Updated November 10th, 2022

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Atlanta, Georgia is one of the best cities to visit in the US. With world class attractions, tons of places to walk, amazing BBQ spots, and streets full of art there is so much to do, see, and eat. There’s no doubt about why you should visit Atlanta. The only question is, when to visit Atlanta?

The best time to visit Atlanta depends on what you want to do in the city. The weather will also play a big role in when you decide to visit Atlanta. Decide for yourself when the best time to visit Atlanta is based on the weather at different times of year and what there is to do during each season.

Best Time to Visit Atlanta

Atlanta Spring

The best time to visit Atlanta may be the spring. It is the perfect time of year to be outside. Unless you are allergic to pollen that is. Everything is coated in a yellowish-green dust due to the pollen in spring. If you can handle the pollen, the city is beautiful with all the blooming flowers and greenery.

Atlanta Spring Weather

The weather in Atlanta in spring is overall very nice. As with any season in Atlanta you can expect some rainy days, but there will be many sunny ones as well.

Spring Activities in Atlanta

• While there are festivals year-round, spring is a busy season for festivals in Atlanta. The Dogwood Festival in Piedmont Park with food, music, and art is a popular one. Several neighborhoods also have their community festivals and tour of homes this time of year.

• Spring is the perfect time of year to take a stroll through Atlanta’s most walkable neighborhoods. You will find beautiful manicured lawns and gardens at so many houses.

• Speaking of flowers, the Atlanta Botanical Gardens is the place to go. It is beautiful all year-round, but it really shines in the spring.

• Spring is also the perfect time to take an art walk and find the many murals around the city or hunt for Tiny Doors.

• There is a lot of outdoor dining in Atlanta. While some offer outdoor seating year-round, it can be quite hot sitting outside in the summer and a bit chilly in the winter. When the patios open up in the spring, the notoriously long brunch waits at the best brunch spots in town become slightly shorter with more seating options.

• While the brunch places are delicious, it is also picnic season. Take the work out of planning a picnic and go on a Mystery Picnic. You’ll have so much fun using clues to help you gather all the items in your picnic basket. Once your items are collected you will end at your secret picnic spot.

Atlanta Summer

Like many places, summer in Atlanta is high season for tourists. Hotel prices are typically the highest this time of year. That’s not the only thing that is high this time of year…..

Atlanta Summer Weather

The city is called “Hot Atlanta” for a reason. Temperatures are in the upper 80s and low 90s almost everyday in July and August.

The only relief from the relentless sun and humid heat is the daily rain showers. These rain showers help reduce the temperatures a bit, but they also cause all the humidity. Atlanta is an incredibly green city full of foliage rich neighborhoods and beautiful parks. Some summer days I truly feel like I am walking through a jungle with the humidity after it rains.

It rains almost everyday in Atlanta for at least 10 – 15 minutes. Good luck predicting when that will be though! The majority of the time it is in the afternoon or early evening, or as I like to say, as soon as I step out the door. The weather forecast can be 0% chance of rain and there is a downpour or the forecast can say 70% chance of thunderstorms and there isn’t a cloud in sight. If the weather is forecasted to thunderstorm all day everyday, don’t despair. Most of the time the weather changes or when it does rain, it passes quickly.

While many people avoid Atlanta during the summer due to the heat, the rain can also cause a damper in your plans. There are days or nights with several hours of heavy rain and thunderstorms.

Summer Activities in Atlanta

• There are some large outdoor events and festivals during the summer. The Piedmont Park Arts Festival and Beerfest at Historic Fourth Ward Park are both great festivals.

• If you are looking for some summer hiking, head to the Chattahoochee. The Chattahoochee River trails offer miles and miles of shaded trails to at least give you a little respite from the sun.

• You can also spend a lazy afternoon “shooting the hooch” by tubing down the Chattahoochee River. For something a little more active, rent kayaks from High Country Outfitters – Paddle Shack.

• Cool off with a refreshing treat from one of the many ice cream shops in the city. Jeni’s Ice Cream and Four Fat Cows are two of my favorites. For popsicles you need to try King of Pops.

• Head to Truist Park for a Braves baseball game. Check out The Battery across the street, which offers a wide range of dining, shopping, and entertainment options.

Atlanta Fall

The best time to go to Atlanta may be in the fall. The temperatures are perfect for outdoor activities and there is a lot going on in the city.

Atlanta Fall Weather

September in Atlanta is usually still quite hot. By October temperatures start to fall and become much more pleasant.

