City of Atlanta Tourism: A Local’s Guide to Exploring the ATL

Atlanta tourism blends Southern hospitality, major cultural attractions, historic neighborhoods, and a fast-growing food and film scene. Whether you live in the city, are planning a visit, or just want to understand how tourism works in Atlanta, this guide walks through what to see, how to get around, and where to focus your time.

How Atlanta Tourism Is Organized

Atlanta doesn’t have just one “tourist strip.” Instead, it’s a hub of distinct districts connected by interstates and MARTA transit:

• Downtown – Major attractions, arenas, and convention hotels
• Midtown – Arts, nightlife, universities, and walkable streets
• Buckhead – Upscale shopping, dining, and business hotels
• Old Fourth Ward & BeltLine – Trendy restaurants, murals, and parks
• Westside & West Midtown – Converted warehouses, food halls, breweries
• Eastside neighborhoods – Little Five Points, Inman Park, Cabbagetown, and more

Tourism support and visitor info are often centered around:

• Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) – Main tourism organization
  • 233 Peachtree St NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Commonly provides visitor guides, maps, and event information.
• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) – A key gateway for visitors, with information desks and signage to hotels and transit.

Top Tourist Areas in Atlanta

Downtown Atlanta: Big Attractions in One Place

Downtown is where many first-time visitors start. It’s also where many locals bring out-of-town guests.

Major Downtown highlights:

• Georgia Aquarium – One of the largest aquariums in the world
• World of Coca‑Cola – Interactive exhibits and tasting area
• Centennial Olympic Park – Green space, fountains, and event site
• CNN Center area – Near State Farm Arena and Mercedes‑Benz Stadium
• College Football Hall of Fame – Hands-on exhibits and memorabilia
• National Center for Civil and Human Rights – Focused on civil rights and global human rights movements
• MLK Jr. National Historical Park (nearby in Old Fourth Ward/Auburn Ave) – Birth home, Ebenezer Baptist Church, and King Center

Downtown is walkable between most major attractions, with plenty of hotels, parking decks, and MARTA access at Peachtree Center, Five Points, and GWCC/CNN Center stations.

Midtown: Arts, Culture, and City Living

Midtown combines workplaces, high‑rise apartments, and cultural institutions. For many residents, this is the “live, work, play” core.

Key Midtown tourism spots:

• Piedmont Park – Large urban park with skyline views, trails, and festivals
• Atlanta Botanical Garden – Adjacent to Piedmont Park, known for seasonal exhibits and the canopy walk
• High Museum of Art – Major art museum with rotating exhibitions
• Fox Theatre – Historic theater hosting concerts and touring Broadway shows
• Colony Square & Midtown Mile – Dining, retail, and events along Peachtree St

Midtown is one of the most walkable parts of Atlanta and is well-served by MARTA rail stations (Midtown, Arts Center, North Avenue).

Buckhead: Shopping, Dining, and Upscale Hotels

Buckhead is a major tourism and business district, especially for those looking for higher-end stays and shopping.

Popular Buckhead destinations:

• Lenox Square & Phipps Plaza – Large shopping malls with national and luxury brands
• Buckhead Village area – Boutiques, restaurants, and nightlife
• Chastain Park (a bit north) – Park and amphitheater with seasonal performances

Buckhead is served by Lenox, Buckhead, and Lindbergh Center MARTA stations and has many hotels along Peachtree Rd and around Lenox Rd.

Atlanta BeltLine & Intown Neighborhoods

The Atlanta BeltLine is a multi-use trail network connecting neighborhoods, art installations, and food spots. It has quickly become one of the city’s top tourism draws, especially for locals and repeat visitors.

Well-loved BeltLine and nearby stops:

• Eastside Trail –

  • Ponce City Market – Food hall, shops, rooftop attractions
  • Krog Street Market – Food hall with local vendors
  • Murals and street art under Krog Street Tunnel
  • Access to Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, and Virginia‑Highland

• Westside Trail –

  • Breweries, restaurants, and adaptive‑reuse spaces in West End, Adair Park, and West Midtown

Locals often visit the BeltLine for walking, biking, patio dining, and people-watching, and it’s a good way for visitors to sample several neighborhoods in one outing.

Historic & Cultural Sites Across the City

Atlanta tourism is tied closely to civil rights history, Black culture, and regional heritage.

Important cultural and historic stops:

• Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park – On Auburn Ave, includes the Visitor Center, historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, and The King Center.
• Auburn Avenue & Sweet Auburn – Historic Black business and cultural corridor.
• Atlanta University Center (AUC) – Home to Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Spelman College, and Morehouse School of Medicine.
• Oakland Cemetery – Historic cemetery with city views, notable residents, and tours.
• Atlanta History Center (Buckhead) – Museum campus with exhibitions and the Swan House.

