Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Atlanta?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Atlanta?
Many travelers spend two to four days in Atlanta during their visit. After all, the diverse 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 3, 4, or 5 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 3 days enough time in Atlanta?
Many visitors choose to spend around three days in Atlanta. This would give you the chance to experience the city's most popular activities and wander through the museums, browse the shops, enjoy the city's energy, and sample the delicious cuisine. Since many visitors prefer to spend around two to four days here, we have a few suggestions of things to do in the diverse city.
How to spend 3 days 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)
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)
Don't miss the Georgia Aquarium during your trip to Atlanta, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Atlanta.
Is 4 days enough time in Atlanta?
Four days provides ample opportunity to explore the entirety of Atlanta at your own pace to wander through the museums, browse the shops, enjoy the city's energy, and sample the delicious cuisine. Then you can use the city as a convenient base for venturing into nearby destinations where you'll discover exciting day trip options.
Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta, Georgia
How to spend 4 days in Atlanta
With 4 days in Atlanta, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.
With its exciting energy, Atlanta offers the chance to immerse yourself in its dynamic neighborhoods, cultural attractions, and fun activities. Set aside a full day to explore the city's historical sites and must-see landmarks.. While it's a huge city, it also has a sprawling and suburban development style, so it doesn't always have that big city feel.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Half Day Atlanta City Tour ($69)
- Downtown Atlanta Full Day Hop on Hop off Tour Loop ($95)
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Is 5 days enough time in Atlanta?
With five days at your disposal, you'll have more than enough time to take in all that Atlanta has to offer, giving you the flexibility to unwind in your hotel or use Atlanta as a base for day trips to nearby destinations. You can relax while enjoying the famous sights and museums, the shops and boutiques, and the big city activities at your own pace. We have some suggestions of things to do below, too.
How to spend 5 days in Atlanta
If you have more than 5 days in Atlanta, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.
After you've explored most of Atlanta, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Atlanta.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Atlanta, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.