Many know of the most popular attractions such as The Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, Zoo Atlanta, Stone Mountain Park and the Atlanta Botanical Garden.  But there are also some hidden treasures I’ve found as well in Atlanta and its many suburbs that have earned accolades by their own right. Many of these attractions are offering summer discounts and packages as well.

Here are a just few of these treasures:

Atlanta History Center in Buckhead features 32 acres of gardens, wildlife trails and woodland areas and includes a wing dedicated to the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games.

Fernbank Museum of Natural History is a museum treasure!  Guests can explore the development of life on Earth through the landscapes of present-day Georgia, connect with cultures from around the globe, engage in a variety of hands-on exhibits and enjoy the incredible 5-story experience of an IMAX® film.  Fun for the whole family!

Yellow River Game Ranch is set on a naturally 24-acre wooded preserve along the banks of the Yellow River and is located near Stone Mountain. It features more than 600 native Georgia animals, such as deer, buffalo, bears and the famous weather predicting groundhog, General Beauregard Lee.

Margaret Mitchell House is the three-story Tudor Revival mansion in Midtown where author Margaret Mitchell lived from 1925 to 1932 and wrote her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, Gone WithThe Wind.

Compliment these attractions with amazing food from an array of cultures for a perfect weekend getaway.  There are too many great restaurants in Atlanta and the surrounding areas to mention in this post!

For more details on these attractions and many others, I love referring to the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau’s recommendations.

Just a side note too, if you are looking beyond Metro Atlanta, take an hour drive up Georgia 400 towards my neck of the woods to the North Georgia mountains to visit Dahlonega or Amicalola Falls for a peaceful and relaxing day as well.

Whatever you attractions you choose, a long weekend in Atlanta this summer might just be the ticket to some fun and without breaking the bank!  Be daring this summer and explore!

Jenny Reed loves to travel and is the owner of www.OurCruisePlanner.com.  With over 15 years of travel experience and specialties in cruising, Alaska and family travel, she plans vacations for clients to worldwide destinations. Follow her on Twitter @TheTravelExpert too!