Reasons to Visit Atlanta in 2024

By Joleen Pete and Carol Carter

Published December 20, 2023
Last Updated May 24, 2024

Atlanta is the place to visit in 2024. One appetizing reason to visit in 2024 is to dine at one of our MICHELIN Restaurants. If you are a sports fan, then you must know that Atlanta is the capital of college football with important kick-off games, bowl games and championship games. Our city is home to a Tony Award-winning theater and Grammy Award-winning symphony orchestra. Atlanta was the heartbeat of the Civil Rights Movement and appropriately is home to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Historical Park and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. Read on for plenty more reasons to visit Georgia’s capitol city.

Visit Atlanta’s Awesome Attractions

• Atlanta is home to the largest aquarium in the United States. You will find many world class exhibits at Georgia Aquarium, which includes a new exhibit — The Colorful Wonders of Coastal Birds, featuring roseate spoonbill and scarlet ibis.
• Don’t miss the largest center dedicated to the art of puppetry in the United States. The Center for Puppetry Arts focuses on performance, education and a museum. One of only a few puppet museums in the world is home to Jim Henson’s beloved Muppets.
• Zoo Atlanta features exhibits and opportunities to encounter more than 200 species of animals. Get a behind-the-scenes look at your favorite animals with a Wild Encounter.
• Get a glimpse into the history of the iconic beverage at World of Coca-Cola, where you’ll find memorabilia, multimedia experiences, have an opportunity to meet the Coca-Cola Polar bear and taste formulations from around the globe.
• Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame is the ultimate destination for college football fans. Follow your favorite team through the interactive experience, play on the field and check out specialty exhibits.
• Take a step back in time at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Fernbank features extensive indoor and outdoor exhibits and interactive experiences. From dinosaurs to Georgia’s native wildlife, there is so much to experience for all ages. Here’s what to expect in 2024:
  • Get a close look at more than 250 real spider specimens in Spiders — From Fear to Fascination, on exhibit from Feb. 10 through May 5, 2024. 
  • Discover how plants and animals defy gravity through flight in an outdoor exhibit along the nature walkways in WildWoods. Flora, Fauna & Flight is on display at Fernbank from March 23 through June 23, 2024.
  • If you’re looking for a unique immersive experience, check out A Mirror Maze: Numbers in Nature, featuring a life-size mirror maze on view from June 8 through Sept. 9, 2024.
  • Armored Animals, on view from Oct. 5, 2024, through Jan. 5, 2025, features a mix of creatures all bound by their use of armor. Tour 500 million years of armor evolution. 

Save 44% off combined admission prices to to Atlanta’s top 5 attractions with an Atlanta CityPASS.

Discover Atlanta’s Diverse Culinary Scene 

Atlanta is a foodie destination. Here you’ll find a diverse and award-winning culinary scene with a wide variety of options and experiences. Check out our guide to Atlanta’s best food halls, including Ponce City Market and Krog Street Market. Or take a trip along Buford Highway. While planning your visit, you can search our Atlanta restaurant guide by neighborhood or cuisine. Not sure where to start? Check out these 25 iconic Atlanta dishes or read more about Atlanta’s food story.

Not-to-Miss 2024 Atlanta Events

There is always fun to be had in Atlanta. From concerts and festivals with top music artists, to immersive experiences, exhibits and an epic nightlife scene. There isn’t a season or holiday that we don’t celebrate. Check out our events calendar to see what’s coming up before planning your trip. Here are a few not-to-miss Atlanta events in 2024:

• Start off the year with a visit to the High Museum of Art to see Beatrix Potter: Drawn to Nature and HAPPY JOYLANTA.
• Atlanta Dogwood Festival
• Atlanta Jazz Festival
• Atlanta Ice Cream Festival
• Taste of Atlanta
• Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival
• Dragon Con
• Music Midtown
• The Atlanta Pride Festival is the largest in the Southeast and traditionally takes place in October.
• Miracle on Peachtree

Looking for more fun things to do in Atlanta? Check out these 50 fun things to do or our ultimate list of date night ideas in Atlanta.

New for 2024

Wondering what’s new for Atlanta in 2024? Besides the new exhibits, shows and events, here are some new developments.

• The National Center for Civil and Human Rights is planning to mark its 10th anniversary with a major expansion, adding 20,000 square feet of multipurpose space. The two new wings are expected to open in June 2024.
• Discover what’s new in Atlanta in 2024 — from the arts to festivals, shopping, dining and so much more.

For where to stay, what to see and do, itineraries, deals and more, plan your visit to Atlanta, here.

Joleen Pete lives outside Atlanta with her husband and their son. On the weekends they enjoy going into the city for family fun and exploration. Joleen is the family travel and lifestyle blogger behind Love, Joleen.

Journalist Carol Carter writes and edits for Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau.