So you're coming to Atlanta for the Peach Bowl! Welcome! Atlanta is a world class city with lots to offer. I put together a brief guide to help make your stay enjoyable. Hope it is helpful.
Getting Around:
Hartsfield Jackson International Airport (Hartsfield) is the busiest airport in the United States. You should have no problem getting a flight. As a bonus, there's also no need to rent a car! We have a rapid transit system called MARTA that's pretty good if you're going straight North-South or East-West, which you are if you're coming for the game. Whether you're staying in Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or Decatur, all are accessible by MARTA. You should plan to use MARTA as a first choice from the airport.
Seriously, DO NOT rent a car. It is not necessary and Atlanta has enough of them. MARTA will take you from the airport to your hotel in Downtown in 10 mins and Midtown in 15 mins. Buckhead is about 40 minutes. All times on MARTA are faster than driving.
Neighborhoods:
Atlanta does not have a fixed central area like Downtown Pittsburgh or Center City Philadelphia. The city is built on a series of rolling hills and there's only one minor river (the Chattahoochee) which is far from where you'll be. Atlanta also didn't become a major US city until the mid-20th century. Growth was therefore somewhat haphazard and resulted in the build-up of numerous areas, about 3 of which compare in size to Downtown Pittsburgh. The below is a rundown of the major areas where you may consider staying:
Since we have so many good restaurants and bars, you have a lot of options! That's great but it can be intimidating. Don't be afraid to leave Downtown for a bite to eat. The rest of the city has so much to offer and much of it is just a short Uber away. I think rather than describe my favorite places I'll just list places that I've been to which are great and I can easily recommend. In no particular order:
Downtown/Inman Park:
What I Would Do:
I'd stay in Downtown either for the proximity to the game and team events or Midtown for the better quality of life.
Definitely MARTA or Uber. Do not rent a car. Driving here is terrible.
If you just can't get enough football: College Football Hall of Fame.
If you have kids: Aquarium, Zoo, or Botanical Gardens.
If you want to see a non-football museum: Center for Human Rights or High Museum of Art
If you want to go on a bar crawl: walk the pedestrian only "Beltline," from Krog Street Market (about a 5 min Uber from Downtown) to Ponce City Market. It is the city's best greenway. Tons of amazing restaurants and bars along the whole length. Grab lunch at 9 Mile Station at the top of Ponce City Market (make a reservation).
If you want the best nightlife: Edgewood.
*******
Enjoy your time in Atlanta! Feel free to DM me if you want more specific advice and H2P.
Getting Around:
Hartsfield Jackson International Airport (Hartsfield) is the busiest airport in the United States. You should have no problem getting a flight. As a bonus, there's also no need to rent a car! We have a rapid transit system called MARTA that's pretty good if you're going straight North-South or East-West, which you are if you're coming for the game. Whether you're staying in Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or Decatur, all are accessible by MARTA. You should plan to use MARTA as a first choice from the airport.
Seriously, DO NOT rent a car. It is not necessary and Atlanta has enough of them. MARTA will take you from the airport to your hotel in Downtown in 10 mins and Midtown in 15 mins. Buckhead is about 40 minutes. All times on MARTA are faster than driving.
Neighborhoods:
Atlanta does not have a fixed central area like Downtown Pittsburgh or Center City Philadelphia. The city is built on a series of rolling hills and there's only one minor river (the Chattahoochee) which is far from where you'll be. Atlanta also didn't become a major US city until the mid-20th century. Growth was therefore somewhat haphazard and resulted in the build-up of numerous areas, about 3 of which compare in size to Downtown Pittsburgh. The below is a rundown of the major areas where you may consider staying:
- Downtown: offices, government services, Georgia State University, Mercedes Benz Stadium, Aquarium, College Football Hall of Fame, World of Coke, MLK park. There are some restaurants but I don't go here much because it's pretty far from me. Probably a bit more homeless here than in other areas if that kind of thing bothers you. Oakland Cemetery is cool if you're looking for an outdoor place to walk around and there are a few rooftop bars across from it to use on a nice day.
- Midtown: Georgia Tech, plurality of the good restaurants/bars in the city, museums, Piedmont Park, etc. This is probably where I would stay but it's 10 mins from the team hotel and you'd be more on your own than you would be in downtown. You'd have to figure out more stuff for yourself. Piedmont Park is the largest park in the city, great for walking and they may have holiday stuff going on. Also a few bars and restaurants on the outskirts of the park if you want to take a break for food/drink.
- Buckhead: financial district about 20-30 mins north of Midtown/Downtown. Lots of high end shopping and nightlife. Too far IMO if you're just coming for more than the game but it's in play if you can get a cheap hotel and you just want to go to the game.
- Decatur: cute little town centralized on a pedestrian mall. Lots of restaurants/art. Reminds me of Shadyside. Like it here but it's a solid 20-30 mins from the stadium. Very safe if you're worried about that thing in other areas.
Since we have so many good restaurants and bars, you have a lot of options! That's great but it can be intimidating. Don't be afraid to leave Downtown for a bite to eat. The rest of the city has so much to offer and much of it is just a short Uber away. I think rather than describe my favorite places I'll just list places that I've been to which are great and I can easily recommend. In no particular order:
Downtown/Inman Park:
- Superica
- Bar Mercado
- Kevin Rathbun Steak
- Barcelona Wine Bar
- Hampton & Hudson
- Bread & Butterfly
- Beetlecat
- Two Urban Licks
- Nine Mile Station
- Empire State South
- Cypress Street Pint & Plate
- Cooks & Soldiers
- Marcel
- JCT Kitchen
- 5Church
- Leon's Full Service
- The Iberian Pig
- Revival
- Bones
- King & Duke
- Gypsy Kitchen
- Georgia Beer Garden
- Red Phone Booth
- Joystick game bar
- Victory Sandwich Bar
- Ladybird
- Venkman's
- Publik Draft House (next to the Fox Theater)
- Cypress Street
- Ormsby's
- Little Trouble
- Moondog's (if you want to smoke inside)
- Five Paces/Lost Dog/Big Sky (if you want to get weird with a 24 year old)
- Johnny's Hideaway (if you want to get weird with a woman of a certain age)
- Twain's
What I Would Do:
I'd stay in Downtown either for the proximity to the game and team events or Midtown for the better quality of life.
Definitely MARTA or Uber. Do not rent a car. Driving here is terrible.
If you just can't get enough football: College Football Hall of Fame.
If you have kids: Aquarium, Zoo, or Botanical Gardens.
If you want to see a non-football museum: Center for Human Rights or High Museum of Art
If you want to go on a bar crawl: walk the pedestrian only "Beltline," from Krog Street Market (about a 5 min Uber from Downtown) to Ponce City Market. It is the city's best greenway. Tons of amazing restaurants and bars along the whole length. Grab lunch at 9 Mile Station at the top of Ponce City Market (make a reservation).
If you want the best nightlife: Edgewood.
*******
Enjoy your time in Atlanta! Feel free to DM me if you want more specific advice and H2P.
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