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

Atlanta’s Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is one of the busiest airports in the world, but it’s also one of the most convenient places to pass the time if you know where to go and what to do.

Whether you’re an Atlanta local catching a flight, visiting the city for the first time, or stuck in a long layover, this guide walks you through what to do in Atlanta Airport so your time there feels smooth, productive, or even fun.

Getting Oriented: How ATL Is Laid Out

Before you decide what to do, it helps to understand how ATL is organized.

Key areas:

• Domestic Terminal North & South – Main check-in and baggage claim for most U.S. flights
• International Terminal (Concourse F) – Check-in and arrivals for most international flights
• Concourses T, A, B, C, D, E, F – All connected by the underground Plane Train and walkable pedestrian tunnels
• Atrium – The central area in the Domestic Terminal, just past security, with shops, food, and services

The Plane Train runs continuously and quickly, so you can move between concourses in minutes. If you’re planning how to spend time, check your departure gate and concourse first, then plan nearby.

Eat & Drink: Best Ways to Enjoy Food at ATL

Food is one of the easiest ways to pass time in Atlanta’s airport, and there’s plenty of local flavor mixed in with familiar chains.

Quick Bites vs. Sit-Down Meals

Think about your timing:

• Under 45 minutes: Grab-and-go or counter service near your gate
• 45–90 minutes: Casual sit-down restaurant on your concourse
• 2+ hours: You can ride the Plane Train and explore a few concourses

Common options you’ll find across ATL include:

• Grab-and-go markets – Sandwiches, salads, snacks, bottled drinks
• Coffee shops – Multiple locations across concourses for a caffeine reset
• Casual bars and grills – Good for a sit-down meal and a drink while watching sports
• Fast food chains – If you want something familiar and quick

If you live in Atlanta or are visiting the city, ATL can also be a convenient spot to grab a last taste of local-style Southern food before or after your trip, since some concourses feature Southern-inspired menus.

Shop, Browse, and Pick Up Last-Minute Essentials

ATL has a wide variety of shops spread across the concourses. Browsing can easily fill 30–60 minutes.

What You Can Shop For

You’ll typically find:

• Newsstands & bookstores – Magazines, novels, puzzles, Atlanta-themed souvenirs
• Travel essentials – Chargers, cables, neck pillows, headphones, travel-size toiletries
• Clothing & accessories – Travel-friendly apparel, sunglasses, handbags
• Local souvenirs – Atlanta-branded items, gifts, and region-inspired products

If you forgot something important at home in Atlanta—like a phone charger, travel adapter, or toiletries—Concourse T and the Atrium usually have good all-purpose shops just after security.

Relax, Work, or Recharge: Lounges and Quiet Spaces

If you have a long layover or need to get work done, ATL offers several ways to step away from the crowds.

Airport Lounges

Hartsfield–Jackson hosts multiple airline and membership-based lounges. They typically offer:

• Comfortable seating
• Quiet workspaces
• Complimentary snacks and beverages
• Wi-Fi and outlets
• Restrooms, often less crowded than general terminal ones

Commonly found in different concourses, these lounges are usually accessible through:

• Airline status or premium tickets
• Day passes (where available)
• Certain credit card or lounge membership programs

If you’re an Atlanta-based frequent flyer, it may be worth checking lounge access options before your trip so you can reliably work or relax between flights.

Quiet Corners and Seating Areas

If you don’t have lounge access, you can still find relatively calm spots:

• Gates at the far ends of concourses often have quieter seating
• Some concourses have soft seating zones away from the main flow of traffic
• The International Terminal (Concourse F) is often less hectic than the main Domestic Terminal during off-peak hours

Look for:

• Seats near charging stations
• Areas with natural light, often near windowed walkways or gate ends

Stretch Your Legs: Walking Paths and Exercise Ideas

When you’ve been sitting on a plane or in a car across Atlanta traffic, moving your body can make a big difference.

Use the Walkable Tunnels

Between concourses, ATL has pedestrian tunnels with moving walkways and art installations. Instead of taking the Plane Train, you can:

• Walk from Concourse T to Concourse A (and beyond), getting some real steps in
• Enjoy art displays along the way
• Avoid crowds at the train during peak times

You can easily set a goal like:

• 1–2 concourses walked if you have 30–45 minutes
• All concourses if you have several hours and want a mini “airport hike”

Simple In-Terminal Movement

You can also:

• Do gentle stretches near windows or quieter gates
• Take stairs instead of escalators where possible
• Walk the length of your concourse and back while listening to music or a podcast

Explore ATL’s Art, Exhibits, and Local Flavor

ATL isn’t just corridors and gates—there are some genuinely interesting art and cultural displays tucked throughout the airport.

