Atlanta has the reputation of a city you fly through. Spend a few days and it turns out to be one of the most interesting cities in the South: green, proud of its history, and with some of the best food in the country for the price.
Martin Luther King Jr.'s neighbourhood#
The Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park is on Auburn Avenue, in the Sweet Auburn district east of downtown. It includes the house where he was born, Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he and his father preached, and the King Center, where he and Coretta Scott King are buried. Most of it is free; the birth home has ranger-led tours that are limited, so check the National Park Service site before you go.
Nearby, the Sweet Auburn Curb Market has been selling food since the 1920s and is a good stop for lunch.
Downtown's museums#
Around Centennial Olympic Park, built for the 1996 Olympics, sit three of the city's big attractions:
- The National Center for Civil and Human Rights, which connects the American civil rights movement to human rights today. Its lunch-counter sit-in experience stays with people.
- The Georgia Aquarium, one of the largest in the world, with whale sharks.
- The World of Coca-Cola, for the tasting room with drinks from around the world.
Walk the BeltLine#
The BeltLine is a trail being built on an old railway loop around the centre. The Eastside Trail is the stretch to start with: murals, people on scooters and bikes, and two food halls on the way, Ponce City Market (in an old Sears building, with a rooftop) and Krog Street Market (next to the painted Krog Street Tunnel). The Westside Trail is newer and quieter.
Eat on Buford Highway#
Buford Highway, north-east of the city, is a road of strip malls, and inside them are Korean barbecue, Mexican taquerias, Vietnamese pho, Chinese dumplings, Salvadoran pupusas and much more. It is where locals take visitors who care about food. It is spread out, so go by car or with someone who knows where to stop.
Back in town, Atlanta's own dish is the chicken wing, often lemon pepper, and the city has strong opinions about where to get them.
The parks#
Piedmont Park is Atlanta's central park, with the skyline across the lake, weekend markets and festivals. The Atlanta Botanical Garden is next to it. Atlanta calls itself a city in a forest, and from the right rooftop you can see why.
Neighbourhoods#
- Inman Park and Old Fourth Ward, along the BeltLine, for restaurants and bars.
- Little Five Points, the city's alternative corner, with record shops and vintage stores.
- Midtown, for the High Museum of Art, the Fox Theatre and nights out.
- Decatur, a short MARTA ride east, a small town square with good restaurants.
Music#
Atlanta has shaped hip-hop and R&B for decades, and live music runs from small clubs to the Fox Theatre, a 1929 movie palace that still hosts concerts and Broadway tours. Check what is on while you are in town.
Out of town#
- Stone Mountain, about 30 minutes east, is a huge granite dome with a walking trail to the top and a park around it.
- The Chattahoochee River runs along the city's north-west edge, with trails and, in summer, people floating down it on tubes.
When to go#
Spring is the city at its best, when the dogwoods and azaleas bloom. October and November are mild and dry. Summer is hot and humid with afternoon storms; winters are short and mostly mild.
Getting around#
MARTA trains run straight from Hartsfield-Jackson Airport to downtown, Midtown and Buckhead. The BeltLine and the central neighbourhoods are walkable. For Buford Highway, Stone Mountain and the river, you need a car or rideshare.
With someone who lives here#
A Local Friend in Atlanta knows which Buford Highway place is worth the drive, which stretch of the BeltLine is busy on a Saturday and where to hear music tonight. Roavi is still small in Atlanta, so check who is listed. You browse their profiles, see what they're great for and what they charge per hour, and write to them directly. Roavi takes no fee: you pay the Local Friend.
Going to Atlanta?
Meet local guides in AtlantaAlso worth reading: solo travel in the USA, first time in the USA and things to do in Orlando, the next big trip south.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Atlanta best known for?
Civil rights history (it is Martin Luther King Jr.'s hometown), music, the 1996 Olympics, Coca-Cola, a huge airport and a lot of trees. Locals would add the food, especially Buford Highway and its restaurants.What is the Atlanta BeltLine?
A walking and cycling trail on an old railway loop around the centre of the city. The Eastside Trail is the busiest stretch: murals, Ponce City Market, Krog Street Market and restaurants and bars along the way.How many days do I need in Atlanta?
Two or three days covers the King historic site, the BeltLine, downtown's museums and a meal on Buford Highway. Add a day for Stone Mountain or the Chattahoochee River.Do I need a car in Atlanta?
It helps. MARTA trains run from the airport to downtown, Midtown and Buckhead, and the BeltLine is walkable, but Buford Highway, Stone Mountain and much of the city are spread out. Rideshare fills the gaps.When is the best time to visit Atlanta?
Spring (March to May), when the dogwoods and azaleas bloom, and autumn (October and November). Summer is hot and humid.