Atlanta is the soccer capital of the United States, but it’s also so much more! Atlanta has world-class attractions within walking distance of Mercedes-Benz Stadium, plus unique neighborhoods worth exploring. Here’s what to do when you’re not watching soccer.
Downtown Attractions (Walking Distance)
These spots are clustered around Centennial Olympic Park, all within a 10 to 15 minute walk from Mercedes-Benz Stadium. You can hit multiple attractions in a single day without needing a car or rideshare.
Georgia Aquarium
Address: 225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Hours: Generally 9am-6pm weekdays, extended hours on weekends (varies by season)
Time Needed: 3-4 hours
Website: georgiaaquarium.org
The Georgia Aquarium held the title of world’s largest aquarium until 2012 and remains the largest in the United States. The facility houses over 11 million gallons of water and thousands of animals across diverse habitats, from tropical reefs to arctic seas.
The whale shark exhibit is the standout. It was the first of its kind outside of Asia, and watching these massive creatures glide past the 61-foot viewing window is genuinely awe-inspiring. The beluga whales, sea otters, and dolphin presentations round out an experience that works for all ages. The 4D theater adds another dimension if you have time.
Weekday mornings see the smallest crowds. If you’re visiting on a weekend, arrive when doors open or come in the late afternoon when families with young kids start heading out. Children under 3 enter free.
World of Coca-Cola
Address: 121 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Hours: Mon-Thu 10am-6pm, Fri-Sun 10am-7pm
Time Needed: 2 hours
Website: worldofcoca-cola.com
Coca-Cola was invented in Atlanta in 1886, and this museum celebrates that history with interactive exhibits, vintage advertisements, and a 1939 delivery truck. The Vault of the Secret Formula lets you get closer than ever to the legendary recipe, and AI-powered photo stations can transform your image into vintage Coca-Cola ads.
The real draw is Taste It!, where you can sample over 100 Coca-Cola beverages from around the world. Some are delicious. Some are an acquired taste (Beverly, anyone). All are worth trying. Don’t skip the Coca-Cola Polar Bear.
Active duty military, reserves, and retirees receive free admission year-round with a valid Armed Forces ID. Online ticket sales end one hour before closing.
College Football Hall of Fame
Address: 250 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Hours: Daily 10am-5pm
Time Needed: 2-3 hours
Website: cfbhall.com
Even if you’re in town for soccer, the College Football Hall of Fame is worth a visit because admittedly, college football is the big draw in the U.S. The 95,000 square foot facility features over 50 interactive exhibits across three floors, including an indoor 47-yard football field where you can kick field goals and throw passes.
The three-story helmet wall in the entry features helmets from over 775 college football programs. When you check in, you fill out a profile that personalizes your experience throughout the museum. The AI-powered Game ON! experience uses your image in interactive exhibits as you explore. Chick-fil-A Red and Signature members get complimentary admission once per year.
Tip: If you’re a Chick-fil-A loyalty member, check your app for free admission offers before buying tickets.
National Center for Civil and Human Rights
Address: 100 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd, Atlanta, GA 30313
Hours: Tue-Fri 12pm-5pm, Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12pm-5pm (Closed Monday)
Time Needed: 2 hours
Website: civilandhumanrights.org
Atlanta was a epicenter of the American Civil Rights Movement, and this museum connects that history to global human rights struggles. The experience is immersive and often emotional. One exhibit recreates a 1960s lunch counter sit-in, complete with headphones that simulate the taunts and threats activists endured.
The Morehouse College Martin Luther King Jr. Collection features rotating displays of Dr. King’s personal papers, letters, and belongings. Seeing his handwritten notes and original speech drafts adds a personal dimension that textbooks can’t capture. The human rights gallery connects past struggles to present-day movements around the world.
This pairs well with a visit to the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park in the Sweet Auburn neighborhood for a fuller picture of Atlanta’s civil rights legacy.
Centennial Olympic Park
Address: 265 Park Ave W NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Hours: Daily, dawn to dusk
Admission: Free
Website: gwcca.org/centennial-olympic-park
Built for the 1996 Summer Olympics, this 22-acre park sits at the heart of downtown Atlanta and connects the major attractions in the area. The Fountain of Rings is the world’s largest interactive fountain, with synchronized water jets that kids love running through during hot summer days.
During World Cup 2026, Centennial Olympic Park will host the official FIFA Fan Festival. The park will transform into a vibrant hub for soccer fans from around the world, open for 20 days during the tournament including match days and the day before each match. Even if you don’t have tickets to a game, this is where you’ll want to be.
Children’s Museum of Atlanta
Address: 275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Hours: Check here
Time Needed: 2-3 hours (or as much as you want)
Website: childrensmuseumatlanta.org
If you’re bringing kids to Atlanta for the World Cup, the Children’s Museum of Atlanta is right in the middle of the action. It sits on Centennial Olympic Park, steps from the FIFA Fan Festival and a short walk from Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The museum is designed for children ages 0-8, with hands-on exhibits that let kids climb, build, splash, and explore at their own pace.
The museum is hosting Kick-Off to the Cup on Saturday, June 13, the day before Atlanta’s first World Cup match. The event includes a mini-soccer clinic with the YMCA, paper-craft jersey design in the Art Studio, musical performances by the Consulate of Haiti, and face painting. More soccer-inspired programming is planned throughout June and July, so check their website closer to your visit for updated activities.
With this being a smaller museum compared to the Georgia Aquarium or World of Coca-Cola next door, it’s great if you have young kids who need a break from the bigger crowds. The play spaces are interactive and imaginative without being overwhelming. If your little ones need to burn off energy before or after a match, this is the spot.
