What To Do At Atlanta Airport: A Local’s Guide to Making the Most of Your Time at ATL

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is more than just a place to change planes. Whether you live in Atlanta, are flying in for a visit, or just passing through on a layover, there is plenty to do inside the airport to stay comfortable, entertained, and productive.

Below is a practical, Atlanta-focused guide to what to do in Atlanta Airport, how to move around it, and how to make even a long layover feel manageable.

Quick Overview: Best Things To Do in Atlanta Airport

Understanding the Layout of Atlanta Airport

Knowing ATL’s layout makes it much easier to decide what to do.

• Two main terminals:
  • Domestic Terminal (North and South)
  • International Terminal (Concourse F / Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal)
• Concourses A, B, C, D, E, F, and T are all connected airside by:
  • The underground Plane Train (fastest way)
  • Walkable tunnels with art exhibits between each concourse

If you have a layover, you can move between all concourses without leaving security, which is key if you want to explore restaurants, shops, and amenities.

Eat and Drink: Where To Grab a Bite in ATL

Food is one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to pass time at the airport. Since ATL serves as a major hub, it offers a wide range of options, from quick snacks to sit-down meals.

Types of Food You’ll Find

Across concourses (especially A, B, C, and F), you’ll typically find:

• Fast-casual spots for sandwiches, salads, burgers, and pizza
• Southern-inspired options with fried chicken, biscuits, and comfort food
• Coffee shops and bakeries for quick caffeine and pastries
• Bars and sit-down restaurants where you can order a full meal and relax

If you’re from Atlanta, you’ll recognize a few local and regional names mixed in with national chains, especially in the busier concourses.

Tips for Eating at ATL

• ⏱ Tight connection? Stay in your concourse and pick something close to your gate.
• 🛫 Long layover? Take the Plane Train to Concourses A, B, or F, which often have more variety.
• 💳 Budget-conscious? Look for food courts or counter-service spots rather than full-service dining.

Shop, Browse, and Pick Up Last-Minute Items

Atlanta Airport has plenty of shopping scattered through each concourse, useful whether you live in Atlanta or are just visiting.

You’ll find:

• Newsstands and convenience shops for snacks, drinks, and travel essentials
• Bookstores for something to read on your flight
• Clothing and accessory stores
• Souvenir and gift shops with Atlanta- and Georgia-themed items
• Electronics and gadget shops for chargers, headphones, and adapters

If you forgot something at home in Atlanta—like a phone charger, travel pillow, or basic toiletries—you can usually find a replacement in almost any concourse.

Relax in an Airport Lounge

If you have a longer layover or need a quiet place to work, one of the airport lounges can be worth considering.

What Lounges Typically Offer

Most lounges at ATL (both airline-operated and independent) commonly include:

• Comfortable seating away from the main terminal crowds
• Wi‑Fi and charging outlets
• Snacks, light meals, and beverages
• Restrooms and sometimes showers
• Quieter areas for working or napping

Some lounges are airline-specific and others may allow day passes or entry through certain membership programs.

If you are departing Atlanta often, it can help to check your ticket class, airline status, or credit card benefits ahead of time to see if you have access.

Explore ATL’s Art, History, and Architecture

Atlanta Airport is known for more than just planes—there’s quite a bit of art and local culture built into the terminals.

Art Installations and Exhibits

As you walk between concourses via the tunnels, you’ll see:

• Rotating art exhibits featuring regional and international artists
• Permanent installations that reflect Atlanta’s history, civil rights legacy, and natural environment
• Sculptures, murals, and light displays that make the walk more interesting than simply riding the train

Spending 15–30 minutes just walking one or two tunnels instead of taking the train can be a surprisingly relaxing way to stretch your legs and see something uniquely Atlanta.

Walk, Stretch, and Move Between Concourses

If you’ve been sitting on a plane for hours, using your layover to move around can make a big difference.

Ways to Stay Active in the Airport

• Walk the tunnels between concourses instead of taking the Plane Train
• Stroll the length of a concourse and back while staying near your gate area
• Use moving walkways if you have luggage but still want to move more than you would just sitting

Atlanta’s layout is essentially one long line of concourses, which makes it easy to structure a simple walking loop while keeping an eye on the time and your departure gate.

Work or Study: Getting Things Done at ATL

For Atlanta residents traveling for business or students heading in and out of town, ATL can double as a temporary workspace.

Where To Work in the Airport

• Gate areas: Many have built-in charging stations and counters where you can sit with a laptop.
• Quiet corners: Farther from the food courts and main walkways, you can usually find less busy seating.
• Lounges: Often the best option if you need Wi‑Fi, peace, and power outlets in one spot.

