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The Perfect 3 Day Atlanta Itinerary & Guide

Updated November 30th, 2022 

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Do you enjoy doing a variety of activities when visiting a new city? Is learning the history of the city important, but also exploring the neighborhoods and parks? Do you make an effort to check out the main attractions, but also head off the beaten path and see more of the local side of the city? If you answered yes to any of these questions I have the perfect 3 day Atlanta itinerary for you!

Atlanta, Georgia is one of those cities I had always wanted to visit. I’m not sure how I initially got it in my head that I wanted to go to Atlanta, but once it was in my head I couldn’t get it out. Fall 2019 I finally decided to start planning a southeast USA road-trip. Atlanta was one of the first places I thought of to include in my trip. Fast forward to over three years later, I have now spent a lot of time in Atlanta! Needless to say I have become well acquainted with the city. 

With so many things to do in Atlanta including eating at great restaurants, visiting historical sights, exploring world class attractions and discovering Tiny Doors in charming neighborhoods, you will need much more than a long weekend in Atlanta to do it all. This 3 day Atlanta itinerary will give you a good start by taking you to the best attractions, outdoor spots, and historical sights in the city.

Where to Stay in Atlanta

Jackson Street Bridge Atlanta
Jackson Street Bridge

If you only have 3 days in Atlanta you are probably thinking you should stay downtown Atlanta, close to many of the city’s iconic attractions that I include in day 1 of the itinerary. While it might be handy for the first day, and there are several big chain hotels, I recommend staying in another neighborhood. I wouldn’t say that downtown is unsafe, but it isn’t the nicest area to walk around in, especially later in the evening. There’s unfortunately a large homeless population in some parts of downtown.

Instead find a hotel in Midtown. Midtown, a commercial and fine arts area, is centrally located for all the restaurants, places, and activities in this itinerary. Walking to downtown takes about 30 – 60 minutes. MARTA (public transportation) stations are nearby, and taxis will not take long at all.

You will find many nice hotels in Buckhead as well. It is farther north and not quite as convenient though.

Around the ATL airport you’ll find several chain hotels. Most of them are fairly nice, but at lower costs. Staying around the airport you will be south of the city and spend more time driving and/or taking public transportation, but you can stay at a nice hotel for a reasonable cost. The Fairfield Airport North provided a good stay.


Booking.com

How to Get Around Atlanta

How to Get Around Atlanta

Walking in Atlanta

Atlanta is known for horrific traffic. You would think this would make people want to walk or take public transportation. For some reason it really doesn’t. Many of the neighborhoods are quite walkable (like the ones I included in day 2 of the itinerary), but people typically only walk between them if they are connected by the BeltLine. The BeltLine trail and Piedmont Park will be packed on a beautiful Saturday afternoon, but in other areas like Midtown or downtown you won’t find many people walking around.

That doesn’t mean it isn’t safe, it just isn’t as common. Many times you have to go under or over interstates or walk on busy roads. I have walked all over the city and I don’t always enjoy those parts that connect the neighborhoods, but I do love walking in each neighborhood. Atlanta is actually full of nice places to walk. Downtown is my least favorite neighborhood to walk in and Midtown feels nicer and safer, but doesn’t have the charm or uniqueness of other areas. While I do walk around a lot more than most people during the day, I avoid walking alone at night almost everywhere in the city.

Day two in this Atlanta itinerary is the best day to walk.

Public Transportation in Atlanta

Atlanta’s MARTA is one of the largest public transportation systems in the US. It is compromised of numerous bus lines, four underground subway lines, and a streetcar that runs on a small circuit downtown. Tickets are $2.50 for one ride with up to four transfers in one direction. A variety of day and trip passes are also available. Regardless of the kind of ticket or pass you purchase, you need to obtain a Breeze Card ($2 valid for 3 years) or Breeze Ticket ($1 single use).

One of the subway lines even runs from the airport, which will save you a lot of money coming and going from the airport. Using public transportation may also come in handy for you on day 3 in the itinerary when going to Buckhead.