Civil Rights History
Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park
Address: 450 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312
Hours: Visitor Center and Ebenezer Baptist Church open Mon-Sat 9am-5pm
Admission: Free
Website: nps.gov/malu
This 35-acre national park in the Sweet Auburn neighborhood preserves the places where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was born, raised, and preached. The experience is free and powerful. Start at the Visitor Center for exhibits on the Civil Rights Movement, then walk to historic Ebenezer Baptist Church where Dr. King was baptized and later served as co-pastor with his father.
The King Center, adjacent to the church, houses the tombs of Dr. King and his wife, Coretta Scott King, alongside a reflecting pool and eternal flame. The “I Have a Dream” International World Peace Rose Garden and the Behold monument add to the contemplative atmosphere.
Dr. King’s birth home recently completed a two-year renovation. Check the NPS website for current tour availability. Tours are free, limited to small groups, and fill up on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays.
The Atlanta Streetcar connects downtown to the King Historic District, making this an easy add-on to your World Cup visit.
The Atlanta Beltline
Website: beltline.org
The Atlanta Beltline is a 22-mile loop of multi-use trails connecting 45 neighborhoods around the city. It’s one of the largest urban redevelopment projects in the country and has fundamentally changed how Atlantans experience their city. Walking, biking, running, or rolling along the Beltline is the best way to see Atlanta beyond the tourist zones.
The Eastside Trail is the most developed and popular section, running from Piedmont Park through Old Fourth Ward to Inman Park. Along the way, you’ll pass restaurants with walk-up patios, breweries, murals, sculptures, and two of Atlanta’s best food halls. The trail is flat, paved, and accessible. Scooter and bike rentals are available.
Public art is everywhere. The Beltline hosts one of the largest temporary public art exhibitions in the Southeast, with new installations appearing throughout the year. Keep your eyes open for murals and sculptures as you walk.
Ponce City Market
Address: 675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 11am-6pm (individual vendors vary)
Website: poncecitymarket.com
Ponce City Market occupies a massive 1926 Sears, Roebuck & Co. building that’s been transformed into a mixed-use development with a gourmet food hall, retail shops, and residential units. The Central Food Hall features James Beard Award-winning chefs and everything from burgers to ramen to gelato. H&F Burger and Hop’s Chicken are local favorites.
The real surprise is on the roof. Skyline Park features carnival-style games, an 18-hole mini-golf course, a three-story slide, and panoramic views of the Atlanta skyline. 9 Mile Station serves cocktails and elevated bar food with those views as the backdrop. It’s a unique experience you won’t find anywhere else in the city.
Access is directly from the Beltline’s Eastside Trail. Parking is available but can be expensive and frustrating. MARTA bus or Beltline access is the smarter way to make it here.
Krog Street Market
Address: 99 Krog St NE, Atlanta, GA 30307
Hours: Mon-Thu 7am-9pm, Fri 7am-10pm, Sat 8am-10pm, Sun 8am-9pm
Website: thekrogdistrict.com
Krog Street Market is Atlanta’s answer to the west coast food hall, housed in a former 1889 factory that once produced cast-iron stoves. The space feels authentically industrial, and the food options range from steak sandwiches to seafood to tacos. Hop City has an excellent craft beer selection if you want to linger.
The market sits right on the Beltline in Inman Park, making it an easy stop while exploring the trail. Trivia nights happen on Tuesdays, and the Krog Indie Market pop-up brings local makers and artists every fourth Saturday. The famous Krog Street Tunnel nearby is covered in street art and worth a quick walk-through.
If you’re walking the Beltline between Krog and Ponce City Market, stop at Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall along the way. The outdoor space and vibe are quintessentially Atlanta.
Neighborhoods Worth Exploring
Little Five Points
Little Five Points is Atlanta’s most eclectic neighborhood, full of vintage shops, record stores, and independently owned restaurants. It’s also home to Brewhouse Cafe, named America’s Best Soccer Bar by Men in Blazers in 2025. If you want to experience Atlanta beyond the polished downtown attractions, this is where to go.
The Vortex Bar & Grill is an Atlanta institution known for enormous burgers and a skull entrance that sets the tone. Criminal Records is one of the best independent record stores in the South. The whole neighborhood is walkable and MARTA accessible. Come with no agenda and just wander.
Save Money with CityPASS
If you’re planning to visit multiple attractions, Atlanta CityPASS bundles the top five attractions into one purchase and saves up to 49% off regular admission. The pass includes Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, and three other attractions of your choice. You have nine days to use your tickets once you start, and there are no blackout dates.
For more ideas, check out our full list of Top 10 Activities in Atlanta for Soccer Fans.
Quick Reference
| Attraction | Best For | Time Needed | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia Aquarium | Families, marine life | 3-4 hours | $$ |
| World of Coca-Cola | Brand fans, tastings | 2 hours | $$ |
| College Football Hall of Fame | Sports fans, interactive | 2-3 hours | $$ |
| Center for Civil and Human Rights | History, education | 2 hours | $$ |
| Centennial Olympic Park | Families, FIFA Fan Fest | 1 hour | Free |
| MLK Jr. National Historical Park | History, civil rights | 2-3 hours | Free |
| Atlanta Beltline | A bit of everything | Varies | Free |
| Ponce City Market | Food, rooftop views | 2-3 hours | Free entry |
| Krog Street Market | Food, local vibe | 1-2 hours | Free entry |
| Little Five Points | Shopping, exploring | 2-3 hours | Free |
| Children’s Museum of Atlanta | Families, education, fun | 2-3 hours | $ |
This guide is part of our complete World Cup 2026 Atlanta coverage.