Planning a trip to Atlanta? Whether you’re visiting for a weekend getaway, a business conference, a family vacation, or you’re just passing through the world’s busiest airport, Atlanta offers something for every traveler.
From award-winning restaurants and vibrant neighborhoods to Civil Rights landmarks, professional sports, and miles of trails along the Atlanta Beltline, there’s no shortage of things to see and do.
Read on to discover how to get around the city, the best places to stay, top-rated Atlanta experiences, and more!
Visiting Atlanta: The Complete First Time Visitor Guide
In this guide, you’ll find answers to some of the most common questions about visiting Atlanta, including:
- How to get around Atlanta
- Where to stay
- The best Atlanta tours & experiences
- Top attractions and hidden gems
- Safety tips
- The best time of year to visit
- Local travel advice from ATLiens
Note: Hours, ticket prices, and reservations can change, so always check attraction websites before your visit!
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Atlanta
Can I get around Atlanta without a car?
Atlanta is known for being a “car city,” but you don’t need a car to get around! Atlanta has plenty of ride-share options like Lyft and Uber. Plus, you can use the city’s public transportation system, MARTA. Staying in a walkable in-town neighborhood will also allow you to explore Atlanta more easily on foot.
For more detailed information, check out our guide to visiting Atlanta without a car.
How is Atlanta’s public transportation?
Atlanta’s public transit is reliable for many of the city’s most popular attractions, neighborhoods, and the airport, though you’ll likely want to supplement it with rideshare services if you plan to explore beyond the city center.
The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) operates Atlanta’s trains and buses, with rail service connecting Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, Decatur, and other popular destinations. MARTA is an affordable option for visitors staying near a rail station and is one of the easiest ways to avoid Atlanta traffic.
To ride MARTA, purchase a reloadable Breeze Card at any rail station, or use “tap to pay” options. Before your trip, check MARTA’s website or app for the latest routes, schedules, fares, and payment options.
For pro tips on riding MARTA, watch the short video below!
Is Atlanta traffic really that bad?
Atlanta’s traffic isn’t always fun. But, outside of rush hour, getting around town is pretty easy. Avoid highways coming into Atlanta around 7-10 am and leaving the city around 4-7 pm. You can use the city’s major highways to easily zip around during non-peak hours.
One note for Florida and North Carolina tourists. If you have an NC QuickPass or a Florida SunPass, your transponder will work in Georgia’s “PeachPass” express lanes!
Is Atlanta safe for tourists?
Yes, millions of people safely visit Atlanta every year! Like any major city, your experience depends largely on where you go and using common-sense precautions.
Popular visitor areas like Midtown, Buckhead, Downtown, Virginia-Highland, Inman Park, Decatur, and much of the Atlanta Beltline are regularly enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.
As with any city, we recommend exercising basic safety precautions, such as:
- Stay aware of your surroundings
- Don’t leave valuables visible inside your vehicle
- If you need directions, step into a business or café before checking your phone or map.
- Stick to well-lit, populated areas after dark
Atlanta is a large city with many distinct neighborhoods, each with its own personality. A little planning goes a long way toward having a great trip.
When is the best time of year to visit Atlanta?
Atlanta is a great destination year-round, with each season offering something unique.
Atlanta is a year-round destination, but spring and fall are generally considered the best times to visit thanks to comfortable temperatures and a full calendar of festivals and events.
That being said, each season in Atlanta brings its own unique experiences and opportunities:
- Spring (March–May): Dogwoods bloom, patios fill up, and parks like Piedmont Park and the Atlanta Botanical Garden are at their best.
- Summer (June–August): Expect hot, humid weather, but also baseball games, outdoor concerts, rooftop bars, and plenty of indoor attractions like museums and the Georgia Aquarium.
- Fall (September–November): Cooler temperatures, colorful foliage, college football season, and neighborhood festivals make this a favorite time for many locals.
- Winter (December–February): Atlanta winters are generally mild and typically come without snow, making our city an excellent escape for visitors looking to avoid harsher northern weather.
