One Day in Midtown Atlanta: Art, Gardens & Dining

Planning one day in Midtown Atlanta is the perfect way to experience the city’s arts, culture, and green spaces. Home to the renowned High Museum of Art, the Atlanta Botanical Garden, Piedmont Park, and some of Atlanta’s best restaurants, Midtown offers a wonderful blend of acclaimed museums, beautiful gardens, expansive parks, and one of Atlanta’s best dining scenes.  After living in Atlanta for years, I think that Midtown is one of the easiest and most enjoyable areas to explore, whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning to discover more of the city. This itinerary will help you make the most of your day with local recommendations for what to see, where to eat, and where to stay.

How to Spend One Day in Midtown Atlanta

Atlanta’s famous Peachtree Street runs through the heart of Midtown. Located between downtown Atlanta and Buckhead, Midtown is the city’s most urban and most walkable neighborhood.  People live and work in Midtown, so street life is active at all times.  Midtown is Atlanta’s home of the arts – whether it be world class museums, art galleries or theaters.  The dining scene is incredible and there are plenty of theatres, bars, and clubs where you can spend the evening. 

Local Tip: Atlanta summers are hot and humid, so this itinerary starts with the Atlanta Botanical Garden while temperatures are cooler. The afternoon is reserved for indoor attractions like the High Museum of Art, making it a more comfortable way to explore Midtown.

Morning: Atlanta Botanical Garden

Explore the Atlanta Botanical Garden during the best weather of the day.  Most of the year in Atlanta, this recommendation means the morning when temperatures are cooler! 

What to Expect at the Atlanta Botanical Garden

The Atlanta Botanical Garden is a green escape from the interstates, skyscrapers and hard surfaces of Atlanta.  This beautiful green space is a collection of themed gardens including the Japanese Garden, the Rose Garden, the Upper Woodland, the Storza Woods, the Children’s Garden, the Fuqua Conservatory for tropical plants, the Fuqua Orchid Center, and the Cascades Garden featuring the famous Earth Goddess. 

On busy days, the garden sells cocktails near the main entrance that you can enjoy strolling around the grounds.  Plan to spend a relaxing time perusing the beautiful landscapes.  Every summer, the garden hosts incredible special exhibits.  Don’t worry about the heat.  There is plenty of shade in among the trees to make a warm day more comfortable.  The enormous variety of plants ensures that something is bound to be in bloom when you visit.  Camellias begin blooming in December and the winter is dominated by the indoor Orchid Daze exhibit.  There are restaurants available on the grounds too.    

Visiting the Atlanta Botanical Garden

Most people spend an hour and a half to two hours touring the gardens.  If gardens are the highlight of your travels, then you may want to spend up to three hours here.  Note that the Atlanta Botanical Garden is closed on Mondays except during Atlanta Public Schools Spring Break, on Memorial Day, Labor Day and Indigenous People’s Day/Columbus Day.  Parking is available in the on-site parking deck.  We paid $7 to park for our 2-hour visit in summer 2025.  I thought it was quite reasonable.

You can walk up to buy a ticket or you can purchase a date-specific ticket in advance on-line and use it to visit the garden any time on that specific day.  There is a $5 processing fee added to every ticket purchased online.  Although on-line tickets cost less than walk up tickets, the fee ultimately makes the price higher.  I recommend bypassing the fee and purchasing your tickets at the gardens.  Then you won’t have to worry about inclement weather.  If you are visiting during an extremely busy time such as a holiday weekend, then it may be beneficial to purchase your tickets in advance.

Visit the garden’s website to plan your visit and for answers to frequently asked questions.

More about the Atlanta Botanical Garden

Are you bringing your kids?  Learn all about the fun things for kids at the Atlanta Botanical Garden!

Are you visiting during the holiday season, then book tickets in advance for the Atlanta Botanical Gardens beloved event Garden Lights, Holiday Nights. 

The Atlanta Botanical Gardens has a second outpost in Gainesville, Georgia if you are in that area. 

