25 Reasons to Visit Atlanta in 2025

By Joleen Pete

Published December 20, 2024
Last Updated June 12, 2025

Atlanta is a top travel destination but don’t just take our word for it. Check out our latest awards and accolades. With new developments and exciting events, there has never been a better time to visit ATL. Ready to plan to your next getaway? Here are 25 reasons to visit Atlanta in 2025.

1. Atlanta’s Awesome Attractions

Atlanta’s attractions are something to write home about. Whether you’re traveling or call Atlanta home, there is always something new to discover.

• Join the celebration of 20 years of entertainment, education and conservation at Georgia Aquarium, the largest aquarium in the nation.
• Experience the largest center in the United States dedicated to the art of puppetry—the Center for Puppetry Arts. This unique venue brings together captivating performances, educational programs and an extraordinary museum. It’s also one of the few puppet museums in the world and the proud home of Jim Henson’s cherished Muppets.
• Discover the rich history of the iconic beverage at the World of Coca-Cola. Explore fascinating memorabilia, enjoy immersive multimedia experiences, meet the famous Coca-Cola Polar Bear and sample unique flavors from around the world.
• Travel back in time at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, where history and discovery come alive. Explore a variety of indoor and outdoor exhibits, interactive displays and engaging experiences. From towering dinosaurs to Georgia’s native wildlife, Fernbank offers something exciting for visitors of all ages.
• Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame is a must-visit for college football enthusiasts. Immerse yourself in an interactive experience dedicated to your favorite team, step onto the indoor field for some playtime and explore engaging specialty exhibits.
• Zoo Atlanta offers the chance to explore exhibits and connect with more than 200 species of animals from around the world.

2. Diverse Food Story

Atlanta’s food scene is vibrant, diverse and packed with flavor. With options to satisfy every palate and fit any budget, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

• In 2024, MICHELIN recognized a whopping 57 must-try Atlanta restaurants. Here’s a closer look at the award-winning restaurants on the list. Here’s our guide to the kid-friendly restaurants on this list.
• Atlanta’s top food halls showcase a wide variety of cuisines inspired by flavors from around the world.
• Atlanta is known for its vibrant food festivals, including the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival and the Atlanta Ice Cream Festival, among many others. With more than 10 food festivals to choose from, you’re sure to leave satisfied.
• A visit to Buford Highway is a must. This iconic route offers a diverse array of culinary experiences, showcasing flavors from all corners of the globe.

3. Atlanta’s Art Scene

• “Thinking Eye, Seeing Mind: The Medford and Loraine Johnston Collection” showcases one of the most exceptional collections of postwar American drawings. On view at the High Museum of Art from Jan. 17 to May 25, 2025, the exhibit features more than 85 works, including pieces by renowned artists including Sol LeWitt, Martin Puryear, Ed Ruscha, Al Taylor and Stanley Whitney, among others.
• Live music and theater enthusiasts should visit the Woodruff Arts Center to discover the latest performances from the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the Alliance Theatre.
• MODA (Museum of Design Atlanta) celebrates design as the intersection of creativity and functionality, offering engaging exhibitions, educational opportunities and dynamic programming.
• While Midtown serves as the city’s “heart of the arts,” fine art venues stretch across neighborhoods from Buckhead to Castleberry Hill, offering inspired works to suit every visual palate. No matter where you are in ATL, explore stunning art at these exceptional galleries and event spaces.

4. Fun for the Family

Atlanta offers a variety of unique, educational and fun activities for the whole family. From the Children’s Museum of Atlanta and the Bernhardt Theatre for the Very Young at Alliance Theatre for younger kids to Six Flags Over Georgia for thrill-seeking teens—and everything in between—explore our guide to family-friendly things to do in Atlanta. Be sure to add Kids Free September to your calendar.

5. Civil Rights Legacy

Atlanta, deeply rooted in civil rights history, remains a leader in social change. In the 1960s, it emerged as a key hub for the Civil Rights Movement, being the birthplace and hometown of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Today, you can explore this rich heritage by visiting the city’s historic landmarks that honor this legacy.

