Nature Trails
Stone Mountain is a scenic mountain in the suburbs of Atlanta that offers a hiking trail winding up to the top of the mountain, camping, historic buildings, a laser light show and lake and outdoor festivals throughout the year.
Another popular outdoor spot, the Chattahoochee Trail is perfect for hiking, biking and running along the banks of the Chattahoochee River, which runs from the Appalachian Mountains in northeast Georgia to the suburbs of Atlanta. The Chattahoochee Nature Center in Roswell, an Atlanta suburb, offers outdoor activities and festivals as well as hiking trails along the river.
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park also has hiking trails in a peaceful mountain setting in Kennesaw, a northern Atlanta suburb. The park also includes a Civil War battleground and visitor's center.
Parks
There are many parks in Atlanta, and the most popular urban park is Piedmont Park, with 189 acres in Midtown Atlanta. Piedmont hosts many festivals throughout the year and is a popular gathering spot for outdoor recreational activities, including running, walking, rollerblading, softball, baseball, volleyball and Frisbee. The park also has a dog park and is where pet owners meet and exercise their dogs.
The landmark Centennial Olympic Park downtown was the gathering spot for the 1996 Olympic Games and contains many Olympic mementos and landmarks, as well as a visitor's center, fountain and outdoor green space for recreational activities.
Recreation
In addition to parks and trails, Atlanta offers many recreational activities. The King Center, in the Martin Luther King Jr. Historic Site in Atlanta, includes a memorial and tomb for the legendary civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., and his wife, Coretta Scott King. The historic site includes a museum and visitor's center, as well as a walking tour of the historic King home.
Zoo Atlanta, in the Grant Park, is another popular outdoor recreation destination in Atlanta. Animal lovers will also enjoy the Georgia Aquarium, which is next to Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta. The aquarium, which opened in 2005, is the world's largest aquarium and is home to more animals than any other aquarium. Atlanta also offers outdoor shopping and entertainment at Atlantic Station, an outdoor mall and restaurant area in Midtown Atlanta that hosts many festivals and also includes a movie theater.
Little 5 Points is another popular outdoor shopping and eating destination and includes an eclectic mix of urban eateries, clothing boutiques, book and music stores and live music venues.