Taxis in Atlanta

If you only have three days in Atlanta you may want to maximize your time by taking taxis to some places. Taxis can come in handy if you are going far enough that it doesn’t make sense to walk, but not too far that you will be sitting in traffic. On day 1 you could either take a taxi or the MARTA Gold or Red line to Peachtree Center Transit Station.  

Whenever I use a taxi in Atlanta, or really anywhere in the US, I use Lyft.

The Perfect 3 Day Atlanta Itinerary

The hours and ticket prices listed are current as of the most recent update. All prices are adult prices with tax included. Please note they can and do change. Some places recommend advance purchase of timed tickets. The days can be completed in any order, but pay attention to the opening days of museums and attractions.

Atlanta Itinerary: Day 1 – Downtown Attractions 

The first day in this Atlanta itinerary is dedicated to the biggest and most well-known attractions in the city. They are all located downtown, fairly close to each other. If you only have a weekend in Atlanta these are the attractions you don’t want to miss.

Many of these attractions are included on the Atlanta CityPass. Adult passes are currently $93.54 and include admission to the Georgia Aquarium ($46.82), the World of Coca-Cola ($20.69) and Zoo Atlanta (starting at $28.54). The pass is already worth it after these three activities, but there is more! You also receive free admission to two out of these three attractions of your choice: the National Center for Civil and Human Rights ($21.69), the College Football Hall of Fame ($30.25), and/or the Fernbank Museum of Natural History ($26.95)

The CityPass is valid for 9 consecutive days and will definitely save you money.  I was happy that I purchased it on my first visit to Atlanta.

World of Coca-Cola

World of Coca Cola

Start your day early at the the World of Coca-Cola. Sometimes tourist attractions can be a little hit or miss so I didn’t really know what to expect before visiting. After visiting I realized the World of Coca-Cola is a little bit of everything and I quite liked it. It’s part museum, factory, attraction, movie theater, refreshment stand, and more!

Upon arrival you are greeted with a small can of coke. You are then taken to a brief presentation, followed by a short movie about Coca-Cola and happiness. I don’t know why, but I was seriously dabbing my eyes by the end of the movie! I guess that’s why Coca-Cola is so good at advertising. 

After the movie you are free to visit the rest of the exhibits on your own and in any order you choose. “The Vault” exhibit not only allows you to see the actual vault where they keep the secret recipe, but you can also learn about the history of the drink and the inventor. In “Bottle Works” you get to walk alongside an actual bottling plant to see all the steps in the process.  

One of the most popular sections is the “Tasting Room” where you can try over 100 different drinks made by the company. What I loved about it was that you didn’t have to ask for samples or have anyone watching over you. You could truly sample every single one if you wanted. It’s a lot of fun because they have the drinks organized by continent. I dare you to try the Beverly! I rarely drink soda, so after sampling 15 or so drinks my tummy felt a little strange afterwards! (Tasting is still available, but self-serve is temporarily unavailable.) 

Hours: Mondays – Thursdays 10am – 5pm, Fridays – Sundays 10am. 7pm

Time Needed: Average time spent here is about 2 hours.

Tickets: Buy online for $20.69 or receive included with the Atlanta CityPass

Brunch at Atlanta Breakfast Club or Gus’s Fried Chicken

Day 1 Atlanta Itinerary Lunch

If your stomach has any room after all the soda, have a southern style meal. While Atlanta Breakfast Club is nearby, you will want to put your name in early, especially on the weekends. Stop by the restaurant before going to the World of Coca-Cola or put your name on the Yelp waitlist online. On my Sunday afternoon brunch the wait was hours and hours. The system is a little helter-skelter, but the food is delicious. Some of the best chicken and waffles in Atlanta are served here!

Alternatively you can go a few blocks farther to Gus’s Fried Chicken. Of course you want to order the spicy fried chicken here. It is finger licking good! The sides and the chess pie are delicious as well.

Hours: ABC: Everyday 6:30am – 3pm. GFK: Sundays – Thursdays 11am – 9pm, Fridays – Saturdays 11am – 10pm

Time Needed: You may want to allow 2 hours in case there is a wait and/or slow service.

