Exploring Atlanta: Your Guide to an Unforgettable City Tour
Atlanta is a city that blends Southern charm, civil rights history, entertainment, and innovative food in one place. Whether you live in the metro area, you’re visiting for a weekend, or you’re planning a staycation, an Atlanta city tour is one of the best ways to understand how the city fits together.
Below is a practical guide to planning and enjoying a city tour in Atlanta—by bus, on foot, by bike, or even self-guided by car or transit.
Choosing the Right Type of Atlanta City Tour
Before you dive into neighborhoods and attractions, it helps to decide how you want to tour Atlanta.
Popular Ways to Tour Atlanta
1. Bus or trolley city tours
These typically:
- Start in or near Downtown (often close to Centennial Olympic Park)
- Pass major sights like the Georgia State Capitol, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and Midtown skyline
- Offer narrated history, pop culture facts, and neighborhood overviews
They’re good if you want to see a lot in a short time without worrying about parking or navigation.
2. Walking tours
Walking tours usually focus on:
- Downtown and the historic core
- Sweet Auburn and civil rights history
- Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, or the Atlanta BeltLine for architecture, murals, and local food
These work best if you’re comfortable walking and want more detail in a smaller area.
3. Bike or scooter tours
These often:
- Use the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail
- Connect Ponce City Market, Krog Street Market, Inman Park, and Old Fourth Ward
- Balance city views with green spaces and public art
They’re ideal for active visitors and locals who want to see more than they could on foot.
4. Self-guided driving or MARTA tours
If you prefer flexibility:
- Drive yourself to key neighborhoods with a planned route
- Or use MARTA rail and buses to hop between Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead
Self-guided tours let you set your own pace and spend more time where you’re most interested.
Core Areas to Include on an Atlanta City Tour
If you want a city tour that gives you a solid overview of Atlanta, focus on these main districts.
Downtown Atlanta: Landmarks and First Impressions
Downtown is where many city tours begin. You’ll find:
- Centennial Olympic Park – the legacy of the 1996 Olympics and a central green space
- 265 Park Ave W NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
- Georgia Aquarium – one of the most prominent attractions in the city
- World of Coca‑Cola – a museum-style look at the brand tied closely to Atlanta’s history
- CNN Center area – known historically for media and arena access
- Mercedes‑Benz Stadium – home of the Falcons and Atlanta United, visible on many city tours
- State Farm Arena – major concerts and Hawks games
- Georgia State Capitol – with its recognizable gold dome
- 206 Washington St SW, Atlanta, GA 30334
A typical city tour will at least drive by these locations and give context about how Atlanta grew as a transportation, media, and business hub.
Midtown Atlanta: Arts, Culture, and Skyline Views
A good Atlanta city tour usually heads north into Midtown, known for:
- High Museum of Art – a significant art museum and architectural landmark
- 1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
- Woodruff Arts Center – home to the symphony and theater
- Piedmont Park – Atlanta’s “Central Park,” with skyline views, trails, and festivals
- 400 Park Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
- Midtown Mile – Peachtree Street corridor lined with offices, condos, and restaurants
On a city tour, Midtown gives you a sense of Atlanta’s modern identity: arts, high-rise living, and busy streets balanced with green spaces.
Buckhead: Shopping and High-End Districts
Some city tours extend further north to Buckhead, especially if they’re half-day or full-day tours. Here you’ll see:
- Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza – major shopping centers
- Lenox Square: 3393 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326
- Phipps Plaza: 3500 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326
- Upscale hotels, dining, and office towers
- Residential streets with large homes and mature trees
Buckhead gives visitors a different side of Atlanta—more corporate, more luxury-focused, and visually distinct from Downtown’s historic core.
Historic and Cultural City Tour Highlights
If you are especially interested in Atlanta’s history and culture, make sure your tour includes these areas.
Sweet Auburn and the Civil Rights Story
The Sweet Auburn neighborhood is central to any meaningful Atlanta city tour:
- Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park
- Visitor Center: 450 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312
- Includes Dr. King’s birth home (by tour), Ebenezer Baptist Church, and his final resting place
- Auburn Avenue – historically a thriving center of African American business and culture
- Civil rights markers, murals, and historic churches
Many walking tours focus almost entirely on civil rights history here. Even bus tours often stop or slow down in this area to explain its importance.
Old Fourth Ward and Inman Park
These adjacent neighborhoods are often featured on walking and bike tours:
- Old Fourth Ward
- Mixed-use developments, lofts, and vibrant nightlife
- Historic Fourth Ward Park and access to the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail
- Inman Park
- Known for Victorian homes, tree-lined streets, and the Inman Park dining corridor
Combined, they show how Atlanta’s older neighborhoods have been revitalized, and how the city is reusing historic industrial spaces.
The Atlanta BeltLine: A Modern City Tour Essential
Many modern city tours now include part of the Atlanta BeltLine, especially the Eastside Trail.
