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Atlanta: Getting Prepared, Getting There, and Getting Around

Home » Georgia » Atlanta Vacations: One to Three Days » Atlanta: Getting Prepared, Getting There, and Getting Around

Atlanta is a great spot for a long (or short) weekend because even with just a day or two, you can get a good feel for the city. Several of the big-name sites are close to each other and nearly all are accessible using MARTA. Even if you’re in town for one of Atlanta’s many business conventions and you have a spare afternoon, that’s enough time to explore get a taste of the “Capital of the New South.”

Before you head to Atlanta, however, do your homework. Use Internet web sites such as this one and contact the Atlanta Visitors’ Bureau for information on lodging, transportation and activities. If you are a member of an organization such as AAA, get guidebooks with maps that you can tote around town. AAA may also qualify you for discounts at some hotels and restaurants, and it’s a good idea to make hotel reservations in advance so that you can avoid the rush of convention bookings.

If you fly to Atlanta, you’ll land at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. If you want to rent a car, follow the signs to car rental; otherwise, head towards MARTA, and hop on the subway (which is above ground at this point) heading north towards downtown. If you can, avoid renting a car. With only one to three days, you won’t want to spend time waiting in rental car lines, fighting traffic, getting lost or looking for parking.

In addition, the sites we’ll describe below are all either MARTA-accessible or a short cab ride away, so not renting a car will save you some money. If the weather is nice, you’ll probably want to spend a good amount of time walking anyway so that you can get a feel for the downtown, the parks, and other areas.

The best times of the year to visit Atlanta are during the spring and fall, but this itinerary is not season-specific. Regardless of when you go, you’re not going to get to everything that interests you. In particular, our suggested itineraries will keep you in Atlanta proper and avoid day trips to popular diversions such as Stone Mountain Park and Six Flags over Georgia. As with any of our suggestions, take them or leave them as you want, and prioritize based on the interests and energy level of your groups.

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