Atlanta Travel and Tourism: A Local’s Guide to Exploring the City

Atlanta is a city that blends Southern charm, modern skyline, rich history, and diverse neighborhoods into one destination. Whether you live here, are planning a trip, or are trying to understand how travel and tourism in Atlanta really work, it helps to know how the city is laid out, how to get around, what to see, and where to get reliable local information.

This guide focuses specifically on Atlanta, Georgia—its attractions, transportation, neighborhoods, and practical tips to make exploring the city easier.

Getting Oriented: Atlanta at a Glance

Atlanta is anchored by:

• Downtown – major attractions, government buildings, big hotels
• Midtown – arts district, walkable streets, nightlife
• Buckhead – upscale shopping and dining
• Intown neighborhoods – Old Fourth Ward, Virginia-Highland, Inman Park, West Midtown, and more

The city is spread out, so understanding transportation and distance matters just as much as knowing what to do.

Major Atlanta Tourism Hubs and What They Offer

Downtown Atlanta: Classic First-Visit Area

Downtown is where many visitors start. It’s also where locals often bring out-of-town guests because many of the city’s most recognizable attractions are clustered together.

Key spots include:

• Centennial Olympic Park – Large green space with skyline views, fountains, and frequent events.
• Georgia Aquarium – One of the largest aquariums in the world.
• World of Coca-Cola – Museum-style experience focused on the Coca-Cola brand and history.
• CNN Center area – Near State Farm Arena and Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
• National Center for Civil and Human Rights – Museum focused on civil rights history and global human rights issues.

This area is walkable by Atlanta standards, especially around Centennial Olympic Park, but still benefits from MARTA rail, streetcars, and rideshare.

Midtown Atlanta: Arts, Culture, and City Life

Midtown is one of the most walkable, transit-friendly parts of Atlanta, popular with both residents and tourists.

Highlights:

• Piedmont Park – The city’s “Central Park” with walking trails, dog parks, sports fields, and events.
• Atlanta Botanical Garden – Next to Piedmont Park, known for seasonal plant displays and light shows.
• High Museum of Art – Major art museum with rotating and permanent collections.
• Fox Theatre – Historic venue hosting concerts, Broadway tours, and special events.

Midtown also has dense clusters of restaurants, bars, and hotels, making it a convenient base for visitors who want to explore without a car as much as possible.

Buckhead: Shopping, Dining, and Upscale Stays

Buckhead is known for luxury retail and high-end dining, but it also has residential neighborhoods and some business hubs.

Common reasons tourists head to Buckhead:

• Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza – Major shopping malls.
• High-end restaurants and cocktail bars.
• Many full-service hotels that serve business travelers and leisure visitors.

Compared to Downtown and Midtown, Buckhead is less about attractions and more about shopping and lifestyle experiences.

Intown Neighborhoods: Where Atlanta’s Character Shines

If you want to experience Atlanta beyond the main tourism corridors, the intown neighborhoods are where locals spend a lot of their free time.

Some to know:

• Old Fourth Ward – Home to the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, plus trendy spots along the Eastside BeltLine.
• Virginia-Highland – Bungalows, boutiques, and restaurants with a village feel.
• Inman Park – Historic homes, tree-lined streets, and easy BeltLine access.
• West Midtown – Warehouses-turned-restaurants and arts spaces.
• Little Five Points – Alternative, artsy area with vintage shops and music venues.

These neighborhoods connect with each other and with Midtown via driving, biking, and increasingly by Atlanta BeltLine trails.

Top Things to Do in Atlanta

History and Culture

Atlanta plays a central role in Civil War history and the Civil Rights Movement. Visitors and residents interested in the city’s story usually make time for:

• Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park

  • Located in Old Fourth Ward / Sweet Auburn.
  • Includes Dr. King’s birth home, Ebenezer Baptist Church, and The King Center.

• Atlanta History Center (Buckhead)

  • Features exhibits on Atlanta and Southern history and the historic Swan House.