National Center for Civil and Human Rights

National Center for Civil and Human Rights

Next up is the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. You could argue that this museum fits better in the history focused day, but as Atlanta is the birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement has deep roots in the city, it is one of Atlanta’s main attractions. Plus it is located in Pemberton Place alongside the World of Coca-Cola and the aquarium. It makes the most sense to visit while you are in the area today.

The museum is focused on the US Civil Rights Movement and other human rights issues. The main exhibit “Rolls Down Like Water: US Civil Rights Movement” is centered around the lives of African Americans during the 1950s and 1960s in urban areas like Atlanta.

I didn’t know until later that the exhibit was curated by the Tony Award winner George C. Wolfe. It’s no surprise because the exhibit really tugs at all your senses. Instead of solely reading museum placards, you really become immersed in the history. There is even a lunch counter sit-in simulation where you can get a feel of what it would have been like to be a non-violent protestor.

Hours: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays 12pm – 5pm and Saturdays 10am – 5pm

Time Needed: Average time spent here is about 2 hours.

Tickets: Buy online for $21.69 or receive included with the Atlanta CityPass

Georgia Aquarium

Georgia Aquarium

The Georgia Aquarium is the largest aquarium in the USA. I’m sure it comes with no surprise that there is a lot to see and do here. You can wander around at your leisure, but if you are short on time or visiting within the last few hours before closing make sure to plan out your visit so you don’t miss out on your top exhibits or any live shows.

For me I had to see the dolphin show and the sea lion show! You don’t need to purchase separate tickets for the show, but currently you do need to make reservations the day of your visit. If you choose the first few rows at the dolphin show you will get splashed thanks to the high jumping dolphins! It’s a great way to learn about these sea animals and observe them in action with their trainers. I wanted to jump right in with them.

I saved the Georgia Aquarium for last not only because it is open later than other attractions, but it is also a relaxing way to end your day. After going through the aquatic tunnel within the ocean voyager exhibit, you reach the large viewing window with carpeted bleacher type seating in front. I loved sitting in this dimly lit room watching all the sea life, large and small, swim by. Don’t miss one of the Tiny Doors ATL near the entrance to the exhibit.

Hours: Mondays – Thursdays 9am – 8pm, Fridays – Sundays 9am – 9pm

Time Needed: At least 3 – 4 hours.

Tickets: Buy online for $43.55 or receive included with the Atlanta CityPass

Dinner in Midtown

Tonight eat dinner somewhere in Midtown. Assuming you are staying in Midtown this will be very handy after your long day of touring the city. 26 Thai Kitchen and Bar Midtown is one of my favorite Thai places in the city. The interior design of the restaurant provides a nice ambience and the food is excellent. Farm Burger is perfect if you want something a little quicker. They are one of my favorite burger places in the city.

More Attractions in Downtown Atlanta

It’s unlikely that you can fit more into day 1, but if one of these places didn’t catch your fancy or you have more than three days in Atlanta and are looking for additional things to do, here are a few other attractions downtown to consider:

Atlanta Itinerary: Day 2 – Outdoors

Atlanta has the most green space per person in the USA! It would be a shame to miss out on all these lovely outdoor areas in the city. Start in Midtown and work your way south to some of Atlanta’s smaller, more unique neighborhoods.

If you have additional time in Atlanta check out all the great hikes in the metro area, including the Chattahoochee River hiking trails. There are several state parks within a couple hours drive from the city including Tallulah Gorge State Park.

Atlanta Botanical Gardens

Atlanta Botanical Gardens

Begin the day at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. The thirty acres of the garden is full of a variety of plant collections, conservatories, exhibits, and woodlands. My favorite part was the woodsy area with a canopy trail, it was less crowded than the indoor buildings on the other side of the gardens. The Earth Goddess, pictured above, in the Cascades Garden is quite impressive as well. 