Fall Activities in Atlanta

• Fall in Atlanta means a packed festival and event calendar. Two large food festivals, Atlanta Food and Wine Festival and Taste of Atlanta, take place in the fall.

• There are also Halloween themed events such as Little Five Point’s annual Halloween parade. Boo at the Zoo is one of Atlanta Zoo’s many yearly events. It’s a great family friendly event where children can go trick or treating around the zoo.

• Head to Historic Oakland Cemetery to get in the spooky spirit! The cemetery is the city’s oldest park. It actually is quite nice all year round with gardens and walking trails, but there are special Halloween tours in October for the non scaredy cats!

• It’s football season so catch an Atlanta Falcons home game at the Mercedes-Benz stadium.

• Go hiking near Atlanta to see fall colors. Peak time for fall foliage is usually early November.

• Fall is also a great time to explore pumpkin patches, apple orchards, and gardens a little further afield from Atlanta.

Atlanta Winter

If you are hoping to find cheaper hotel prices the best time to travel to Atlanta is winter. While tropical destinations are often a top choice for winter vacations, if you are from a colder climate Atlanta will feel quite nice in the winter. You will also avoid large crowds, except around the holidays.  

Atlanta Winter Weather

Winter in Atlanta is quite mild, at least for a northern girl like myself. Like every season there can be some rainy days, but there is hardly ever any snow. An ice storm is more likely than a snowstorm. If there is any snow you can bet the city doesn’t know what to do with it!

Winter Activities in Atlanta

• December is full of Christmas activities in Atlanta. The weather is nice enough to be outside to enjoy the lights, markets, tree lightings, and other festivities.

• Stone Mountain Park, just 30 minutes east of downtown Atlanta, has many festivals all year. The Stone Mountain Christmas festival involves holiday shows, a Christmas laser show, visits with Santa, and other holiday festivities.

•The Atlanta Botanical Gardens turns into a magical land in the evenings for Garden Nights, Holiday Lights.

• The rest of the winter there are not as many events and festivals, but there are enough to keep you busy. The week-long Atlanta Jewish Film Festival showcases a lot of Jewish films around the city. The juggling festival is a fun, unique festival to attend.

• When it is colder out and the crowds are thinner, it is a good time to visit Atlanta’s top attractions including the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca Cola, The National Center for Civil and Human Rights, and the College Football Hall of Fame. You can visit all of those for free with the Atlanta CityPass.

• Winter is a great time of the year to eat at two of Atlanta’s biggest indoor food markets, Ponce City Market and Krog Street Market. They are both along the BeltLine, a pedestrian and bicycle trail. 

Where to Stay in Atlanta

Regardless of the best time to travel to Atlanta, I always recommend staying in Midtown. Midtown is home to one of the nicest parks and places to walk in Atlanta, Piedmont Park. The Eastside BeltLine trail also runs along the eastern border of Midtown. The BeltLine will take you to many of the great neighborhoods in Atlanta.

Within Midtown you will find many restaurants and art venues. Plus you are close to downtown Atlanta where the major attractions are located. You can reach downtown quickly by MARTA (Atlanta public transportation), walking, or taxi. 

Here are some highly rated properties to consider staying at when visiting Atlanta.

• Hotel Indigo Midtown: Right across the street from the Fox Theater and just over a mile away from the Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca Cola.

• Hyatt Centric Midtown: Only a couple blocks away from Piedmont Park and the Eastside BeltLine trail.

• Canopy by Hilton Midtown: Located in northern Midtown near the arts venues and Atlantic Station.

• Stonehurst Place Bed & Breakfast: For a more local and upscale experience, stay in this historic bed and breakfast.

Booking.com

More in Atlanta

ACTIVITIES:

• 3 Day Itinerary
• Date Ideas
• Explore the Best Neighborhoods
• Why to Visit

ART:

• Murals by Neighborhood
• Tiny Doors

DAY TRIPS:

• North Georgia

FESTIVALS & HOLIDAYS:

• Christmas Activities
• Fall Festivals
• Festivals by Season
• Spring Festivals

FOOD:

• BBQ
• BeltLine Restaurants
• Breakfast Restaurants
• Brunch Places
• Burger Spots
• Casual Restaurants
• Chicken & Waffles
• Donuts
• Food Halls
• Healthy Restaurants
• Mystery Picnics

OUTDOORS: 

• Chattahoochee River Trails
• Places to Walk
• Hiking Near Atlanta
• Walkable Neighborhoods

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