Atlanta’s headlining attractions rival the best in the nation, so take time to explore the one that interests you most. Go nose-to-nose with marine life at the Georgia Aquarium; try to guess the secret ingredient at the World of Coca-Cola; visit the resident pandas at Zoo Atlanta; or head to CNN’s global headquarters to see how the news gets made. Booking tickets in advance is a time-saving strategy that makes arrival seamless, and if you’re hoping to tick off more than one destination, multiple-attraction passes can save you money.

Pour yourself a glass of sweet iced tea for an afternoon of Atlanta cuisine—it goes from traditional Southern “meat and three” to fried chicken and cutting-edge bites. With just one day in Atlanta, it’s a shame to commit to a single meal, so consider a food tour that features a series of dishes in restaurants, diners, and local markets. And since food, history, and culture are deeply linked here, you’re sure to get a side of storytelling with your meal, as well as a delicious look at daily life in Atlanta.

Now that you’re energized for an afternoon of exploring, choose a guided tour that dives into Atlanta history, or discover some of the blockbuster films and television shows that have been filmed here. Themed film tours run the gamut from Gone with the Wind to The Walking Dead, while best-of film tours sample a little bit of everything. If history is more your style, Atlanta’s rich in fascinating destinations; check out Civil Rights landmarks and historic homes with some of the city’s grandest architecture.