If Atlanta had a front porch, this would be it. Centennial Olympic Park sits right in the middle of downtown, and on any sunny day it fills with families, joggers, street performers, and kids chasing the dancing jets of the Fountain of Rings.
The park was built as the centerpiece of the 1996 Summer Olympic Games, and 21 acres of pure joy have stayed open and free ever since. Stroll the brick promenades, read the engraved Olympic quotes, and let the little ones splash in the fountain — four times a day it puts on a choreographed water show set to music. The park also hosts free concerts, festivals, and holiday celebrations all year long.
It is perfect for families with kids, first-time visitors, and anyone who wants a green breather between downtown museums. Tip: come at noon or in the early evening for the fountain shows, and bring a towel — the kids will not want to leave dry.
Getting there is easy: the park sits steps from the Peachtree Center MARTA station, and several downtown parking garages surround it. Many visitors pair the park with the nearby Georgia Aquarium or World of Coca-Cola plaza views, but the park itself is completely free — the best things in Atlanta really are.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Marc Merlin
