Peace Statue at the Carter Center
Credit: Claudine Williams
1. Visit Piedmont Park. This city park is usually bustling with people, and it’s fun to watch the passersby, picnic, jog, or walk. During the summer months, you can shop or browse at the farmers market that’s held there on Saturdays from now until October. The market is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the 12th Street entrance.
2. Ride your bikes on the Silver Comet Trail. Your family can have a good time riding on this paved trail. The ride is so easy, that even your little ones can come along. The path begins at South Cobb Drive in Marietta, Georgia and ends in Alabama.
3. Go hiking at Red Top Mountain State Park. It’s free to enter the park, but it’s $3 a day to park there. The trails are about 12 miles long. You can also boat or swim in the nearby lake Allatoona there. This wooded park will bring you closer to nature. However, you will still be close to civilization. The park is just off of I-75 (Exit 285) in Cartersville. It’s north of Atlanta.
4. Browse in the shops at the Underground. Underground Atlanta is a popular mall in Atlanta. You’ll see a hundreds of families shopping and spending time together there. The Underground is more than a few shops; it’s an attraction.
5. You can visit the Martin Luther King Center for free. Go to the visitor’s center and hear his speeches, watch videos, and view artifacts from the Civil Right’s Movement. King is buried at the center, which serves as his memorial. You can also visit his home on Auburn Avenue and tour Ebenezer Baptist Church where Martin Luther King preached. The King Center was founded by his wife, Coretta Scott King.
6. Visit the Carter Center. The Carter Center is a relatively interesting place to stumble upon, especially in the spring. The tiny rose garden is lovely, and the grounds in general are a cool place to unwind and relax. There’s also a library and a museum on site, just in case you feel intellectual.
2 Comments
Thanks for a great idea.
I lived here for only 2 years and try to find good, free stuff to do around here.
We also like to check out IKEA. It’s a destination by itself.
I so love your post about free things in the city. There is so much to do and I’ve included a link to a few things that I found. Feel free to use.
o Museum of Design Atlanta
http://www.museumofdesign.org
Study and celebrate how design affects our daily lives for free, free, free.
o Centennial Olympic Park
http://www.centennialpark.com
The 21-acre park is the city’s lasting legacy from the Centennial Olympic Games and hosts some of Atlanta’s most exciting free events.
o Castleberry Hill
http://www.castleberryhill.org
Trendy art galleries, restaurants and meeting places can be freely explored at Castleberry Hill.
o Atlanta-Fulton County Library
http://www.afplweb.com/index.html
The Atlanta- Fulton County Library system offers complimentary education, networking and other events.
o Atlantic Station
http://www.atlanticstation.org
There’s so much to do in Atlantic Station that the area created its own zip code. Window shop or relax without spending a dime.
o Martin Luther King Jr. Historic Site
http://www.nps.gov/malu
The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site provides an important history lesson that fits any budget.
o Woodruff Park
http://www.woodruffpark.com
Woodruff Park is one of downtown Atlanta’s most significant green spaces and a great place to soak up Atlanta.
o Sweet Auburn district
http://www.sweetauburn.com
The Sweet Auburn Historic District reflects the history, heritage and achievements of Atlanta’s African Americans.
o Educational Freedom
http://www.atlantahighered.org
Beef up your brain muscles by attending a free tour or seminar at one of Atlanta’s many colleges and universities.
o Keys to the city
http://www.atlantaga.gov/Calendars/SpecialEvents.aspx
Get the keys to Atlanta’s festivities without breaking the bank.
o International Civil Rights Walk of Fame
http://www.nps.gov/malu/parknews/upload/MALU%20Walk%20of%20Fame%20News%20Rls%200207.pdf
Follow freely in the footsteps of the world’s greatest civil rights leaders.
o Keeping It Wild
http://www.keepingitwild.org
Let your hair down and run wild in Atlanta. The Keeping It Wild program offers a wide range educational programs, hikes and other outdoor activities for you guessed it, FREE.
o The Federal Reserve Bank
http://www.frbatlanta.org
Visit the Federal Reserve Bank in Atlanta and learn that money doesn’t grow on trees.
o The Governor’s Mansion
http://www.gov.state.ga.us/about_mansion.shtml
Georgia’s Governor invites you to tour the mansion and learn the true meaning of Southern Hospitality.
o The Historic Oakland Cemetery
http://www.oaklandcemetery.com
Atlanta was the final resting place for many Civil War soldiers and you can honor their legacy without charge.
o National Archives and Records
http://www.archives.gov/southeast/
The Southeast Region of the National Archives is a center of study and offers endless opportunities to climb the nation’s family tree.
o Georgia State Capitol
http://sos.georgia.gov/tours/default.htm
Take control of Georgia democracy by taking a self-guided tour of the State capitol.
http://www.atlanta.net/visitors/seedo/freeAtlanta.html.