Atlanta might be a bustling city, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some of nature’s beauty.
Sunsets in Atlanta can be gorgeous if you know where to go to spot them. To help you out, here’s a list of the top places to watch the Atlanta sunset.
The Best Places to Watch the Sunset in Atlanta
1. The Whitley Hotel Spa
For the best sunset view in Atlanta without leaving your accommodations, check out the Whitley Hotel. This high-rise hotel offers guests a luxury stay with some of the best panoramas in town.
However, if you don’t want to stay at the hotel, you can still enjoy the sunset. Just book a visit to the Whitley’s spa.
You can enjoy some pampering and self-care at dusk and take in the one-of-a-kind views the spa floor grants you.
Remember, you’ll want to work with guest services to make sure you’re free to see the sunset.
2. Piedmont Park
If you’re looking for a little peace and serenity in the heart of one of the US’s most bustling and diverse cities, check out Piedmont Park.
Located in the heart of Atlanta, this little getaway is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the sunset.
With over 200 acres of open space, you have plenty of room to scope out a good spot for the evening without feeling too crowded.
The park also regularly hosts events, so you can take in some dusk entertainment made even more beautiful by the sunset.
3. Davidson-arabia Mountain Nature Preserve
If you have access to a car while you’re in Atlanta, locals highly recommend escaping the city for a while to visit the Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve.
Located about 30 minutes outside of the city’s limits, the preserve is the perfect way to spend a day hiking in nature.
The hike to the top of the mountain takes about 90 minutes for most hikers, and if you time it right, you can get a spectacular view of the sunset.
Just make sure you have your camera with you to remember the panorama.
4. Skyview Atlanta
SkyView Atlanta is the perfect sunset viewing spot if you’re looking for an unforgettable experience.
The SkyView is a massive Ferris wheel that reaches 20 stories in height. So, you can see the horizon from high above the city.
Each ride lasts between 7 and 12 minutes, so if you make sure to board just before dusk, you’ll be able to time your ride to get a picture-perfect view of the sunset.
This is also perfect for sunset watching all year, thanks to the wheel’s temperature-controlled enclosed gondolas to keep out heat and cold.
5. Jackson Street Bridge
Known as one of the city’s best selfie spots, Jackson Street Bridge is no stranger to visitors.
You can get dramatic, professional-looking pictures any time of day with a gorgeous view of the Atlanta cityscape in the background.
However, if you’re looking for an extra special photo moment, head to the bridge at sunset. The sky’s changing colors contrasted with Atlanta’s shadows will make you look like you’re in a movie.
You might run into one or two other tourists, but most visitors check out the bridge during the daytime.
6. Lake Lanier Olympic Park
Lake Lanier Olympic Park may seem like a run-of-the-mill outdoor sporting complex, which is why many tourists forgo visiting.
However, no matter what time of day you go, there’s plenty to do. You can jog or go for a walk along the lakefront. You can even rent a canoe or kayak and go in the water!
The lake is part of what makes the park such a great place at sunset. The sunlight shines and reflects on the lake’s surface in a way that is breathtaking from the shore and from a canoe.
7. Chattahoochee Nature Center
If you’re visiting Atlanta with your whole family, then you should plan a day to head to the Chattahoochee Nature Center, a little over 20 miles outside the city.
The center sits on 127 acres of land and has multiple rewards to its name for education.
However, don’t pack up when the sun starts to go down. Instead, when it starts getting close to dusk, find a clearing at the center to relax or head for the ziplines. That way, you can enjoy a stunning Georgia sunset surrounded by lush, gorgeous nature.
8. The Ponce City Market Roof
The Ponce City Market is one of the most eclectic and vibrant places in Atlanta. Locals and tourists alike love spending the day at the market, exploring the different shops, and grabbing bites to eat at the restaurants.
However, as a visitor, don’t clear out and head somewhere else when it starts getting close to evening. Instead, follow the locals up to the roof.
From the Ponce City rooftop, you can get a 360-degree look at the surrounding Atlanta area, putting you in the perfect spot to see the sunset over the city.
9. Atlanta Motor Speedway
Are you a NASCAR fan? Then you have to check out the Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Even if you’re not a racing fan, the track is home to events all year that aren’t just car-related.
No matter what, if you have the chance to spend the evening at one of the speedway’s events, jump at it!
Getting tickets is one of the only ways you’ll be able to see how gorgeous the sun and shadows look during a sunset at the speedway. You’ll also get to brag about it to your friends and family.
10. Arabia Mountain
We already talked about the Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve. However, more specifically, if you want a fantastic view of the sunset that hardly anyone takes advantage of, climb the Arabia Mountain peak.
The mountain has over 40,000 acres of trails you can explore, so it’s easy to spend a whole day hiking or biking the different paths.
Whether you want to get to the top or you just want to meander and explore, no matter where you are on the mountain, you’ll have a first-class vantage point to see the sunset.
Amar was born and raised in England and embarked on an 11-country round-the-world gap year after graduation and then became well and truly hooked. The first gap year inspired a second, which ended up being a 23-country down-the-world trip from Canada to Antarctica. Since then, Amar has spent the last 14 years traveling the 7 continents.