Atlanta, GA, is known for so many incredible things, most notably, it is a major cultural, economic, and historical hub in the Southern United States. While one day in Atlanta will only scratch the surface of all the things to do there, if you have a day to explore – you should do it!
My husband and I had been talking about visiting Atlanta since we met, so when I had the chance to visit, I was so excited! My husband lived in Atlanta for a year for work, so he shared lots of tips and suggestions with me. Throughout this itinerary, I’ll give options and ideas to make sure you have plenty of ideas, too!
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Tips for Visiting Atlanta for a Day
There are plenty of tips out there for visiting Atlanta, but if you have just one day, here are a few things you should know! Below are some tips that can help you plan your trip.
- Traffic, especially on the highways to and from the airport, can get pretty bad. Build in extra time, you don’t want to get stuck or miss a flight if you have a layover.
- Consider taking public transportation instead; the MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) rail and bus system is effective for reaching major hubs like the airport, Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead. It’s not convenient for every area, though.
- There is a long-standing history and continued building of Black culture in Atlanta. I’ve been to other places in Georgia, like Savannah, but Atlanta has a positive energy, and black culture is part of the soul of the city!
- Winters tend to be mild, and summers are hot and muggy. The best weather is in the fall and spring, but be prepared before your trip, as the weather can be unpredictable pretty much year-round except in summer.
Where to Stay in Atlanta
If you’re looking for an overnight stay in Atlanta, I would highly recommend the American Hotel! This hotel was located within walking distance of the top sites downtown, like the World of Coca-Cola and Centennial Park.
It’s part of Hilton’s Tapestry Collection, so it has a unique, vintage feel. It also has a very special history – it was Atlanta’s first integrated hotel in 1962 and has hosted many famous people like Martin Luther King Jr., Elvis Presley, Richard Nixon, and James Brown, to name a few!
I’d highly recommend staying here. It was a really nice hotel, and I had great interactions with the staff!
Morning: Coffee and Parks
Start off your morning in one of Atlanta’s coolest neighborhoods – Midtown. This area is full of beautiful homes, quaint coffee shops, and Piedmont Park.
Piedmont Park is Atlanta’s most visited attraction with several sights to see. With a rich history that goes back to the 1800s and breathtaking skylines, it’s a great place to spend your morning!
Start the morning by grabbing coffee at a nearby coffee shop, Larakin, or you can head right into the park for a bagel at Henri’s Bakery and Deli. If you’re there on a Saturday, walk through the farmer’s market (Green Market, seasonal). You could also choose to take a free walking tour.
From there, walk in the park! Piedmont Park has plenty of beautiful walking trails. You’ll want to read the historic markers as you walk through the city the learn more about its history.
Don’t miss the views from Lake Clara Meer and head from the side of the park where Larakin is to the Botanical Gardens. You can use this map of major landmarks in the park for an easy walking path!
Mid-Morning and Lunch: Atlanta Botanical Gardens
The end of the map I just shared leads to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens in Piedmont Park. This botanical garden is 30 acres and absolutely beautiful, no matter what time of year you visit! Take your time strolling through the gardens here, enjoying the different flora and fauna.
There’s also a beautiful restaurant here, Longleaf, right in the center of the gardens. Make your mid-day stop here to relax, take in the views, and enjoy!
The Garden is open Tuesday – Sunday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., and costs between $25-35 depending on the day of the week. Buying online ahead of time does save you a few dollars, so I’d recommend that!
Afternoon: Choose a Museum (or two)
Atlanta is home to some wonderful museums and experiences, especially the Civil Rights Museum and its unique interactive exhibits. Unfortunately, there are far too many to do in a single day, but you could potentially do two in an afternoon.
No matter which one you choose, you’ll have an amazing time. Below are a few options to choose from if you have one day in Atlanta.
Option 1: Visit a Few Museums in Pemberton Place
Pemberton Place is a plaza in downtown Atlanta, right next to Centennial Park, that includes several of the top attractions in Atlanta. This makes it possible to visit a few different museums since they are close together!
Options to choose from:
- World of Coca-Cola: an interactive exhibit where you can learn about the history and taste aaaall the soda flavors from around the world. This is so much fun, and I definitely recommend it!
- $23 to $30 for adults, open until 5-6 pm depending on the day, tickets here
- Georgia Aquarium: This aquarium held the title of largest in the world when it opened in 2005. Still the largest in the US, this aquarium is massive and has some incredible animals.
- $40 for adults, open until 6-8 pm depending on the day, skip the line tickets here
- Children’s Museum of Atlanta: Ideal for crawling babies and children up to nine years old, it was made for fun, hands-on learning.
- $17 – $19+ per person (ages 1 and up), open until 3:30-4:30 pm depending on the day, tickets here
- National Center for Civil and Human Rights: Dedicated to the achievements of the civil rights movement and to ongoing human rights issues around the world, this museum features inspiring and powerful exhibits.
- $21-28 per person, last entry 4 pm, tickets here
I would recommend choosing one of the museums that closes earlier first (Children’s Museum or Center for Civil and Human Rights), then one that closes later (Coca-Cola or Georgia Aquarium) to make the most of your afternoon.
Option 2: Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park is located where Dr. King was born. It’s in Sweet Auburn, a thriving neighborhood in the heart of Atlanta, well worth spending time at.
The site is much more than his childhood home, though! You’ll find several other historic sites related to Dr. King’s life and the civil rights movement here, like Ebenezer Baptist Church. Don’t miss the Visitors Center, where there are exhibits, and they can share more about what sites and tours are available that day.
There are free tours here daily; check the National Parks website to find one that fits your trip and schedule.
open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, free admission
Option 3: Museum of High Art
The High Museum of Art is the largest museum for visual art in the Southeastern United States. The architecture is beautiful, and inside you’ll find over 20,000 different works of art. There are many great exhibits here featuring famous artists like Georgia O’Keeffe, Norman Lewis, and Romare Bearden.
As you can tell, the museums in Atlanta are top-notch. You really can’t go wrong here!
Evening: Dinner at an Atlanta Favorite
End your day with an Atlanta classic, Mary Mac’s Tea Room. Mary Mac’s name might sound a little deceiving because it is a southern comfort food restaurant, not a spot for tea, but the reason for its name is an important part of history!
In 1945, when Mary Mac’s opened, women weren’t really allowed to open up their own business, especially restaurants, but they could open up restaurants with more refined names – tea rooms! Today, Mary Mac’s is the last of the sixteen tea rooms that once dotted intown Atlanta in the 1940s.
You’ll find plenty of southern classics here, like fried chicken, hush puppies, deviled eggs, and chicken and dumplings. They’re known for their peach cobbler, and I can attest that it is fabulous!
It’s a perfect end to your day in Atlanta and definitely a fun slice of history as well. Make a reservation in advance to secure a table!
Other Ideas
Not into this itinerary? That’s okay! Here are some other ideas for your one day in Atlanta to consider.
- Explore Centennial Olympic Park: Take a picture with the Olympic rings and ride the Ferris Wheel.
- Walk the Atlanta Beltline Eastside Trail: Another great green space in Atlanta. Make sure to stop for photos of the murals and the “Tiny Doors” art installations.
- Defy gravity and more at the Museum of Illusions: Immersive museum with over 50+ interactive illusions for some fun!
- Eat at Ponce City Market: Grab some great food and explore the trails in the Beltline. Tours are also a fun idea here!
- MLK Jr. Walking Tour: Walk in the footsteps of MLK Jr. and explore key landmarks, his story, and more on a guided tour.
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