You don’t need to break the bank to make memories in Atlanta. Check out these five ways to explore Atlanta on the cheap.
Hang out in Centennial Olympic Park
No matter what time of year you visit, you’ll be able to enjoy Atlanta in all its natural glory at Centennial Olympic Park. This 21-acre tribute to the host city for the 1996 Summer Olympics is perfect for a picnic or to let the kids cool off with a run through the Olympic Rings fountain, and you’ll also find free musical performances at the park all summer long.
Pay your respects to Martin Luther King, Jr.
Atlanta was a pivotal city for the Civil Rights Movement, and at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Site, you can learn about both the movement and its leader. Here, you can also pay your respects at the reflecting pool which houses the crypts of both King and his wife, Coretta. Free tours of Dr. King’s childhood home (just down the street) are also available.
Get spooked at Oakland Cemetery
Eternal residents of the historic Oakland Cemetery include everyone from Civil War soldiers to acclaimed authors. Join the 90-minute “Sights, Stories and Symbols of Oakland” tour to delve into this storied cemetery’s history, architecture and landscaping for $10.
Go to the drive-in
Atlanta still offers this cherished relic of yesteryear, so drive on over to the Starlight Drive-In Theatre and catch a double feature for just $8. You’ll find most major theatrical releases playing here, and you get to see two — that’s right, two — for less than you’d normally pay for a single movie ticket.
Enjoy the stars
Unleash your inner nerd at Fernbank Science Center, where admission is always free. Take the kids to enjoy the free science exhibits, and don’t miss the low-cost planetarium, where you can catch a show in the celestial theater for just $7.
(Main image: Clexow used under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike license)
