What are Some Outdoor Activities in Atlanta, Georgia?

Outdoor activities in Atlanta, Georgia can lead you to beautiful natural settings, appreciation of history, or both! Some attractions are right in the city, and some a short drive away, but in either case, Atlanta has a lot to offer.

Piedmont Park in midtown is just one of the outdoor activities in Atlanta that is geared for family fun. Including a playground, pool, bike paths, and tennis courts. Zoo Atlanta is found in Grant Park, where besides visiting one of the oldest continuously run zoos in the country, you can skate, jog, or bike. Or try Stone Mountain Park, where besides miles of trails, you can catch a glimpse of history as you view the Confederate war heroes sculpture carved into the granite monolith or visit the theme park, which features rides, a sight-seeing tour, and a mini-golf course. For a resort, try Callaway Gardens.

Being a great resource for hiking, canoeing, and fishing, with parks built along 48 miles (77 km.)of its banks, the Chattahoochee River and surrounding regions provide a great extension to outdoor activities in Atlanta. The Chattahoochee National Forest, named for the river, offers 430 miles (692 km.) of trails, scenic drives, and camping, and across the forest, you can find the Chattooga. The Chattooga River, designated a Wild and Scenic River by Congress in 1974, was used in the film Deliverance, and can satisfy lazy canoeists, those who want a guided raft trip, or those who wish to brave its rapids, depending on the section chosen for boating.

Also along the Chattahoochee, one can find Lake Lanier, a manmade lake lake. Although the lake has been popular for houseboating, jetskiing, and the Lake Lanier Islands waterpark, in 2007 it formed the focal point of a fight between Georgia, Florida, and Alabama, as a drought threatened the region. You may wish to check developments prior to visiting.

If you wish to combine historic sites into your outdoor activities in Atlanta, you can visit Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park or the Surrender Marker at the northwest corner or Alabama and South Peachtree streets. The Oakland Cemetery is the resting place for many Confederate soldiers, several generals, and Margaret Mitchell, author of Gone With the Wind. If you care to drive farther, you can visit the Chickamauga and Chattanooga Military Park.

Other outdoor activities in Atlanta include the Atlanta Skydiving Center, where the Eastern US skydiving championship is hosted and the Atlanta Botanical Garden. And if your idea of outdoor activities include spectator sports, you might consider an Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field. (Sorry football fans: the Atlanta Falcons play at the Georgia Dome, so that’s definitely an indoor activity!)