Atlanta, GA

Travel Guide
Atlanta Botanical Garden featuring a park and flowers

Atlanta Travel Guide Video

Once the home to Martin Luther King Jr. and the 1996 Olympic Games, Georgia’s capital is full of history, culture and fun for the entire family.

The South is known for its charm. Atlanta is no exception. Visit Georgia’s capital city for its variety of museums, nature and amusement parks, charming neighborhoods and notable historic landmarks.

Transport yourself to outer space in Fernbank Science Center’s planetarium and observatory. Understand the natural world through hands-on exhibits including a waterfall hologram at Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Tour historic homes, gardens and Civil War relics in the Atlanta History Center. Learn about one of America’s most iconic brands at the World of Coca-Cola museum.

Meet over 120,000 sea creatures, ranging from massive whales to tropical fish, at the Georgia Aquarium. Zoo Atlanta has exotic animals from all parts of the world.

See journalists in action at downtown’s CNN Center, home of one of the world’s largest news networks. Watch a performance or show at the lavish 1920s-style Fox Theatre.

Explore Atlanta’s many parks. Walk past water gardens and the Fountain of Rings in Centennial Olympic Park, home of the 1996 Summer Olympics. Find walking paths, a lake, sports facilities and picnic areas in the centrally located Piedmont Park. Entertainment meets wilderness in Stone Mountain Park, a sprawling area surrounding a huge piece of exposed granite.

Learn about famous past Atlanta residents. At the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, see the humble birthplace and final resting place of one of the most important figures in the civil rights movement. In a small apartment building in Midtown, visit Margaret Mitchell House and Museum, where the author of Gone with the Wind wrote her famous novel.

Get cool and experience thrills at Six Flags White Water. Slide, splash and swim through the popular waterpark in Marietta, Georgia. Daredevils of all ages love Six Flags Over Georgia, a sprawling theme park in Austell with over a dozen roller coasters, water slides and other rides.

Explore Atlanta’s many neighborhoods. Outside of Downtown, discover a quirky side of the city in the musical hub of Little Five Points.

Where to stay in Atlanta

World of Coca Cola featuring a city, city views and skyline

Downtown Atlanta

4/5(5,906 area reviews)

Central business district with corporate headquarters, Georgia State University, and government facilities. Explore Underground Atlanta, Woodruff Park, Georgia Aquarium, and The Mall at Peachtree Center. Accessible via MARTA subway lines.

Downtown Atlanta
Atlanta History Center showing autumn leaves and landscape views

Buckhead

4.5/5(1,869 area reviews)

Uptown Atlanta's commercial hub boasts upscale shopping at Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza, while the mixed-use Buckhead Atlanta offers exclusive boutiques and dining. Easily accessible via MARTA and "the buc" circulator bus.

Buckhead
Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta featuring a garden, a city and cuddly or friendly animals

Midtown

4.5/5(1,329 area reviews)

High-density commercial and residential area, Midtown Atlanta boasts the Southeast's highest concentration of art and cultural institutions. Explore Piedmont Park, Atlanta Botanical Garden, and savor the burgeoning restaurant scene. Accessible via MARTA rail and bike lanes.

Midtown
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Sandy Springs

Chattahoochee River and Morgan Falls Overlook Park are top sights in Sandy Springs, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at Sandy Springs Station or North Springs Station to see more sights in the area.

Sandy Springs
Scalini's Italian Restaurant is known for its garlic rolls. The rolls, sitting in a bowl of melted butter, are topped with lots and lots of fresh garlic. The rolls and salad are unlimited. The entrees are pretty good too! And, if you are pregnant and ready to deliver, Scalini's eggplant parmesan allegedly induces labor. 

#trovember #food #italian #restaurant #garlicrolls #smyrna

Cumberland

4.5/5(1,704 area reviews)

Cumberland is known for its popular shops, and with sights like Truist Park and The Battery Atlanta, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Atlanta.

Cumberland
Everything will be ok 👌🏻

Dunwoody

Historic Dunwoody Village and bustling Perimeter Center offer diverse experiences, while Brook Run's wooded trails and dog park provide outdoor fun. Easily accessible via MARTA, enjoy walkable Georgetown's retail district.

Dunwoody
Courtland Grand Hotel, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
Courtland Grand Hotel, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
4 out of 5
165 Courtland Street NE, Atlanta, GA
The price is $118 per night from May 8 to May 9
$118
per night
May 8 - May 9
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Atlanta. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
7.2/10 Good! (3,014 reviews)
"Stayed at this hotel only for a day but it was a great stay. Loved the pool area, very clean, esthetically pleasingly and spacious. Would definitely recommend."

