North of the vibrant city of Atlanta is Alpharetta, Georgia, a charming town full of surprises on every corner.
While it’s still part of the Atlanta metropolitan area, the city has a laid-back, small-town charm that makes it a relaxing destination for those who want to escape their busy lives.
There are many parks, festivals, and unique attractions that will have you enjoying every moment of your visit.
Aside from those, natural destinations abound in the city for those who love to be outdoors.
So for your upcoming vacation, why not make this town your top choice?
Here are the 15 best things to do in Alpharetta, GA:
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Avalon Mall is more than just your regular retail space.
It has many attractions that combine modern elements with classical decorations in a walkable community space, making it a favorite among the residents of Alpharetta.
Here, you’ll find hundreds of stalls, food establishments, cinemas, and concert venues—the most famous of which is the drive-in Avalon Nights Live.
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During summer, the Living Room has swing sets, frozen yogurt stands, and even fire pits that all create a cozy ambiance when days are warm.
The Avalon ice skating rink, on the other hand, is a premier destination during winter.
Since it’s an outdoor venue, you can practice your skating skills or mingle with the crowds are the snowfalls.
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Looking for a place where you can find fresh vegetables, fruits, and other crops?
Alpharetta Farmers Market is where local farmers and gardeners bring their harvests, open from April to December every Saturday morning.
It’s actually an award-winning farmers’ market, winning many titles throughout the years.
You’ll find cultivars of fruits, herbs, seasonal produce, and fragrant flowers displayed on the many stalls.
There are also natural meats, raw honey, homemade jellies, and other products by local businesses.
If you know where to look, you’ll find unique handmade products that can serve as the souvenir of your Alpharetta visit.
You’re also welcome to mingle with the sellers and locals for tips and recipes; you’ll be making new friends along the way!
When fall comes, Alpharetta starts erecting scarecrows downtown, turning the city into a community of creative (and occasionally scary) figures.
The Scarecrow Harvest Festival is one of the most anticipated events in the city, attracting throngs of people from nearby who want to join the occasion.
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Homes, businesses, government buildings, and the aforementioned attractions become the temporary homes of scarecrows of all types: animals, traditional, modern, and even ones from famous movies.
And while they are the main event, the festival also has live concerts, hayrides, face painting, and showcases of the year’s harvest.
It’s an unusual but enjoyable event that welcomes the arrival of fall, so you definitely shouldn’t miss it!
Ameris Bank Amphitheatre, formerly known as Verizon Amphitheatre, is a famous events venue where people of all ages gather and join in the celebrations.
It usually hosts music festivals, comedy performances, and concerts by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.
Some of the most beloved icons in rock and roll, jazz, pop, and country music have graced this venue.
These include the Rascal Flatts, Florence + the Machine, and Alice in Chains.
The sprawling grounds are usually loud, with rowdy crowds singing or shouting as their favorite bands perform.
And with a 12,000 seating capacity and ample parking space, the venue has lots of room for you and your family if you plan to catch a show.
So make sure to check out the calendar of events and plan your itinerary around your desired event.
Alpharetta has no shortage of parks, and one of these beautiful destinations is Brooke Street Park.
It has wide green spaces, lots of modern amenities, and attractions that make for a fun day with your family.
But this park is really visited for the thrilling outdoor concerts.
One of these beloved events is the HOME BY DARK Summer Concert Series, a gathering of local artists, storytellers, and musicians.
Bring a lawn chair or a blanket and listen to performances accompanied by the best instrumentalists in the region.
Through these songs, you’ll hear inspirational stories of various singers that will surely move you.
Test your mental fortitude and problem-solving skills by visiting Odyssey Escape Game.
It’s a well-known local attraction for those who love riddles, hidden clues, and team-building exercises that require coordination and communication.
You and your friends will enter a themed room and get locked up voluntarily.
And within a given time, you have to uncover keys, hidden messages, and other clues that will lead to your escape.
It will definitely challenge your quick thinking skills and calmness under pressure.
But the result is truly worth it: your freedom.
Of course, you’re not going to be detained there forever if you don’t solve the clues.
You’ll just lose, but it’s still a memorable experience overall.
