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 sprawling 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 sprawling 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.

Make sure to set aside around 2 hours for Center for Civil and Human Rights, which is $19.99. It's great for families and is known for its comprehensive and interactive exhibits on the American civil rights movement and global human rights issues.

It's worth around 2 hours for High Museum of Art. Entry is approximately $16 for adults, with discounts available for seniors, students, and free admission for children under 6.. It's known for its extensive and varied art collections ranging from classic to contemporary works, and its architectural design.

You'll want to have around 2 hours for World of Coca-Cola. It's a nice activity for families and is known for offering an immersive experience showcasing the history, advertising, and global influence of Coca-Cola. It's around $19 for adults, with discounts available for seniors, children, and military personnel.

You'll want to have around 3 hours for Atlanta History Center. It's a nice activity for families and is known for its extensive exhibits on Southern and Civil War history, historic homes, and beautiful gardens. It's $22 for adults, $16 for seniors, students, and military, and $17 for youths aged 4-12; children under 3 are free..

It's worth around 2 hours for College Football Hall of Fame. Entry is around $24.99 for adults, with discounted rates for children, seniors, and military personnel.. It's known for its interactive exhibits and extensive collection celebrating college football players and history.

You'll want to have around 3 hours for Fernbank Museum of Natural History. It's a nice activity for families and is known for its extensive dinosaur exhibits, immersive natural history displays, and forested outdoor trails. It's around $20 for adults, $17 for seniors and military, and $15 for children aged 3-12, with free admission for children under 3..

Make sure to set aside around 2 hours for Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, which is free. It's great for families and is known for its dedication to the life and legacy of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr, including his birthplace, church, and tomb.

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 ($65)
Taste Atlanta: Peach Croissant, Waffles & +5 Tastings ($109)
North Georgia Mountains TWO Vineyard Wine Tasting Tour ($155)

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.

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.

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.

Fox Theatre is worth visiting for around 3 hours, which is great for families and couples. Known for its extraordinary Moorish Revival architecture and hosting a wide range of high-quality live performances and Broadway shows, entry is $15.

A few tour suggestions include:

Atlanta Comedy City Tour ($42)
Roundabout Atlanta Sightseeing City Tour ($69)
Half Day Atlanta City Tour ($69)

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.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Atlanta, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.