You don’t have to spend money to have fun in and around Alpharetta; there are many things to do and see that are completely free. Whether you want to learn more about your town’s history, explore the great outdoors, or enjoy some live entertainment, Alpharetta has many awesome things to do that don’t cost you a penny. That’s why Crème de la Crème of Alpharetta on Nesbitt Ferry Road has put together this list of our seven favorite free things to do in and around Alpharetta, Georgia.

Attend Art in the Park

“august art festival” licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Flickr by Women’s Studio Workshop

Alpharetta’s Art in the Park is a weekly event that brings local artisans and community members together to celebrate art. You can walk around this event and see artists creating pottery, jewelry, woodwork, metalwork, paintings, and much more. For example, you might see local photographers showing off their images or artists working on watercolor paintings or mosaic art. While these events are completely free to attend, you can purchase any items that you like as well as any food and drink from vendors who set up nearby.

You can find an Art in the Park event on Saturdays and Sundays at Brooke Street Park in downtown Alpharetta, along Academy Street. Dates for the 2022 series have yet to be posted, so check the event’s site and social media to see when the next ones will take place.

Visit the Alpharetta and Old Milton County History Museum

Explore the history of Alpharetta and the surrounding area at the Alpharetta and Old Milton Country History Museum. Admission is free, so you can view artifacts and portraits that depict the area’s early history. Learn about the Native Americans, primarily the Cherokee, who called this area home, the colonists who took the area over, and the historical figures that helped transform the Alpharetta area into what it is today.

In addition to these historical artifacts, you can also listen to excerpts from interviews with 70 of Alpharetta’s most fascinating citizens, some of whom have since passed after contributing so much to their hometown. 

The museum is run by the Alpharetta and Old Milton Historical Society, who also curated much of the museum’s collection and educational displays. You can find this local museum at 178 S. Main St. Suite 200 in Park Plaza. They’re open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Go on a History Walk in Downtown Alpharetta

Dive further into the history of your hometown with an educational and scenic stroll around Historic Downtown Alpharetta. There are more than 25 markers around the area that tell stories of the town’s past, signifying important sites of early North Georgia history and the Civil War. 

To guide you on your tour, you should consult the Alpharetta & Old Milton County History Museum and Walk brochure, which gives you a path to follow and informative blurbs about each marker on the “trail.” You can grab this brochure at the Alpharetta Welcome Center, located at the Alpharetta & Old Milton County History Museum. Or, you can print off the brochure from the site.

Enjoy the Outdoors at a Local Park

There are 25 parks in Alpharetta, and dozens more within a short drive outside of town. That means there are more than 25 fantastic locations to play on the playground, have a picnic, throw around a baseball or football, play a game of tag, and relax during a sunny Georgia day. 

Four parks — Wills Park, Webb Bridge Park, Cogburn Park, and Brook Street Park — all have beautiful, scenic arboretums, which are botanical gardens that feature trees as opposed to bushes, shrubs, and flowers. At these little nature coves, you can sit under shady trees for a relaxing picnic or reading time. Many more parks have awesome playgrounds perfect for kids of all ages. You can also find other activities, like hiking and biking, horse riding, sports leagues, fitness classes, swimming, and even special events like concerts, outdoor movies, and festivals.

Search for Geocaches

While you visit the parks and explore historic downtown, be on the lookout for geocache sites. These hidden treasures can contain any number of things, from knickknacks to notes left by others who’ve found them. You can plug in the zip codes for the Alpharetta area into a geocaching app or site, like www.geocaching.com, to help you find the exact coordinates and descriptions of where to look for these little finds. This free activity adds another level of fun and adventure to a walk in the park or a stroll around the city.

Celebrate the Holidays

You can find seasonal festivals and events that honor and celebrate holidays like Memorial Day, Christmas, and the Fourth of July. Enjoy summer weather, fireworks, a parade, live entertainment, and delicious food and drink at the Fourth of July Celebration at Wills Park. See the Christmas tree and decorations alight during the Season of Celebration events at the Town Green in Downtown Alpharetta. Attend many other free holiday and seasonal events throughout the year, and keep an eye on the community event calendar for the next ones.

At many of the local holiday celebrations, you can spend a little money to support local food and drink vendors that have food trucks and stands as well as artisans who sell their crafts and goods. 

Hear Live Music at a Community Concert

Throughout the year, your family can enjoy a free concert at one of the many parks and community spots in town. For example, Brook Street Park hosts the Home by Dark series from June to August. At festivals and community events, you’re likely to be entertained by local artists and touring performers, too. And local breweries and restaurants host live music, which is technically free to watch and only costs the price of some delicious food.

So there you have it, seven fun and free things to do in Alpharetta, Georgia. Did we miss your family’s favorite free activity or event in and around your hometown? If so, contact Crème de la Crème of Alpharetta to let us know. We’ll be sure to add it to our growing list!