City Guide: Atlanta

In the heart of the southeastern United States lies the bustling city of Atlanta, capitol of the state of Georgia and home of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport a.k.a. the busiest airport in the world. But if you’re not just in Atlanta for a quick layover at ol’ Hartsfield-Jackson, this city has so much more to explore.

Getting Around

Atlanta is one of those cities that looks pretty compact on a map but in reality is very spread out. Unless you plan on staying right downtown for the duration of your trip, a car will make your life easier. Don’t get me wrong – I was able to get by using MARTA public transit, a ton of walking, and a few Ubers, but if I were to go again I’d probably do a rental car. Oh, and it’s important to note that as you’re navigating the city, you’ll probably be confused at some point by the amount of streets that are named “Peachtree” or some variation of it. There are 71 to be exact!

Accommodations

There are a lot of great hotels right downtown if you can afford them, but to save money I ended up staying in a Quality Suites in the Buckhead area north of downtown, where I found a lot of the hotel options to be much more affordable. Even though you’re not in the heart of Atlanta, Buckhead is not a bad place to stay. It’s an upscale neighborhood that has its own downtown vibe and even its own skyline. It’s full of trendy shops and restaurants, so there are things to do there if you don’t feel like venturing downtown.

Attractions

Atlanta is home to the Georgia Aquarium, the largest aquarium in the United States, and houses the largest fish in the world – the whale shark. I’m strangely fascinated by whale sharks and it’s a dream of mine to eventually do a “swim with whale sharks” excursion somewhere in my travels, but seeing them behind glass at the Georgia Aquarium was sufficient for now.

Right next door to the aquarium at the north end of Centennial Olympic Park is another attraction well worth a visit – the World of Coca-Cola. Here you will walk through the history and memorabilia of the legendary beverage which had its first sales right there in Atlanta. The last thing you’ll do there is go through a tasting room where you can sample Coca-Cola brands from all over the world!

Also nearby is another Atlanta-headquartered empire, CNN, whose studios you can tour if you so wish. If not, simply checking out the massive atrium of the CNN Center is cool enough.

Nestled in the historically African-American neighborhood of Sweet Auburn you’ll find the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Park. There you can see the house that Dr. King was born in, his church Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, the tombs of Dr. and Mrs. King, and more.

If you’ve never seen Gone With the Wind, I recommend taking the time (four hours, to be exact) before your trip to watch this American classic, especially if you’re a history lover. It’s iconic to Atlanta and while it’s a fictional story, gives context on Civil War and Reconstruction Era Atlanta. In Atlanta’s Midtown district, you can tour the house that Margaret Mitchell lived in while writing the majority of the hefty novel.

Also worth a visit is Historic Oakland Cemetery where you can see Margaret Mitchell’s final resting place among other historic graves. I’m a sucker for any old Victorian cemetery, but the sheer beauty of this one with its gardens and magnolias makes it one of my favorites I’ve been to. And if you work up an appetite wandering through, there’s a great pub across the street appropriately named Six Feet Under!

For some off-the-beaten path attractions, be sure to check out some of Atlanta’s street art, especially the graffiti-filled Krog Street Tunnel. If you’re up for a fun citywide scavenger hunt, there is a collection of cute tiny doors that are scattered through the city on the facades of businesses. The doors are done by local artists and are always changing, so check the Tiny Doors ATL website for an up-to-date map before you go.

If you have the time, Stone Mountain is great for a scenic hike, and to see the impressive but controversial fresco depicting Confederate Civil War generals Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee, plus President of the Confederate States Jefferson Davis. It’s easiest to reach it by car if you have one, but I got there by taking the MARTA Blue Line to the last stop on the east end, and then Ubering from there.

Eat and Drink

It’s admittedly a bit touristy but no Gone With the Wind tour would be complete without a stop at Pittypat’s Porch, where you can have some great Southern fare in an atmosphere made to look like the setting of the classic novel/movie. Start with a mint julep, try some of Aunt Pittypat’s fried chicken, and be sure to end with a dish of Georgia peach cobbler!

In Midtown is another great spot to dine called Mary Mac’s Tea Room, which has been serving up authentic Southern grub since 1945. The food here is fabulous, with warm Southern hospitality to match.

One of the best vantage points in the city is the Westin Peachtree Plaza, one of the most notable skyscrapers in the Altanta skyline. To go up in the building you have the option of paying to just do the observation deck, dining in the full-service Sun Dial restaurant, or having a drink at the bar.

---

With massive corporate empires, hearty southern history (and food!), an amazing aquarium, and colorful street art (and Peachtree Streets) around every corner, the city of Atlanta has something to offer for every traveler, and makes for a fun and affordable trip.