23+ Best Things to Do in Spring in Atlanta
Spring is one of the best times in Atlanta! The city is in bloom, there are tons of festivals and fun events happening, and the weather is perfect for exploring the city. Here are some of the best things to do in spring in Atlanta.
Whether you want to enjoy an event like the Atlanta Dogwood Festival or the Shaky Knees Music Festival, catch a Braves baseball game, or enjoy a cocktail on a rooftop bar, there are a ton of exciting things to do in Atlanta in the spring.
The days are starting to get longer now that it’s springtime, so you’ll have plenty of daylight to start exploring the city again! From festivals to outdoor adventures, here are the top things to do during the spring in Atlanta, Georgia.
My Favorite Spring Activities in Atlanta
Best Things to Do in Atlanta in Spring
1. Attend the Atlanta Dogwood Festival
The Atlanta Dogwood Festival is in its 88th year! The festival takes place mid-April (12-14, 2024) in Piedmont Park in Midtown Atlanta.
This huge festival showcases hundreds of incredible artists, food, international music and dance, and carnival games. The event is free to attend, though the fine art can get pretty pricey and hard to resist.
Read my guide to the Atlanta Dogwood Festival to know what to expect.
2. Enjoy the Shaky Knees Music Festival
The Shaky Knees Music Festival is a rock-lovers dream with a diverse lineup of world-famous bands and up-and-coming artists. This festival takes place in May (3-5, 2024) in Atlanta’s Central Park in Old Fourth Ward.
This 3-day music festival features a lineup of more than 60 bands. There are also food trucks, photo booths, artist merch, and special late night shows.
3. Indulge at the Georgia Food + Wine Festival
The Georgia Food + Wine Festival takes place in March (21-24, 2024) at Jim R. Miller Park in Marietta.
This annual festival is a delicious way to try food and drink from across the South. The festival is adults-only on Friday and Saturday, and all ages on Thursday and Sunday.
4. Have a rollicking good time at the Georgia Renaissance Festival
Travel back in time, space, and all the way down to Fairburn, Georgia, south of the city for the Georgia Renaissance Festival. The gates to Newcastle open in the spring through summer (April 13 – June 2, 2024).
At this ode to a 16th century festival, costumes are encouraged, dinner is served in the form of giant turkey legs, and the entertainment is fit for both royalty and peasants. Every weekend is a different theme, such as Highland Weekend, so choose your adventure wisely.
Read my guide to having a rollicking good time at the Georgia Renaissance Festival or check out my 8 reasons to love the Georgia Ren Fest.
5. Attend the Smyrna Jonquil Festival
The Smyrna Jonquil Festival is a fun free festival that has craft booths, food trucks, and different types of entertainment each year, like magicians and escape artists.
You can expect the 2-day spring festival annually in late April (27-28, 2024). Admission to the Smyrna Jonquil Festival is completely free.
Read my guide to the Smyrna Jonquil Festival to know what to expect.
6. Go to a Braves game
Spring means baseball season! Catch an Atlanta Braves game at Truist Park stadium for an experience you won’t forget.
You can even pre-game by shopping, eating, and drinking at The Battery Atlanta entertainment district surrounding the stadium. Attending a Braves games is a full-fledged experience.
7. Visit Zoo Atlanta
Warmer weather means more animals out and about at Zoo Atlanta, and more chance to see them exploring their habitats! The zoo will be full of activity with your favorite animals like gorillas, panda bears, tigers, and more out roaming.
During your visit, you can take part in zookeeper talks, animal shows, and photo ops to make the most out of your zoo experience. A spring trip to Zoo Atlanta is just what you need after a winter spent indoors.
The spring weather can be iffy, though, so here’s what you need to know about visiting the zoo in the rain.
8. Have a Picnic in a park
Spring is the best time for a picnic in the park, and Atlanta has plenty of parks to choose from! Pack or buy a lunch to-go, grab a picnic blanket, and set out for Atlanta’s greenspaces like Piedmont Park, Grant Park, and Centennial Olympic park for an amazing picnic.
Want to add a little mystery? Opt for a Mystery Picnic where you’ll solve clues to uncover local stops where you’ll pick up your picnic items, and your final picnic destination is a complete mystery. AmazingCo offers Mystery Picnics in Atlanta for couples, families, and friends. You can choose from Atlanta locations like Midtown, Roswell, and Marietta.
Check out my review of AmazingCo Mystery Picnic Dates here.
9. Eat your way around town on a Food Walk
Want to experience some of the best restaurants Atlanta has to offer and get outside to enjoy this gorgeous weather? Take an Atlanta food tour! Atlanta offers plenty of culinary walking tours that will have your mouth watering from start to finish.
The Flavors of Atlanta Food Tour lets you experience Atlanta’s gourmet food scene. Meanwhile, the History and Food Tour explore the restaurants of historic Grant Park. There are tons of options!
10. Go for a Hike
Take in the spring blooms all around Atlanta and throughout Georgia by going on a spring hike. There are plenty of easy walking trails in Atlanta, nearby state parks, and exciting mountain hikes just a short trip away.
At Unicoi State Park, the Unicoi to Helen Trail is colored an amazing vibrant green that you need to see for yourself. There’s also walking the BeltLine in Atlanta and enjoying the city in all it’s spring glory. Or you can head to Brasstown Bald to hike Georgia’s tallest peak.