How Many Days Should You Spend in Atlanta?
We recommend spending 3–4 days in Atlanta if it’s your first visit. That gives you enough time to see popular attractions, explore a few neighborhoods, enjoy a top-rated Atlanta tour, and get a taste of the city.
If you’re only visiting for a day or two, focus on Downtown attractions and pick one neighborhood to experience Atlanta beyond the tourist hotspots.
Where to Stay in Atlanta
Which hotel should I stay in while visiting Atlanta?
Atlanta has countless places to stay, from quaint B&Bs to luxury hotels and everything in between. Here are a few of our favorites.
Luxury Atlanta Hotels
- Ritz-Carlton Atlanta: Experience “contemporary southern luxury” in Atlanta’s bustling downtown. Guest rooms include a marble bath, rain showers, and 24-hour in-room dining.
- Loews Hotel Atlanta: In Atlanta’s artsy Midtown neighborhood, the Loews is walkable to local popular museums and restaurants, and the on-site Exhale Spa will help you rejuvenate after a long day of sightseeing.
- Four Seasons Atlanta: Also in Midtown, the Four Seasons offers comfort, style, and top-notch accommodations. Little ones can enjoy bedtime cookies, childproofed rooms, and even child-size bathrobes!
Offbeat & Unique Places to Stay in Atlanta
- Your Alpaca Cottage: This charming Decatur Airbnb is a popular spot with tourists and locals alike. It’s located on an urban farm just outside Atlanta. Get up-close with Alpacas, llamas, and the resident flock of chickens.
- Hotel Clermont: For a fun modern option, try the Hotel Clermont. The posh hotel offers spectacular views of Atlanta from its rooftop bar. For those 21+ who are feeling saucy, head to the basement. The separately owned Clermont Lounge is Atlanta’s oldest and longest continually operating strip club.
Find more hotel recommendations and explore popular Atlanta neighborhoods with our guide, Where to Stay in Atlanta.
Our Favorite Atlanta Food Experiences
Atlanta Market Food Tour + Biscuit Cooking Class
The Atlanta Market Food Tour + Biscuit Cooking Class combines a guided walk through Atlanta’s historic market with a hands-on Southern biscuit-making class. Along the way, you’ll sample local favorites, learn about Atlanta’s culinary history, and leave with new cooking skills.
Sweet Auburn Market Spice Lab Experience
Explore Atlanta’s historic Sweet Auburn neighborhood while learning the science behind flavor in the interactive Sweet Auburn Market Spice Lab Experience. You’ll sample global-inspired dishes, experiment with spices, and create custom blends to take home.
Prohibition Progressive Dinner
For ages 21! Experience Downtown Atlanta on foot as you make your way between several of the city’s standout restaurants and hidden gems on the Prohibition Progressive Dinner.
Along the way, you’ll enjoy chef-crafted food and cocktails while uncovering fascinating Prohibition-era stories, taking in skyline views, and getting exclusive access to places most visitors never see.
Outdoor Atlanta Experiences
Grant Park Food & History Tour
Explore one of Atlanta’s most charming neighborhoods on this guided walking tour through Grant Park and Historic Oakland Cemetery. Between delicious Southern-inspired tastings, you’ll uncover fascinating stories about Atlanta’s past and the city’s most iconic landmarks.
Martin Luther King Jr. History Tour
Walk through the neighborhood where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was born and raised on this inspiring guided MLK, Jr. tour. Along the way, you’ll visit significant civil rights landmarks while learning how Atlanta helped shape one of history’s most influential leaders.
Atlanta Art & Mural Tour
Discover Atlanta’s creative side as you stroll through the colorful streets of Cabbagetown, home to some of the city’s most impressive murals and street art. The Atlanta Art & Mural Tour even includes a fun, beginner-friendly art activity so you can create your own masterpiece.
