The best things to do in Atlanta this summer

Sipping a cocktail outdoors is a delightful summer treat, even more so when you’re high above the city on a rooftop. Atlanta’s rooftop bars range from chill to trendy, but all provide amazing views of the city and a chance to catch some gentle breezes and a spectacular summer sunset. Cold beverages with a birds-eye view of the city is a combo that can’t be beat in the summer.

While you can duck into any of Atlanta’s museums during the day for a break from the heat, there’s something special about visiting a museum at night. The Fernbank Museum of Natural History hosts Fernbank After Dark on the second Friday of the month throughout the summer. The adults-only event features live music, bars, tapas, science demos and more. Each month has a different theme, and this year’s themes sound like winners: Fear Factor, On the Rocks and Sense-ational Science.

The charming neighborhood of Virginia-Highland has played host to this vibrant festival for more than 35 years. Typically held during the first weekend of June, Summerfest features an eclectic mix of activities and entertainment. An artist market showcases works from more than 200 artists, live music is featured on multiple stages and local vendors dish out a variety of delicious food. The fest also includes a road race, Kids’ Fest and community kickoff party. The annual event is fun for all, and promotes the tight-knit neighborhood.

The Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park is proudly recognized as Atlanta’s oldest outdoor music venue. Each season, more than 200,000 spectators descend upon the venue to see a variety of musical acts. The outdoor stage opened in 1944 and has hosted the likes of Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Paul Simon and Frank Sinatra. A few shows are set up with tables and allow attendees to bring coolers into the venue. Concert highlights this summer include Pixies with Modest Mouse, Slash, Tate McRae and The Roots.

Shootin’ the Hooch is an absolute must-do in the summer in Atlanta. When temps soar, grab a tube and spend the day floating down the Chattahoochee River. The river’s gentle currents are perfect for tubing, kayaking or rafting. Relax and enjoy the natural beauty as you float for hours, staying cool. Different entry points allow for a variety of experiences, from a gentle float to slightly faster rapids. From a few hours to an all-day adventure, Shootin’ the Hooch is a quintessential summer experience in Georgia.

Celebrate all things tomato at this epic tomato-tasting extravaganza. The annual fundraiser for Georgia Organics brings together top chefs from the likes of Miller Union, Chai Pani, The Deer and the Dove and others to showcase their culinary creations (including cocktails) made with local Georgia tomatoes. Attendees can sample the tasty tomato dishes while enjoying entertainment including DJs, puppets, roving musicians and an auction that will delight any foodie. The event wraps with a cheeky awards ceremony crowning the Tomato Champion.

Summer is the perfect time to catch an outdoor flick, and Atlanta hosts movie screenings at iconic venues in and around the city. Pack a picnic, grab your chairs and head out to these spots for everything from Hollywood blockbusters and classics to family-friendly fare. Colony Square in Midtown hosts movies on select Thursdays. Trillith in Fayetteville shows films on its giant, permanent screen. Flicks on the Green at Peachtree Corners hosts films the first Saturday of each month. Movie Mondays in Norcross are a great way to start your week.

The incredibly popular Alice in Wonderland exhibit returns to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens this summer. Go down the rabbit hole as you explore larger-than-life sculptures in installations inspired by Lewis Carroll’s tales of wonder. From giant storybooks and a grinning Cheshire Cat to the Queen of Hearts’ army and Alice herself spinning in a whirl of teacups, it’s an experience you won’t want to miss. On Thursday evenings, the exhibit turns into a real garden party with Cocktails in Wonderland, featuring specialty cocktails, scavenger hunts, live music, yard games and more.

This vibrant, multi-use path is lined with art, native plants and plenty of green space to relax on a lazy summer day. Stroll the Beltline and pop into a buzzy brewery or restaurant with outdoor seating. The Beltline’s events calendar is packed with summer activities, from fitness classes to run clubs, Tree Tours to bike tours and even live radio broadcasts on weekends from a shipping container along the Eastside trail.

This two-day, outdoor summer arts fest is all about visual arts and family fun. A wide range of art is on display, showcasing the diversity of arts in the region. More than 250 painters, photographers, sculptors, leather and metalwork, glass blowers, jewelers and crafters display their wares. The fest also features artist demos, live acoustic music, a kids’ play area and plenty of festival eats.

Get outside and explore Atlanta’s street art scene this summer. At popular attractions around the city like the Georgia Aquarium, Fox Theater or Centennial Olympic Park, you can take a closer look and you might find a tiny, elaborately-decorated door. Where they lead is up to your imagination. TinyDoors ATL is an Atlanta-based art project that aims to bring “big wonder to tiny spaces.” The TinyDoors website has a map to find all of them. On a larger scale, the Living Walls initiative supports public art and projects that bring colorful murals to neighborhoods around the city.