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Big Creek Greenway is a scenic, multi-use trail that covers a total length of eight miles, starting at Roswell, passing through Alpharetta, before finally finishing at Cumming.
It’s a favorite for bikers and nature lovers, as the route has long forested segments, views of the adjacent Big Creek, and wildlife sightings.
The paths are well-paved as well, with many zones lacking any signs of urban development.
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It’s like walking on a mountain trail, but you’re still in the middle of a metropolitan area.
In fact, you might encounter deer, snakes, birds, and other local species that call this place home.
The best way to explore this attraction is by biking, but walking is a great choice if you just want to roam around a small segment for a few hours.
Just make sure to check forecasts, as some parts can be closed off during the rainy season because of floods.
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While smaller than the other aforementioned parks, Cogburn Road Park has its own unique attractions that make it stand out among the rest.
It has green staple grounds, picnic benches, and a concrete walking path within its six-acre area.
There aren’t as many people here, so it’s an ideal place for a quiet and relaxing day with your family.
One of the more unique attractions here is the Play Me Again piano, a free-to-play piano painted with vibrant sunflowers and colorful peacocks.
Play a few tunes and entertain your companions while visiting this attraction.
There’s also the small arboretum, a collection of native trees planted for research and conservation.
But when the dogwood and yellow woods bloom, they become a colorful attraction that adds to the park’s beauty.
Located at the American Legion Post 201, the Walk of Memories is the only destination of its kind in Georgia.
It’s a memorial park that celebrates the valiant efforts of our veterans and others who have served our country.
Walk with your family and friends along the pathway to see more than 8000 bricks that each represent an individual.
These people have fought during the Second World War, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and other conflicts that the country was involved with.
Aside from these memorials, there are also actual war vehicles on display here.
You’ll find a Huey helicopter, a World War II-era tank, and a twin-gun mount taken from the USS Polk County.
While this place is a quick visit, it still serves as a somber reminder of all those who protected and sacrificed their lives for the country.
Sitting adjacent to Wills Park is a fun and exciting spot for your four-legged best friend.
Dogs of all breeds, ages, and sizes come to Waggy World Paw Park, a premier facility for pets.
This fenced-in, off-leash park offers plenty of opportunities for your pooch to exercise, play, and socialize with other dogs.
It’s designed for maximum pet enjoyment, with well-maintained grounds, sanitary water fountains, and vast spaces for the zoomies.
When visiting, make sure to follow the guidelines and regulations, as public safety is still a number one priority here.
There’s also limited access during winter, as the freezing temperatures are no good for the delicate paws of our canine citizens.
But when it’s open, you and your pooch are guaranteed an exhilarating experience.
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At the heart of the city is a local favorite: Wills Park.
This outdoor facility has more than 120 acres of space, with playgrounds, picnic sites, and many other amenities for the whole family.
The playground is a favorite destination in particular, as it has many interactive and unusual structures that let children have fun and learn at the same time.
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For those who want more sporty activities, there is a basketball court, disc golf course, and tennis courts open for locals and visitors.
The equestrian center is ideal for those who love horses, and there are races and competitions that will keep you at the edge of your seat.
If you want to cool down, there is an aquatic center with pools that are perfect for a few laps or a calming soak.
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At the easternmost edge of Alpharetta, you’ll find a scenic destination visited by many for its relative isolation.
Webb Bridge Park is a 109-acre park outdoor facility with soccer and baseball fields, tennis courts, playgrounds, and picnic grounds.
But the most distinct feature of this park is the forested surroundings, a departure from the otherwise grassy terrain of the other parks.
This adds another level of peace and isolation for those who want to escape from the city’s noise.
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There are also two large ponds on the park, which occasionally have ducks and turtles swimming on their mirror-like surfaces.
You can bring bread or grains so these animals will come near and eat your offerings.
Interactions with animals, along with the forests and ponds, all come together to create a magical ambiance in this park.
The Velvet Note is a hidden gem that is truly worth the visit.
It’s a cabaret-style music venue that is home to some of the most talented, world-class instrumentalists and performers.
Since it was designed by musicians to maximize acoustics for a live audience, the cozy venue offers a unique, intimate ambiance that is unlike any other.
