Things to do in Atlanta Alone: Solo Travel Guide
This article is all about things to do in Atlanta alone. The Big Peach is a great place to take a trip, for several reasons.
Packed with green spaces, historic neighborhoods, live music, and big city attractions, you’ll find tons to do when traveling alone.
Things to do in Atlanta Alone: Ultimate Guide
Here are the top 10 things to do in Atlanta for solo travelers. After this list, keep reading for the best things to do in Atlanta alone by neighborhood.
- Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Piedmont Park
- High Museum of Art
- Centennial Olympic Park
- Georgia Aquarium
- World of Coca-Cola
- Krog Street Market
- Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Grant Park and Zoo Atlanta
- Beltline Eastside Trail
No matter what type of traveler you are (introverted, extroverted, somewhere in between), there are tons of things to do in Atlanta alone.
Because the City in the Trees is spread out geographically, exploring by neighborhood is the best way to get the feel of the city.
This way, you can experience as much (or as little) as you want in each region, with the least travel time.
Let’s dive in.
Things to do in Atlanta Alone: Solo Travel Across Atlanta’s Best Neighborhoods
Atlanta is divided down the middle by Highway 85. Each neighborhood is totally unique with its own personality.
Downtown Atlanta
This is the heart of Atlanta (or at least, one of them). This is your place for most of Atlanta’s well-known tourist attractions.
The World of Coca-Cola, Centennial Olympic Park, Georgia Aquarium, and the Mercedes Benz Stadium are all here.
Fun things to do in Downtown Atlanta alone: Grab an Atlanta City Pass for top attractions. See a sports game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Catch a view of the city on the Skyview Atlanta Ferris Wheel.
Midtown
The city of Atlanta is divided into three big hubs – downtown Atlanta, Buckhead, and Midtown. Midtown is home to Fortune 500 companies, Piedmont Park, trendy restaurants, and night life.
If you’re feeling energetic, check out Politan Row at Colony Square, and if you’re wanting a moment in nature head to Piedmont Park and The Atlanta Botanical Garden.
Fun things to do in Midtown alone: Walk the miles of trails at Piedmont Park. Explore the gardens at Atlanta Botanical Garden. View special events and exhibits at High Museum of Art.
Buckhead
Buckhead is one of atlanta’s trendiest neighborhoods. Food, luxury shopping, and night life are the big draws.
Fun things to do in Buckhead alone: Go on a self-guided tour at the 33-acre Atlanta History Center, enjoy clubs and bars along Irby Avenue and Cains Hill Place NW.
Head to Lenox Square or the new and secondhand shops near Buckhead Forest for prime shopping. To peak behind the curtain of Atlanta’s rich history in the last two centuries, head to Atlanta History Center.
Inman Park
Inman Park is filled with lush parks and local restaurants and boutiques. Known for historic homes and towering trees, you could spend an afternoon here easily.
The Beltline Eastside Trail connects Inman Park to Old Fourth Ward (north) and Grant Park (south) without driving.
Fun things to do in Inman Park alone: Food tour of local cuisine. Brunch at Delbar or Bread and Butterfly.
Walk North Highland Avenue NE for shops and restaurants. Visit Ladybird Grove & Messhall or Krog Street Market for an afternoon brew or bite.
Old Fourth Ward
Old Fourth Ward is quickly becoming a hub for Atlantians. Ponce City Market, the Beltline Eastside Trail, and plenty of hip eateries and late night haunts are livening up this edge of the city.
Fun things to do in Old Fourth Ward alone: Try the dozens of food stalls at Ponce City Market, take an Italian cooking class at Bellina Alimentari, Soak up speakeasy vibes at 12 Bar, stroll the Beltline Eastside Trail to Piedmont Park and Virginia Highlands (north) or Inman Park and Grant Park (south).
Sweet Auburn
Sweet Auburn is a historic neighborhood perfect for solo travelers who want to see important historic sites connected to the Civil Rights Movement.
Fun things to do in Sweet Auburn: Dive into history at Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, Martin Luther King Jr.’s childhood residence, and the King Center. Hop over to The Municipal Market for an eclectic artisanal mix of farmers market and indoor dining.
Grant Park
Grant Park is one of Atlanta’s oldest neighborhoods, and it is a great spot to spend the day solo. From walking the sprawling park to visiting the zoo and local businesses, Grant Park is a solid choice for solo exploration.