These sites help visitors and residents understand how Atlanta developed and its role in national events.

Getting Around Atlanta as a Tourist

Public Transit (MARTA)

MARTA is the primary public transit system for tourism in Atlanta:

• Rail lines run between Hartsfield–Jackson Airport, Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and beyond.
• Bus routes fill in coverage where rail doesn’t reach.

For tourism, MARTA is especially useful for:

• Airport to Downtown/Midtown/Buckhead hotels
• Attending events near Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, or GWCC
• Avoiding parking at popular central attractions

Most major tourism nodes have nearby MARTA stations, reducing the need to drive, especially during large events.

Driving, Parking, and Rideshares

Atlanta is still largely a car-oriented city:

• Interstates I‑75, I‑85, and I‑20 meet Downtown; I‑285 circles the metro.
• Many attractions provide parking garages or lots, though costs and availability vary by event.

Common approaches:

• Visitors often use a mix of hotel parking, MARTA, and rideshare services.
• Residents may park near a BeltLine access point or neighborhood, then walk between several stops.

To save time:

• 💡 Plan parking in advance for big events at stadiums or major festivals.
• 💡 Check traffic patterns during rush hours (roughly 7–9 a.m. and 4–7 p.m.) when crossing the city.

Walking & Biking

Walkability varies greatly by area:

• More walkable: Downtown, Midtown, parts of Buckhead, BeltLine corridor, some intown neighborhoods.
• Less walkable: Areas built around highways and spread-out commercial corridors.

Biking has become more practical along:

• Atlanta BeltLine trails
• Piedmont Park and connected paths
• Some city bike lanes and neighborhood streets

Many locals and tourists now explore using rental bikes or scooters, especially near the BeltLine and Midtown.

Key Attractions for Different Types of Visitors

To help narrow options, here’s a simple overview of what often appeals to different interests.

Events and Festivals That Shape Atlanta Tourism

Atlanta hosts year-round events that draw both locals and visitors:

• Sporting events – NFL, MLS, NBA, WNBA, college games, and major college football matchups
• Music festivals & concerts – Frequently at venues like Piedmont Park, Central Park, State Farm Arena, Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, and amphitheaters
• Cultural and neighborhood festivals – Food, arts, and seasonal events in Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, Grant Park, and more
• Conventions & trade shows – Centered around the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC)

Event schedules strongly affect hotel availability, traffic, and parking. Checking what’s happening during your dates can help with planning.

Atlanta’s Food and Nightlife Scene

Tourism in Atlanta is tightly linked to its restaurants, bars, and food halls. Even locals often “tour” their own city through new places to eat.

Typical experiences visitors and residents look for:

• Southern and soul food – Including meat-and-threes, fried chicken, and classic sides
• Food halls – Such as in Ponce City Market, Krog Street Market, and Westside developments
• Global cuisines – Reflecting Atlanta’s diverse communities, with pockets of Caribbean, Asian, Latin American, and African restaurants across the metro
• Rooftop bars and skyline views – Especially around Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead
• Music and nightlife – Lounge-style venues, live music, and DJ-driven spots in several districts

Because openings and closings change, many people rely on local guides, neighborhood recommendations, or hotel concierges to find current options.

Tourism for Atlanta Residents

For people who live in Atlanta, tourism resources can still be useful:

• Hosting friends or family and planning itineraries
• Finding staycation ideas, like a weekend in Midtown or Buckhead
• Exploring neighborhoods through the BeltLine or historic tours
• Using visitor centers and online city guides to learn about lesser-known museums, exhibits, or public art

Locals often revisit major sites during special events or limited-time exhibitions, and many attractions offer annual memberships or resident discounts.

Practical Tips for Visiting or Exploring Atlanta

• Plan by area, not just by attraction. Group Downtown sites together, Midtown together, and BeltLine stops together to reduce travel time.
• Check operating hours and any timed entry requirements for major attractions, especially on weekends and holidays.
• Use MARTA from the airport if staying near a rail station; it can be more predictable than driving during peak times.
• Account for weather. Summers can be hot and humid, and storms can move in quickly; spring and fall are popular for outdoor events.
• Allow extra time for traffic if you’re driving between areas, especially when events are scheduled.

Where to Turn for Visitor Information in Atlanta

If you need in-person help planning your time in the city:

• Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB)

  • 233 Peachtree St NE, Suite 1400
  • Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Often provides printed guides, maps, attraction information, and event listings.

• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

  • 6000 N Terminal Pkwy
  • Atlanta, GA 30320
  • Has information desks and signage pointing to hotels, transportation, and major city areas.

Between these resources, plus local hotels, transit information, and neighborhood guides, visitors and residents can navigate Atlanta’s tourism offerings with much more confidence and clarity.