Midtown Food & Mystery Tour
Part walking tour, part escape room, and part foodie adventure, the Midtown Food & Mystery Tour takes you through one of our city’s most bustling, hip neighborhoods while solving puzzles and sampling delicious dishes. It’s an entertaining way to discover the neighborhood’s hidden history and vibrant dining scene.
The Beltline
The Atlanta Beltline is one of the largest urban redevelopment projects in the US. It consists of 33 miles of multi-use urban trails and 1,300 acres of green space across the city. The trails were built over the areas where Atlanta’s old railroad tracks used to run.
Walk, bike, or jog the trails for beautiful intown views, people-watching, and easy access to local shops and restaurants!
Piedmont Park
In the heart of Midtown Atlanta, Piedmont Park boasts 185 acres to relax and enjoy skyline views. The Olmstead brothers (sons of Frederick Law Olmstead, who designed New York City’s Central Park) helped conceptualize the vision for the park.
Things You’ll Only Find in Atlanta
- National Center for Civil and Human Rights: At this museum and cultural center downtown, you can explore the U.S. Civil Rights movement. The museum also presents exhibits and programs on current human rights challenges across the globe.
- Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Park: See the birth home of MLK, Jr., the King Center, and more. Operated by the National Park Service, this site is a can’t-miss spot when you’re visiting Atlanta. To make the most of your visit, choose a guided experience like the top-rated Martin Luther King, Jr. Tour from Unexpected Atlanta.
- World of Coca-Cola: Open happiness! At the World of Coca-Cola, you can learn all about the history of the world’s most famous soft drink. Plus, meet the beloved Coca-Cola Polar Bear. Finally, sample different types of Coke beverages from around the world.
- Center for Puppetry Arts: This spot is perfect for all those who are young at heart. At the Center for Puppetry Arts, you’ll find jaw-dropping live performances and workshops for all ages. Plus, explore the Center’s Worlds of Puppetry Museum. There, you can see the world’s largest collection of Jim Henson puppets, props, and costumes.
Sports Activities in Atlanta
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
- See an Atlanta United soccer at Mercedes-Benz Stadium: Atlanta United joined Major League Soccer in 2017. They won the 2018 MLS Cup in just their second season. And, the club has set several league records already, including season ticket sales and single-game attendance. Join in the fun at the beautiful Mercedes-Benz Stadium with its iconic retractable roof.
- Visit the College Football Hall of Fame: At this spot in Downtown Atlanta, you can explore the legends of college football. Learn about all the game-changing moments and players. Then, get into the action with game-day footage in the 4k ultra hi-def theater.
- Catch a Braves baseball game at Truist Park: In the northwest part of Atlanta, cheer on the home team at Truist Park. It was designed to maximize sight lines so that every seat feels like the best seat in the house!
Atlanta Top Attractions
While we’re all about uncovering Atlanta’s hidden gems, some places are popular for a reason. These top attractions are absolutely worth adding to your itinerary.
- Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Atlanta History Center
- Beltline Eastside Trail
- Decatur Square
- Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Fox Theatre
- Georgia Aquarium
- High Museum of Art
- Krog Street Market
- Little Five Points
- Ponce City Market
- Zoo Atlanta
The Best Places to Eat in Atlanta
Atlanta’s food scene is as diverse as the city itself. From award-winning restaurants and Southern comfort food to international flavors and beloved local favorites, there’s something to satisfy every craving.
Buford Highway
On an 8-mile-long stretch of Buford Highway in the Chamblee area, you’ll find a diverse, multicultural community. The area’s restaurants represent twenty-one nations. Stop at Northern China Eatery for dumplings (pictured above). Or, check out Lee’s Bakery for the “best Banh Mi in America,” according to The New York Times.
Additionally, you can also find some of the best Mexican food in the city at El Rey Del Taco. Afterward, be sure to visit Sweet Hut for a wide variety of sweet buns, cakes, bubble tea, and more. Finally, stop by the Plaza Fiesta shopping mall while you’re in the area.