Bring noise-cancelling headphones if you’re planning to focus in public seating areas, especially in the busier domestic concourses.

Travel With Kids: Keeping Children Entertained

Flying through Atlanta with kids can feel stressful, but the airport has several ways to make it easier.

Kid-Friendly Ideas

• Ride the Plane Train: Many young children enjoy riding the underground train between concourses.
• Walk the tunnels: The art, lights, and sounds along the way can be a built-in activity.
• Find open seating areas: Less crowded corners of a concourse can give kids space to move a bit while you wait.
• Grab familiar snacks: Many concourses have well-known chains that can make food choices simpler for families.

If you live in Atlanta and fly with kids often, it can help to arrive a bit early, so you don’t feel rushed getting through security and settled near the gate.

Freshen Up, Shower, or Rest

On a long travel day, especially on international flights into or out of Atlanta, you may want more than just a seat at the gate.

Options for Rest and Comfort

• Airport lounges: Some include showers and quieter seating areas where you can relax.
• Nearby hotels:
  • Several hotels sit near ATL and offer airport shuttles and day-room options.
  • Many are located around the Airport Boulevard and Virginia Avenue areas in College Park and Hapeville.
• Resting in the terminal:
  • Look for softer seating along the concourses, especially at less busy gates.
  • Wear layers or bring a light jacket, as terminal temperatures can vary.

If you know you’ll have a very long layover, planning ahead with a hotel day room near the airport can make your time much more comfortable.

Use ATL Services and Amenities

Atlanta Airport has a variety of services that can be helpful for both locals and visitors.

Commonly Available Services

You can generally expect to find:

• Information desks: Helpful for directions, gate changes, and general airport questions
• ATMs and currency exchange areas: Primarily in the International Terminal (Concourse F) and main terminals
• Lost and Found:
  • Airport Lost and Found Office typically handles items left in public areas of the terminal.
  • Items left on the plane are usually handled by the airline’s own lost and found.
• USO lounge (for eligible military members and families)
• Pet relief areas in or near most concourses, useful if you’re flying with an animal

For official information about current services, contacting Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport directly is helpful:

• Address: 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
• General information line: 1-800-897-1910 (commonly used for airport information)

Going Landside: When You Have a Long Layover in Atlanta

If your layover is very long and your tickets are on the same reservation, you might consider leaving the airport briefly. This is more realistic if:

• You have at least 5–6 hours between flights
• You are already admitted into the United States (for international travelers)
• You are prepared to go back through TSA security after returning

Nearby Areas To Consider

If you do leave ATL, a few close-by areas include:

• College Park and Hapeville:
  • Restaurants, local businesses, and hotels close to the airport
  • Short ride via rideshare or taxi from the terminal
• Downtown Atlanta:
  • Reachable by MARTA (the airport has its own MARTA station at the Domestic Terminal)
  • Offers parks, attractions, and restaurants if you have enough time

Always factor in travel time, security lines, and boarding time before deciding to leave the secure area of the airport.

Ground Transportation and Moving On From ATL

If Atlanta is your final destination, or you’re an Atlanta resident returning home, you might want to use layover time to plan your ground transportation.

Common options from the airport include:

• MARTA rail:
  • Station located at the Domestic Terminal, connected via a short walk
  • Direct access to Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead Atlanta
• Rideshare services and taxis:
  • Designated pick-up areas at both Domestic and International terminals
• Rental car centers:
  • Accessed via the ATL SkyTrain, an elevated train from the Domestic Terminal
• Hotel shuttles:
  • Many nearby hotels offer complimentary airport shuttles, especially around Virginia Avenue and Airport Boulevard

If you live in Atlanta, it can help to compare drive time vs. MARTA based on when you land, especially during rush hour.

Smart Strategies for Different Layover Lengths

To make the most of Atlanta Airport, plan your time based on how long you have.

Under 1.5 Hours

• Stay in your arrival concourse
• Grab a quick snack or drink
• Use nearby restrooms and charging stations
• Keep an eye on the monitors for gate changes

1.5–3 Hours

• Ride the Plane Train one or two stops to explore another concourse
• Get a sit-down meal or coffee
• Walk one of the art-filled tunnels for exercise and sightseeing
• Browse a bookstore or shop

3–6 Hours

• Consider a lounge for comfort, Wi‑Fi, and food
• Explore multiple concourses at a relaxed pace
• Freshen up, change clothes, and reorganize luggage
• If your timing and situation allow, briefly step outside security to check hotel options or nearby areas

When you know what Atlanta Airport offers and how it’s laid out, even a long delay or layover can become much more manageable. With food, art, shopping, quiet spots, and easy transit between concourses, ATL gives you enough options to stay busy, comfortable, and prepared for the rest of your trip.