Fun things to do in Grant Park alone: Explore Zoo Atlanta, nestled into Grant Park. Stop into shops and restaurants across the neighborhood like Grant Park Coffeehouse and Green Beans ATL.
Pay a visit to Oakland Cemetery, the final resting place of historical figures like Margaret Mitchell, author of Gone with the Wind.
Decatur
Decatur is on Atlanta’s north east edge, 15 minutes from Old Fourth Ward. Its a great city if you’re craving a slower pace for the day. It is also right on the way to Stone Mountain if you’re looking for a scenic view of the city.
Fun things to do in Decatur alone: Take things at your own pace and explore the cute boutiques and local restaurants around the Dekalb County Courthouse area.
Top Restaurants for Solo Travelers
There is a fine art to being a solo diner. Atlanta is brimming with great restaurants to eat alone, often featuring plentiful bar space and a welcoming atmosphere.
Here are recommendations for where to eat alone in Atlanta:
- Ponce City Market or Krog Street Market for fun foodie scene
- Nine Mile Station at Ponce City Market for rooftop views and sunset
- Delbar Middle Eastern for brunch at the bar
- Le Bon Nosh or Petit Chou for French cuisine with plenty of other solo diners
- Kimball House or The Optimist for plentiful bar seating and a lively atmosphere
Top Nightlife for Solo Travelers
You can find lively bars and cool night clubs across the city. Here are top choices for going out alone in Atlanta:
- 12 Bar or the restaurants at FOURTH like Moonlight for Speakeasy vibes (perfect for introverted solo travelers)
- El Malo or Jojo’s Beloved at Colony Square if you want vibey late night cocktails
- Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall and Ranger Station for a campy social experience
Getting to Atlanta as a Solo Traveler
Atlanta Hartfield-Jackson International Airport is the best place to fly into Atlanta.
From the airport, you can rent a car, take the MARTA, or grab a rideshare into the city.
The airport is busy, but easy to navigate. Staff is friendly and helpful if you have questions about directions or baggage claim.
Atlanta Airport is the busiest airport in the world, so give yourself plenty of cushion room when departing the city.
Transportation in Atlanta as a Solo Traveler
The easiest way to travel in Atlanta is via car. Renting a car or using ride share apps like Uber and Lyft are quite easy.
Public Transportation is available via MARTA bus and train system. MARTA connects the Atlanta Airport to several regions across the city.
Regardless of which transportation you choose, weight the pros and cons, and be aware of your surroundings and the neighborhoods you’re in.
Where to Stay in Atlanta as a Solo Traveler
The neighborhoods listed in this article are great for booking either hotels or vacation rentals through platforms like Airbnb and VRBO.
If you want accessibility, a hotel or rental in the heart of the city around Midtown could be a great choice.
If you want walkability, Old Fourth Ward, Midtown, Virginia Highlands, and Inman Park are great choices.
Before you book, check the neighborhood you are considering. Look at travel distances, safety ratings, and hotel or rental ratings from recent guests. This will help you choose a place that feels safe for solo travel.
Best Time to Visit Atlanta Alone
There’s no wrong time to visit Atlanta alone. Whether traveling for work or fun, Atlanta is a great city to visit solo.
Atlanta’s weather is agreeable year round, from high 80’s in the summer to chilly in the winter. It rarely dips below freezing even in the coldest months.
Because there is so much to do in Atlanta alone, this four day Atlanta itinerary can help you plan your trip.
You can easily condense the guide into a couple days if you’re stopping over for a weekend.
Day Trip to Atlanta Alone
If you’re in the general Atlanta area, a day trip to downtown Atlanta is a great way to see the city. Solo adventurers can still see a ton of sights with a day trip.
If you want a fast paced adventure, we recommend sticking to the downtown region and exploring Coca-Cola World, the Georgia Aquarium, and Centennial Olympic Park.
If you want a relaxing day, we recommend the Atlanta History Center in Buckhead, followed by a trip to the Atlanta Botanical Garden or the Beltline Eastside Trail.
Things to do in Atlanta Alone: Final Thoughts
With a little planning and preparation, your solo adventure to Atlanta will be amazing! This vibrant city is packed with fun things to do alone, whatever pace you’re looking for.
Consider us your local guide for everything Atlanta and east coast travel.
We share the best things to do and see across the southeast for solo travelers and couples.