11. Enjoy Dining Al Fresco
Dining outdoors is a great option for springtime. Enjoy the warm weather of the season at any of the city’s top restaurants with outdoor patios or rooftop bars.
Many of Atlanta’s best restaurants have outside patios where you can dine, and plenty that are pet-friendly so you can bring your furry friend along. There’s no better way to usher in the spring season than by enjoying some extra time al fresco while you dine.
12. Walk along the Atlanta BeltLine
The Atlanta BeltLine is a paved mixed-use trail where you can walk, roller blade, bike, or even scooter. The BeltLine comes alive again in the spring when the locals come out to enjoy the great weather.
Take a stroll along the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail to explore the Inman Park and Old Fourth Ward neighborhoods, stop a local restaurants for a bite or a drink, and explore food halls like Krog Street Market and Ponce City Market.
For a quieter walk, head to the Atlanta BeltLine Northside Trail for a tree-covered, scenic stroll.
13. Visit the Atlanta Botanical Garden
The Atlanta Botanical Garden is bursting with color in the spring. With spring blooms like daffodils, roses, and orchids, you’ll love spending a spring day exploring the 30 acres of gardens here.
You won’t want to miss their annual Orchid Daze event where you can see the orchids in bloom at the Fuqua Orchid Center. The Atlanta Botanical Garden is home to one of the largest public garden orchid collections in the world.
14. Explore nearby Georgia State Parks
Get away from the city for the day and explore a nearby Georgia State Park. The state parks in the area offer hiking, fishing, wildlife spotting, camping, geocaching, and more.
There is just a $5 parking fee at Georgia’s state parks, so this is a budget-friendly spring activity as well.
Here are the Georgia State Parks near Atlanta:
- Sweetwater Creek State Park
- Red Top Mountain State Park
- Panola Mountain State Park
15. Take a ride on SkyView Atlanta
SkyView Atlanta is the Ferris Wheel towering over Centennial Olympic Park in Downtown Atlanta.
Spring is the perfect time to take a ride on SkyView Atlanta and get a birds-eye view of the city all in bloom, with the skyline sparkling in the sun. This also makes for a cozy date night activity.
Get your SkyView Atlanta ticket here.
16. Go for a Bike Ride
As the temperature warms up and you want to get outside, consider taking a bike ride. You can take advantage of Atlanta’s best bike trails, like the BeltLine or the Silver Comet Trail, and enjoy the beautiful scenery and a unique way to see the city.
Springtime is a great time to get out and enjoy the Atlanta sunshine, get some fresh air, enjoy some exercise, and clear your mind of any stress.
17-23. Enjoy even more Atlanta Festivals
I’ve already mentioned a few of Atlanta’s fun spring festivals, but there are so many more to enjoy. Check out these other popular festivals to add to your spring calendar:
- Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival
- Suwanee American Craft Beer Fest
- Georgia Craft Brewers Festival
- Atlanta Science Festival
- Chastain Springs Arts and Craft Festival
- Atlanta Film Festival
- Taste of Marietta
- Atlanta Fair
- Atlanta St. Patrick’s Parade
Where to Stay in Atlanta
- Top Hotel: The Candler Hotel
- Great Value: Hampton Inn & Suites Perimeter Dunwoody
- Unique Stay: Stonehurst Place
Read next: 10 Incredible Spring Destinations in Georgia
Spring in Atlanta FAQ
What is spring weather like in Atlanta, Georgia?
Spring in Atlanta is a lovely time, with temperatures ranging from lows in the 40s to highs in the 70s. You can expect the weather to be warmer during the day and cooler at night. Spring is also the rainy season in Atlanta, so be sure to plan some rainy day activities for your trip.
What months are spring in Atlanta?
Spring in Atlanta lasts from March through May.
When is Spring Break in Atlanta?
Most schools will have their Spring Break in March or April. Atlanta Public Schools typically have their Spring Break in early April.
When is the spring pollen season in Atlanta?
The spring pollen season in Atlanta starts from late March to April, starting first with tree pollen and then moving on to grass pollen. The worst months for pollen in Atlanta are April and May.
Craving More Atlanta Activities?
If you need more things to do while visiting Atlanta, check out these top posts:
- When Is the Best Time to Visit Atlanta?
- 10 Best Museums in Atlanta You Must Visit
- 75+ Free and Budget Things To Do in Atlanta, Georgia
- A Guide to Visiting the Atlanta History Center in Atlanta, Georgia
- 10 Breathtaking Sunset Spots in Atlanta
Ready to visit Atlanta, Georgia? Plan your trip with these tips.
- Get Familiar With the City: Check out my Ultimate Guide to Atlanta to help plan your trip!
- Book Your Flight: Find the cheapest flights using Skyscanner, my favorite flight search engine.
- Find Accommodation: You can find top hotels in Atlanta using Booking.com.
- Save on Attractions: Save 42% on admission to Atlanta’s top attractions using the Atlanta CityPASS.
Cheers!
Paige
What’s your favorite Atlanta spring activity? Let me know in the comments!
Great list! The jonquil festival and library look fun!
The Jonquil Festival is one of my favorite spring events!
The Renaissance festival looks so fun! Thanks for the great ideas.
The Renaissance Festival is definitely one of the best spring events in Atlanta!