Free Things to do in Atlanta

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Heading to Atlanta on a Budget? Don’t worry! I’ve got you covered with this incredible list of Free Things to do in Atlanta.

Free Things to do in Atlanta

I love to travel, but I also love my money, thankfully in almost every city there super fun things to do that are completely free. I love that you don’t have to spend a penny to have a fun experience in Atlanta! From papermaking to art history, there are so many FREE things to do in Atlanta!

Booth Museum of Western Art

The Booth Western Art Museum houses the largest permanent exhibition space for Western art in the country. Galleries feature contemporary Western American art, historic Western art, Civil War art, Presidential portraits and letters, Western movie posters, and Western illustration. Don’t skip Sagebrush Ranch, an interactive gallery where children of all ages can learn about art and Western America. The first Thursday of the month from 4:00pm – 8:00 pm admission is completely free!

Robert C. Williams Museum of Papermaking

The Robert C. Williams Museum of Papermaking is an internationally renowned resource on the history of paper and paper technology.  In addition to more than 2,000 books, the museum features a remarkable collection of over 10,000 watermarks, papers, tools, machines, and manuscripts.  The museum’s mission is to collect, preserve, increase and disseminate knowledge about papermaking – past, present and future. Admission is completely free, but donations are welcome.

Anne Frank Museum

The Anne Frank Museum’s 600 photographs and more than 8,000-word exhibit tells the story of young Anne Frank, from her days of freedom in the 1930s to her hiding with her family in Amsterdam, to her 1945 death in the Bergen-Belson concentration camp.  This powerful, moving exhibit provides visitors a chance to learn, explore, share and remember the history and lessons of the Holocaust and its continued relevance today.

Backstage Chick-fil-a Home Office Tour

The Chick-fil-A Home Office Backstage Tour is a walking, guided cultural tour focusing on S. Truett Cathy, Founder of Chick-fil-A. Throughout the tour, you will get to experience their most valued company assets: hospitable people, delicious food, the infectious “Eat Mor Chikin” Cows, and their unique story. Reservations must be made in advance, you can make your reservation by clicking here.

Imagine It! Children’s Museum of Atlanta

The Children’s Museum of Atlanta’s goal is to spark imagination and inspire discovery and learning for all children through the power of play.  Paint on walls, work with levers and pulleys, run your own grocery store and much more with the hands-on exhibits at Imagine It! The third Friday of the moth from 5:30-9:00 is completely free. More information can be found here.

CDC Museum

Ever wonder how CDC scientists merge old-fashioned detective work with high-tech science to crack the cases of mystery diseases? Get the Story! Visit the David J. Sencer CDC Museum at CDC Headquarters. This unique museum features award-winning permanent and changing exhibitions that focus on a variety of public health topics, as well as the history of CDC. The museum is free and open to the public.

Atlanta Monetary Museum

The Atlanta Monetary Museum features a display on the history of money; interactive, multimedia exhibits explaining the Federal Reserve’s role in the economy; and a view of the bank’s automated vault and cash processing areas. Admission is free daily.

Fernbank Science Center

At Fernbank Science Center science truly becomes an adventure! Experience the exhibit hall, planetarium, observatory, outdoor gardens and library. Free admission, although the planetarium charges a small fee.

Georgia Capital Museum

The Georgia Capital Museum seeks to preserve and interpret the history of the Georgia Capitol itself as well as the events that have taken place within its walls. To carry out this purpose, the Museum collects, maintains, and exhibits significant artifacts, including historic flags and works of art, within the State Capitol. The museum is free and a wonderful opportunity to introduce our youngest visitors to Georgia.

Marietta Fire Museum

The Marietta Fire Museum has many items on display used by the Marietta Fire Department dating back to the 1800s. The museum has fire service clothing, equipment and antique apparatus. Some items in the museum are on loan from private collectors. Yours run Mon-Fri and admission is completely free.

The King Library and Archives

The King Library and Archives in Atlanta is the largest repository of primary source materials on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the American Civil Rights Movement in the world. The collection consists of the papers of Dr. King and those of the organization he co-founded, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, as well as the records of 8 major civil rights organizations and of several individuals active in the Movement. The archives also include more than 200 oral history interviews with Dr. King’s teachers, friends, family and civil rights associates.

The Michael C Carlos Museum

The Michael C. Carlos Museum has grown over the last century to become one of the most revered institutions in Georgia, serving generations of students, scholars, schoolchildren, history buffs, art lovers, and tourists. It houses collections of Egyptian, Near Eastern, Classical, ancient American, African, and Asian art, as well as its important body of works of art on paper from the Renaissance to the present. This is free on select Thursdays, click here to find a list of current free days.

Museum of History and Holocaust Education

The Museum of History and Holocaust Education at Kennesaw State University presents public events, exhibits and educational resources focused on World War II and the Holocaust in an effort to promote education and dialogue about the past and its significance today.

Centennial Olympic Park

On warm days, kids love to cool off by playing in the Fountain of Rings. In the summer they do a nightly “fountain show”. You can also relax in any number of grassy areas, or let your kids play at the shaded playground. The park also puts on many free events year round.

Atlanta Beltline

Check out all the art, trails and city views that The Atlanta Beltline offers. The beltline can be explored by foot or on wheels (bikes, skateboards, rollerblades) for free 7 days a week. In addition, you can bring your bike and take advantage of the free guided bike tour on Saturdays at 9:00 am.

Free Food for Kids in Atlanta

Alessio’s: Tuesdays with an adult purchase of $10 or more. Johns Creek, Roswell, and Cumming. 

Buckhead Pizza: Tuesdays with purchase of an adult entrée. Ages 10 and younger. Buckhead and Cobb Galleria.  

Doc Chey’s Noodle House: Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Children eat free when guests use their registered “Karma Card” (one free kids’ meal per adult entrée with beverage purchase). Grant Park location only. 

El Azteca: Tuesdays from 5 p.m.-close with purchase of an adult entrée. Buckhead, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, and Milton. 

Fickle Pickle: Tuesdays from 3-9 p.m. with purchase of an adult entrée. Roswell.

Genki – Noodles & Sushi: Sundays with purchase of an adult entrée. Sandy Springs and Virginia Highland. 

HOBNOB: Sundays through Thursdays from 5-7 p.m. with purchase of an adult entrée. Atlanta, Brookhaven, and Dunwoody.  

Holy Taco: Tuesdays with $20 minimum purchase per table. Two kids, ages 6 and younger per table eat free. Atlanta.  

Matador Cantina: Wednesdays from 5-7 p.m with purchase of an adult entrée. Oakhurst. 

Mojo Pizza: Tuesdays from 4-9 p.m. with purchase of an adult entrée. Oakhurst. 

Paradise Grille and Paradise South of the Border: Side by side restaurants offer kids eat free all day Wednesdays with purchase of an adult entrée. Marietta. 

Suburban Tap: Mondays with purchase of an adult entrée. Marietta. 

Sushi Matsuya: Sundays. North Druid Hills.

Sweet Auburn BBQ: Mondays. Poncey-Highland and Atlanta. 

Wahoo! Grill:  Monday-Friday from 5-6:30 p.m. with purchase of an adult entrée. Decatur.  

Yeah! Burger: Mondays with purchase of an adult entrée. Virginia Highland and West Midtown.

Atlanta is such a fun town to visit and with this list of Free things to do in Atlanta, you can make the most of your trip without blowing your budget!

For more info about Atlanta, check out these other articles:

Things to do in Centennial Olympic Park with Kids

Things to do With Kids in Atlanta

Happy traveling!