When I was heading to Atlanta, Georgia, I honestly didn’t know quite what to expect! I flew in without much prior knowledge of the city, but I can happily report that I found so much more than just a busy hub. While we were in town for my husband’s conference, I spent the week discovering a city rich in Civil Rights history, incredible Southern ‘soul food,’ and, of course, the birthplace of Coca-Cola! It’s the capital of the Peach State, and after a week of exploring, I’ve put together this guide to help you navigate the best of ATL.
GETTING THERE & AROUND
Getting to Atlanta was easy with direct flights from Paris. The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is one of the most efficient and busiest hubs in the world. Even though airport food can be hit or miss, I have to tell you about the “Easy Loaded Potato Skins” I tried there. They were so simple yet tasty that I’m already planning to replicate them at home! It’s just potatoes with the skin on, melty cheese, and crispy bacon, topped with green onions and sour cream. Yum!
Once you land, you have plenty of options:
- Taxi/Uber/Lyft: Always available.
- Waymo: This was so cool! Atlanta is one of the only cities where you can catch an autonomous, driverless taxi.
- MARTA: The metro line goes straight from the airport into the heart of downtown.
Where to stay
The Courtyard by Marriott Atlanta Downtown: For this trip, we stayed at a 3-star business hotel to be close to the conference. It was functional and convenient, featuring a suite with two TVs, a fitness room, and its own Starbucks bistro.This building itself is actually a piece of history! Completed in 1925 as the Carnegie Building, it now houses the Marriott. I love how they’ve preserved the stunning brick and limestone exterior—it’s got so much character!
Tip: If you are visiting for fun and want a trendier vibe, I would recommend staying in Midtown or the upscale area of Buckhead instead!
Where to eat
Atlanta is the heart of Southern soul food. You’ll find legendary comfort food in historic diners and eateries that have been local landmarks for generations. Here are the absolute staples:
- Mary Mac’s Tea Room: Serving authentic Southern plates since 1945. It is a total Atlanta icon!
- Silver Skillet: Founded in 1956, walking in here feels like stepping back in time.
- The Varsity (est. 1928): Famous for its classic American drive-in menu and retro energy.
- Colonnade (est. 1927): The go-to for traditional Southern cooking and old-school charm.
- Busy Bee Café (est. 1947): A neighborhood favorite with some of the most incredible soul food you’ll ever taste.
THINGS TO DO
Visit World of Coca-Cola
You cannot visit Atlanta without stopping here! The history is fascinating—pharmacist John Stith Pemberton created the formula, but Asa Griggs Candler bought it in 1888 and turned it into a global empire.
- The Vault: You can visit the actual vault where the secret recipe is kept. It was moved here from SunTrust Bank for the company’s 125th anniversary. You can’t see the paper itself (unless you buy the company!), but seeing the safe is a thrill.
- The Lab: You can create your own drink according to your “flavor DNA” and even contribute your opinion to flavors currently in development.
- Tasting Room: You can sample fizzy drinks from all over the world! Brave souls must try the “Beverly” from Italy!
The Candler Hotel
It’s tied deeply to Coca-Cola history and features an “Original Man Cave” and diner vibe. Back in the day, it housed a bathhouse with porcelain tubs, a lavish barbershop, and the iconic Russell Stover’s Malt Shop.
Tiny Doors ATL Scavenger Hunt
Keep a lookout for these “Tiny Doors” scattered throughout the city. These miniatures are less than 20 cm tall; finding them is like a city-wide scavenger hunt that turns a simple walk into a hidden art gallery tour!
The Atlanta BeltLine
This 35 km urban trail was actually built on old railroad tracks that loop around the city. It’s the perfect spot for a hike or a bike ride, and it’s packed with massive graffiti murals and some of the best skyline views in Atlanta!
Gone With the Wind & Margaret Mitchell
Atlanta is the heart of the Gone With the Wind legacy. If you are a fan of the classics, these spots are an absolute must-visit!
- Margaret Mitchell House: Known as “The Dump,” this is Apartment 1 where Peggy Marsh wrote her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel!
- The Marietta GWTW Museum: Housed in Brumby Hall, this museum is filled with incredible costumes and props, including the original honeymoon dress worn by Vivien Leigh.
- Tara Museum: For a true “behind the scenes” look, you have to see the relics of the Tara plantation set. It’s fascinating to see the actual artifacts and the famous doorway from the O’Hara home, which was actually just a Hollywood façade!
- Atlanta Public Library: This was one of my favorite spots! You can even see the original Underwood typewriter that Margaret Mitchell used to type her novel! Plus, the librarians in the special collections section are the friendliest people; they took me on an incredible journey into Margaret’s world.
- Oakland Cemetery: Historic Oakland Cemetery is actually Atlanta’s oldest public park and the final resting place of Margaret Mitchell.
The Millennium Gate Museum
A massive, Roman-style triumphal arch that tells the history of Georgia through interactive tech and period rooms.
The Georgia Capitol Museum
This museum is almost as old as the Capitol building itself (it dates back to 1889!). While you can do a self-guided tour anytime, I highly recommend a small group guided tour to see the Senate rooms and the famous gold dome! I learned so much—read more about my visit in this post.
I know that was a lot to take in, but Atlanta really surprised me with how much it has to offer!
Last but certainly not least, you can’t leave without acknowledging the city’s deep Civil Rights roots. Atlanta is just steeped in history, and you really should take some time to walk through the parks and monuments dedicated to the movement—it’s such a powerful and essential part of the city’s identity.If you have any questions or want to share your own favorite ATL spots, let me know in the comments!