Late Morning: Stroll Through Piedmont Park

After exploring the Botanical Garden, take some time to stroll through Piedmont Park. Since you’re already there, it’s an easy opportunity to enjoy Atlanta’s most iconic park before lunch.  Spend some time walking around Lake Clara Meer.  Enjoy the incredible view of the Midtown skyscrapers reflected in the lake. 

If you have children explore the park’s two playgrounds.  Mayors Grove Playground, located near the pool and Henri’s Bakery is a traditional play space.  The Noguchi Playscape, located near Willy’s and Shake Shack, is an artistic playground.  In the 1970s, the High Museum of Art commissioned Japanese American artist and sculptor Isamu Noguchi to create a special playground for Atlanta’s children.

Lunch in Midtown Atlanta

Eat Lunch in Piedmont Park

Deep inside Piedmont Park (near the pool), enjoy the bucolic setting away as you eat at an outpost of Henri’s Bakery & Deli.  This local bakery has been serving up breakfast, sandwiches, cookies and pastries in Atlanta for almost 100 years!

• Henri’s Bakery

At the 12th Street Entrance of Piedmont Park, you can enjoy a casual meal at Shake Shack or Willy’s Mexicana Grill.

• Willy’s at the 12th Street Entrance – one of Atlanta’s favorite local chain restaurants
• Shake Shack

Eat Lunch near Peachtree Street

There are so many choices for lunch in Midtown. Here are a few recommendations to help you narrow it down:

• Check out the Politan Row food hall in Colony Square.
• The Varsity – an iconic Atlanta drive in
• South City Kitchen – this is my favorite restaurant in Atlanta.  If you don’t have time to eat here for dinner, then go for lunch!

Afternoon in Midtown Atlanta

Afternoon: Visit the High Museum of Art

By early afternoon, Atlanta temperatures are often at their highest. The High Museum of Art is a wonderful place to cool off while enjoying one of the South’s premier visual art museums.  Locals simply call the museum, “The High.”  The High family donated their Peachtree Street mansion to the Atlanta Art Association as an art museum.  This museum displays national and international rotating exhibitions in addition to its own impressive collections.  The High Museum’s collections focus on several areas including African Art, American Art, Decorative Arts & Design, European Art, Folk & Self-Taught Art, Modern & Contemporary Art, and Photography. 

Visiting the High

Visit the High Museum’s website to find out which exhibits will be on display.  You can use the Plan Your Day feature to find customized recommendations based on your group and your interests.  I spend an hour and a half at the High the last time I visited to see a traveling exhibition.  In addition to that exhibition on Dutch Masters: Dutch Art in a Global Age, I also made a point to see the works by Georgia O’Keefe and John Singer Sargent.  You could spend up to 3 hours here perusing the entire collection. 

If you have kids, they will love the museum too.  Read this post to learn about all the fun things your little ones can explore at the High Museum of Art.  Plus, children under 5-years-old and under visit for free!

Architecture as Art

I am an architect, and I love that the complex that houses the High’s artwork is just as outstanding as the pieces themselves.  In 1983, architect Richard Meier designed one of his signature white buildings as a new home to the museum on Peachtree Street.  The exterior façade of the building includes a blank canvas so that the museum can display huge banners advertising its traveling exhibitions.  The interior of the space includes an impressive, curved multi-level gallery with a ramp that takes you elegantly from floor to floor.  Today, the High’s permanent collection is housed in Richard Meier’s building, which is called the Stent Wing.

In 2003, Italian architect Renzo Piano added three new buildings to create a museum complex.  His designed piggy-backed on Meier’s white enamel façade.  The new buildings include the Wieland Wing and the Anne Cox Chambers Wing.  A specialty roof system lights the interior of the galleries through filtered light scoops.

Getting to the High Museum

The High is on Peachtree Street in the Woodruff Arts Center Complex in the heart of Midtown Atlanta.  If you drive, then you must find a spot to park your car.  The Woodruff Arts Center Parking Garage can be expensive.  Parking at the nearby Promenade Parking Garage may cost less.  You can also ride the MARTA train to the nearby Arts Center Station. 

