Last Updated on October 13, 2022 by Tori Pines
The perfect combination between city and southern is the city of Atlanta, GA. It’s a perfect weekend getaway for the person looking for lots of things to do, great food, outdoor adventures and the best southern hospitality. So, plan a weekend in Atlanta, GA and enjoy one of the best cities in the south.
For other weekend getaways, read through all of my weekend guides. Or, if you’re planning a longer Georgia adventure, explore some other Georgia destinations.
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Why Spend a Weekend in Atlanta, GA?
Atlanta, GA is the perfect weekend destination as it is easy to get to, is filled with great activities and has beautiful weather year-round.
How to Get to Atlanta, GA?
Getting to Atlanta, Georgia is very easy as it is home to the country’s most heavily trafficked international airport. The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport sees the most flights, so you are sure to find many great flight options for good prices on most airlines.
This is especially helpful if you’re spending a weekend in Atlanta, GA, as you might need very specific days/times to make the most out of your days off. Try booking a Thursday evening flight after work and then head out on a Sunday evening. Or maybe stay through Monday. Either way, you’ll be sure to find great options for low prices! Atlanta is Delta’s hub, so you’ll likely find many flights there on Delta.
Once you arrive at the airport, call an Uber or Lyft and you’ll be in the city in 15 minutes. You won’t need a car as almost everything is within walking distance and the weather is usually very beautiful in Atlanta; you will enjoy the walk!
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How Long to Stay in Atlanta, GA?
Atlanta offers so much to see and do so you can definitely stay longer, but I recommend a weekend in Atlanta, GA. 3-4 days is usually the perfect amount of time to see the city, try the food, experience the best activities and explore some of the surrounding nature.
What Time of Year Should You Visit Atlanta, GA?
Atlanta is beautiful year-round, but the best weather is seen from March to May and September to November. The summers in Atlanta can be extremely hot, so you might want to avoid these months if possible. There are some amazing seasonal events you’ll want to enjoy, so select your weekend in Atlanta, GA dates based on the following events and festivals. For more information on these events check out the festival calendar here.
January
For the first half of the month, the holiday lights are still being displayed at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Check them out before they’re gone for the year.
February
Two great annual events held in February include the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival and the SCAD TVfest. Or, visit for the Publix Atlanta Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K which starts and ends at Centennial Olympic Park, right in the heart of the city.
March
This month offers a ton of amazing annual events! The Atlanta Salsa Bachata Festival and Wing & Rock Fest both happen this month. Or, visit for St. Patrick’s Day for the parade and other big celebrations around the city. But my favorite? The Suwanee American Craft Beer Fest and the Georgia Food + Wine Festival are both this month, as well! Plan out a weekend in Atlanta, GA during March for some of the year’s best festivities!
April
The month of April offers some great opportunities for art lovers. Check out the Atlanta Dogwood Festival in Piedmont Park or the Acworth Art Fest in downtown Acworth. There’s also the ATL Blues Festival at the Performing Arts Center or the Atlanta Film Festival! And again, a great food festival is held this month just outside of the city; the Taste of Marietta hosts tons of local food vendors to try.
May
If you visit for a long weekend in Atlanta, GA during the month of May, you should visit the Shaky Knees Music Festival. It’s held at Central Park and features indie rock, folk and country music. Or, explore the Sweet Auburn Springfest filled with family activities, live music and delicious food.
June
June is another awesome time to visit Atlanta as they hold a huge Juneteenth celebration! The Juneteenth Atlanta Parade & Music Festival is a three-day event held in Centennial Olympic Park, right in the center of town. The festival is filled with live music and other entertainment including speakers and performances, along with food, local vendors and more.
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July
Since July in Atlanta is very hot, they don’t hold a ton of events this time of year. However, you will find the annual Atlanta African Dance & Drum Festival this month. Or, spend your holiday weekend here and celebrate the 4th of July with a huge fireworks display at Centennial Olympic Park.
August
In August, you’ll want to hang out at Piedmont Park. The park hosts two awesome festivals, the free reggae festival and the Piedmont Park Arts Festival! Or, celebrate International Beer Day at some of Atlanta’s local breweries!
September
The North Georgia State Fair is held in Marietta each November! Enjoy a weekend in Atlanta, GA and take the opportunity to hit up the fair. Not a fan of fried food and games? Well then, another great food and wine festival is held this month. Visit the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival held in Midtown. Alternatively, enjoy Japanfest, a super fun and unique activity in town this month!
October
Oktoberfest hits Atlanta this month, so visit for German food, music, games and more! Or maybe you’ll want to check out the other festivals like the Atlanta Arab Festival, Roswell Wine Festival, Atlanta Pride Festival or the Taste and Brews Fall Festival. There’s so much to do this time of year, you’ll have so much fun on a weekend in Atlanta, GA!
November
Arguably the best month of the year, the fall festivals continue in Atlanta through November and the Christmas celebrations begin! Start with the Chastain Park Fall Festival and then follow it with the Georgia Festival of Trees at the Georgia World Congress Center.
December
The Georgia Festival of Trees is held a second time, in December. You should also visit the Atlanta Botanical Garden to see holiday lights this month! Or visit the Virginia Highland Winterfest; yes it’s in Atlanta, not Virginia!
Where to Stay for a Weekend in Atlanta, GA
Atlanta is filled to the brim with hotels located in the center of town. I recommend you pick one as close as possible, especially if you don’t have a car. Most activities are close together in town, so you’ll be able to walk, or scooter, to everything you want to do!