Permanent and Rotating Art Displays

As you walk through the tunnels and concourses, look for:

• Art installations in the underground walkways – Sculptures, lighting, murals
• Rotating exhibits – Often celebrating Atlanta’s history, culture, music, or local artists
• Displays that highlight civil rights history and Atlanta’s role in it

These are especially prominent in some of the walkable tunnels between concourses, offering an easy way to turn exercise into a mini cultural tour.

Take Care of Practical Needs: Services and Amenities

If you’re an Atlanta local heading out or coming home, or a visitor needing to get oriented, ATL has many practical services you can use while you wait.

Wi-Fi and Charging

• Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport; look for the airport’s official network in your device’s settings
• Charging outlets and charging stations are placed along gate areas and in seating zones

ATMs and Currency Exchange

You’ll find:

• ATMs in every concourse and terminal
• Currency exchange services mainly in the International Terminal (Concourse F) and sometimes in the main Domestic Terminal areas

Lost & Found

If you’ve misplaced something at ATL:

• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport Lost & Found
  • Location: Domestic Terminal area (check airport signage for the current office location)
  • Phone (General Airport Information): 404-530-7300 (you can ask to be directed to Lost & Found)

Items left on aircraft are usually handled by the airline’s own lost and found, so contact your airline directly if the item was left onboard.

Information Desks

Information desks are located around:

• The Domestic Terminal Atrium
• Near baggage claim areas
• Select concourses

They can help with:

• Directions within the airport
• Clarifying gate or concourse changes
• General questions about airport services

Make It Productive: Working During a Layover

Many flyers passing through Atlanta use layovers to work remotely.

Best Practices for Working at ATL

• Choose a gate with extra seating: Often at the edges of concourses or in less busy areas
• Use Wi-Fi strategically: Connect early and test access to email or VPN before you settle in
• Find table-style seating: Some concourses and food courts have high-top tables or counters with outlets, ideal for laptops
• Consider the time zone: Atlanta is in Eastern Time, useful for scheduling calls or meetings

If you’re based in Atlanta and often fly out of ATL, it can help to identify your favorite “work spots” in advance in your usual concourse (for example, a specific gate area or seating section that’s typically quieter).

Travel with Kids: Family-Friendly Things to Do

Flying with children through Atlanta can be manageable if you plan a few activities.

Kid-Friendly Activities

• Walk the concourses and look at airplanes through the windows
• Explore the art in the underground tunnels, which can feel like an adventure walk
• Bring coloring books, travel games, or downloaded shows, then use the airport time as a calm play period

Family Facilities

Across the terminals and concourses you’ll find:

• Family restrooms – Look for signs near main restroom areas
• Changing stations for infants in most restrooms
• Many seating areas where kids can sit near windows and watch takeoffs and landings

If you live in Atlanta and travel frequently with kids, you may want to keep a dedicated “airport activity kit” in your carry-on for ATL waits, stocked with small toys, snacks, and activities.

Freshen Up: Restrooms, Showers, and Comfort

Long flights and hot Atlanta weather can make a shower or freshening up feel essential.

• Restrooms are spread extensively across all concourses—look for newly renovated ones for more space and outlets
• Some airport lounges may offer showers for eligible travelers
• Many shops sell travel-size hygiene products, wipes, and grooming items if you forgot your own

Plan Your Time Based on Layover Length

Use your available time to choose the right mix of activities. Here’s a simple guide:

Always return to your departure concourse at least 30–45 minutes before boarding, earlier for international flights or during busy Atlanta travel periods.

Arriving or Departing Atlanta: Ground Transportation & Next Steps

What you do at ATL often ties directly into how you’re getting to or from the city itself.

MARTA (Public Transit)

For many Atlanta residents and visitors, MARTA is a straightforward way to reach downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead.

• Airport MARTA Station: Located at the end of the Domestic Terminal (Concourse T level)
• Follow signs for “Ground Transportation” and “MARTA” from baggage claim

Rideshare, Taxis, and Shuttles

Signage in the airport directs you to:

• Rideshare pickup zones (App-based services)
• Taxi stands
• Hotel and parking shuttles

If you live in Atlanta, ATL’s parking lots and off-airport parking services along Camp Creek Parkway and surrounding areas can also factor into your airport routine.

Tips to Make ATL Easier Next Time

A few Atlanta-specific habits can make every visit to ATL smoother:

• Build in extra time for I-75/I-85 traffic when driving from around Metro Atlanta
• Know your regular airline’s concourse (for example, many major domestic carriers cluster around specific concourses)
• Keep a small ATL-ready kit in your carry-on: charger, refillable water bottle (empty for security), snacks, light sweater, and earplugs
• Use the Plane Train for speed and the tunnels for walking and art

When you know what to do in Atlanta Airport—eat well, walk, explore art, work, shop, or simply rest—ATL becomes less of a stressful stop and more of a useful, sometimes even enjoyable, part of your trip in and out of Atlanta.