure to check out their website and see if there’s anything you’d like to check out while you’re in town!

2.) Do a Self-Guided Tour of the Historic Oakland Cemetery

While you can purchase tickets for specific events or tours through the Historic Oakland Cemetery, it’s always free to visit if you want to do your own self-guided tour!

The cemetery is the final resting place for over 70,000 people. There are political figures, soldiers, and many more famous residents to this cemetery. There are tons of very prominent Atlanta public figures buried there.

As a musician, the most notable person buried there to me was Kenny Rogers.

3.) Take a tour of the Governor’s Mansion

On their website, you can sign up to take one of their free tours of the Governor’s Mansion. The architecture of this three-story, 30-room, Greek Revival-style home is amazing. It has been open since 1968.

On your tour, you’ll get to see a lot of historical artifacts and learn about Georgia’s political history.

A couple of other interesting things about The Governor’s Mansion:

There is an incredible collection of clocks. You’ll see tons of magnificent clocks throughout the mansion

You’ll get to see the “first flock.” There are 10 laying hens, all different breeds, that lay eggs to be used in the mansion’s kitchen.

You’ll also get to see the “first hive.” There is a bee hive on the grounds that also supplies fresh honey for the kitchen to use.

All in all, visiting the Governor’s Mansion in Atlanta is a really cool experience, and since it’s free I highly recommend checking it out! Make sure to check their website for when they are open because they are only open on certain days of the week and during certain months.

4.) Explore the Atlanta Beltline

The Atlanta Beltline has miles of trails and paths that help connect neighborhoods, parks, and public art displays. They even have free fitness classes occasionally.

If you want a nice relaxing day to explore some of Atlanta taking a stroll or biking through the beltline is a perfect option for you! It also makes for great people-watching.

You’ll get to see some amazing sculptures, photography, and murals throughout each of the trails.

5.) Visit Centennial Olympic Park

In 1996 Atlanta hosted the Olympics. The Centennial Olympic Park is a 22-acre park in downtown Atlanta that served as an infrastructure for the Summer Olympic Games.

Today they host numerous activities, so check out their website and see if there’s any entertainment scheduled during your stay in Atlanta! Also, make sure you check out the iconic Fountain of Rings that are still there from the Summer Olympics! If you’ve got kids I’m sure they’ll be dying to take a splash.

6.) Tour the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park

If you want to take a dive into history, check out the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park. You’ll be able to see MLK’s childhood home. You can also check out the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, where MLK was baptized, ordained, and gave sermons. The King Center serves as a memorial to the fight for human rights and the entire civil rights movement. The park is open every day from 9 AM to 5 PM. There are several exhibits to explore, all for free! Check out the visitor center for help on how to spend your day and any tours that may be going on.

7.) Check out the Krog Street Tunnel

Another ideal place to get your art fix is the Krog Steet Tunnel. It’s a great place to take some cool pictures because of the amazing graffiti and murals. You can even make your own art if you want while you’re there!

The tunnel also gets updated very often with any events going on in Atlanta so you can kick off your trip here to make sure you know everything going on in the city during your stay.

8.) Do The Castleberry Hill Art Stroll

If you’re around Atlanta in the Summer months, think about trying to go on the second Friday of the month so you can enjoy The Castleberry Hill Art Stroll. You’ll get to tour local galleries, see some live performances, and oftentimes you’ll get to meet the artists as well!

9.) Take a Walk Through Piedmont Park

Piedmont Park is basically Atlanta’s version of Central Park. It provides some lovely green space for you in the heart of downtown Atlanta. They hold several free events and even have a farmers market.

It’s a great place to take a walk or have a picnic if you need a little outdoorsy time during your visit! If you’re on the hunt for dog parks – they’ve got you covered as well!

10.) Watch the Sunset from the Jackson Street Bridge

If you want the absolute best view of the Atlanta skyline, walk the Jackson Street Bridge during sunset. You’ll get the best view and the best pictures! It’s absolutely breathtaking.

11.) High Museum of Art

If you’re an art lover you’ll get to see several contemporary and classic pieces of art from international artists at The High Museum of Art. Unfortunately, you do typically have to pay admission, but if you happen to be in town they always do free days on the second Sundays of the month.

I hope this list helped you find plenty of free activities for your trip to Atlanta – whether you’re traveling alone, with friends, or with your young children and need to have a little family fun! I hope you have a great time!