I love the Atlanta Marriott Marquis. It’s within walking distance of almost everything, has great upgrades and comfortable rooms and pretty reasonable prices! The Hyatt Regency Atlanta is another great option!
Alternatively, find a cute VRBO to stay for a weekend in Atlanta, GA. If you have a car then you can be flexible with the location; just know that when you drive into the city, parking is pretty expensive. Expect to pay at least $15.
Where to Eat in Atlanta, GA
My go-to food is something quick, inexpensive and healthy when I’m traveling. That’s why my favorite spot in Atlanta is Upbeet. They serve clean, nutritious food and a meal will cost around $10. You’ll walk up to the line and select everything you want in your bowl including grains, greens, proteins, veggies and sauces. It’s healthy, super filling and super fast!
A popular spot to dine in Atlanta is Busy Bee Cafe. It’s a famous spot to find celebrities and politicians dining, so you know it must bee great. (see what I did there?) The restaurant has been around for over 70 years serving typical southern dishes. But make sure you plan ahead; they’re only open from 11am to 7pm.
For an upscale dining experience, visit the Sundial Restaurant. Set on top of the Westin Hotel, it’s here that you’ll find the best views of the city and surrounding area. The food is amazing, but very expensive. If you prefer to save your pennies, you can visit the observation deck instead for just $8 per person!
Visit Paschal’s for their signature fried chicken. You can find fried chicken all over the south, but many would argue that Atlanta is the place for fried chicken. And Paschal’s is known to have some of the best. It was once the meeting place for M.L.K., so you can visit for chicken and history!
Things to Do for a Weekend in Atlanta, GA
There’s so much to do here that your weekend in Atlanta, GA will be packed full with adventure. I recommend you start by purchasing the Atlanta CityPass. This pass will get you access to five of the city’s best attractions. As of 2022, the ticket will cost $86 per adult and $68 per child. You’ll save money by packaging the tickets together, and get the chance to visit several different places during your weekend.
World of Coca-Cola
Possibly the most famous place in Atlanta is the World of Coca-Cola. Back in 1886, Coca-Cola was created right here in Atlanta, GA. Over 100 years later, in 1990, the World of Coca-Cola was built as an immersive experience allowing guests to watch the bottling process, learn the history of the famous beverage and enjoy other fun activities. The best part? You get to taste all the different beverages they sell around the world. Each continent offers its own unique flavors that you’ve likely never heard of. Try them all here!
This is a great activity for adults but is especially fun to bring kids. They will enjoy the shows, hands-on activities and opportunity to meet the polar bear mascot! We enjoyed it as adults, but it would be much more fun for little ones.
Georgia Aquarium
Just across the lawn from the World of Coca-Cola sits the Georgia Aquarium. It’s the largest aquarium in the United States and the third-largest in the world. The aquarium is home to thousands of animals in over 11 million gallons of water. Some of its most notable residents include Beluga Whales, Manta Rays and Whale Sharks.
College Football Hall of Fame
Another fun destination that’s included in the CityPass is the College Football Hall of Fame. It’s best for sports and football lovers, but can be a lot of fun for others as well…especially for kids! While there’s a lot of history and information located throughout the hall of fame, there’s also tons of fun football-related activities for kids and adults to enjoy.
Centennial Olympic Park
A 22-acre public park located in the center of Atlanta, it feels as though the whole city is set around Centennial Olympic Park. The park was built for the 1996 Summer Olympics hosted in Atlanta, Georgia. Today the park is home to tons of events. Many of which were mentioned above where I listed many of Atlanta’s festivals and annual events. Be sure to explore the park for some of my favorite views of the city and get a photo with the Olympic rings.
CNN Center
In the center of downtown you can’t miss the CNN Center; it has huge red letters plastered on the huge building. Home to CNN’s headquarters, you can no longer take studio tours, but it can still be fun to visit as the building is pretty cool. There’s a food hall in the bottom and you can wander around to learn about CNN. There’s also a very nice hotel connected, the Omni Atlanta Hotel, and you can choose to stay here instead!
Atlanta Braves Game at Truist Park
This fairly new ballpark is located about 25 minutes north of town, so you’ll have to jump in an Uber or Lyft to get here. If you’re visiting between April and September, try to visit on a weekend when the Braves will be in town. They’re a really fun team to watch and the stadium is gorgeous. Surrounding the ballpark is a whole little village they created. It’s filled with shops and restaurants to enjoy before the game. Then head into the park, enjoy the ball game and some great ballpark food!
Atlanta Falcons Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Another new-er facility is Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home to the Atlanta Falcons (NFL) and Atlanta United FC (MLS). If one of the teams will be in town during your weekend in Atlanta, GA, then buy tickets, cheer for the local team and explore the modern building.
Atlanta Hawks Game and a Concert at State Farm Arena
Atlanta’s final professional sports team is the NBA team the Atlanta Hawks. They play in State Farm Arena, right next to the CNN Center in downtown Atlanta. The facility is also home to many large concerts, so be sure to check out the event schedule before you plan your trip. Chances are you can find a fun concert to attend during your weekend in Atlanta, GA
Hikes Near Atlanta
Get out of the city for a few hours and explore some of the nearby trails. Piedmont Park is super close to the city and offers some fun trails and views of downtown. For something a little more rigorous and further outside of the city, visit the East Palisades Trail and Bamboo Forest. It’s 3.3 miles, winds through a bamboo forest and offers a really pretty view!
A weekend in Atlanta, GA will be the perfect city escape from a long work week. Fill your weekend with local events, famous attractions and some of the best southern food in the South. And be sure to plan another fun weekend getaway soon!
