Everyone loves a vacation, but sometimes it’s not always easy or affordable to getaway. Enter staycations. A staycation is a vacation where you enjoy while staying at home. It’s a great way to have fun and relax without spending much money, especially as you’re trying to grow your savings.
Here are five free things to do around Atlanta for your next staycation.
5 Free Activities in Atlanta
Explore Atlanta’s History
If you’re a history buff, you’ll love this Atlanta staycation. Spend a day exploring Atlanta’s Sweet Auburn Historic District, one of the city’s most important historical African American communities. It’s home to many African American-owned businesses and the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park. This National Park is dedicated to preserving the legacy of one of the world’s greatest civil rights leaders, Martin Luther King, Jr. The park includes the home where he was born and raised, the church where he preached, and the King Center. Hear King’s story, walk in his footsteps, and learn how he became an instrument for social change. These are just some of the many free, historical activities you can explore during your staycation in Sweet Auburn.
Picnic in Piedmont Park
If you only have an afternoon to get away, consider going on a picnic in Piedmont Park. It’s Atlanta’s largest city park with tons of free things to see and do. Pack your lunch and enjoy a picnic on the park’s grassy lawn. Then, stroll along the shaded trails or take the Piedmont Park Conservancy’s self-guided tour. It takes you to all corners of the 200-acre park, exploring its rich history along the way. Piedmont Park also connects to the BeltLine, so you can make a day of it.
Bike the BeltLine
Want to get away but don’t have much time? Bike the BeltLine. It’s the most comprehensive economic development effort undertaken by the City of Atlanta. It’s also one of the largest, wide-ranging urban redevelopment projects in the United States. The development is ongoing until 2030, so there’s practically something new to do along the BeltLine every day. Bike the miles of trails. Stop along the many parks, including Piedmont Park. Enjoy the free art installations. And have a fun, active day without spending a dime.
Walk the Solar System in Gainesville, GA
Yep! You read that correctly. Take a short drive to Gainesville, GA which is just northeast of the city. Then, venture on a walking tour of a scale model of the solar system. The journey begins at the sun which is in the downtown square in Gainesville. The self-guided 1.8-mile tour takes you from the downtown square to the shores of Lake Lanier. You’ll learn interesting facts about the planets along the way and have plenty of photo ops with the model planets. This free staycation is great for anyone who loves science and wants to get out of the city for a day.
Adventure in the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area
Just east of Atlanta, near Lithonia, GA, lies a gem that has a little something for everyone. It’s the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area. You can spend an entire weekend here and not see everything the site has to offer. There’s hiking trails, landmarks, nature preserves, heritage centers, tree climbing, kayaking, and more! It’s completely free to visit Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area and most of the attractions are free as well. Some activities, like kayaking, do require rental fees if you don’t have your own gear. Be sure to check out the site before planning your visit.
Conclusion: Taking a vacation doesn’t have to blow your budget. Have fun and save money with these free Atlanta staycations while you watch your savings grow.