• National Center for Civil and Human Rights (Downtown)

  • Covers the Civil Rights Movement and broader human rights issues.

These sites give important context to how Atlanta became the city it is today.

Family-Friendly and “Big Ticket” Attractions

Many Atlanta itineraries center around large, family-friendly attractions in and around Downtown and Midtown:

• Georgia Aquarium (Downtown)
• World of Coca-Cola (Downtown)
• Zoo Atlanta (Grant Park)
• Fernbank Museum of Natural History (Druid Hills area, just east of Atlanta)
• Children’s Museum of Atlanta (Downtown)

Locals often plan day trips or weekend outings around these, especially when hosting visitors or during school breaks.

Outdoor Spaces and Trails

Despite its reputation for traffic, Atlanta offers notable greenspaces and trails:

• Piedmont Park – Walking, jogging, festivals, and farmers’ markets.
• Atlanta BeltLine – A developing loop of multi-use trails and future transit.
  • The Eastside Trail is especially popular, connecting Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, and Reynoldstown.
• Stone Mountain Park (east of Atlanta, in DeKalb County) – Not in the city of Atlanta, but a common day trip for hiking and views.

Residents often use these areas for daily exercise, weekend plans, and meeting up with friends, and visitors can experience a more local side of the city here.

Sports and Entertainment

Atlanta hosts major professional teams and large venues:

• Mercedes-Benz Stadium – Football (Atlanta Falcons), soccer (Atlanta United), and major events.
• State Farm Arena – Basketball (Atlanta Hawks) and concerts.
• Truist Park & The Battery Atlanta – Baseball (Atlanta Braves) and a surrounding entertainment district (in Cobb County, just outside the city limits).

For concerts, theater, and nightlife, visitors and locals look to:

• Fox Theatre (Midtown)
• Tabernacle (Downtown)
• Variety Playhouse (Little Five Points)
• Center Stage (Midtown)

Event calendars change constantly, so most people check specific venue schedules when planning.

Getting Around Atlanta as a Visitor or Local

Atlanta’s size and layout mean transportation planning is important, especially if you don’t want to rely solely on a car.

MARTA: Trains and Buses

MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) runs:

• Rail lines connecting Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and several suburbs.
• Bus routes that reach areas not served by rail.

Key rail stops for travelers:

MARTA is especially useful for:

• Getting from the airport to Downtown or Midtown without a car
• Avoiding parking during big events
• Connecting to some major attractions with short walks or rideshares

Rideshare, Taxis, and Driving

In many parts of Atlanta, people combine:

• Rideshare (or taxis) for short hops between neighborhoods
• MARTA rail for long stretches like the airport to Midtown
• Walking in more compact districts like Midtown and parts of Downtown

If you drive:

• Be prepared for rush hour traffic, especially on interstates like I‑75/85 and I‑285.
• Parking varies by area—Downtown and Midtown rely heavily on garages and paid lots.

Walking and Biking

Certain pockets of Atlanta are comfortable for walking, including:

• Midtown (around Peachtree St NE and 10th St NE)
• The BeltLine Eastside Trail area
• Sections of Downtown near Centennial Olympic Park

For biking:

• The Atlanta BeltLine and some city bike lanes provide relatively straightforward routes.
• Many locals and visitors use scooters and bike-share services in central areas, especially around the BeltLine and Midtown.

Atlanta’s Tourism Seasons and When to Visit

Atlanta has four distinct seasons, but winters are generally mild compared with many U.S. cities.

Common patterns:

• Spring (March–May) – Popular time to visit: festivals, blooming trees, and milder weather.
• Summer (June–August) – Hot and humid; travelers plan more indoor activities midday and explore early mornings and evenings.
• Fall (September–November) – Often favored by residents and repeat visitors for more comfortable temperatures and football season energy.
• Winter (December–February) – Generally cooler but not severe; some attractions adjust hours, but tourism continues year-round.