Afternoon: Worlds of Puppetry Museum at the Center for Puppetry Arts

Jim Henson Collection

Do you love the Muppets?  At our next stop, you must visit the Worlds of Puppetry Museum at Atlanta’s Center for the Puppetry Arts.  Explore the Jim Henson Collection first.  The Henson Foundation donated their Muppet collection to the Center that Jim loved following his death.  The exhibits inside walk you through Jim Henson’s life, his career, his creative process, and how the Muppet characters evolved.  Inside, you will find all the characters you love from Sesame Street, the Muppet Show, and Fraggle Rock.  Plus, there are more Muppets from the films Dark Crystal and Labyrinth.

The Global Collection

But wait, there’s more!  Don’t forget to visit the next gallery called The Global Collection.  The Center’s extensive historical puppet collection highlights the history of puppetry across the world including native American, European, African, and Asian puppet traditions.  Highlights in this gallery include the Stop Motion Puppetry exhibit, original masks from the Lion King on Broadway, and Pulcinella or Punch, the Puppet.  I especially enjoyed the Asian puppetry traditions including Vietnamese Water Puppets, Chinese Shadow Puppets, and Indian Puppetry traditions. 

Visiting the Worlds of Puppetry Museum

We spent about one and a half to two hours touring both galleries the last time we visited the Worlds of Puppetry Museum.  If you visit with children, spending an hour here is enough.  Be sure to pick up the scavenger hunt for young children as you enter the museum.  They will win a small prize if they complete it!  Kids typically spend most of their time at the interactive exhibits and breeze through the rest of the museum.  Children can put on their own Muppet Show in the Jim Henson Collection.  Plus, they will love the interactive Marionette theater in The Global Collection. 

Attend a Puppet Show

The Center for Puppetry Arts offers puppet shows all year to a range of audiences. Their website allows you to search shows and workshops by audience type and age ranges. Select a show on the website to learn about the storyline, puppetry style, the puppeteers, and the Create-a-Puppet Workshop project that accompanies it.  Every puppet show ticket includes admission to the Worlds of Puppetry Museum.

Getting to the Center for Puppetry Arts

The Center for Puppetry Arts is in midtown Atlanta and can be accessed by car or via MARTA.  The closest train station in the Arts Center MARTA Station.  The Center is approximately a 10 to 15-minute walk from there.  Free parking is available around the rear of the Center, where the main entrance is located.  There is additional parking past the building if the initial lot that you see is full.  The parking lot often fills up at showtime. So, be sure to come early!

Afternoon: Other Midtown Attractions

This itinerary outlined above is how I recommend you spend your day in Midtown; however, if you have other interests or extra time, there are more attractions to explore in Midtown!  It would be easy to spend more than a day in Atlanta’s most urban neighborhood.

MODA or Museum of Design Atlanta

Do you love design?  Check out the Museum of Design Atlanta – known as MODA.  This little museum dedicated to the art of designing all things is located conveniently across the street from the High Museum of Art.  The museum hosts rotating exhibits highlighting all aspects of design and illustrating how design impacts our daily lives.  In addition to the exhibits, check out MODA’s calendar of interactive events.

Most people spend close to an hour exploring the current exhibit.  The museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.  Children 11 and under visit for free!  MODA does not have a dedicated parking garage.  The paid Lanier parking deck at 1337 Peachtree St NE is the closest place to park.  It is easy to walk from MARTA’s Arts Center Station.  You can get a discount on your ticket when you show that you used public transportation to get to the museum! Visit the website for additional information to plan your visit.

SCAD Fash Museum of Fashion + Film

Do you love fashion and cinema?  Be sure to visit the SCAD Fash Museum of Fashion + Film.  Inside, you will find glamorous gowns and costumes from the movies.  Have you visited this museum before?  Don’t hesitate to return because the exhibits rotate so there will always be something new to see.  In addition to the fabulous fashion on display, don’t miss the spectacular views of the Atlanta skyline. 

People typically spend an hour and a half to two and a half hours exploring the SCAD Fash Museum.  The museum offers 90 minutes of free parking at the parking garage next door: FORTY FIVE garage at 1470 Spring St. NW.

Margaret Mitchell House: Atlanta History Center Midtown

The Margaret Mitchell House is the home where the author wrote her remarkable novel, Gone with the Wind.  Today it is an outpost of the Atlanta History Center.  The famous author lived in a two-bedroom first floor apartment with her second husband John Marsh from 1925-1932.  She nicknamed this apartment, “the dump.”  She wrote most of her novel in this building. 