In addition to the permanent collections, the garden always has interesting temporary exhibits. In 2020 it was Alice’s Wonderland. In December one of the best Christmas activities in Atlanta is seeing the gardens transformed into a holiday wonderland every night with a special holiday lights event.

Hours: Tuesdays – Sundays 9am – 4pm (additional hours for events)

Time Needed: At least two hours.

Tickets: Buy online for $29.99

Piedmont Park

Piedmont Park

Piedmont Park is adjacent to the gardens and the perfect next stop. It is one of the largest and most popular parks in the city. In the evenings and weekends especially you will see people walking and running on the paved paths, playing sports in the wide open grassy lawns, picnicking at one of the many picnic tables, or simply enjoying the magnificent views of the Midtown skyline.

Spend some time relaxing in and enjoying the park, or take a quick walk through it before venturing on to lunch at Ponce City Market.

Time Needed: It will take almost 40 minutes to walk from the Atlanta Botanical Gardens to Ponce City Market, but you can easily spend much more time here.

Lunch at Ponce City Market

Ponce City Market

Ponce City Market is one of Atlanta’s hot spots. It was one of the first mixed use spaces developed in Atlanta. There are apartments, a Skyline amusement park, shops, and most importantly a food hall! You can find a wide range of global cuisines at the dine-in restaurants and to-go stalls within the market.

If you are having a hard time choosing, I recommend Botiwalla. It is an Indian street food place with flavorful Indian style wraps. Leave some room for a 100 layer donut from Five Daughter’s Bakery. They are a little bigger and pricer than your typical yeast donut, but are oozing with goodness. In general there are a lot of really good donut shops in Atlanta!

Hours: Mondays – Saturdays 10am – 9pm and Sundays 11am – 8pm

Time Needed: Allow at least an hour to scope out all the options here.

The BeltLine: Tiny Doors ATL & Murals

Inman Park Tiny Door

The BeltLine is a 22 mile mixed use trail that will eventually circle the city and connect 45 neighborhoods. Some parts of the trail are unpaved and others are still in the works. The paved Eastside trail begins in Piedmont Park and goes south past Ponce City Market and into the residential neighborhood of Glenwood where it turns into the unpaved Southside trail.  

Spend the afternoon walking or biking on the trail. Renting bikes from Atlanta Bicycle Barn is a great way to cover more ground than you could by walking. There are many opportunities to get off the trail and wander around the neighborhoods of Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, Cabbagetown and Glenwood, which are all directly off the Eastside Trail.

Atlanta is a very artsy city and there is no better place to see this than on the BeltLine. Keep your eyes open for Tiny Doors! With over 20 doors placed around the city you can try to find them all or at least the ones located around the Eastside trail. My Tiny Doors post will tell you more about each door, where to find every one, and what to do nearby. Also be on the lookout for wall murals. Like the tiny doors they can be found all around the city, but many of them are in the neighborhoods mentioned above.

Dinner

Check out my Atlanta BeltLine restaurant guide  for a plethora of choices for dinner. Use the map feature in the post to find somewhere to eat wherever you end up along the BeltLine. There are so many great places to eat around the Atlanta neighborhoods I mentioned above so you are sure to find somewhere tasty.

More Outdoor Activities in Atlanta

I never get tired of walking on the BeltLine or around the neighborhoods that run alongside it.

  • Take the BeltLine all the way to Glenwood Ave where it turns into a gravel trail. Turn right (going west) and continue on to Grant Park. Walk around the park or visit the Atlanta Zoo (included on the CityPass).
  • Walk or bike on the PATH trails. The Stone Mountain PATH trail, also referred to as the Freedom Park Trail, runs perpendicular to the BeltLine. The two trails cross in the Inman Park neighborhood. You can head west on the trail towards downtown or east for several miles.
  • Visit the neighborhoods of Little Five Points and East Atlanta. They both are home to a tiny door and have a more hipster feel. There are a few different nightlife options in the form of bars and live music venues in these areas.

