Best Things to Do in Atlanta this Spring
Get outside and experience iconic events and great restaurants while the weather is mild and flowers bloom throughout Georgia's capital city.
As spring flowers bloom and the festival calendar heats up, Atlanta thrills visitors with reasons to get outside and enjoy the season. Head to Georgia’s capital to take in some of its most iconic landmarks. From hikes along the Chattahoochee River to the grand displays at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, you’ll quickly discover why it has earned a reputation as a city in a forest.
Say hello to the pandas at Zoo Atlanta, catch an Atlanta Braves game at Truist Park, sip cocktails at a rooftop bar and much more. You’ll find plenty of things to do for the whole family, unique community events, great places to eat and drink, and accommodations to suit any style.
Keep scrolling to find some top things to do in Atlanta this spring, or jump to:
Outdoor Activities
Atlanta BeltLine
From free fitness classes to Art on the Atlanta BeltLine, the largest temporary outdoor art exhibition in the south, the Atlanta BeltLine offers multiple family-friendly events, experiences, and sights that showcase the hidden jewels that make the city what it is. Walk, bike or ride a scooter on the completed portions of the paved path, and stop into shops, restaurants and parks along the way. Check out our Guide to the BeltLine for some recommended stops.
Atlanta Botanical Garden
Spring is a spectacular time to explore the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s 30 acres of display gardens and shady woodlands, featuring roses, herbs, conifers, carnivorous plants, and more. During Atlanta Blooms!, March 7 - April 11, you’ll see hundreds of thousands of tulips, daffodils, crocuses and hyacinths. And, starting May 11, visit to see Alice’s Wonderland Returns, featuring topiary-like pieces depicting characters from “Alice in Wonderland,” including the Cheshire Cat and the Red Queen.
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
Escape to the woods and exchange the busy sounds of the city for tweeting birds and rushing water at the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, which stretches along the river for 48 miles north and northeast of downtown Atlanta. Seek out the enchanting bamboo forest on the East Palisades trail, and when temperatures heat up, relax on a tube and float down the river with Nantahala Outdoor Center. Hike the many paths and trails, go fishing, or simply pack a picnic and a book and spend the afternoon relaxing by the water.
Atlanta Braves
Head to Truist Park for the Atlanta Braves home opener April 5, and join the fun as America’s favorite pastime returns for the 2024 season. Don’t miss the exhibits found throughout the stadium, including sculptures and artifacts like Hank Aaron's jersey, and enjoy a bite to eat and shopping at The Battery, the entertainment district surrounding the stadium.
Zoo Atlanta
Feed giraffes and go behind the scenes with African elephants, giant pandas and lemurs at Zoo Atlanta. And don't miss baby gorilla Willie B. III, who was born in April 2023, and baby orangutan Nangka, who was born in May 2023. Located in historic Grant Park, Zoo Atlanta is home to the largest collection of gorillas and orangutans in North America. Check the zoo's event calendar to plan your trip so you won't miss special events.
Rooftop cocktails
Take in skyline views while basking in the sunshine at Atlanta’s many rooftop bars and restaurants. From the rooftop at Hotel Clermont, to Drawbar at the Interlock, Virtue Rooftop at 5Church Midtown, Spaceman at Hyatt Centric Hotel in Buckhead, and Restaurant 356 at the Porsche Experience Center Atlanta, check out all the places to indulge in tasty bites and delightful sips high above the busy city streets. Find more recommendations from Discover Atlanta.
Events
Atlanta St. Patrick's Parade, March 16
Watch the Atlanta St. Patrick's Parade festivities from noon to 1:30 p.m. along Peachtree Street in Midtown Atlanta as groups of all of Atlanta’s diverse backgrounds celebrate a day when “everybody is Irish.”
Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival, March 23-24
Bring the family to the Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival for two days of music, an artist market, kids' zone, classic car show, local food and drinks, and fun for everyone, including pets, at this festival in Metro Atlanta. +Live+ and Barenaked Ladies are the concert headliners this year. There's even a 5K that's a qualifier for the AJC Peachtree Road Race, a July 4th tradition in Atlanta. Admission is free!
Atlanta Dogwood Festival, April 12-14
Don't miss the 88th Annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival in Piedmont Park in mid-April. Browse the juried fine artist market, run the 5k, hear live music, and enjoy make-and-take art activities, face painting, food and more.
Sweetwater 420 Fest, April 20-21
If you love music, beer and Mother Earth, don’t miss Sweetwater 420 Fest at the Pullman Yards grounds in Atlanta. Historically held on the weekend closest to Earth Day, the festival hosts charities, non-profits and environmental workshops alongside the live music, food trucks, artist market and beer stations. Fans can secure free general admission through the SweetWater 420 Fest website, with a $10 donation to Waterkeeper Alliance. VIP options are also available.
Atlanta Film Festival, April 25 - May 5
One of the largest and longest-running festivals in the country, Atlanta Film Festival showcases the work of emerging and established artists. It is also one of less than 20 film festivals that is Academy Award®-qualifying in all three categories: Narrative Short, Documentary Short, and Animated Short. Join film lovers and filmmakers in support of works that push the boundaries of independent cinema.
Inman Park Festival & Tour of Homes, April 26-28
Visit one of Atlanta’s oldest and most scenic neighborhoods at the Inman Park Festival & Tour of Homes, featuring music, kids activities, a parade, an artists’ market, and some of the city’s best people-watching.
Shaky Knees Music Festival, May 3-5
Featuring performers Noah Kahan, Arcade Fire, Weezer, Queens of the Stone Age, Foo Fighters, Bill Idol and many more, Shaky Knees is more than a music festival - it's a full-throttle, three-day extravaganza in Atlanta’s Central Park.
Sweet Auburn Springfest, May 11-12
Celebrate the season in the historic Sweet Auburn District, steps away from Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park. Touted as “the world’s largest family reunion,” Sweet Auburn Springfest features music, vendors and food that all ages will enjoy.
Atlanta Jazz Festival, May 25-27
Spend Memorial Day weekend in Atlanta’s Piedmont Park at the free Atlanta Jazz Festival, an outdoor event featuring internationally renowned jazz acts.
Eat & Drink
The first MICHELIN Guide Atlanta selections were recently announced, giving food and travel enthusiasts much more to explore in Georgia’s capital city. In the inaugural year, five restaurants earned one MICHELIN Star, 10 restaurants earned a Bib Gourmand rating, and 30 restaurants were named Recommended eateries. Plan trips to experience the recommended restaurants, and you’ve got the recipe for one delicious spring.
Stay
From high-end luxury hotels to unique boutique inns, Atlanta has the perfect place for your getaway. Stay at Atlanta's newest hotel, Signia by Hilton — located near Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Georgia Aquarium and Centennial Olympic Park — and enjoy its six restaurants and bars, wellness center and pool. Include a spa retreat in your stay at St. Regis Atlanta, or book a room at the Loews Atlanta Hotel within easy walking distance of things to do in Midtown, including the High Museum of Art, Politan Row at Colony Square and Piedmont Park. Snuggle up in a room with window seats looking out to skyline views at Bellyard Hotel, where you can start your day with French pastries from St. Germain Bakery.