Reviewed on May 5, 2024

Courtland Grand Hotel, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
The Westin Peachtree Plaza, Atlanta
The Westin Peachtree Plaza, Atlanta
4 out of 5
210 Peachtree St. NW, Atlanta, GA
The price is $152 per night from May 26 to May 27
$152
per night
May 26 - May 27
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Atlanta. Enjoy 2 restaurants, 2 bars/lounges, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,721 reviews)
"Very nice hotel. The room was spacious, clean & comfortable. Housekeeping was a problem because I requested two days of cleaning and they never cleaned the room. Super convenient to the Americasmart. I definitely will stay again."

Reviewed on May 4, 2024

The Westin Peachtree Plaza, Atlanta
The Georgian Terrace Hotel
The Georgian Terrace Hotel
4 out of 5
659 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA
The price is $169 per night from May 10 to May 11
$169
per night
May 10 - May 11
Book a stay at this spa aparthotel in Atlanta. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (2,345 reviews)
"Nice historic hotel, excellent service. Didn't like that room has no microwave, fridge or hot water kettle. We did get a microwave and fridge upon request. We also had to request for complimentary water and were not provided that upfront."

Reviewed on May 5, 2024

The Georgian Terrace Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Hyatt Regency Atlanta Downtown
Hyatt Regency Atlanta Downtown
4 out of 5
265 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA
Book a stay at this eco-certified aparthotel in Atlanta. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (5,392 reviews)
"Balcony"

Reviewed on May 4, 2024

Hyatt Regency Atlanta Downtown
The Georgian Terrace Hotel
The Georgian Terrace Hotel
4 out of 5
659 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA
Book a stay at this spa aparthotel in Atlanta. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (2,345 reviews)
"Nice historic hotel, excellent service. Didn't like that room has no microwave, fridge or hot water kettle. We did get a microwave and fridge upon request. We also had to request for complimentary water and were not provided that upfront."

Reviewed on May 5, 2024

The Georgian Terrace Hotel
Sonder Midtown South
Sonder Midtown South
4 out of 5
126 Renaissance Parkway Northeast, Atlanta, GA
Stay at this aparthotel in Atlanta. Enjoy a 24-hour fitness center, parking (surcharge), and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (559 reviews)
Really nice apartment
"Everything needed at apartment, cups, plates, washer dryer etc. Check in was easy but communication a little difficult when there were issues as you can only communicate through the app when there's not someone at the front desk. The app sent someone to fix my TV at 1am! Could have been cleaner but ..."

Reviewed on Apr 28, 2024

Sonder Midtown South
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Getting around Atlanta

Renting a car is the best way to explore Atlanta, although traffic can be heavy. Take public transportation instead and you will still be able to get almost everywhere in the city, though it will take a bit longer. The MARTA rapid rail and bus networks cover all the most popular places for visitors. MARTA trains are faster and more frequent than the buses, but some areas of the city don’t have a station. Visit the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority website. Browse Atlanta rental cars.

Best time to visit

Visit Atlanta in the spring, between March and May, if you can. This is when temperatures are at their most pleasant, and there are lots of outdoor festivals and cultural events to look forward to. Coming to the city in spring also means avoiding the sweltering summer, when room prices have a tendency to climb as high as the temperatures. The city’s hottest month is July, with highs of 90 F (32 C).

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Atlanta

4.2
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
4294
" "5 - Excellent 41.929499072356215%
4 - Good
4329
" "4 - Good 42.27126257201445%
3 - Okay
1323
" "3 - Okay 12.91866028708134%
2 - Disappointing
201
" "2 - Disappointing 1.9626989551801581%
1 - Terrible
94
" "1 - Terrible 0.9178791133678351%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jun 7, 2020

I’ve grown fond of Atlanta and really enjoyed my stay . Friendly ppl all around ! See you soon Atlanta

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jun 2, 2020

We visited during the riots, yet we still felt safe! There was a curfew in place but we were able to find a place to eat within the area. Our stay was amazing!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Jun 2, 2020

Not a visit for Atl per se

3/5 - Okay

Jennifer
Jun 1, 2020

Atlanta is an interesting city. I happened to be here while protests/rioting was going on. I did not feel unsafe or compromised during my stay which is a plus. However I did feel restricted in what I could do around the city.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Jun 1, 2020

People are nice, open, and fun.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
May 29, 2020

It’s home for me.

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