10 Best Museums in Atlanta You Must Visit
Looking for the best museums in Atlanta? We’ve got some of the top museums in the Southeast, so you won’t want to miss them!
I’ve been exploring Atlanta museums extensively since moving here, and I wrote a book about Atlanta, so I can confidently say that these top-ranted museums are worth the hype!
From Civil Rights and history museums to art and sports museums, you’ll find a museum for you in Atlanta (whether you’re a visitor or a local!). Check out the best museums Atlanta has to offer.
The Best Museums in Atlanta
1. National Center for Civil and Human Rights
The National Center for Civil and Human Rights explores from the American Civil Rights Movement to today’s global human rights movements.
The museum features three permanent exhibits that include the papers and artifacts of Martin Luther King, Jr., the history of the U.S. civil rights movement, and stories from the struggle for human rights around the world.
You can get discounted admission to the NCCHR using the Atlanta CityPASS, and I highly recommend getting this attraction pass if you’re planning on visiting multiple Atlanta museums and attractions on your visit!
Location: 100 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
2. Atlanta History Center
The best place to learn about the history of Atlanta is at the Atlanta History Center in Buckhead. This sprawling museum covers 33 acres and really needs a full day to be experienced in its entirety.
The museum features exhibits on Atlanta’s railroad history, Native American history in Georgia, Civil War history, historic homes from the area, and more. The History Center is also the new home of the cyclorama painting of The Battle of Atlanta.
Location: 130 W Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305
3. World of Coca-Cola
World of Coca-Cola is a museum dedicated to Atlanta’s most famous beverage. Go through the history of Coca-Cola’s invention, the bottling process, try to crack the code of the secret formula, and more.
The best part of a visit to the World of Coca-Cola is the tasting room where you can try over 100 different Coca-Cola brand drinks from around the world.
You can get discounted admission to the World of Coca-Cola using the Atlanta CityPASS.
Location: 121 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
4. College Football Hall of Fame
The College Football Hall of Fame is an interactive museum and hall of fame devoted to college football. It has a 45-yard indoor football field, more than 50 interactive exhibits, and a shrine to the best players and coaches of college football.
A visit to the museum includes time at the Indoor Playing Field, an examination of Why We Love College Football, an in-depth look at Game Day , an exploration of how legends become legendary, and a look at the inductees to the College Football Hall of Fame.
You can get discounted admission to the College Football Hall of Fame using the Atlanta CityPASS.
Location: 250 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
5. High Museum of Art
A visit to the High Museum of Art is a must for art-lovers in Atlanta. This highly-rated art museum has an impressive permanent collection with more than 18,000 pieces of art.
Explore African art, American art, decorative arts and design, European art, folk and self-taught art, modern and contemporary art, and photography. Budget a few hours to take in all the great art the High Museum has on display.
Location: 1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
| Save on admission to Atlanta’s top attractions using the Atlanta CityPASS.
6. Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum
The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum houses papers and other material relating to the Carter administration and the Carter family. This state-of-the-art museum dedicated to the life and works of the Georgia native sits inside a beautifully landscaped 35 acre park.
The museum holds interactive exhibits covering the former President’s life before, during, and after his time in office. You’ll see a life-sized replica of the Oval Office as well as Carter’s Nobel Peace Prize on display.
Location: 441 John Lewis Freedom Pkwy NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30307
7. Michael C. Carlos Museum
The Michael C. Carlos Museum at Emory University has the largest ancient art collection in the Southeast. It’s also one of the oldest museums in Georgia with a collection that dates back to 1876.
Their permanent collections contain more than 16,000 works of art. Exhibits include artworks from ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, Africa, the Near East, and the Americas as well as a collection of works on paper from the Renaissance to the present day.
Location: 571 South Kilgo Cir NE, Atlanta, GA 30322
8. Center For Puppetry Arts
The Center for Puppetry Arts is one of the most unique museums in Atlanta. It’s the largest organization dedicated to the art form of puppetry in the United States and is one of the few puppet museums in the world.
An experience unlike any other, this museum wants you to rethink everything you know about puppets and puppeteers. The museum presents puppets from various time periods and countries around the world. Their collection includes puppets from the film The Dark Crystal, The Lion King Broadway show, The Muppets, and more.
Location: 1404 Spring St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309
9. Delta Flight Museum
The Delta Flight Museum is an aviation museum dedicated to Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines. The museum is housed in two 1940s-era aircraft hangars at Delta’s headquarters near the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
The museum’s exhibits highlight aircraft and artifacts from Delta and other airlines, exploring aviation history and technology. There are 12 restored aircraft, including the only Waco 125 propeller plane in existence and the historic Boeing 767, The Spirit of Delta.
Location: 1060 Delta Blvd, Hapeville, GA 30354
10. Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park
Learn all about the leader of the modern Civil Rights Movement by visiting the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park. This historic site contains MLK’s childhood home and the original Ebenezer Baptist Church where he was a pastor.
The visitor center also contains a museum of the American Civil Rights Movement; an 1894 firehouse, staffed by park volunteers, explores the desegregation of the Atlanta Fire Department; and the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame commemorates the pioneers of the movement.
Admission to the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park is free, and it’s one of the best free things you can do in Atlanta.
Location: 450 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312
Atlanta, Georgia Museums Map
Ready to visit these top museums in Atlanta, Georgia? Use the map below to plan out your trip!
Remember, you can get discounted admission to many of these museums using the Atlanta CityPASS. I have a guide to using the Atlanta CityPASS here if you want to learn more about it.
Where to Stay in Atlanta
- Top Hotel: The Candler Hotel
- Great Value: Hampton Inn & Suites Perimeter Dunwoody
- Unique Stay: Stonehurst Place
Craving More Atlanta Activities?
If you need more things to do while visiting Atlanta, check out these top posts:
- 75+ Free and Budget Things To Do in Atlanta, Georgia
- Top 15 Atlanta Sightseeing Tours
- 14 Romantic Things To Do for Couples in Atlanta, Georgia
- A Weekend in Atlanta with the Atlanta CityPASS: Itinerary
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
Have you visited any of these cool museums in Atlanta, Georgia? Let me know in the comments!
All these museums seem amazing, specially the Delta and Coca Cola Museums. Thank you.
The World of Coca-Cola is my favorite!
I hope I can go there someday ☺️
I hope you can, too!
The Delta flight museum looks fascinating! I had no idea there were so many good options in Atlanta.
The Delta Flight Museum is such a cool place!
Thanks for sharing this list! Atlanta is only about 4hrs away for us so we will have to visit some of these.
Atlanta makes for a great day trip or weekend trip!
Wow I had no idea there was a Coca Cola museum in Atlanta I would definitely want to go there. I also really want to visit the History Centre and the Delta Flight Museum. They look so interesting.
The Atlanta History Center is so great, it does take an entire day to go through, though, so you really have to commit to it!
Great post. Hope visit soon! 🙂
Yes, definitely plan a trip to Atlanta soon!
I never knew that Atlanta had so many museums. My other half would love the coca cola one; he would love to try the different varieties. My choice would be the Michael Carlos Museum, it sounds so fascinating.
I love the World of Coca-Cola too, but I’m obsessed with all things Coke 😉
I’ve been to all of these except for the Michael C Carlos Museum. Thanks for letting me know about that one!
So glad I could introduce you to a new museum!