• Atlanta’s food story was forged in the fires of the Civil Rights Movement.
• Get an in-depth look at Atlanta’s past with this civil rights itinerary.

6. Black Culture and Excellence

With its deep-rooted history, Atlanta has naturally become a global epicenter for Black culture, shaping the world through its influence on music, fashion, film and more. Be sure to check out our Atlanta Black travel guide before your visit. Here are some ways Atlanta celebrates Black culture and excellence.

• We celebrate Black art.
• Black-owned businesses thrive in Atlanta.
• We dine at Black-owned restaurants.
• Atlanta is the capitol of hip-hop.

7. Pride for LGBTQ+

Atlanta has earned perfect scores on the Human Rights Campaign’s Equality Index, highlighting its dedication to LGBTQ+ equality across its policies. This culture of acceptance and inclusion has made Atlanta a vibrant and popular destination for LGBTQ+ travelers. Here’s our guide to LGBTQ+-owned businesses in Atlanta. Atlanta Pride takes place in October.

8. Latin Culture & Hispanic Heritage

Atlanta has a large Hispanic population and culture that is celebrated through food, shopping and events. Guia para explorar culturas de todo el mundo en Atlanta.

• Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau partnered with Telemundo Atlanta to produce Atlanta con Sabor Latino (Atlanta with Latin Flavor), a bilingual lifestyle series celebrating Latin culture and cuisine through the personal stories of Atlanta’s Latino community.
• Check out our guide to Atlanta’s Afro-Latino community.
• Here’s our guide to the best Latin-inspired boutiques and artisan stores in Atlanta.
• En Atlanta se habla español.

9. Year-Round Festivals

Atlanta’s neighborhood communities love to find any reason to gather for food, music and family fun. Here are some Atlanta festivals to look forward to in 2025:

Winter Festivals

• 2025 is the Year of the Snake, and Atlanta is celebrating Lunar New Year with several festivals, including at Stone Mountain Park on several dates from Jan. 25 through Feb. 9, 2025. The Atlanta Chinese Dance Company performs on stage on Jan. 25,2025, at Aurora Children’s Playhouse. Here are more ways to celebrate Chinese New Year in Atlanta.

Spring Festivals

• Atlanta Film Festival 2025 takes place April 24 through May 4, 2025, at the Plaza Theatre & Tara Theatre.
• The mission of the Atlanta Jazz Festival is to expose and entertain a diverse audience of jazz aficionados, young jazz enthusiasts and aspiring musicians to the rich heritage and variety of jazz as an authentic form of American music. It takes place annually at Piedmont Park.

Summer Festivals

• Atlanta Beer Festivals hosts several festivals for foodies throughout the year, including Summer Beerfest, Brunchfest and Atlanta Bourbon Festival.
• The Atlanta Ice Cream Festival celebrates 15 years in 2025 and is sure to be gelato fun for the entire family in July.

Fall Festivals

• It wouldn’t be Labor Day Weekend in the A without Dragon Con, the largest multi-genre and pop culture convention. Here’s your guide.
• The Atlanta Food & Wine Festival is a four-day celebration that brings food lovers from around the globe together. More than 200 chefs, sommeliers, mixologists and industry leaders gather in Atlanta to highlight the region’s finest flavors through the signature Tasting Tents and the exclusive Intimate Dinner Series.

10. Superb Shopping

Atlanta is a hub for the home decorating industry, with a wealth of design resources like AmericasMart, ADAC and boutiques in Westside and Buckhead. Whether you’re shopping for rugs, furniture, lighting or unique home accents, Atlanta has it all. Miami Circle was one of the city’s first areas to offer small boutiques featuring fine art, furniture and antiques, making it a must-visit destination for those seeking the perfect touch for their home.

You’ll find everything from unique shops and indie boutiques to high-end luxury brands in Atlanta. Explore our guide to discover the best shopping destinations in the city. Here are some shops you’ll find only in Atlanta.