Gone with the Wind, the book and the film have been controversial since the beginning.  The Atlanta History Center’s exhibition paints a picture of Margaret Mitchell’s Atlanta, and explains how her personal experiences influenced the story.   The exhibition acknowledges the complex issues created by the famous novel and its author. 

Most people spend less than an hour touring the Margaret Mitchell House. 

The Fox Theatre

There are a couple of ways you can see Atlanta’s Fabulous Fox Theatre.  You can purchase a ticket to a show.  Or you can simply book an Architecture & History Tour.  On the tour, you will learn about the history of the building, the Shriner Organization and William Fox, the movie mogul.  Atlanta almost lost this spectacular building in the 1970s.  Local residents successfully came together to save the Fox. 

Prepare to be impressed by the Ancient Egyptian and Middle Eastern styling of this building.  On the interior, make sure that you take note of the starry sky on the ceiling.  This tour takes about an hour.

The easiest way to get to the Fox is to take MARTA to the North Avenue Station.  Visit the Fox Theatre’s website for direction and parking information.

The Bremen or the William Bremen Jewish Heritage & Holocaust Museum

The Bremen is dedicated to Jewish history, culture and art in Georgia and beyond.  Its permanent exhibit, Absence of Humanity, places a special focus on the Holocaust.  Rotating exhibits focus on Jewish values, customs and traditions.  Exhibits focus on topics close to home as well as Judaism around the world.

Atlanta’s Jewish cultural museum is located next door to the Center for Puppetry Arts.  The museum offers free parking to visitors.  Buzz security at the gate to access the museum grounds.  The Arts Center MARTA Station is approximately a 15-minute walk.  The Bremen is closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Saturdays.  Plan to spend about 2-hours here to see all the exhibits. 

Dinner in Midtown Atlanta

Once you’ve wrapped up your tours in the Midtown area, you can venture back to your accommodation and have dinner there or you can stay in Midtown and enjoy one of the many excellent restaurants. 

• South City Kitchen – a friend asked me what is the best American restaurant in Atlanta? South City Kitchen was my answer.  I told her to order the fried chicken.  If I could only go to one restaurant in Atlanta.  This would be it!
• Holeman & Finch Public House
• JR Crickets – get the lemon pepper wings!
• Vortex Bar & Grill – this is a bar, but the burgers are AMAZING!
• Zocalo
• Café Agora
• 5Church
• Pasta Da Pulcinella
• Rumi’s Kitchen at Colony Square

Evening Entertainment in Midtown Atlanta

As Atlanta’s Center for the Arts, there are so many places to be entertained in Midtown.  Check out the calendars of the places listed below to book a show for the evening – or maybe for the middle of the day.  From comedy to serious dramas and musicals.  You can see anything in Atlanta.

• The Fox Theatre
• Atlanta Symphony Orchestra at the Woodruff Arts Center
• Alliance Theatre at the Woodruff Arts Center
• Center Stage Theatre
• Whole World Improv Theatre Co
• Laughing Scull Lounge
• Shakespeare’s Tavern
• Center for Puppetry Arts – they offer adult shows too!

Getting Around Midtown Atlanta

Walking

The Midtown attractions are a little more spread out than Atlanta’s downtown attractions.  I recommend that you take MARTA or park your car in a parking garage and then grab a ride share such as Uber or Lyft if the next destination is a little too far to walk or if the site doesn’t offer parking.

Midtown Walking Map

Public Transportation: MARTA

Midtown is home to three MARTA Train Stations: North Avenue Station, Midtown Station and Arts Center Station.  The easiest way to get to this neighborhood is via public transportation.  Once you emerge from the station, Midtown is easily walkable.  Refer to the Midtown Walking Map for detailed information. 

There are two free circulator shuttles that will take you to key points in Midtown.  The first in the GA Tech Stinger Bus, which picks up at the Midtown MARTA Station.  The second is the Atlantic Station Shuttle that picks up at the Arts Center Station.

