With the summer months being the highlight of most American’s lives, it is vitally important to plan out 10 things to do in Atlanta this summer. These special days need to be filled with adventure, travel, and some much needed R&R. I know from graduating college and entering the corporate work force that some vacation time is needed to keep your mind sane.
We all work hard Monday through Friday, and some of us even work on the weekends to try and get a leg up on the world. One thing I am learning as I get older is, if you work hard try to always leave time to play. At least try and play some and enjoy the sunshine while you have the ability to.
Therefore, here is my list of 10 things to do in the summer for Atlanta.
Atlanta Lakes
A great thing about Atlanta is the surrounding lakes to visit and enjoy! Two of the most popular are Lake Lanier and Lake Allatoona.
Lake Lanier
Lake Lanier is the more popular of the two and easily hosts multiple places for a family to go and have a good time. If you want to have a weekend lake getaway, I suggest going on VRBO and trying to score a lake house anywhere between $100 to $200 a night. Make sure to bring some food to cook and save a little money where you can.
Specifically, Lake Lanier is especially good for boats and skiing. If you have a boat, you may want to scout out a house that has a slipway or boat ramp nearby. An alternative to renting a house is simply finding a park and camping! This is a great idea if you have kids since they will love being able to experience nature.
Lake Allatoona
Lake Allatoona is not as well known, but still has some great opportunities. Within a short drive up 75 from Atlanta, you can easily be at your own beach within 30 minutes. There is a boat slipway right off the interstate as well, so you will not have any problem finding it. There are plenty of houses along the lake, so you should be able to rent one here as well.
Visit Six Flags White Water
If you have never been to Six Flags White Water, then you are missing out. This is a great place for the whole family to have a full day adventure. Additionally, there is so much to do at the park even after the water fun has ended. If you want to learn more about Six Flags and all there is to do there, check out our other article!
Visit Stone Mountain in Georgia
A popular place not to far from Atlanta is the historic Stone Mountain Park! What most people do not know is that Stone Mountain also hosts plenty of adventurous courses, shows and a nightly laser show during the summer! The main expense for visiting Stone mountain will be parking and admission into the main park. Although, if you just want to visit the laser show, you only have to pay for parking!
Go to a Braves Game
With the new stadium being constructed, going to see a Braves game is a full experience. There are plenty of shops, restaurants and things to do outside of the stadium as well as inside the stadium. Make sure to get to the game early and enjoy a drink, walk around to find your seats, and visit the new hall of fame they built in the stadium. In addition, sometimes they will give out special items like bobble heads or have after hour concerts!
Visit Centennial Olympic Park
Centennial Olympic park is a great place for a first date, day out with the kids, riding the Atlanta Sky View Ferris Wheel, seeing a concert, or simply just enjoying the diversity of Atlanta. The park is smack in the middle of the city, so if you want to walk and get a burger from Ted’s Montana grill or you have an event at the Mercedes stadium, you are only a few blocks away!
Visit the Goat Farm
The Goat farm is in the artist district of Atlanta. Specifically, the Goat Farm itself is an old set of ware house like venues that have been converted into office spaces, venues for shows, and living spaces. Make sure to do a little research and find a show that is going to be put on there before ya go. Unfortunately, photos are not allowed at the space, but you can always sneak a few.
North Georgia Camping
This one is a reach for some city people, but if you drive up 75 some to the mountain areas, there are some amazing camping spots. Another way you can go is toward Helen Georgia and enjoy the tubing, camping, and German style city! Both areas are rich with adventure, sites and memories waiting to be created!
Go to a festival
A wonderful thing about living in such a big city is the ongoing festival happening all around the city. Festivals typically will happen at certain locations like Atlantic Station, Midtown, Centennial Park, Piedmont Park, various theaters, and larger venues. Specifically, in the summer there are festivals and events happening daily! Keep up with most of them and schedule your next adventure from this website.
Atlanta Summer Beer Festival
For those above the age of 21, the Atlanta Summer Beer Festivals are amazing events to go to! Gather a group of your friends and go have a day or weekend filled of fun, drinking, and socializing. I definitely recommend getting an Uber, but that actually makes things much easier as you do not have to worry about parking!
Visit the Atlanta Zoo
A crowd favorite for all ages is the Atlanta Zoo! We recommend going during the summer months specifically to fully enjoy the animals at their full selves! There are animals for everyone to enjoy and view! Make sure to stop by the gift shop and pick up some Atlanta Zoo merchandise for the kids!
