Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Atlanta?
Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Atlanta?
Many travelers spend two to four days in Atlanta during their visit. After all, the cultural city has plenty to explore such as the famous sights and museums, the shops and boutiques, and the big city activities.
Atlanta is the capital and largest city in the state of Georgia. It has a long running history and played a significant role in both the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. In 1996 the city hosted the Olympic Games, and Centennial Olympic Park is still an impressive attraction in town.
Do you have one or two days to visit Atlanta? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one day enough time in Atlanta?
As a large city, Atlanta offers plenty of activities and attractions for visitors. So with one day, you'll probably feel rushed to see the main attractions. You really need more time to appreciate everything that the cultural city has to offer. Many visitors prefer to have two to four days to fully enjoy the city. If you have one day or less, we still have some great ideas for what to do while you're in town.
How to spend a day in Atlanta
Atlanta is famous for it's world-class attractions, museums, and landmarks. You'll want to spend at least a day exploring one or more that you're interested in the most. The museums range in topic from history to science and art. The country's largest aquarium, the Georgia Aquarium, is in Atlanta as well. It's home to whale sharks, stingrays, and a diversity of marine life. Other museums around town include the Atlanta History Center, the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, the High Museum of Art, the World of Coca Cola, the David J. Sencer CDC Museum, and the Delta Flight Museum. There are also many monuments and sites including the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site.
You'll absolutely want to spend some time enjoying the food scene in this city, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine for a meal or two. It's a huge city with a wide selection of restaurants including international, local, and classic southern styles. Fried chicken, biscuits, diner food, and barbecue are all popular. For a classic southern breakfast check out The OK Cafe and for a quintessential Atlanta experience go to The Varsity.
A few tour suggestions include:
- 2 Hour Historic Market Food Tour and Hands-On Biscuit Class ($70)
- Bartram Trail Hike plus Wine Tasting ($159)
- Half-Day Wine Tastings in the North Georgia Mountains ($115)
Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Atlanta?
Since it's a large city, you'll probably need more than a weekend to take advantage of everything to do in Atlanta. Two or three days still gives you a good amount of time to explore, though, as you'll have a chance to experience at least some of the major attractions. In addition to the great museums and landmarks and fun shopping, visitors can enjoy the food, nightlife, and local culture by staying for a weekend.
Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta, Georgia
How to spend 2 days in Atlanta
With a weekend (two to three days) in Atlanta, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.
Shopping in Atlanta is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. There are a number of great shopping districts around town. Atlantic Station is popular with a movie theater and ice skating. Buckhead has boutique and local vendors and Lenox Square has a large shopping mall.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Atlanta's Shopping Heaven Tour ($41)
- Private Shopping Tour from Atlanta hotels to North Georgia Outlet ($167)
This city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. The nightlife scene is diverse with trendy bars, dance clubs, and huge music halls. There are a number of neighborhoods that each have their own atmosphere. For some of the best nightlife check out the upscale bars in Buckhead, the music venues in Midtown, the hipster vibe in Edgewood, or the laid-back atmosphere in Virginia Highland.
A few tour suggestions include:
- ATLANTA Yes, Queen! Drag Queen Pub Crawl ($40)
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Atlanta, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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