March 27, 2024
Lifestyle, Guides,
We have rounded up the best parks in and around Atlanta so you can enjoy everything from picturesque waterfalls to sprawling canyons during your next weekend excursion.
Cascade Nature Preserve
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2852 Cascade Road / Website
This nature preserve is known for its scenic landscapes, hiking trails and waterfalls, including Cascade Springs Cascade, a serene spot for park visitors. The park also features guided nature walks and educational programs for guests to learn more about local biodiversity and sustainability approaches.
Chattahoochee Nature Center
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9135 Willeo Road, Roswell / Website
Nestled between Marietta and Alpharetta, the Chattahoochee Nature Center is a scenic, educational destination with flora, fauna and wildlife. Spend an afternoon exploring the wilderness with immersive experiences like ziplining, canoeing and other outdoor activities.
Historic Fourth Ward Park
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680 Dallas St. NE / Website
Fourth Ward Park offers a variety of activities for visitors of all ages, with a premier downtown location. The park features aquatic activities, a skate park an amphitheater-style venue for performances and events.
Freedom Park
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Moreland Ave. NE & North Ave. NE / Website
This 200-acre park, named in honor of renowned civil rights leaders, is home to Dr. Martin Luther King’s home and the Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he preached. Freedom Park offers trails for walking, jogging and bike riding, along with playgrounds, picnic areas and sports fields. The park is an epicenter for events, art installations, historic sites and recreational activities and serves as a meeting place for members of Downtown’s flourishing community.
See also: The 6 Most Beautiful Gardens In Atlanta
Atlanta History Center
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130 W. Paces Ferry Road NW / Website
Located just outside of Buckhead, the Atlanta History Center brings immersive, specially curated experiences to Atlanta, with over 33 acres, four historic houses and ever-changing exhibits. Explore all nine Goizueta Gardens, filled with flowers, architectural features and native plants.
Piedmont Park
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1320 Monroe Drive NE / Website
This iconic local staple is the ideal destination for gardening, fishing, summer camps and concerts. With approximately 200 acres of land and multiple food and beverage vendors throughout, Piedmont Park is an ideal addition to any weekend itinerary.
Stone Mountain Park
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1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd., Stone Mountain / Website
With more than 3,200 acres of natural beauty, this scenic park features several attractions, including a SkyHike adventure course, Geyser Towers, a picturesque railroad and Stone Mountain, a granite dome that soars 825 feet above the landscape. Guests can hike, fish, picnic, bike, golf, or take in panoramic views from the Summit Skyride, the spot's high-speed Swiss cable car ride.
Sweetwater Creek Park
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1750 Mount Vernon Road, Lithia Springs / Website
With historic sites, hiking trails, campsites and an array of educational programs and guided tours, Sweetwater Creek State Park is an ideal spot for nature enthusiasts and history buffs alike. Guests can discover the ruins of the New Manchester Manufacturing Company textile mill or explore the park's scenic Sweetwater Creek, perfect for fishing, kayaking and canoeing.
Tallulah Gorge State Park
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338 Jane Hurt Yarn Road, Tallulah Falls / Website
This state park’s focal point is Tallulah Gorge, a canyon that dives more than 1,000 feet deep with waterfalls, cliffs, plants and flowers. Guests can also embark on whitewater rafting excursions, visit the park’s overlooks and take in panoramic views from the gorge’s suspension bridge.
Westside Reservoir Park
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1660 Johnson Road NW / Website
Located along the Atlanta Beltline’s Western Trail, this park is considered one of the city’s largest greenspaces, with a playground, a reservoir, an event pavilion and a grand overlook that offers stunning skyline views. The 280-acre destination is ideal for walking, hiking, biking and various other outdoor activities.
See also: The Ultimate Guide to Buckhead
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