Travel guide · United States
Atlanta travel guide
Civil rights history, the BeltLine, Southern cooking and leafy in-town neighbourhoods
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: AtlChampion, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
Atlanta is the birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr. and the city that reshaped itself for the 1996 Olympics, and both stories are easy to trace: King's birth home, Ebenezer Baptist Church and his tomb line Auburn Avenue, while Centennial Olympic Park anchors a downtown cluster of the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. The most enjoyable parts of the city are its tree-shaded neighbourhoods, linked by the BeltLine's walking trail, and a food scene that runs from meat-and-three lunch counters to lemon pepper wings and the Korean and Vietnamese kitchens of Buford Highway. Plan 3 days for a first visit; the best months are April–May and October–November.
Key facts
- Country
- United States
- Best time to visit
- April–May and October–November
- Ideal stay
- 3 days
- Main airports
- ATL
- Mid-range daily budget
- $200–$350 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Martin Luther King Jr., Civil rights history, Georgia Aquarium and Coca-Cola
Why visit Atlanta
- The Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights tell the civil rights story where much of it happened, and the park is free.
- The BeltLine's Eastside Trail links Piedmont Park, Ponce City Market, Krog Street Market and Inman Park on a car-free path lined with murals.
- The Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola and College Football Hall of Fame sit around Centennial Olympic Park, a short walk from each other.
- Southern cooking ranges from Mary Mac's Tea Room and The Varsity to lemon pepper wings and the international kitchens of Buford Highway.
- Hartsfield-Jackson is one of the world's busiest and best-connected airports, with MARTA trains running straight into the city.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 18 things to do.
Aquarium · Downtown
Georgia Aquarium
One of the largest aquariums in the world, built around the Ocean Voyager tank where whale sharks and manta rays glide over an underwater tunnel.
- Time needed
- 3 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- Kids
- Rainy day
Historic site · Sweet Auburn
Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park
A short stretch of Auburn Avenue holds Dr.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- Free
Museum · Downtown
National Center for Civil and Human Rights
This museum next to Centennial Olympic Park covers the American civil rights movement and global human rights struggles today.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Rainy day
Museum · Downtown
World of Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola was invented in Atlanta in 1886, and the company's museum covers its history, advertising and the vault said to hold the secret formula.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Food
Street · Old Fourth Ward
BeltLine Eastside Trail
The BeltLine turns a ring of old railway lines into trails and parks; its Eastside Trail runs about 5 km from Piedmont Park past Ponce City Market and Historic Fourth Ward Park to Krog Street Market and Inman Park.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Art
- Food
- Active
Market · Old Fourth Ward
Ponce City Market
The huge 1926 Sears, Roebuck & Co.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Shopping
- Views
- Rainy day
Where to stay
Downtown is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 8 areas.
$$ · Best for first-timers, families and budget
Downtown
Centennial Olympic Park, the big attractions and convention hotels
$$$ · Best for first-timers, couples, nightlife and culture
Midtown
High-rises, the arts district and Piedmont Park's skyline views
$$$$ · Best for luxury, shopping and couples
Buckhead
Luxury malls, mansions on tree-lined streets and polished steakhouses
$$$ · Best for food lovers, solo travellers, culture and nightlife
Old Fourth Ward
King's birthplace, Ponce City Market and the BeltLine's busiest stretch
What to eat
- Lemon pepper wings — Atlanta's signature wing: fried chicken wings tossed in lemon pepper seasoning, ordered 'lemon pepper wet' when they are also drenched in butter.
- Fried chicken and the meat-and-three — The Southern lunch plate: one meat, usually fried chicken, with three sides such as collard greens, mac and cheese, fried okra or sweet potato soufflé, plus cornbread or rolls.
- The Varsity chili dog — A chili dog with onion rings and a Frosted Orange from The Varsity, the giant drive-in near Georgia Tech that has been serving since 1928.
- Shrimp and grits — Creamy stone-ground grits topped with sautéed shrimp, often with andouille sausage, peppers and a buttery sauce.
- Peach cobbler — Georgia is the Peach State, and warm cobbler with a biscuit or pastry topping and vanilla ice cream is the classic Southern dessert.
- Biscuits and gravy — Fluffy buttermilk biscuits split and covered in peppery sausage gravy, or filled with fried chicken for a chicken biscuit.
When to go
The best times to visit Atlanta are April to May and September to November, when days are warm and dry enough for the BeltLine and parks without the heavy summer humidity. Spring brings dogwood blossom and festivals, though pollen can be intense in late March and April. Summer is hot and stormy but fine for indoor attractions.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March–May | Dogwoods and azaleas, outdoor festivals and warm days; expect heavy yellow pine pollen in late March and April. |
| Summer | June–August | Hot and humid with daily thunderstorms; good for the aquarium and museums, less so for long walks. |
| Autumn | September–November | Dry, sunny and mild, with college football, Pride and the best weather for the BeltLine and day trips. |
| Winter | December–February | Mild with occasional cold snaps; holiday lights and big games, and lower hotel prices in January and February. |
Getting there and around
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is about 16 km south of downtown. MARTA's Red and Gold lines start at the domestic terminal and reach downtown in about 20 minutes, Midtown in about 25 and Buckhead in about 35. The international terminal is linked to the domestic side by the airport's train and a shuttle bus.
Atlanta is spread out and built around highways, but MARTA's rail lines link the airport, downtown, Midtown, Buckhead and Decatur, and the BeltLine connects several in-town neighbourhoods on foot. Most visitors combine MARTA, walking and ride-hailing.
Plan your days
Two days covers downtown's museums, the King sites and a walk along the BeltLine. A third day adds Midtown's High Museum and Botanical Garden or Buckhead's Atlanta History Center; four or five allow day trips to Stone Mountain, Athens or the North Georgia mountains.
Practical information
- Currency
- USD
- Language
- English
- Plugs
- Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink.
- Emergency number
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
- Tipping
- Tip 18–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, $1–$2 per drink at a counter, 15–20% for taxis and ride-hailing, and a few dollars per bag for hotel porters.
Car break-ins are common, so leave nothing visible in parked cars. Downtown can feel deserted at night outside event times, so use ride-hailing rather than walking long distances after dark, and carry water in the summer heat.
Flights to Atlanta
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Atlanta?
Two days covers downtown's museums, the King sites and a walk along the BeltLine. A third day adds Midtown's High Museum and Botanical Garden or Buckhead's Atlanta History Center; four or five allow day trips to Stone Mountain, Athens or the North Georgia mountains. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Atlanta?
The best times to visit Atlanta are April to May and September to November, when days are warm and dry enough for the BeltLine and parks without the heavy summer humidity. Spring brings dogwood blossom and festivals, though pollen can be intense in late March and April. Summer is hot and stormy but fine for indoor attractions.
+What is Atlanta known for?
Martin Luther King Jr., Civil rights history, Georgia Aquarium, Coca-Cola, BeltLine, Southern food, Hip-hop and 1996 Olympics. The Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights tell the civil rights story where much of it happened, and the park is free.
+Is Atlanta expensive?
Atlanta is moderately priced for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $200–$350 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Atlanta?
Not for a city break based in Downtown or Midtown, where MARTA, walking and ride-hailing work well. A car is useful for Buford Highway, Stone Mountain and day trips to the North Georgia mountains.