Lithonia GeorgiaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Lithonia, Georgia.
1. Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area
NATURAL HISTORIC LANDSCAPE
Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area encompasses over 40,000 acres of natural wonders and compelling history in Lithonia. This nationally significant landscape features breathtaking beauty and showcases intriguing cultural changes from early settlers to immigrant rock workers. Visitors can explore the unique granite formations, hiking trails, and historical sites throughout this vast protected area.
2. Stone Mountain Park
OUTDOOR RECREATION DESTINATION
Stone Mountain Park is one of the most popular attractions near Lithonia, offering a massive granite monolith as its centerpiece. The park features numerous outdoor activities including hiking trails, a scenic railroad, golf courses, and a cable car ride to the summit. Visitors can also enjoy seasonal events, entertainment venues, and the famous laser light show projected onto the mountain face.
3. Lithonia Woman's Club
HISTORIC COMMUNITY GREENSPACE
The Lithonia Woman's Club serves as a great starting point for exploring historic Lithonia, located at 2564 Wiggins Street off Main Street. This small greenspace showcases the people, nature, and industry that have defined Lithonia, from immigrant quarry workers to local civil rights advocates. Visitors can learn about Lithonia's history as a bustling quarry town that was once part of a global granite industry hub.
4. Southeast Athletic Complex
SPORTS AND RECREATION
Southeast Athletic Complex is one of Lithonia's prominent landmarks and recreational facilities. The complex offers various sports fields, courts, and amenities for both organized events and casual recreational activities. Visitors and locals alike can enjoy sporting events, fitness activities, and community gatherings at this well-maintained venue.
5. Georgia Aquarium
WORLD-CLASS MARINE EXHIBIT
Georgia Aquarium is one of the largest aquariums in the world, located in Atlanta just a short drive from Lithonia. The aquarium houses thousands of marine and freshwater species in various themed exhibits and massive tanks. Visitors can experience interactive shows, behind-the-scenes tours, and even swimming or diving with whale sharks in certain programs.
6. World of Coca-Cola
ICONIC BEVERAGE MUSEUM
World of Coca-Cola celebrates the history and global impact of one of the world's most famous beverages. The museum features interactive exhibits, a 4D theater experience, and displays of Coca-Cola memorabilia from around the world. Visitors can sample over 100 different Coca-Cola products from various countries in the tasting room before exiting through a gift shop filled with Coca-Cola merchandise.
7. Atlanta Botanical Garden
URBAN PLANT PARADISE
Atlanta Botanical Garden offers a stunning collection of plants, flowers, and landscape designs across its 30-acre property in midtown Atlanta. The garden features specialized sections including a Japanese garden, rose garden, tropical conservatory, and the popular Canopy Walk suspended among treetops. Seasonal exhibitions, light displays, and educational programs make this a year-round destination for nature lovers near Lithonia.
8. Zoo Atlanta
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION CENTER
Zoo Atlanta houses over 1,000 animals representing more than 200 species from around the world. The zoo is particularly known for its gorilla habitat, giant panda exhibit, and African savanna section featuring elephants, giraffes, and lions. Visitors can enjoy animal encounters, keeper talks, and interactive experiences while learning about wildlife conservation efforts.
9. Centennial Olympic Park
URBAN RECREATIONAL SPACE
Centennial Olympic Park is a 21-acre public park originally built for the 1996 Summer Olympics in downtown Atlanta. The park features the iconic Fountain of Rings, green spaces, and commemorative Olympic symbols throughout the grounds. Visitors can attend concerts, festivals, and other events held regularly at this central urban gathering place.
10. Truist Park
MODERN BASEBALL STADIUM
Truist Park serves as the home stadium for the Atlanta Braves baseball team, located in Cobb County near Lithonia. The stadium opened in 2017 and features state-of-the-art amenities, food options, and entertainment beyond just baseball games. Surrounding the stadium is The Battery Atlanta, a mixed-use development with restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues that create a full experience for visitors.
11. Atlanta History Center
CULTURAL HERITAGE MUSEUM
Atlanta History Center provides a comprehensive look at the region's past through various exhibitions, historic houses, and gardens spread across 33 acres. The center includes the Atlanta History Museum, Swan House, Smith Family Farm, and Goizueta Gardens among its attractions. Visitors can explore exhibits on the Civil War, Atlanta's growth, and Southern folk art while enjoying both indoor and outdoor historical experiences.
12. Downtown Lithonia
HISTORIC TOWN CENTER
Downtown Lithonia offers visitors a glimpse into the city's rich history as a quarry town with several preserved historic buildings. The area features local restaurants, shops, and cultural sites that showcase the community's heritage and development over time. Visitors can use walking maps to explore the downtown area and learn about Lithonia's significance in the granite industry.
13. Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve
GEOLOGICAL WONDER SITE
Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve showcases unique granite outcroppings and rare plant ecosystems within the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area. The preserve features miles of hiking trails that wind through forests, past lakes, and over massive exposed granite formations. Visitors can observe rare plant species like diamorpha that thrive in the shallow pools that form on the rock surfaces after rainfall.
14. Mall at Stonecrest
PREMIER SHOPPING DESTINATION
The Mall at Stonecrest is a major retail center serving the Lithonia area with over 120 stores and restaurants. The two-level enclosed shopping mall features anchor department stores, specialty boutiques, and a diverse food court. Visitors can enjoy shopping, dining, and entertainment options including a multi-screen cinema complex within the facility.
15. PATH Arabia Mountain Trail
SCENIC MULTI-USE TRAIL
PATH Arabia Mountain Trail offers more than 30 miles of paved pathways connecting Lithonia to the broader Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area. The trail system allows hikers, cyclists, and runners to explore granite outcrops, lakes, forests, and historic sites throughout the region. Visitors can access multiple trailheads and enjoy interpretive signage that explains the natural and cultural significance of different areas along the routes.