Things to do in Fulton County

The Georgia Aquarium has more square feet and water than any other aquarium in the world. Dozens of displays contain about 10 million gallons of water and more than 120,000 sea creatures. You’ll see dolphins, rare whales, dangerous sharks and tropical fish — just to name a few.

Visit the State Farm Arena in the heart of downtown Atlanta to mingle with basketball fans. Or watch an ice hockey game or figure ice skating competition, if that’s more your thing. And how about coming here for a concert? There are about 200 events to choose from each year, which means there is something for everyone.

Atlanta’s Centennial Olympic Park is one of the city’s major public spaces. The 21-acre (nine-hectare) downtown park is bound by several major attractions: the Georgia Aquarium, the CNN Center and the World of Coca-Cola.

The World of Coca-Cola museum details the history and ethos of one of the world’s most successful and famous brands. Taste nearly every variety of Coca-Cola from around the world, revisit vintage marketing campaigns and see how the soda has evolved. The museum is located beside the Georgia Aquarium in downtown Atlanta.

The Fox Theatre in downtown is a prime example of the lavish 1920s architecture that can be found in Atlanta. The 4,600-seat venue hosts around 300 performances a year, from big-name Broadway shows to movies and stand-up comedy. Tour the venue during the day or get tickets to a show at night to marvel at the decadence of this building.

Zoo Atlanta is home to more than 1,500 animals, from African elephants to rare Guatemalan beaded lizards. This popular tourist destination has been around since the late 1800s. It all started with a small pack of circus animals, including a bear, jaguar, hyena, pumas, lions and snakes. When the show went bankrupt, the animals were bought by a Georgian businessman who donated them to the City of Atlanta.

More than 200 acres (81 hectares) of trees, lawns and gardens are situated right in the heart of Atlanta, next to busy midtown and just northeast of downtown. Piedmont Park is where people from all over the city congregate to exercise and relax. Extensive walking paths, a lake with city views, a range of sports facilities and plenty of picnic areas have made it a favorite spot for decades.