Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Union City, GA

Union City, Georgia, is situated in the metropolitan Atlanta area of northern Georgia, approximately 9 miles southwest of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. As part of Fulton County, Union City, often referred to as ‘UC,’ was incorporated in 1908, making it one of the more recent cities that surround the state capital and constitute suburban Atlanta.

This location is renowned for its tranquil neighborhoods that afford visitors a quintessential Georgia experience. Furthermore, it is conveniently located within a short distance of the vibrant attractions in Atlanta, as well as the scenic countryside of the surrounding areas.

Below are the 15 premier activities and attractions to explore in and around Union City, Georgia.

1. Delta Flight Museum

For those arriving by air, Atlanta’s airport, recognized as the busiest in the world since 1998, may be the first destination. While most travelers are eager to exit the arrivals area promptly, there is a compelling reason to linger a while longer.

Located on the northern side of the airport are two historic hangars constructed in the 1940s, which currently house the Delta Flight Museum. This permanent exhibition serves as a tribute by Delta Airlines to celebrate its century-long legacy in aviation.

The museum features an impressive array of vintage posters and numerous memorabilia, highlighted by the 767 Boeing aircraft named Spirit of Delta, which served as the airline’s flagship aircraft for decades.

2. Cochran Mill Park

Situated along the banks of the Chattahoochee River, Cochran Mill Park encompasses approximately 32 hectares of wooded land.

The park features nearly 30 kilometers of multi-use trails, catering to a variety of users including hikers, trail runners, mountain bikers, and equestrians. Visitors can discover the historical mills that give the park its name and enjoy delightful waterfalls year-round.

An interpretative trail is also available, which provides insights into the historical significance of the area. The park is located a mere 15-minute drive from Union City in the scenic Chattahoochee Hills.

3. Farmers Market

To gain insight into the local community of Union City, a visit to the farmers market is highly recommended. It is an excellent spot to procure fresh ingredients for a picnic lunch.

Initiated by the city council to reconnect residents with the agricultural landscape surrounding the city, the market provides a venue for small-scale farmers to sell directly to the public.

Patrons will find a diverse selection of fruits and vegetables, along with unique offerings such as artisan soaps and handcrafted jewelry, made by local artisans. Vendors set up their stalls at the city’s ball fields located at the intersection of Dixie Road and Highway 29.

4. Boundary Waters Aquatic Center

Located along the banks of the Chattahoochee River, Boundary Waters Aquatic Center serves as both a sports facility and a children’s water park.

This facility features an eight-lane competition pool for dedicated swimmers, in addition to a shallow pool designed for younger children, which includes slides and other attractions.

With its glasshouse-like design, the center is accessible in any weather, making it an excellent alternative to Cochran Mill Park during inclement conditions. It is situated a short 20-minute drive north of Union City.

5. Sweetwater Creek State Park

If you continue driving north for another five minutes, you will arrive at Sweetwater Creek State Park located in Lithia Springs.

The park spans over 3.5 square miles, offering breathtaking views and a multitude of activities. In addition to the gently flowing creek that lends its name to the park, visitors will discover the impressive remnants of the New Manchester Manufacturing Company.

This cotton mill, which was destroyed during the American Civil War as part of the strategic destruction by Union forces, is accompanied by artifacts from the era and those from the Cherokee nation, all of which are on display at the park’s visitor center.

6. APEX Museum

The APEX Museum narrates the narrative of the metropolitan Atlanta region through the lens of African-Americans, who comprise a significant portion of Union City’s population.

Acronym for the African-American Panoramic Experience, this museum is a highlight on the US Civil Rights Trail.

Situated in the historic Sweet Auburn district of Atlanta, it reveals the often-overlooked contributions of black Americans to the nation’s history.

The museum also addresses challenging aspects of the American past, including the long-lasting impact of racial segregation, which persisted in Georgia and the southern states until 1964.

7. Candler Field Museum

If your visit to the Delta Flight Museum heightened your interest in aviation history, the Candler Field Museum is another essential destination. Its vintage ambiance will captivate history enthusiasts as well.

This privately-established museum aims to recreate the atmosphere of Atlanta’s historic airport as it existed during the 1920s and 1930s, when air travel was predominantly the privilege of the affluent.

In addition to a period-style check-in desk, the museum features several small aircraft, the oldest of which dates back to 1917, and visitors even have the opportunity to take to the skies for test flights, accompanied by an experienced pilot.

The museum is located at Peach State Airport in Williamson, approximately an hour south of Union City.