MARTA Bus Route 23 stops at the Amtrak Station in Buckhead and will take you to Midtown’s Arts Center Station.

Parking

If you drive, then you must find a spot to park your car.  The Woodruff Arts Center Parking Garage is conveniently located in the same complex as the High Museum of Art, but it can be expensive.  Parking at the nearby Promenade Parking Garage (1230 W Peachtree St NE) by LAZ Parking may cost less.  You can also park for free (for less than 24-hours) at a MARTA station and ride the train to one of Midtown’s 3 stations.  Visit MARTA’s website for a list of stations with parking.

As with any urban area, keep your car clean!  Do not leave anything within view inside your car when parking on the street, parking lot, or parking garage.  

Ride Share: Uber of Lyft

Rides shares are plentiful in Atlanta’s Midtown.  You can be dropped off at your destination and there should be plenty of ride shares available for your return drive. 

Where to Stay during your One Day in Midtown Atlanta

I highly recommend staying in intown Atlanta so that you can maximize your time enjoying the city and minimize time spent sitting in traffic.  If you want to stay further afield, you can easily drive into the city each day.  This itinerary includes parking information.

Midtown Atlanta Hotels

If this is your first time visiting Atlanta, I recommend staying in Midtown.  This neighborhood is lively at all times of day.  If you stay near a MARTA station then you can easily walk to dinner and get to all the activities on this itinerary plus the airport.

You can take MARTA directly from the airport to a Midtown hotel and eliminate the need to rent a car if you fly to Atlanta.

• Hampton Inn & Suites Atlanta Midtown – an excellent value with an included breakfast plus the Arts Center MARTA Station is directly across the street
• Atlanta Marriott Suites Midtown – this hotel is roughly a 5-minute walk from the Arts Center MARTA Station.  Every room is a suite, so there is plenty of space for families here
• The Georgian Terrace Hotel – historic charm for lovers of old buildings near the North Avenue MARTA Station and across the street from the Fox Theatre
• Canopy by Hilton Atlanta Midtown – this new contemporary hotel is best for art lovers.  It is a short walk from the Arts Center MARTA Station

Vacation Rental in an Intown Atlanta Neighborhood

Another option is to stay in a vacation rental such as a VRBO or AirBnB.  Check out this Guide to the Best Intown Atlanta Neighborhoods for Vacation Rentals to select the best location for your group.  This guide recommends the best grocery stores, breakfast places, and lunch and dinner restaurants in each neighborhood.

Plan Your One Day in Midtown Atlanta

Whether you’re visiting Atlanta for the first time or looking to explore a new neighborhood, Midtown offers the perfect mix of art, nature, dining, and culture. From admiring world-class collections at the High Museum of Art to wandering through the Atlanta Botanical Garden and relaxing in Piedmont Park, there’s something here for every traveler. I hope this One Day in Midtown Atlanta itinerary helps you experience one of my favorite parts of the city. If you have more time to explore, be sure to check out my other Atlanta neighborhood guides and my 4 Day Atlanta Itinerary to continue discovering everything the city has to offer.

FAQ

Is one day enough for Midtown Atlanta?

Yes. One day gives you enough time to visit the High Museum of Art, explore the Atlanta Botanical Garden, stroll through Piedmont Park, enjoy a great meal, and experience Midtown’s lively atmosphere.

Is Midtown Atlanta walkable?

Absolutely. Midtown is one of Atlanta’s most walkable neighborhoods, with wide sidewalks and many attractions, restaurants, and hotels located within easy walking distance of one another.

Can you visit Midtown Atlanta without a car?

Yes. Midtown is served by the Midtown and Arts Center MARTA stations, making it easy to explore without driving. Many of the neighborhood’s top attractions are within walking distance of the stations.

What is Midtown Atlanta best known for?

Midtown is best known for the High Museum of Art, Atlanta Botanical Garden, Piedmont Park, Fox Theatre, and its vibrant arts and dining scene.

Where should I stay in Midtown Atlanta?

Midtown is an excellent choice for visitors who want easy access to museums, parks, restaurants, and MARTA. It’s especially popular with couples, art lovers, and travelers who enjoy a walkable urban neighborhood.

Pin for Later!