Discover Atlanta: Hollywood of the South

Atlanta is located in Northcentral Georgia among the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Throughout its rise to prominence in the 19th century, it was a major terminus for regional railroads linking the coastal port in Savannah to the Midwest. Contemporary Atlanta remains a major transportation hub at the confluence of I-75, I-85, and I-20. The city is also served by Hartsfield–Jackson International Airport, which regularly ranks as the world’s busiest in terms of passenger traffic. If you’re a frequent passenger with Delta Airlines, chances are you’ve passed through Hartsfield–Jackson. Travelers arriving on Atlanta-bound flights can make use of the city’s urban rail rapid transit system, known as MARTA to get Downtown.

MARTA also operates a surface bus fleet with fairly extensive coverage throughout Downtown and into Clayton, Dekalb, and Fulton counties. One-way trips cost $2.50 and allow 4 free transfers in a single 3-hour period. Within Downtown, the Atlanta Streetcar runs on a 2.7 mile loop and provides service to major attractions such Centennial Olympic Park and the King Historic District. Rides cost $1.00 with no transfers available to MARTA bus or rail services. If you’re visiting Buckhead, the Buc is a free shuttle service connecting the district’s MARTA station to stops around the area. Finally, Atlanta operates a pay-as-you-go bike-sharing platform called Relay Bikes. Drop stations are accessible using the HOPR mobile app and are scattered around the city. This is a convenient and eco-friendly way to get around.

Atlanta is a city defined by its many neighborhoods. They radiate out from Downtown in an irregular pattern, giving the city a patchwork consistency. First-time visitors can expect to spend most of their time Downtown and in the immediate surrounding neighborhoods such as Sweet Auburn, the Old Fourth Ward, Midtown, and Castleberry Hills. Locals dub these areas collectively as “Intown.” Other trendy neighborhoods a bit further out include Little Five Points, Grant Park, and Buckhead. With some 243 officially recognized neighborhoods, it’s simply not practical for visitors to remember each and every one (though don’t be surprised when you find ATLiens waxing poetic about their particular patch). Intown and the cluster of surrounding neighborhoods contain the city’s best selection of attractions and hotels, including the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, the Georgia Aquarium, and the High Museum of Art. There’s also a lot more besides, so let’s dive in a take a closer look at some great things to do in Atlanta.

Successive urban planning decisions have resulted in a dense cluster of high rises downtown and along a sliver of land extending north parallel to the Downtown Connector freeway. This layout creates a rather iconic skyline that lends itself in several spots to some excellent photography. If you’re an urban architecture fan, here are a few places where you can break out your tripod. Jackson Street Bridge crosses the I-10 between Irwin St NE and Highland Ave NE. This is a prime location for some iconic photography including long-exposure and time-lapse. The forking interstate ramps are a lovely foreground for buildings in Peachtree Center. Jackson Street Bridge is easily accessible while you’re exploring Sweet Auburn, the King Historical Park, and Freedom Parkway. As a bonus, visit the King Historical Park and then continue south on foot to Krog Street Tunnel where you can see the vast collection of urban art there.

Pick up the BeltLine from Krog Street and use it to venture north to the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum, the Inman Park neighborhood, and Little Five Points. The BeltLine also connects north to a second popular place from which to view the Atlanta skyline. Piedmont Park is just over 1.5 miles from Jackson Street Bridge and is arguably the best place to view Midtown. Set up in the park on the Meadow for a great shot foregrounded by Lake Clara Meer. Enjoy some time in the park and visit the neighboring Atlanta Botanical Garden. Piedmont Park is not far from the Midtown MARTA station and the High Museum of Art. Add the latter to your outing before heading for a meal or some drinks in Midtown.

Atlanta, like many great American cities, has a fine assortment of museums and cultural spaces. Foremost among these include the High Museum of Art, the Atlanta History Center, the Fernbank Science Center, the Georgia Aquarium, and Zoo Atlanta. In addition, there are several prominent art and history museums, which we simply don’t have the space to cover in detail. It’s safe to say if museums are your thing, you won’t find yourself short of great places to visit in Atlanta. Visitors staying in Intown will have no problems reaching many of these. Consider linking together visits to the Georgia Aquarium, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, and the World of Coca-Cola. All three are adjacent to Centennial Olympic Park. The College Football Hall of Fame, SkyView Atlanta Ferris wheel, and the CNN Center are also nearby. You can make an entire day out of things to do just around Centennial Olympic Park.

If you’re someone who enjoys a nice urban park, make your way to Summerhill and Grant Park. Purported to be Atlanta’s oldest city party, Grant Park is a sprawling space where you can easily spend several hours traversing the more than 131 acres. Pay a visit to Zoo Atlanta, which occupies the park’s southern sections. Zoo Atlanta features over 1,500 species is always a hit among families with young children. Depending on your mode of transportation, you might make your way west to Hank Aaron Drive to see the former location of the famed Fulton County Stadium where Aaron in 1974 smacked the home run to eclipse Babe Ruth as baseball’s career home run leader. Though the stadium was demolished in 1995 and replaced by Turner Field, a small section of outfield wall still stands to mark the path Aaron’s ball took that fateful April day. At the northeast corner of the same lot, you can see the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Cauldron Tower. It’s not much now, but it’s fun to see on your way back downtown.

