The ever-popular city of Atlanta, Georgia is full of things to do to fill your day for years! But when you’re planning a short two- or three-day trip, it can be a challenge to narrow down your itinerary to the top choices.
If you’re flying into the area, the first thing we recommend is making your transition from the airport more efficient by booking a car rental at Atlanta Airport (Hartsfield-Jackson International). This is statistically one of the busiest airports in the world, so planning your transportation ahead can save you hours of waiting in line.
Once you leave the airport and enter the city, you’ll be surrounded by shopping, restaurants, historical treasures, and attractions. It will be easy to get distracted by all of these tempting things to do, but you may miss the stellar parts of Atlanta that way. Instead, use these tips to plan the perfect short trip to this city, and then come back and do the rest when you have more time!
Atlanta offers many types of hospitality accommodations, from hotels and boutique joints to Airbnb and VRBO. The most popular area to stay in is Midtown because it’s easily walkable and is near many restaurants and attractions.
If you decide to hit Downtown during your trip, you can get there within a 20-30 minute drive or walk there in less than an hour. You’ll also find affordable and accessible public transportation, called MARTA, and taxis or rideshares without too much work. Yet, the lodging in Midtown is often less expensive and more upscale.
If you’ve ever driven through Atlanta, you know there’s never a good time to be on the road. The city is well-known for its traffic jams and regular automobile accidents. Still, most people prefer to drive if they’re in the city.
However, you can generally find other ways to get around, including walking, bike rentals, rideshares, and public transport (bus, subway, or streetcar). Taxis drive around the more populated roads throughout the day and are easy to hail.
Knowing how you’ll get around the area will help you as you set your itinerary next.
What are your must-dos while you’re in the city? Make a list of the attractions, dining, and shopping you want to hit, then map those locations to determine which ones are near each other.
Some of the most popular things to do in Atlanta include:
Also, all of these attractions are discounted if you buy the nine-day Atlanta CityPass.
Adventurous? You may want to add the SkyView ferris wheel. Vacationing with kids? Don’t miss the Children’s Museum of Atlanta!
Although Atlanta is known as a big city, it does have significant beautiful nature areas. Take a day and check out the hiking trails along the Chattahoochee River, Piedmont Park, or the Atlanta Botanical Gardens.
History buffs will enjoy the Margaret Mitchell House (of Gone With the Wind fame), the Atlanta History Center, and the Cyclorama.
In between your destinations, stop at Ponce City Market for lunch at its famous food hall. Here, you’ll choose from a vast array of cuisine types perfect for every picky palate! For dinner, grab a plate from one of the city’s many barbecue establishments. Atlanta is well-known as a BBQ capital.
Ready to get started? Book your transportation and lodging, and get started filling your day with as many of these exciting attractions as you can fit into your schedule. Don’t forget to come back again and see everything else!