And because of the engineering done to the listening room, the audience will hear pure and clear sounds—just as the performers intended.
It has won awards because of these features, and of course, the talented people that come here to serenade visitors.
You’ll get to listen to jazz concerts by some of the region’s most skilled artists, eat delicious Southern dishes, and sip delicious refreshments.
It’s steadily becoming a favorite Jazz hotspot, so make sure you come here before it becomes a famous location.
You’ll get bragging rights as the first person to go here before all your friends.
At the Alpharetta Visitor Center, located in the center of town, you can pick up a free brochure that will take you on a self-guided tour.
You’ll have the chance to visit 25 historical sites, all within walking distance from each other.
It’s a great activity for the whole family.
The tour begins at the Alpharetta and Old Milton County History Museum.
From there, you’ll make your way to places like the City Hall, Milton County Courthouse, and Resthaven Cemetery.
As you walk the streets, the historical landmarks will tell you the city’s story.
Have you ever wanted to create a miniature version of yourself?
Well, now is your chance.
The MiniMe Factory, located in Plaza at Windward, uses 3D printing technology to produce lifelike miniature models for its customers.
All you have to do is select a model size, wear a vibrant outfit, and step into the 360-degree photo booth.
The MiniMe Factory will do all the rest.
You can even bring props and pets in with you.
So, get creative!
It will take about three weeks for your miniature model to be ready for pickup or delivery.
A great place to see a theatrical performance is at Act 1 Theater.
It’s an all-volunteer theatre company that has put on shows in Alpharetta for over 20 years.
They operate out of the Presbyterian Church in the center of the city.
Act 1 Theater brings a handful of shows to Alpharetta each year and hosts a number of smaller performances.
Don’t miss out if you have the chance to see a show.
All Fired Up is a fun, interactive place where you can get creative in a relaxing environment.
The store has over 700 pottery items to choose from that you can paint and design yourself.
All Fired Up doesn’t charge by the hour to take the pressure off the creation process.
Instead, you only pay for the materials you use.
That means there is no time limit and no stress.
Once you’ve finished painting your piece of pottery, leave it with the store.
An employee will overglaze your design to make it safe for microwaves and dishwashers.
The pickup time will be displayed on the front counter of the store.
If you’re looking for something more hands-on, you can sign up to make pottery out of wet clay!
Geocaching is the perfect way to get outside and explore the city.
It is an activity that involves searching for objects other people have hidden and marked with GPS coordinates.
The items can be anything from money to books to first aid kits.
To access the GPS coordinates in Alpharetta, download the Geocaching app, which will show all the geocaches in the area.
You’ll explore all the nooks and crannies of the city while you look for hidden treasure.
Make sure to sign your name in the logbook when you find a geocache.
After your memorable tour of Alpharetta, why not visit these other nearby destinations?
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Located in Roswell, the Computer Museum of America celebrates the technological advancement that mankind has achieved over the decades.
It’s the largest museum of its kind on the East Coast and is poised to be one of the biggest in the world once all the planned developments are finished.
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Here, you’ll see computers of all kinds, from ones that were used for the moon landing to today’s powerful engines that can do millions of tasks in a short amount of time.
These artifacts of digital evolution tell a story of how far we’ve come in terms of progress, so it’s an interesting and interactive attraction for computer geeks and history buffs.
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Chattahoochee River is just a few streets shy of the Alpharetta borders, and it’s an important local destination that you should definitely see while in the city.
Segments of this beautiful destination can be found in Roswell, and here, you can explore and play on the riverbanks.
There are outfitters in Alpharetta that offer kayak and rafting tours, which are perfect for those who want to brave the turbulent rapids in some sections of the river.
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If you want to catch the aquatic creatures swimming in the depths, then Roswell has experienced fishermen who offer half-day or full-day trips to the best spots.
For those who find kayaking or fishing too demanding, you can simply explore the riverside walks and parks.
There’s plenty of opportunities for wildlife encounters and landscape photography in this gorgeous destination.
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As a premier entertainment destination, Alpharetta has many spaces for performances of various kinds.
There are also many attractions that blend modernity and the natural world.
To make sure that you won’t miss these destinations and events, reference this list when planning your itinerary.
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