Visitors who have a chance branch out from Intown or who are around Buckhead will certainly want to visit the Atlanta History Center. With exhibits chronicling Atlanta’s rise in the antebellum South, its place in Civil War history, and the fight for Civil Rights after World War II, the Atlanta History Center brings the city’s storied history into sharp relief. This year, rotating exhibits are looking at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games and the centennial anniversary of the 19th amendment and the decades-long struggle for women’s suffrage. Visit the museum’s 33 acres of enchanting gardens, woodlands, and trails. Be sure to see Swan House, which was built in 1928 for heirs to wealthly Georgia cotton planters. Staffed largely by black services, the house is a vivid testament to the racial and wealth disparities long evidenced and still present in modern American society. When you finish your tour, travel the short distance along West Paces Ferry Road to see the Albert E. Thornton House and Georgia Governor’s Mansion before returning to Buckhead for food, entertainment, and upscale shopping.

Atlanta was home to many prominent figures in the Civil Rights Movement during the 1950s and 1960s. Foremost among them was, of course, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who preached regularly from the pulpit at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church on Auburn Ave. Today, the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Park is dedicated to preserving King’s legacy and carrying on King’s work. Visitors can see King’s birth home along with his final resting place. The King Center contains moving tributes along with numerous artifacts and photos. From King Historic Park, make your way northeast along the Freedom Park Trail. This lovely greenspace follow aside the I-10 runs past the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum before winding its way to Freedom Park. Enjoy a stroll in the park before making your way to Little Five Points. This quirky neighborhood features several iconic shops and restaurants and is a fun place to spend some time. When you’re done, circle back through the Old Fourth Ward and visit the Historic Fourth Ward Park as you make your way back downtown.

Atlanta has no shortage of great hotels. Your choice will come down to standard considerations like budget, amenities, and location. Here are a few places to consider.

Hotel Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Customer Rating: 4.4/5

The Marriott Marquis offers a prime location from which to explore Atlanta. Situated right in the heart of Peachtree Center, from here you can easily walk to Jackson Street Bridge, King Historic Park, and Centennial Olympic Park. Guestrooms are elegant and feature understated décor with a natural wood motif. In the hotel’s public area’s you can enjoy the futuristic open atrium design that totally seems like it could have inspired designers on “the Matrix.” Featuring both indoor and outdoor swimming pools as well as a well-appointed fitness center, you’ll have no problems finding some relaxation here. Finally, in the event of inclement weather, you can navigate around the Peachtree Center using the series of skywalks that will make it so you don’t have to face the elements directly. Hard to go wrong here.

Hotel Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Customer Rating: 4.5/5

The Westin is another great choice if you’re looking to stick close to Downtown. The hotel’s iconic silver cylinder architectural design is eye-catching to say the least. Public spaces are clean and feature easy to access amenities including a Starbucks. In the guest rooms, large floor-to-ceiling windows offer impressive views no matter which direction you’re facing. The interior décor is traditional and exactly what you’d expect from a quality hotel. Guests can enjoy the hotel’s indoor poor or make use of the fitness center. Set two block from Centennial Olympic Park, the Westin is a great choice if you’re coming to town the your eye on catching an Atlanta Falcons game at the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium or a Hawks game at State Farm Arena, both of which are within walking distance

Hotel Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Customer Rating: 4.6/5

Visitors heading to Atlanta hoping to indulge in some upscale dining or shopping, would do well to position themselves in Buckhead. This trendy area features lots of great retail, fashion, and dining. As a plus, you’re also close to the Atlanta History Center and Swan House. Buckhead features MARTA connections so even if you’re without a car, you shouldn’t worry about staying here. The AC Hotel features elegant public spaces with a modern décor. There is outdoor lounge areas for those sunny fall days too. Guest rooms are understated without a lot of superfluous decorations. You’ll find a tidy room with space to unwind. The hotel does feature a fitness center with a small pool for relaxing. It’s not a place you can expect to do laps if that’s your thing. Buckhead is a happening place and the AC Hotel is right in the thick of it.

Hotel Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Customer Rating: 4.6/5

Peachtree Road is pretty much the main thoroughfare in Buckhead and that’s where you’ll find the Grand Hyatt. Easily within walking distance of the Buckhead MARTA station, this is a convenient location from which to branch out and explore Atlanta. The hotel features a lovely garden and greenspace area where you can stroll and relax after long day. Nighttime views towards the read of Buckhead are quite nice from here. Guest rooms are available in several configuration and feature the standard amenities. The hotel’s large outdoor pool is great for days where the weather is permitting. There is also a sauna and spa on premises. Guests staying here can explore Downtown Atlanta by day and indulge themselves in Buckhead at night.

Atlanta’s reputation as a jewel of the South is well-earned. A turbulent history has birthed a city constantly striving for new opportunities. Diverse neighborhoods and a wealth of fantastic sights awaits travelers. Come discover the Hollywood of the South and have yourself a fantastic fall adventure!