Article by Autumn Siebold

A St. Patrick’s Day Parade, yoga at the aquarium, National Panda Day at the zoo — there’s no shortage of things to do this March in Atlanta. If you’re in town during spring break, consider adding a few of these options to your to-do list:   

• Join the parade. Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day (March 14) at the annual Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Midtown. You’ll be entertained by drill and dance teams, local bands, and the Bagpipe & Drum Corps. Check out the parade’s website for a map of the route, lists of who’s marching, and more.
• Reach new heights at Six Flags Over Georgia. Just 15 minutes from downtown, the roller coasters, live shows, and water park at Six Flags offer fun for everyone. Get your tickets online for a discounted cost of $43 for a day pass. 
• Get out of town. Looking for a change of scenery? Take a day trip to a spot like Lake Lanier, Athens, or Providence Canyon. For more about these destinations and other road trip ideas, check out this article.
• Run with the pups. Whether you have a dog or just love being around furry friends, join the free Doggie Dash & 5k in Piedmont Park on March 15. The race starts at 9 a.m. Visit the Piedmont Park website for the race map, registration, and more.
• Celebrate National Panda Day. On March 16, the Atlanta Zoo is celebrating National Panda Day. Learn how pandas evolved, find out how the zoo supports panda conservation, and visit the other animals at the zoo. Participation in the celebration is free with general zoo admission, which is just $24 with your student ID. Find more information on the zoo’s website.
• Exercise at the aquarium. On March 17, stop by the Georgia Aquarium for Yoga by the Water at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are only $20 and include a 60-minute class in the Oceans Ballroom (which has views of the manta ray and whale shark tanks) and complimentary parking. Reserve your tickets on the aquarium’s event page.
• Stop and smell the flowers. If you enjoy all things that grow in the ground, check out Orchid Daze at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. This annual showcase of their indoor orchid collection runs from Feb. 1-April 12. Or, celebrate the tulips blooming at the March 20 Garden Party.
• See art and music for the price of one. Get two cultural experiences for the price of one on March 20. From 6-10 p.m., admission to the High Museum of Art ($14.50) will also get you into the museum’s Friday jazz performance where you can take in the tunes of John Beal III.
• Experiment a little. For those who dig all things science, the Atlanta Science Festival is holding events from March 6-21. For example, join the BeltLine Scavenger Hunt to win some Atlanta Science Festival merchandise, check out discussions like the Science of Star Wars on March 14, or see a Science Improv show at the Whole World Improv Theater on March 18. For more information, head to the festival’s website.