While breaks are great times to visit family or friends, they’re also great opportunities to enjoy campus and Atlanta with fewer obligations. There are plenty of events going on throughout the weekend that fit into a student budget, but it’s also a chance to just walk around campus or the city at times that you’d normally be consumed with books, research or work. 

A few ideas for those of you sticking around town for the long weekend and who may want to reserve a little time for a leisure activity:

Friday

• Castleberry Hill Art Stroll: Visit this historic downtown neighborhood that offers great dining and art.

Saturday

• Walk the Westside District Arts Walk: A few blocks off campus, explore the galleries and see the Atlanta Ballet perform on the rooftop of 5 Seasons.
• Cheer on the Jackets: They won’t be in Bobby Dodd, but any number of local establishments will have TVs tuned in as the football team takes on Virginia at 3:30 p.m.
• Help Save Criminal Records: An icon of the Atlanta music scene may soon close its doors. Attend this benefit concert at the Variety Playhouse – the contribution will make up for all those songs you’ve ripped from your roommate. $15 advance, $20 day of.
• Visit the Waffle House Museum: Once a month the museum opens for free tours from Noon to 3 p.m., and Saturday is that special day.

Sunday

• Walking Dead Viewing Party: Head out to Diesel Filling Station in Virginia Highlands to enjoy the season premiere of The Walking Dead, filmed in and around Atlanta. Free zombie makeovers included. 

All weekend

• Drink coffee: This ends Saturday, but stop by Waffle House and get a free cup of coffee. Then walk around town with it – maybe even to a place with a TV to watch the football game.
• Do something festive: Fall is the harvest season, and it’s historically one for celebration. If you have a car, it’s a great time to leave the city and embrace the rural locales surrounding the metro area, but the pumpkins in town are just as orange.
  • Candler Park Fall Fest: accessible via MARTA and will have art, music, food and drink.
  • Avondale AutumnFest: a more family-focused atmosphere, but with an arts emphasis. Also accessible via MARTA.
  • Harvest Balloon Festival (Saturday only): This one’s up in Flowery Branch, but how often do you get to see hot air balloons?
  • Dahlonega Gold Rush Days: Not the same as Georgia Tech’s Gold Rush, but a celebration of this town’s discovery of gold.
• Go to a nice meal: This isn’t just for this weekend, but ONE Midtown Kitchen is offering 50 percent off when you dine in on Sunday–Wednesday.
• Meet the Great Pumpkin: Visit Burt’s Pumpkin Farm in Dawsonville. For $5, enjoy cider, hayrides and pumpkins the size of your dorm room.

Monday and Tuesday

• Learn about social business: The University System of Georgia is hosting a Social Business and Microcredit Forum on campus on Monday and Tuesday.