Offbeat Atlanta Activities & Attractions

Atlanta is home to the busiest airport in the United States, Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International, so it should be no surprise that millions of people visit Atlanta every year. Unfortunately many of them miss out on some of the coolest and quirkiest things that the city has to offer. Don’t make the same mistake!

The next time you are in Georgia make sure to check out a couple of these unique, offbeat Atlanta activities and attractions.

Catch An Indie Film

One of my favorite theatres in all of the United States and arguably the best independent theatre in Georgia, Landmark Midtown Art Cinema is known for showing amazing indie and foreign films. Of course they also show a few regular blockbusters too, if those genres are not your type of thing.

The Landmark Midtown Art Cinema is a cool, quirky place to catch a indie film and a beer, and one of the offbeat places keeping Atlanta offbeat
The Landmark Midtown Art Cinema is a cool, quirky place to catch a indie film and a beer, and one of the offbeat places keeping Atlanta offbeat

Friendly staff, clean cinemas, polite audiences and — best of all — cold beer! Popular with the locals but never too crowded, the Landmark is a perfect way to kill a couple hours.

Release Your Inner Child

Remember the good old days of arcade games? They are back thanks to Pac-Man Play Arcade. From the classic games we grew up with like Pac-Man to newer crazes such as Dance Dance Revolution, there is something here for everyone. Bring a few friends and challenge each other to see who can get the highest score.

The Pac-Man Play Arcade is one of Atlanta's coolest and most offbeat places to visit
The Pac-Man Play Arcade is one of Atlanta’s coolest and most offbeat places to visit
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Adopt A Kid

What, you weren’t planning on coming back from Atlanta with a kid? Better think again! Located about an hour outside of the city is Babyland General Hospital, the birthplace of the famous Cabbage Patch Kids. First created in 1978, new Cabbage Patch Kids are still born every hour — but only during business hours, of course.

The Cabbage Patch Kids Babyland Hospital is one of Georgia's most unique places to visit
Before coming to Georgia I never even realized that the Cabbage Patch Kids Babyland Hospital was a real place

Adoptive parents get to pick their name and a birth certificate is drawn up right then. It’s a very interesting place and process, one that should definitely be on everyone’s Atlanta offbeat “to-do” list.

Get Your Dwarf On

The fast food chicken chain Chick-Fil-A actually got it’s start in the suburbs of Atlanta in the 1940’s as the Dwarf Grill (due to its small size) but was later renamed to the Dwarf House.

The original Chick-Fil-A Dwarf House in Hapeville, Georgia is the birthplace of Chick-Fil-A
The original Chick-Fil-A Dwarf House, birthplace of the Chick-Fil-A chain

This original location is still going strong, serving thousands of local customers every day — as well as those few tourists looking for off the beaten path sights or the occasional road-tripper lured in by the sign on the I-75 that reads “Chick-Fil-A Dwarf House.” Here they serve much more than your modern Chick-fil-A, including burgers, grilled cheese sandwiches and macaroni and cheese.

Food? I Like Food! Derek Eats That!

Wander Amongst Hippies And Punks

The Little Five Points district has been referred to as Atlanta‘s version of San Francisco‘s infamous Haight-Ashbury neighborhood or New York City‘s Greenwich Village.

Street art in Little Five Points, Atlanta's most unique and offbeat part of town
Street art in Little Five Points, Atlanta’s most offbeat part of town
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Here you will find a mixture of independent record label studios and stores, new-age shops selling crystals and other assorted goods, vintage clothing stores, novelty shops, tattoo parlors, coffee shops and other offbeat goodies. It is the best place in town for both shopping and people-watching, two often underrated pastimes.

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What other offbeat Atlanta sights/activities would you recommend?

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About Derek Freal

"Some people eat, others try therapy. I travel."   Cultural enthusiast. Adrenaline junkie. Eater of strange foods. Chasing unique and offbeat adventures around the world since 2008. Derek loves going to new destinations where he does not speak a word of the local language and must communicate with hand gestures, or places where he is forced to squat awkwardly to poo -- supposedly its healthier and more efficient. For more information (about Derek, not squat pooing) including popular posts and videos, check out his bio.

2 thoughts on “Offbeat Atlanta Activities & Attractions”

  1. Great suggestions! I’d also suggest the bar Sister Louisa’s Church of the Living Room & Ping Pong Emporium… you can probably guess from it’s name what a unique and offbeat place it is!

    Reply
    • What?!?!? How have I never heard of such an awesome place? That is amazing. Definitely on my list for the next trip to Atlanta. Thanks so much for the tip Karisa, happy travels! 🙂

      Reply

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