10 Free and Affordable Things to Do in Atlanta

June 23, 2020

Located in the southeastern state of Georgia, Atlanta is a major cultural and economic hub, packed full of top class restaurants, bohemian neighbourhoods, trendy bars and world-class museums. It is also a city that played a hugely important role in some of the most pivotal moments in America’s history, including the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s.

There are enough landmarks and attractions in Atlanta to satisfy even the most demanding of visitors, and for those on a budget a major upside is that many of them can be enjoyed free of charge or at perfectly affordable cost, regardless of your price limitations. If you’re coming to Atlanta and would like to include some things to see and do in your itinerary that won’t hit you hard in the pocket, we’ve picked out 10 of the best below.

Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum

With adult admission at just $8 and $6 for kids, this fascinating museum offers a cut-price way to learn all about the 39th president of the United States. Housing an assortment of interactive displays and exhibits, the museum invites visitors to step into the Oval Office on a virtual tour of the iconic room as well as discover more about some of the causes Jimmy Carter has been involved in since his days as leader of the free world. Visitors can also enjoy the beautiful gardens that surround the museum.

Folk Art Park

At a busy Atlanta intersection sits a unique psychedelic tribute to one of Georgia’s most acclaimed artistic visionaries. Here, psychedelic totems blend incongruously with the city topography in honour of Eddie Owens Martin, who gained fame after creating an arts mecca called Pasaquan in Marion County, Georgia in the mid-1950s. After he died in 1986, a collection of his fans decided to create a public park showcasing his vision and today the site serves as a unique attraction against the bustling backdrop of Atlanta’s skyline.

Location: Courtland Street
Dates: Mon-Sun 6am-11pm

Atlanta Food Tour

Atlanta is a foodie’s paradise and perhaps the best value-for-money way to get a taste of the city’s culinary delights is on a guided food tour. During the tour, you’ll take a gentle stroll through Midtown while admiring the city’s sights and sounds before sampling several Southern classics including shrimp and grits, along with time-honoured neighbourhood favourites. Tours take around 3 hours and cover up to 1.5 miles. Group tours are priced affordably, inclusive of all food and drinks.

Atlanta Contemporary Art Gallery

For arts enthusiasts in Atlanta, one must-see attraction is the Atlanta Contemporary Art Gallery. One of the region’s leading contemporary arts institutions, the gallery offers a platform for local, national and international artists to showcase their creative wares. Admission to the gallery is $8 for adults and kids up to age 12 go free.

Location: 535 Means Street
Hours: Tues-Weds 11am-5pm, Thurs 11am-8pm, Fri-Sat 11am-5pm, Sun 12pm-4pm, Closed Mon

Atlanta Movie Tour

Film buffs visiting Atlanta are already likely to know about the city’s rich movie-making history. Tours invite film lovers to visit landmarks where famous movies and TV shows were filmed. Tours are themed around certain genres, such as superheroes or horror. Among the most popular is the Best of Atlanta tour, with highlights including famous filming locations. Prices start around $59.95 per person.

Krog Street Tunnel

Urban graffiti is a common sight in most cities across the world, and opinion is usually divided between those who consider it an eyesore and those who enjoy it from a creative perspective. In Atlanta, Krog Street Tunnel is similarly polarising but few deny that the art that covers almost its every inch is truly visually arresting. The graffiti tradition in the tunnel dates back to the 1960s and continues to this day.

Location: 1 Krog Street
Hours: 24/7

Atlanta Brewery Tour

Over the past decade or more, Atlanta’s craft beer brewing scene has burgeoned and a number of brewers have become the torch bearers for this growing sector. Max Lager’s is one of the city’s most acclaimed breweries, offering award-winning craft beers and hearty American classics. Southern Beer Tours offers private curated tours to learn about the beer-making process and explore Atlanta’s craft beer scene.

Starlight Six Drive-In

Located in the outskirts of Atlanta, this drive-in theatre has been offering al fresco movie screenings for more than six decades. Featuring four screens and a digital projection system, the theatre ensures a high-quality viewing experience for moviegoers at affordable prices. The venue also hosts weekend flea markets.

Location: 2000 Moreland Avenue

Fernbank Science Center

Fernbank Science Center is a premier cultural venue, with hands-on activities, interactive displays, planetarium shows, and an IMAX Theatre. General admission is $20 for adults and $18 for kids.

Location: 156 Heaton Park Drive

The Wren’s Nest House Museum

Situated in Atlanta’s historic West End, the Wren’s Nest is Atlanta’s oldest house museum, dating back over 100 years. The museum preserves the legacy of Joel Chandler Harris. Walk-in tours are priced at $10 for adults and $8 for children.

Location: 1050 Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard
Hours: Sat-Sun 10am-3pm, Closed Mon-Fri