Why the BeltLine Matters on a City Tour
The BeltLine:
- Is built on old rail corridors circling the city
- Connects multiple neighborhoods, parks, and developments
- Features murals, sculptures, and performance spaces
- Has direct access to popular food halls and markets
Common BeltLine stops or segments on tours include:
- Ponce City Market – former Sears building turned food hall and retail
- 675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
- Krog Street Market – smaller, hip food hall and shops
- 99 Krog St NE, Atlanta, GA 30307
- Krog Street Tunnel – famous for graffiti and street art
Bike and walking tours often use the BeltLine to tie together different neighborhoods while avoiding heavy car traffic.
Family-Friendly Focus: Atlanta City Tour with Kids
If you’re planning a city tour with children, you may want to concentrate on attractions and parks rather than in-depth historical stops.
Kid-Friendly Stops to Consider
- Georgia Aquarium – engaging for all ages, with large exhibits and interactive areas
- World of Coca‑Cola – colorful exhibits and brand history that tends to interest kids and teens
- Children’s Museum of Atlanta (near Centennial Olympic Park)
- 275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
- Zoo Atlanta in Grant Park
- 800 Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30315
- Piedmont Park – for open space, playgrounds, and a chance to burn energy mid‑tour
Many families choose a shorter city overview tour and then spend more time at one or two major attractions.
Self-Guided Atlanta City Tour: A Sample Route
If you prefer to explore on your own, this simple outline can help you structure a self-guided city tour by car or rideshare.
Morning: Downtown and Centennial Olympic Park Area
- Start at Centennial Olympic Park
- Walk around the park and view:
- Georgia Aquarium (exterior or tour inside)
- World of Coca‑Cola
- Drive or walk to the Georgia State Capitol and nearby historic buildings
Midday: Sweet Auburn and MLK Jr. Historic Sites
- Head to Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park
- Walk along Auburn Avenue to see:
- Ebenezer Baptist Church
- Historic Fire Station No. 6
- Surrounding markers and murals
Afternoon: BeltLine, Ponce City Market, and Midtown
- Drive or rideshare to Ponce City Market
- Walk or rent a bike/scooter on the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail
- Continue into Midtown to see Piedmont Park and Midtown’s skyline
If time allows, you could extend north to Buckhead or south to Grant Park and Zoo Atlanta.
Quick Comparison: Ways to Tour Atlanta
| Tour Style | Best For | Typical Time | Main Pros | Things to Consider |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bus / Trolley | First-time visitors, groups | 2–4 hours | Covers lots of ground, narrated | Fixed route, limited flexibility |
| Walking | History buffs, locals, photographers | 1.5–3 hours | In-depth, neighborhood feel | Weather-dependent, more physical effort |
| Bike / Scooter | Active travelers, repeat visitors | 2–3 hours | BeltLine access, faster than walking | Need comfort with riding in city settings |
| Self-Guided (Car) | Families, flexible planners | Half or full day | Choose your own stops and timing | Parking and traffic require extra planning |
| Self-Guided (MARTA) | Visitors without cars, budget | Half or full day | Avoid parking, predictable main routes | Limited direct access to some neighborhoods |
Getting Around During Your City Tour
Using MARTA in an Atlanta City Tour
MARTA can be useful for a budget-friendly tour between major districts:
- Downtown Stations: Five Points, Peachtree Center, Civic Center, GWCC/CNN Center
- Midtown Stations: North Avenue, Midtown, Arts Center
- Buckhead Stations: Buckhead, Lenox, Lindbergh Center
You can:
- Start in Downtown, then take MARTA north to Midtown and Arts Center for museums
- Continue to Buckhead for shopping and dining
Parking Tips for a DIY City Tour
If you’re driving:
- Expect paid parking in Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead
- Many attractions have garages (for example, at major museums and shopping centers)
- Residential neighborhoods like Inman Park and Old Fourth Ward may have time limits or permit areas—check signs carefully
Practical Details for Visitors and Locals
Visitor Information Resources in Atlanta
If you want printed maps or in-person help planning your city tour, you can look for:
- Downtown visitor information desks often located near major attractions like Centennial Olympic Park and nearby hotels
- Information counters inside large attractions such as the Georgia Aquarium area
These locations typically offer brochures, neighborhood maps, and staff who can explain how to move between districts.
When to Take an Atlanta City Tour
- Morning: Often the most comfortable time in warmer months, with lighter traffic
- Late Afternoon / Early Evening: Good for skyline and BeltLine views, but allow extra time for rush-hour traffic
- Weekdays vs. Weekends:
- Weekdays may have more traffic but fewer crowds at attractions
- Weekends can feel livelier, especially in Midtown and along the BeltLine
Making the Most of Your Atlanta City Tour
To get the best experience:
- Prioritize: Decide if you care more about history, food, family attractions, or architecture, and choose routes accordingly.
- Keep it reasonable: Atlanta is spread out—trying to see everything in one day can feel rushed.
- Mix overview with depth: Consider a short narrated city tour (bus, trolley, or walking) and then spend extra time in one or two neighborhoods you liked most.
- Stay hydrated and plan for weather: Atlanta can be hot and humid much of the year, with sudden rainstorms.
An Atlanta city tour, whether guided or self-planned, is one of the most efficient ways to understand how the city’s neighborhoods connect—from historic Sweet Auburn and Downtown to the artsy BeltLine and modern Midtown skyline. With a clear plan and realistic expectations, you can see Atlanta’s past, present, and rapidly changing future in a single, well-structured day.