Atlanta was on my list as an easy city trip. Nothing complicated. A few days, decent food, walkable areas, and places that don’t feel like a waste of time. I wasn’t flying in with a history checklist. I just wanted to see the city and keep the days relaxed.
While planning, I noticed something practical. Many of the places people casually recommend in Atlanta happen to be historical landmarks. Not in a heavy way, just naturally part of the city. So instead of separating “touristy” and “historical,” I let the trip flow and stopped where it made sense.
This article is written from my point of view on these famous historical landmarks. I want to start with…
Oakland Cemetery wasn’t an obvious choice for me. At first, I thought a cemetery would be boring, and I know a lot of people skip it. But it was close to downtown and looked like a good spot for a slow morning, so I decided to go. When I arrived, the place felt calm and open. I walked around at my own pace, reading headstones and noticing the different sections.
A small tour group passed by, so I paused and listened a few minutes. That’s when I learned that Oakland was established in 1850, back when Atlanta was still a small railroad town. The guide pointed out the Civil War section where many Confederate soldiers are buried, and I could see how different parts of the cemetery reflect the city’s history over time.
I spent most of my time just wandering slowly, stopping to look at the graves of prominent city leaders and everyday residents alike. There aren’t a lot of “things to do” here—no rides, no attractions—but that’s exactly what makes it interesting. You get to feel the city’s past quietly, without being rushed. Guided tours are available if you want a deeper story, but for me, walking alone worked best.
Entry Fee: Free to visit. Guided tours are available for a fee throughout the year.
Visiting Hours: Daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
2. Centennial Olympic Park
After Oakland Cemetery, I wanted something lighter. I walked over to Centennial Olympic Park, not expecting much beyond a big open space. Once I got there, I realized it’s more than just a park. A small plaque near the fountain explained that the park was built for the 1996 Summer Olympics, part of a downtown redevelopment plan.
I watched people sitting on benches, kids playing near the Fountain of Rings, and groups of tourists passing through. A guide nearby mentioned the Olympic bombing, and I paused to read a little about it. It was sobering, but the park didn’t feel heavy—it just quietly marks the city’s recent history.
I spent maybe 30 minutes moving around, reading the signs, and watching the fountain operate. There’s no entry fee, and you can stay five minutes or an hour—it works as a flexible break between stops.
Entry Fee: Free to the public. Admission may be required for certain special events.
Visiting Hours: Daily from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
3. Swan House at Atlanta History Center
I set aside a morning for Swan House so I could move at my own pace. The house was built in 1928 for Edward Inman, heir to a cotton fortune, and designed by Philip Trammell Shutze. It was intended as a family home that showed refinement rather than flashy wealth.
As I moved from room to room with a small guided group, I noticed how the design emphasized proportion, light, and balance. The guide shared stories about the Inman family, explaining that Edward’s father had been a major figure in Atlanta’s cotton industry, which shaped the city’s economy in the early 20th century.
Knowing a bit about that history made the rooms feel more connected to the city’s past. The gardens surrounding the house also have historical significance—they were designed alongside the home and remain much as they were originally planned. Most of my time was spent pausing, observing details, and absorbing the space without rushing.
Entry Fee: Included with general admission to the Atlanta History Center ($21.50 for adults, $18.00 for seniors/students, $9.00 for children).
Visiting Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (Closed on Mondays).
4. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park
I dedicated a significant part of the day to the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park. I arrived early to secure a free ticket for the Birth Home tour, which is first-come, first-served. The home itself is modest. As I moved from room to room, I noticed how the simplicity of the house reflected Dr. King’s upbringing.
A ranger explained that he was born here in 1929 and spent his early years in this neighborhood, which was a hub for the Black community in Atlanta during segregation. The tour also highlighted how the area around Ebenezer Baptist Church played a central role in civil rights organizing.
Outside, I followed paths past the church and reflecting pool, pausing at markers that explain key moments of Dr. King’s life. I spent a couple of hours absorbing the history and the atmosphere at my own pace, letting the details of his life and work reveal themselves naturally.
Entry Fee: Free to visit. This includes the Visitor Center and museums.
Visiting Hours: Daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Note that free tickets for the Birth Home tours are required and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
5. The Wren’s Nest
The Wren’s Nest felt like a quieter stop on my Atlanta trip. It’s the former home of Joel Chandler Harris, the writer known for collecting and publishing local stories in the late 1800s. I visited on a Saturday when it was open and joined a small tour.
Moving through different parts of the house, I noticed the furniture, layout, and how the space reflects the middle-class life of that era. The guide shared stories about Harris’ life and the surrounding community, explaining how his writing was influenced by local culture.
Seeing these details firsthand made the history feel grounded, not just something read on a sign. I spent time pausing in corners, looking at objects, and listening to the stories at my own pace without feeling rushed.
Entry Fee: $12.00 for adults, $10.00 for seniors/students, and $8.00 for children.
Visiting Hours: Open Saturdays only from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
6. Herndon Home Museum
Herndon Home required a bit of planning since it’s only open a few days a week, but the visit was worth it. The house belonged to Alonzo Herndon, who was born enslaved and later became one of Atlanta’s first Black millionaires through the Atlanta Life Insurance Company.
During the guided tour, I moved through the different sections of the house, noticing the original furniture, photographs, and personal belongings of the Herndon family. I saw the formal living area where the family entertained guests, the study where Herndon managed his business records, and the dining space with historical decor that reflected the family’s lifestyle at the time.
The guide also pointed out details like architectural features, original light fixtures, and artwork that remain from when the family lived there. I also spent time on the porch and around the house’s grounds, which helps tell the story of the neighborhood and the family’s connection to the community.
I could see how Herndon’s personal life and his achievements in business were reflected in these spaces. Moving at my own pace, I took time to read plaques, look at photographs, and imagine how life unfolded here over a century ago.
Entry Fee: $10.00 for adults and $7.00 for seniors, students, and active-duty military.
Visiting Hours: Thursday to Saturday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Closed Sunday to Wednesday)
Closure
I didn’t try to fit everything into one day. Downtown locations worked well together, while places in residential areas needed separate planning. Oakland Cemetery and the King National Historical Park deserved more time than I expected. Centennial Olympic Park worked best as a flexible stop. Swan House and Herndon Home were easier with tickets, and timing was checked ahead of time.
You don’t need to treat the historical location in Atlanta as a serious project. If you let them fit naturally into your route, they add depth without slowing the trip down. These historical landmarks in Atlanta, Georgia, work best when they’re part of the journey, not the reason for it.
FAQs
Some of the key landmarks include Oakland Cemetery, Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, Swan House, Herndon Home Museum, The Wren’s Nest, and Centennial Olympic Park.
Notable historical buildings include Swan House, Herndon Home, the Wren’s Nest, Atlanta History Center structures, and the original MLK Birth Home.
Yes, monuments include the statues and memorials at Centennial Olympic Park, markers at Oakland Cemetery, and the memorials within MLK National Historical Park.
Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, Herndon Home Museum, and The Wren’s Nest focus on Black history and achievements in Atlanta.
Yes, downtown sites like Oakland Cemetery, Centennial Olympic Park, and MLK Park can be visited in a single day if planned efficiently.
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