Kimball House
Kimball House is an upscale oyster bar and restaurant in the Decatur neighborhood. This spot is known for its impeccable service. They offer a variety of gourmet entrées and cocktails, plus their raw oyster bar.
Mary Mac’s Tea Room
This destination isn’t actually a tea spot, it’s a restaurant. Mary MacKenzie founded her namesake restaurant in 1945. You’ll find plenty of southern classics at Mary Mac’s. For instance, try the barbecue, fried chicken, cheese grits, cornbread, collard greens, peach cobbler…or just about anything!
Staplehouse
Once a full-service restaurant, Staplehouse currently operates as a market with patio and garden seating. Here, you can enjoy charcuterie, pastries, market goods, butcher options, drinks, and more.
Staplehouse’s story is deeply connected with Giving Kitchen. The latter is an Atlanta nonprofit supporting restaurant workers who have fallen on hard times with financial aid.
Taqueria Del Sol
For a family-friendly option or casual spot, try Taqueria Del Sol. With several locations around town, this local taco spot is popular for good reason. The menu is small, but the flavor is big!
Looking for delicious plant-based options in the city? Check out our blog post on the Best Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurants in Atlanta!
FAQs About Atlanta’s History
Centennial Olympic Park in Downtown Atlanta, featuring the SkyView Ferris Wheel in the background.
Where did Atlanta get its name?
In 1837, the area we now know as Atlanta was given the name Terminus. That’s because its location marked the endpoint, or termination point, of the Western and Atlantic railroad. In 1843, it was renamed Marthasville in honor of the daughter of Georgia’s then-governor. Just two years later, the city was renamed Atlanta, a reference to the Western and Atlantic Railroad.
The origins of the nickname “Hotlanta” are debated. But, most locals don’t use this nickname at all. Instead, we call our city simply “ATL,” “the A,” or, when saying “Atlanta” out loud, it’s “Atlannuh!”
Who is the Atlanta airport named after?
The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is named after two past Atlanta mayors: William B. Hartsfield and Maynard Holbrook Jackson, Jr. If you’re flying into Atlanta, you’ll probably spend some time here, at the world’s busiest airport!
William B. Hartsfield served as mayor of Atlanta for six terms, from 1937-1941 and 1942-1962. He’s the longest-serving Mayor of the city, and he bolstered Atlanta’s reputation as the “city too busy to hate” during the Civil Rights movement. Fun fact: for many years, Zoo Atlanta had a beloved gorilla named Willie B. in his honor.
Maynard Jackson was the first Black mayor of Atlanta (or any major southern city, for that matter). He was also the second longest-serving mayor of Atlanta. His legacy includes efforts to improve race relations in the city. Jackson also completed many major public works projects during his time as mayor, including modernizing Atlanta’s airport.
What is Atlanta known for?
While we love the fruit our state is known for, you’ll find more than just peaches in Georgia! A few things you might think of when you hear “Atlanta” include Coca-Cola, Delta Air Lines, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Civil Rights, Jimmy Carter, amazing Soul Food, southern hospitality, the film industry, and of course, music.
Some famous ATLiens include André 3000, Future, Lil Nas X, Elton John, The Indigo Girls, Tyler Perry, Julia Roberts, Ed Helms & Brian Baumgartner (Andy & Kevin from The Office), Jane Fonda, and many others. Keep an eye out when visiting Atlanta. You never know when you might spot a celebrity!
What do I need to know when visiting Atlanta?
Watch the short video below for some easy do’s and don’ts of visiting our city!
Ready to Experience Atlanta Like a Local?
If you’re planning a group trip, let Unexpected Atlanta help you discover our city’s best food, neighborhoods, and hidden gems.
From corporate outings and family reunions to school groups, church trips, and special celebrations, we’ll create a customized Atlanta experience your group will love. Simply fill out the short contact form below, and an Unexpected Atlanta team member will be in touch to help plan the perfect outing! Join us to see why we’re Atlanta’s #1-rated Atlanta Tour & Activity company on TripAdvisor.