Atlanta Itinerary: Day 3 – Historical Sights 

Atlanta has a rich history to discover. Many notable people grew up and lived in Atlanta at some point in their lives, including Martin Luther King Jr and Margaret Mitchell. There’s no better place to learn about the Civil War and Black history than in Atlanta, the home of the civil rights movement. If you are looking for places to visit to learn about Black history in the south you must visit Atlanta.

Margaret Mitchell House

Margaret Mitchell House

I hadn’t read Margaret Mitchell’s Gone with the Wind when I toured her home, but I wanted to as soon as I left! The author of this classic novel lived in the first floor apartment of the home while writing her claim to fame. Although the apartment is small, the tour is fascinating. As someone who knew very little about the literary work of art I was glued to every word the tour guide uttered. She did a fantastic job of sharing Mitchell’s life.

After the tour you are free to explore the rest of the house, which is turned into a museum. You can learn more about Mitchell’s life and the filming of Gone with the Wind.

Hours: Everyday 10am – 5:30pm (Temporarily closed)

Time Needed: At least an hour, but I spent closer to two hours reading everything and watching the videos after the 30 minute tour.

Tickets: $13 – Included with Atlanta History Center tickets (You do not need to visit both on the same day)

Atlanta History Center

Atlanta History Center

The Atlanta History Center in Buckhead is one of the best history museums in the US. It is a big place with a lot to see, do and learn. It is much more than a museum. In addition to the large modern museum you will find historic houses, gardens, a farm, and walking trails within its 33 acres. The Swan House is a 1928 home designed for Edward and Emily Inman by the well-known architect Philip Trammel Shutze. You can tour the home and even ask questions to the costume docents acting as members of the Inman family. 

Outdoors you will find wooded trails that lead around the property and through the gardens. Smith farm with live animals, a wood cabin and a Victorian playhouse are other areas you will encounter as you wander around outside.

The main museum building is filled with exhibits on Atlanta’s history. “Gatherround: Stories of Atlanta” is the cornerstone exhibit. It tells the story of Atlanta in the eyes of many different people who have called Atlanta home or been connected to the city in some way over the years. Using artifacts, various types of media and interactive experiences you will learn about the political changes, urban growth and cultural ways of life in the city.

The Cyclorama should not be missed! The main focus of the exhibit is the Battle of Atlanta, a three dimensional painting from the 1880s. The painting has recently been moved from Grant Park into the Atlanta History Center and a whole new 360 degree viewing experience involving a theatrical video on the painting is included.

BRASH Coffee and Souper Jenny form a bustling cafe with fresh salads, soups and sandwiches all made from local ingredients. I ate at Souper Jenny as it is a quicker option to allow more time in the museum, but the Swan Coach House is a more elegant southern luncheon restaurant. I can envision wealthy ladies in the 1960s going for a leisurely lunch here.

Hours: Tuesdays – Sundays from 9am – 4pm

Time Needed: At least three hours, but as you can tell you could easily spend an entire day here. Make sure to save enough time.

Tickets: Buy online for $24

Dinner at Win – Taste of Bali 

Win Taste of Bali

Atlanta has a lot of great Asian cuisine, but not a lot of Indonesian places. Win – Taste of Bali is a great place to have traditional Indonesian food. Order the Rijsttafel and enjoy trying small portions of nine different dishes. It’s the perfect way to try several of the most popular dishes on the menu.

Hours: Mondays – Saturdays 11:30am – 2:30pm, 4 – 9pm (weekend nights until 10pm)

You need to have some BBQ when visiting Atlanta. Tonight might also be a great night to try one of the many delicious BBQ places in Atlanta.

More Historical Sights and Activities in Atlanta

As you can see if you are only in Atlanta for the weekend you will stay very busy trying to see and do as much as possible. I hope this 3 day Atlanta itinerary convinces you to come back to Atlanta again soon! To extend your time in the Atlanta area plan one of these weekends trips from the city to explore more of the SE USA. 

More in Atlanta

ACTIVITIES:

ART:

DAY TRIPS:

FESTIVALS & HOLIDAYS:

FOOD:

OUTDOORS:


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