aerial view of city buildings during daytime

Atlanta

Georgia's capital pairs civil rights landmarks with Southern barbecue and the BeltLine, a 22-mile loop trail built on a former rail corridor.

Find a room in Atlanta Start with the essentials Plan a trip to Atlanta

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Atlanta is the capital and largest city of Georgia, the county seat of Fulton County, and it extends into neighboring DeKalb County. It sits in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, about 1,000 feet above sea level, and is nicknamed the City of Trees. Vegetation covered 47.9% of the city in 2017, the highest share among major U.S. cities. Downtown holds most of the tourist attractions and sporting venues. Midtown is home to art institutions and universities, and Buckhead, about eight miles north of Downtown, is the uptown district.

Visitors go for the civil rights history at Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, the Georgia Aquarium and the BeltLine, a multi-use trail on a former rail corridor that forms a loop of about 22 miles around the core. Barbecue, hamburgers, Southern fried chicken and lemon pepper wings are local staples, and the Varsity, a long-running drive-in, is a classic stop. Summers are hot and humid. Late spring and early fall are somewhat drier, and winters are mild with snow rare.

Atlanta in five

Ride MARTA from the airportHartsfield-Jackson (ATL) has its own MARTA station, and trains reach downtown and Midtown in about 20 to 30 minutes..MARTA
Plan around the trafficAtlanta spreads out and highways clog at rush hour. Group sights by area, and use MARTA or the Atlanta Streetcar where they reach.
See the civil rights sites in one dayMartin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, the Sweet Auburn district and the nearby museums sit close together. Check the NPS site for tour times before you go.King Historical Park (NPS)
Walk part of the BeltLineThe old rail loop links Piedmont Park, Ponce City Market and Old Fourth Ward on foot or by scooter. Pick one stretch rather than trying the whole loop.
Do the entry check before a Hartsfield-Jackson connectionEven a layover in Atlanta counts as entering the USA, so Visa Waiver Program travelers need an approved ESTA before the first flight. Other passports need a visa.Visa checker

Things to do in Atlanta

See all attractions in Atlanta

a group of people sitting on top of a lush green field

Park · AtlantaPiedmont ParkGo early for a quieter walk, jog or picnic.

Museum · AtlantaFernbank Museum | 3D Theater | ForestGo on a weekday for a quieter visit.

Historic site · AtlantaOakland CemeteryEntry is free on regular days, but special events such as Illumine require tickets.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to AtlantaPut the places you like in Atlanta on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL), about 20–30 min to Midtown by MARTA
Getting there: Fly into ATL, a major US hub; drive from Birmingham or Chattanooga
Getting around: MARTA rail, rideshare and a car; the BeltLine for walking
Best base: Midtown or Old Fourth Ward, near MARTA or the BeltLine
Time needed: 2 to 3 days

Weather by month

Rainy days
Days with storms

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh11°Low3°Cool, quiet
FebruaryRain12 rainy daysHigh15°Low6°Cool, mild
MarchPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh18°Low8°Spring bloom
AprilPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh22°Low12°Dogwoods, mild
MayRain13 rainy daysHigh27°Low17°Warm, green
JuneRain15 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh30°Low21°Hot, humid
JulyRain19 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh32°Low23°Hot, storms
AugustRain17 rainy daysHigh31°Low22°Hot, storms
SeptemberRain9 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh29°Low20°Warm, clearer
OctoberClear7 rainy daysHigh24°Low14°Fall color
NovemberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh17°Low8°Cool, clear
DecemberRain10 rainy daysHigh13°Low5°Cool, holidays

Average daily high and low in Atlanta, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Atlanta

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 19°
Humidity: 57%
Wind: 18 km/h
Chance of rain: 1%

Atlanta

03:36 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT-5

Today22°14°1%Monday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 1%.
Tue25°15°7%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 25°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 7%.
Wed21°19°84%Wednesday: Rain. High 21°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 84%.
Thu23°19°76%Thursday: Drizzle. High 23°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 76%.
Fri25°18°23%Friday: Cloudy. High 25°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 23%.
Sat23°15°1%Saturday: Cloudy. High 23°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 1%.
Sun21°13°12%Sunday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 12%.

Updated 12:36 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD

Amount

Converted to

USD · US Dollar

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Atlanta

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Coming up

Day trips by train

Stone Mountain Parkabout 30 min by carA granite dome with a summit hike and a lake.
Chattanoogaabout 2 hours by carA riverfront city with Lookout Mountain and the aquarium.Read the guide
Ashevilleabout 3.5 hours by carMountain town and the Blue Ridge Parkway.Read the guide

Before you go to Atlanta

Atlanta attraction ticketsAquarium, museums and toursBook timed entry

Hotels and rentalsCompare areas and ratesCheck availability

eSIM for the USAData on landing, no SIM swapRead the guide

Travel insurance for the USAUS medical care is costlyRead the guide

We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.

Rules for Atlanta, checked

Check whether you need an ESTA or a U.S. visa before you fly, on travel.state.gov.Source
Apply for ESTA only on the official U.S. government site, esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not through a third-party form.Source
Declare food, plants and animal products on your arrival form. Check current rules on cbp.gov/travel before you pack.Source
Dial 911 for police, fire or an ambulance.

Plan around Atlanta

All of the USA

Parks, cities and the rules every visitor needs

Read the guide Birmingham

Civil rights history and food, about 2.5 hours west

Read the guide Asheville

Blue Ridge mountains and the Biltmore, about 3.5 hours

Read the guide Austin

Another Southern music city, a fly-in away

Read the guide ESTA, explained

Who needs it, the fee and how to apply

Read the guide

Atlanta FAQ

How many days do you need in Atlanta?

Two days cover the aquarium and civil rights sites. Three days add the BeltLine, a museum and a ballgame or show. A fourth day suits a trip to Stone Mountain or Chattanooga.

Do you need a car in Atlanta?

Not always. MARTA rail links the airport, downtown and Midtown, and rideshare fills the gaps. A car helps for the suburbs, Stone Mountain and day trips.

Is Atlanta safe for tourists?

Like most big US cities, stay aware in busy and late-night areas, use rideshare after dark and avoid leaving valuables in cars. Check local guidance for the neighborhoods you plan to visit.

Where should I stay in Atlanta?

Midtown for MARTA, parks and museums, or Downtown for the aquarium and stadiums. Choose Old Fourth Ward or Inman Park for BeltLine walks and restaurants.

What is the best time to visit Atlanta?

March to May and October to November. Summers are hot and humid with afternoon storms, and winters are mild but can be cold and damp.