Fodor’s Travel. September 2024.
The five things you need to know before traveling to Atlanta from a local expert + neighborhood guides.
1. Don’t rent a car in Atlanta.
Even those unfamiliar with the Atlanta area may have heard it’s home to one of the country’s busiest airports—not to mention 16-lane highways. Atlanta traffic is notorious and streets often get clogged, especially during rush hours. If you are not planning to go into the suburbs or take any day trips, ride the public train, MARTA (takes about 17 minutes and costs $2). or get a taxi (often cheaper than Uber) from ATL airport to your accommodations. Stay ITP (inside the perimeter) at one of the boutique or premium hotels—most are newer, renovated, and branded.
2. Explore the city on two feet or two wheels.
Atlanta BeltLine and PATH connect urban dwellers to many of Atlanta’s neighborhoods, parks, food halls, bars, and restaurants through a network of pedestrian-friendly trails. During daylight hours, consider renting an electric bike or a scooter for a speedy and fun way to get around (Lime and Bird stations can be found throughout the city). At night, when crowds are thinner, consider a ride share.
3. Expand your knowledge of cuisine in the south.
Sure, you can find good fried chicken, shrimp and grits, and peach cobbler in Atlanta. But the Persian kebabs, Chinese dumplings, and Oaxacan mole you taste may change your perception of dining in the South. Atlanta boasts James Beard-winning and Michelin-starred restaurants that offer everything from Korean-Southern BBQ to fine Japanese omakase, and a variety of cuisines in between. Atlanta’s thriving food and drink scene means it’s increasingly easy to sip pre-dinner drinks at one of the trendy cocktail and wine bars.
4. There’s something to do for every kind of traveler. Pick a theme for your visit.
First-time visitors often find that there’s much more to do in Atlanta than they originally thought, and the city is quite spread out. If you have limited time, you need to be organized, or you will find yourself running all over the place. Have a specific focus for each day—such as iconic attractions, southern history, African-American culture, art and museums, shopping, or outdoor adventures. Make sure to save some spots for your next visit.
5. The globally diverse neighborhoods offer some of the best shopping and dining.
While each neighborhood in Atlanta offers a distinctive character and plenty of people watching, venture just a few minutes outside the city to taste globally-inspired authentic cuisine prepared by immigrant-run businesses. The Buford Highway corridor is hugely popular for food tours, but you can also dine at one of the 100+ dining establishments on your own, while Jimmy Carter Blvd is filled with Latin and Asian dining options, and parts of Lawrenceville Highway are better known as Little India. There are humongous farmers markets and dedicated cultural shopping malls catering to Indian, Japanese, Mexican, Middle Eastern, and African populations, that will make you feel like you have traveled across the globe.