8. Southern Hollywood Film Tour

Due to its proximity to the film and television studios in Atlanta, the area surrounding Union City has historically been a favored location for filming numerous outdoor scenes from beloved cinema and television productions.

Instead of spending countless hours rewatching your favorite movies to identify filming locations, consider joining a delightful two-hour tour with Southern Hollywood Film Tours.

These tours, based in Peachtree City, just half an hour south of Union City, uncover hidden filming locations throughout the southern Atlanta area, showcasing sites from productions like Guardians of the Galaxy and The Walking Dead.

9. Historic Banning Mills

The name Historic Banning Mills might not fully convey the excitement that awaits at this adventure-centric attraction located in Newnan, approximately 30 minutes from Union City.

While the old mills that characterize this site are visually appealing, the primary draw for many visitors is the opportunity to engage in activities such as horseback riding, hiking through wooded streams, kayaking, and climbing on specially designed walls.

A highlight is the Screaming Eagle zip line, recognized in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest in the world.

For those seeking relaxation, Historic Banning Mills also offers a luxurious spa and a fine dining restaurant.

10. SkyView Atlanta

Located merely 20 minutes from downtown Atlanta, it would be remiss not to explore the various attractions the Georgia state capital has to present.

Utilizing the outstanding views from SkyView, visitors can identify numerous landmarks from the comfort of small gondolas that accommodate only six passengers, or even fewer in smaller groups.

This Ferris wheel, positioned at the edge of Centennial Olympic Park in the city center, reaches a height equivalent to that of a 20-story building.

Riding in the evening provides a particularly enchanting experience as the city’s landmarks are illuminated beautifully as night falls.

11. Douglas County Museum of History and Art

Instead of heading northeast toward downtown Atlanta, you may choose to venture northwest to reach the county seat of Douglas County, Douglasville.

This city is home to another significant museum dedicated to exploring history and art. The Douglas County Museum of History and Art is housed in a former courthouse, a distinctive example of ‘international style’ architecture.

Inside, the exhibits cover extensive aspects of the county’s history, detailing the initiation of European-American settlement in the early 1800s and featuring historic memorabilia from the early days of Coca-Cola.

12. Six Flags Over Georgia

Situated roughly 15 kilometers north of Douglasville is one of Georgia’s premier theme parks, Six Flags Over Georgia.

This amusement park, located on the outskirts of Austell to the west of downtown Atlanta, spans an area of 120 hectares.

Visitors will discover a variety of attractions suitable for all age groups, including the three-hectare Hurricane Harbor water park. However, the park’s highlight is undoubtedly its thrilling collection of roller coasters, 11 of which are themed after iconic DC and Marvel superheroes, such as Superman: Ultimate Flight—the first flying coaster created by Bolliger & Mabillard to debut in the United States.

13. Hampton-Beecher Nature Preserve

Although officially recognized as a single nature preserve, Hampton-Beecher is comprised of two distinct parks. Lionel Hampton Park celebrates a local jazz musician, while Beecher Hills refers to the wooded hills encompassing the area.

The preserve offers a remarkable selection of hiking trails and contains fortifications and defensive ditches constructed by Union soldiers during the Civil War battles of Ezra Church and Utoy Creek.

Beautiful streams border the preserve, which is located between Six Flags Over Georgia and downtown Atlanta.

14. National Center for Civil and Human Rights

The Hampton-Beecher Nature Preserve is conveniently located for those visiting downtown Atlanta, including the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.

This remarkable piece of contemporary architecture serves to commemorate the achievements of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, spearheaded by Martin Luther King Jr.

Positioned just north of Centennial Olympic Park and in proximity to other attractions such as the Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca-Cola, the center hosts three permanent exhibitions.

The first features several personal artifacts belonging to Dr. King, including drafts of his famed Letters from Birmingham Jail. This leads visitors into an interactive gallery that highlights the history of racial segregation. The final section examines the global advocacy for human rights.

15. Margaret Mitchell House and Museum

The Margaret Mitchell House and Museum, located in midtown Atlanta, offers a unique perspective on the struggle for civil rights.

Constructed in 1899 in a Tudor Revival style, the primary focus of interest is not the architecture itself, but rather its most famous resident—the author of the Civil War epic, Gone with the Wind.

It was in this residence that Mitchell penned the majority of her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, which was subsequently adapted into an Oscar-winning film starring Cary Grant and Vivien Leigh.

The museum showcases artifacts related to both the author and the themes explored in her work. The building holds a significant place in history, having been listed on the National Register of Historic Places due to its cultural importance.