For both residents planning staycations and visitors planning trips, it’s helpful to:

• Check major event calendars (sports seasons, large conventions, festivals) that can affect hotel availability and traffic.

Where to Stay: Popular Areas for Visitors

Where you stay in Atlanta has a big influence on how you experience the city.

Common choices:

• Downtown

  • Good for: Walking to big attractions like Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, and Centennial Olympic Park.
  • Considerations: Busy on event days; some streets are quieter after business hours.

• Midtown

  • Good for: Arts, dining, nightlife, Piedmont Park, and relatively easy MARTA access.
  • Considerations: Popular with both tourists and locals for going out; can be busy on weekends and event nights.

• Buckhead

  • Good for: Shopping, upscale dining, and more traditional full-service hotels.
  • Considerations: Heavier car usage; less of a central attraction cluster.

• Near the Airport

  • Good for: Early flights, business stays, or quick overnight stops.
  • Considerations: Far from most attractions; usually better for convenience than sightseeing.

Residents sometimes choose staycations in Midtown or Downtown to avoid driving and just explore a dense area of restaurants, museums, and parks.

Visitor Information, Tourism Agencies, and Helpful Contacts

If you need official travel and tourism help in Atlanta, a few public-facing organizations and locations are useful.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Many visitors get their first information here through airport information desks and signage.

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
  • 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
  • General airport information is available inside both Domestic and International terminals, with staff who can direct you toward MARTA, ground transportation, and nearby services.

City and State-Level Tourism Support

While much tourism information is offered online, some offices and agencies are focused on helping travelers and supporting the tourism industry:

• City of Atlanta – Mayor’s Office of Film, Entertainment and Nightlife

  • 55 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Not a walk-up tourism center, but relevant for understanding filming locations, major entertainment events, and permitting if you’re planning productions or events in the city.

• Georgia Department of Economic Development – Tourism Division (state-level)

  • 75 5th St NW, Suite 1200, Atlanta, GA 30308
  • Oversees tourism promotion for the entire state; provides guidance, materials, and information about attractions in and around Atlanta.

Many visitors and residents combine state-level information with local neighborhood resources, event calendars, and attraction details to plan their time.

Practical Tips for Exploring Atlanta

Here are some Atlanta-specific travel and tourism pointers that help both locals and visitors:

• Plan around traffic:

  • Avoid scheduling long cross-city drives during weekday rush hours (roughly 7–9 a.m. and 4–7 p.m.).

• Leverage MARTA from the airport:

  • Taking the Airport Station train directly into Downtown or Midtown can be faster than driving during peak times.

• Cluster activities by area:

  • For example, do Georgia Aquarium + World of Coca-Cola + Centennial Olympic Park on one day, and Midtown museums + Piedmont Park + Atlanta BeltLine on another.

• Check hours and timed entries:

  • Some major attractions use timed ticketing or adjust hours seasonally. Planning ahead reduces waiting and uncertainty.

• Use the BeltLine strategically:

  • The Eastside Trail can connect you on foot or bike between Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, and Reynoldstown, turning a day of sightseeing into a continuous walk.

• Consider the heat in summer:

  • In hotter months, many locals schedule outdoor activities early in the morning or later in the evening and save indoor attractions for mid-day.

How Atlanta Residents Use the City Like Tourists

People who live in Atlanta often take advantage of tourism infrastructure themselves by:

• Planning weekend museum or aquarium visits during less crowded times.
• Booking local hotels for staycations in Midtown or Downtown.
• Using MARTA and rideshare to attend games and concerts instead of driving and parking near stadiums or arenas.
• Exploring new sections of the Atlanta BeltLine and surrounding neighborhoods as they develop.

For both residents and visitors, Atlanta’s travel and tourism options are easier to enjoy when you understand the city’s key areas, transportation options, and primary attractions, and when you plan your day around how spread out the city really is.