The Best Sites To See In Atlanta This Summer

Summer is almost here, and that means it’s time to plan the hell out of it. The goal is to avoid being stuck on the couch in our sweatpants, eating Cheetos puffs, binging Stranger Things for the hundredth time. (We all know the struggle) So, to save you from eternal boredom, I’ve put together a list of the best sights to see in Atlanta this summer.

Georgia Aquarium

$32.95 general admission

This is my number one pick for a must-see attraction in ATL. If you’re like me and you’ve been obsessed with the ocean since you were four (whales sing guys, it’s amazing) this is the place for you. You can spend all day looking at and learning about all kinds of cool marine life. They also have lots of really fun events coming up, so check out their events page to learn more.

Atlanta Botanical Gardens

$21.95 general admission

Coming in a super close second is the ATL Botanical Gardens. If you are a plant lover, a plant liker, or you just want to have some truly Insta-worthy backdrops for your selfies this summer, this is the place for you. Named one of the top 8 most beautifully designed botanical gardens in America by Architectural Digest, this 30-acre park is filled with all kinds of gorgeous plant life. There are two locations, one in ATL and one in Gainesville. The garden in Gainesville is home to the largest conservation nursery in the Southeast, which is amazing. There are so many events and exhibitions happening this summer that you should really go more than once. Check out their events calendar for more info.

High Museum of Art

$14.50 general admission

In the spirit of the best things to see, I think we can all agree at art is for looking at. And the High has a ton of the really good stuff. The current exhibition is called “Look Again: 45 Years of Collecting Photography.” We are being blessed with the High’s full collection of photography, as well as loaned photos from private collectors, spanning from the early 1840s to the present day. This particular exhibit only lasts through April 14^th, but there are so other great exhibitions happening over the summer I think that it will be hard to choose just one. Which means you should just go see them all. Check out the events page on the High website to see the what’s happening over the summer.

Fernbank Museum of Natural History

$27 adult admission

This truly is one of the best things to see in Atlanta. The 75-acre museum fuses outdoor exhibits, walking trails, a canopy walk, nature playgrounds, and it’s open year-round. But—as with all things worth doing–it’s best to experience it in the summer. There is also a 3D Imax theatre where they show award-winning documentaries. The current show is called “Pterosaurs: Flight in the Age of Dinosaurs.” It’s about, well, dinosaurs.

But here’s the big deal—they do a thing called “Fernbank After Dark” and it’s basically a cool way to get boozy with your friends while exploring this really cool museum. . . in the dark. Check out the event calendar for all the details.

The Fox Theatre

$ Varies

We may not want to admit it, but let’s be honest, we all love the drama. And there’s no place better at drama than the Fox Theatre. This historic theatre always a really well-performed play or event to see. They just wrapped up a short run of Cinderella and I’m not going to lie, I’m a little bitter about missing it. I will say that, unlike all of the other things on this list, going to the Fox is more of a pricey, classy night out type of thing to do. So, if you feel like getting fancy, catching a show at the Fox is the right choice. Ticket price varies depending on the seat you purchase. Check out the events calendar to see what cool shows are happening over the summer.