7 Free Things to Do Near Atlanta Airport in 2024 (2024)

If you have just landed at Atlanta Airport and have found yourself with a long layover, you can definitely make the most of your time there instead of just waiting; You just need to know how!

Time is priceless and there are effective ways to make it worthwhile by embarking on new adventures!

The area near Atlanta Airport is full of unique gems, waiting for you to discover and explore them! Besides that, the most exciting thing about them is that they are free!

In today’s guide, we’ve rounded up the best free things you can do near Atlanta Airport during a layover or flight delay.

Without further ado, let’s dive into it!

There is not a shortage of things a traveler can do near Atlanta Airport during a layover since the opportunities are endless.

Below, we present you with our list of the 7 completely free things you can see and experience near the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, starting with no other than visiting the Centennial Olympic Park.

1) Explore the Centennial Olympic Park

Once stepping foot in Atlanta, you should definitely visit the Centennial Olympic Park, a 22-acre greenspace that serves as Georgia’s legacy of the 1996 Summer Olympic Games!

This unique oasis entices its visitors to relax and unwind in this well-groomed, 22-acre park, and enjoy the playgrounds, gardens, and expansive lawns.

This park serves as a catalyst for Atlanta’s downtown revitalization efforts, hosts a wide variety of free events all year round, and is an incredible family vacation idea.

Opening times: Monday – Sunday: 7:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Address: 265 Park Ave W NW, Atlanta, GA 30313, USA

Proximity to Atlanta Airport: 11 miles from Atlanta Airport

2) Visit the Fernbank Science Center

During your layover at Atlanta Airport, you should take the opportunity to visit the Fernbank Science Center observatory and exhibits for free!

During your time there, you can explore live animal exhibits, an extensive taxidermy collection, and space exhibits, including the real Apollo 6 space capsule.

Opening hours:

• Monday: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Tuesday: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Wednesday: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Thursday: 1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
• Friday: 1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Address: 156 Heaton Park Dr, Atlanta, GA 30307, USA

Proximity to Atlanta Airport: 15 miles from Atlanta Airport

3) Explore Unique Artifacts at The Georgia Capitol Museum

The Georgia Capitol Museum is a public educational institution that collects, maintains, and exhibits significant artifacts, including historic flags and works of art, within the Capitol.

The Capitol symbolizes Georgia’s reemergence after the Civil War and is still an important and undoubtedly impressive state landmark.

Opening hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Address: 206 Washington St SW, Atlanta, GA, 30334

Proximity to Atlanta Airport: 10 miles from Atlanta Airport

4) Observe Antique Collections at the Marietta Fire Museum

If you have extra time to kill during your layover, then you should visit the Marietta Fire Museum located just two blocks off the Historic Marietta Square.

During your time there, you can observe a collection of antique fire apparatus, tools, and gear dating back to 1854.

You can take a self-guided tour and discover how the fire department has changed over time, or opt for a guided tour for a more comprehensive experience.

What you should keep in mind is that guided tours are available for groups of 10 or more people and cannot be scheduled after 3:00 p.m.

Opening hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Address: 112 Haynes St, Marietta, GA 30060, USA

Proximity to Atlanta Airport: 28 miles from Atlanta Airport

5) Have a Picnic at Piedmont Park

Piedmont Park in Atlanta offers a variety of free activities for visitors.

You can just relax and have a picnic with your family, since there are picnic tables, green spaces, and pavilions, or you can take a hike to explore the park’s paved roads.

Also, Piedmont Park hosts various events throughout the year, including music festivals, art festivals, and many family-friendly activities, to choose from.

This majestic park is the perfect spot to enjoy the serenity and just relax.

Address: Atlanta, GA 30309, United States

Proximity to Atlanta Airport: 14 miles from Atlanta Airport

Without a doubt, exploring Piedmont Park is a must-do on your trip to Atlanta, and quite convenient since it’s near the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. But, dragging your luggage through this beautiful park can quickly dampen the experience.

This is where Stasher comes in, offering a convenient, secure, and affordable luggage storage solution.

While we’ll elaborate on our services later, Stasher provides a comprehensive network of secure luggage storage locations near Atlanta Airport.

Also, it is super easy to use and store your bags and you can book a location either through our platform or app (Android or iOS) in under 2 minutes!

Go ahead and give it a go yourself in the interactive demo below.

Let’s move on to the next adventure on our list.

6) Take in Scenic Views at Westside Park

Westside Park, which opened in August 2021, is Atlanta’s largest greenspace, featuring majestic panoramic views of the Bellwood Quarry Reservoir and the Atlanta skyline.

Plus, as stated on its website, the park’s features include lighting, signage, and well-designed graphics to enhance pedestrian and bicycle traffic.

Also, there is a playground and a pavilion for events, and festivals.

Address: Westside Park, 1660 Johnson Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318, United States

Proximity to Atlanta Airport: 16 miles from Atlanta Airport

7) Take a Free Tour of the Georgia Governor’s Mansion

Take a free tour of the Georgia Governor’s Mansion, an 18-acre estate, with antique furnishings, built in 1967, that serves as the primary residence for the presiding governor and first lady of Georgia.

Public tours are conducted throughout the year on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays between 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

Also, bear in mind that the tour is a hybrid of a guided and self-guided tour, and it is recommended that you arrive before 11:00 to allow enough time to complete the tour before the Mansion closes at 11:30 a.m.

Address: Georgia Governor’s Mansion, 391 W Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305, USA

Proximity to Atlanta Airport: 19 miles from Atlanta Airport

Now that we covered some free adventurous things to do near Atlanta Airport, let’s see how easy it is to get around Atlanta Airport.

Getting Around Atlanta Airport

Getting around Atlanta Airport is straightforward if you are well-prepared and informed.

Atlanta is a city well connected through various means of transportation, making it easy for travelers to navigate to and from the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is one of the busiest airports in the world, serving millions of passengers each year.

Although the airport itself serves as a major transit hub, several other major transit networks are accessible from ATL, ensuring seamless travel for passengers.

One significant transit hub is the MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) station directly connected to the airport.

This station is part of the Red and Gold lines, offering direct access to key areas in Atlanta, including downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead, without the need for a vehicle.

Also, Shuttle services are available for hotels, parking lots, and regional destinations, and there are also designated pick-up areas for taxis and rideshares outside the baggage claim.

How to Store Your Luggage Near Atlanta Airport

As we previously mentioned, dragging your luggage around while immersing yourself in unique adventures in Atlanta, is not a piece of cake.

That’s where Stasher is stepping in!

At Stasher, we’ve partnered with hotels, cafes, and local shops, in over 890 cities worldwide to cater to the needs of every traveler, looking to store their luggage for a few hours or days safely.

Let’s walk you through the simple step-by-step process of how to store your bags near Atlanta Airport with the help of Stasher.

After selecting Atlanta Airport, you need to choose the date or dates and the amount of bags that you’ll carry with you.

Next, all you have to do is press the search button and a map will be presented to you along with the available nearby hotels, Airbnbs, shops, etc.

Moving on, you can choose the desired place to store your bags (we call them “Stashpoints”) and then press the “book” button.

Up next, it’s time for your checkout; move forward with your payment and you are ready to go!

Based on the above facts, if you feel that Stasher is the best fit for you, you can head over to our homepage or download our app for Android or iOS, and store your luggage anywhere with Stasher!