Five Things to do in Atlanta on Thanksgiving Day

Hiking with the family is a great outdoor activity after a big meal. Amicalola State Park has living history demonstrations on Thanksgiving Day.

When the turkey has been carved, the last piece of pie has been eaten and the adults wake up from a nap, what is there to do in Atlanta on Thanksgiving Day? The answer is, a lot. So if you’re going a little stir crazy with the family in town, or you just want to get out and work off a few helpings of stuffing, here are five things you can do in Atlanta on Thanksgiving Day.

Things to do in Atlanta on Thanksgiving Day

Go for a hike

Hemlock Falls at Cloudland Canyon is a picturesque spot for a family portrait

Fall is here with cooler temperatures and leaves still falling from the trees. Enjoy the outdoors and work off a little of your Thanksgiving meal with a family hike. Here are three places near Atlanta to enjoy a hike

• Sope Creek Trail – This trail in Marietta takes you to a babbling creek and historic mill ruins.
• Sweetwater Creek State Park – My boys loved hopping the rocks across the creek. You’ll also walk past mill ruins. Don’t miss the Green certified visitor’s center. In addition to being environmentally friendly, there is a museum about Sweetwater Mill. Hear first person accounts of the day Union soldiers came to the Mill and destroyed it.
• Amicalola State Park – In addition to hiking, you can enjoy living history demonstrations in the lodge lobby from 10:30 – 2:30 pm.

Go Ice Skating
Atlanta has three different ice rinks with three very different personalities. Choose the one that is right for you and go ice skating in Atlanta on Thanksgiving Day. Here is a review of the three ice rinks in Atlanta with links to additional information.

See Lights
Thanksgiving night is a perfect time to see Holiday Lights in Atlanta. This is one of the most popular evenings, so if you plan to go to any of the paid attractions, call ahead for tickets and no matter where you go, bring an extra dose of patience. You aren’t the only one with this great idea. My current favorite light display is the Atlanta Botanical Gardens Garden Nights, Holiday Lights. Centennial Park usually has a great display too, and it’s free.

The Atlanta Botanical Gardens is a great place to see Holiday lights. Enjoy s’mores over an open pit fire among all the beautiful lights.

Play with LEGOS
LEGOLAND Discovery Center in Phipps Plaza is open on Thanksgiving Day from 12 – 7 pm. Bring a canned good for Cooling Matters and get $2 off your admission to LEGOLAND Discovery Center. Shop at LEGOLAND Discovery Center on Black Friday and get a free annual pass to LEGOLAND Discovery Center with every purchase of $200 or more. That’s a pretty sweet deal for LEGO fans.

Attend Macy’s Great Tree Lighting 
The great tree lighting returns to Lenox Square on Thanksgiving night with a show featuring musical performers like CMA award winner Trace Adkins. The show begins at 6:15 pm and the lighting of the tree is at 7 pm. Followed by fireworks set to holiday music.