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Last month I had a whirlwind visit to Atlanta Georgia where I packed in as much sightseeing as I possibly could while I was there. With or without kids in tow, 72 hours in Atlanta is a good amount of time to see this vibrant city. I was in Atlanta to attend SitSum with the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Here is how to plan a quick and fun visit to Atlanta.
Atlanta has so much life in it.
Everywhere I turned there was someone or something to see. One of the first things we did was to get a CityPASS. CityPASS is a booklet of tickets you can buy at one set price that provides you access to many of the cities most popular attractions. Not only can you save money using it, you also don’t have to wait in lines at each place. Since we had limited time in the city this was a big help.
With tickets in hand, your first stop should be Centennial Olympic Park. It’s a beautiful area to take in the energy of the area. Surrounding the park are many attractions that visitors love including CNN World Headquarters… which should be one of your next stops.
World of Coca-Cola is right around the corner. Be sure to try all the different flavors of cola from around the world. Some taste great… others don’t. Either way, you will remember the different options for years! Time to keep movie…
You could spend a whole day at the Georgia Aquarium.
If you have the time or if you have kids with you… block the day and really take it all in. The aquarium is broken down into different areas and I thoroughly enjoyed each of them. With the CityPASS, we didn’t have to wait in any lines to get in even on a day that they were limiting entry and other people had to wait. That is a huge benefit of having a CityPASS.
In the same area is the Center For Civil And Human Rights.
I really wished I had the kids with me for this stop. The exhibits are so well created and it was like history was coming alive for me. I would plan a good two to three hours to see it all and don’t miss The American Civil Rights Movement exhibit or the Martin Luther King Jr. Collection. Both were fantastic.
Atlanta is a multicultural up and coming foodies paradise!
Plan out 4-6 hours for a food tour. You will not be disappointed. On our tour we learned much more than just about the food options available… we had a walking tour guide that really knew (and loves) Atlanta. Having a local to ask questions was invaluable… and the food was all amazing. Being a vegetarian I was worried that there would be no food for me to eat, but Atlanta was very vegetarian-friendly. From veggie burgers to just having shrimp or other meat taken off, I was well fed.
After your food tour make sure to stop on by the famous Fox Theater.
Built in 1928 its rich history is a testament to the resilience of the people of Atlanta. You can walk through the luxurious walls of the red carpet entrance, or buy tickets and take an insider’s tour.
The next morning pick one of the lovely restaurants on Peach Street and have a cup of coffee.
There are many great spots to stop and sip your coffee while you are people watching in midtown.
No trip to Atlanta is complete without seeing the Margaret Mitchell House.
It was fascinating seeing where she wrote Gone With The Wind… and hearing about her boisterous life and untimely death on the streets of Atlanta. She was a very interesting lady and I felt a sense of renewed energy after my visit.
This was inside her actual apartment.
Be sure to take an afternoon stroll over to Piedmont Park.
Piedmont Park is over 180 acres surrounded by the urban neighborhoods of Midtown and Virginia Highlands. Our driver actually got a little lost on the way to the park so we enjoyed an in-depth tour of both areas. I’m in love with the architecture of the area homes.
The park has a large pond that has a skyline view of downtown.
One more stop during your 72-hour visit should be to the Atlanta Botanical Garden.
The gardens have new exhibits and noteworthy events happening all the time, so you are sure to see something spectacular during your visit.
We stayed at the W Midtown during our visit and we found the location to be perfect to help facilitate our time in Atlanta.
Thanks for reading! Have you been to Atlanta?
Atlanta is a wonderful place to visit! We went there about 6 years ago on a family trip and had a ball!
That’s awesome! Atlanta is such a wonderful place, I’m curious about the world of coca cola and the botanical garden! I would love to visit someday!
How cool is this I was in Atlanta last week and did half of your recommendations now I need to go back =)
I’m sure you and your family had fun experienced! I’ve never been in Atlanta, but I’m so sure that is one of beautiful country.
Atlanta is such a great city! I use to go all the time when I was living in FL!
if i ever went to Atlanta, my first stop would be at CNN 😀
I have only traveled through Atlanta but never stopped to enjoy it’s beauty or site. I would love to see the Georgia Aquarium some day and some of these other sites.
Wow all the pictures are stunning and really Atlanta is such wonderful place!!
This looks like so much fun! We haven’t been to Atlanta in a long time. I think I’d like to try that food tour!
My biological father is from Georgia and was actually born in Atlanta, but I never knew anything about the city. Looks like there are some amazing things to do and sights to be seen though!!!
I have always wanted to go to ATL. Love your ideas about what to do there!
I’ve always wanted to visit Atlanta. It seems like it would be such an adventure.
Atlanta is the best city in the country. Of course, I live there, so I might be just a touch biased. 😉
The photo of the jellygish is gorgeous! LOoks like a great place to visit.
I haven’t been to Atlanta before, but I have always wanted to go! I think I would spend multiple days at the Aquarium! I think that place looks amazing!
Looks like you had a good time. When I do short trips, I too try to cram in as much as possible so that I don’t feel like I missed anything.
I have never been to Atlanta but I would love to visit someday. This looks like a really great way to visit!
This looks like great time spent. I love CityPASS, you can do so much and save money.
Ah I really need to plan more trips out there. There is an endless number of things to do. I love the aquarium!
I have never been to Atlanta, but it looks like and awesome place to visit.That just might have to be my next vacation.
I have always wanted to visit Atlanta! Now I do so even more. Looks like a great city!
I was just in Atlanta for Type A and wish I had been there longer! It is such a beautiful city!
If I ever get to Atlanta I will have to check these places out
I would love to go to Atlanta. There are so many neat things to do and cool places to check out there!
I’ve had several layovers in Atlanta. One of these times I need to extend my stay so I can experience all the fun!
Atlanta is always such a lovely and fun place to visit. I certainly recommend getting a city pass!
Reading your pos,t I felt like I was right there with you with your descriptive writing. I have never been there, but now I would love to visit someday.
I’ve always wanted to go there. There’s so much to do and it’s amazing how you squeezed all the activities in just 72 hours.
Atlanta is such an important spot in this country’s cultural history! There’s so many interesting things to see there!
SITSUM was amazing. I’m jealous you got in on those food tours, my next trip back will definitely involve more food.
Wow, I can tell I’d love the Botanical Gardens, the food tour and the tour of Margaret Mitchell’s house. I also think the Civil RIghts Museum might surprise me.
Atlanta looks like a very colorful city with lots of life! I would love to visit someday with my family.
Looks like you had a great time! We haven’t been to Atlanta yet but hope to some day.
I love these short trips you have been going on. I did not realize how much you can get done in 72 hours. I have never been to Atlanta before. There are so many fun things to do there.
Atlanta is such a fun city to visit! There’s an endless amount of things to do and see. The aquarium is amazing!
This is such a great and comprehensive guide. I enjoyed looking at the photos and descriptions on what to expect. What camera were you using?
Atlanta’s got the shopping too, boy!! I love the huge outlet stores.
I haven’t been to Atlanta since I was a teen and that was many years ago. We drove there from Oklahoma to see some family who lived there at the time. They now live in Florida. I don’t remember much except that we hit downtown right at rush hour. What a mess!
This a great family-friendly roundup of things to do with kids in Atlanta. I love that city and would really like to go to the Georgia Aquarium which looks so magical and amazing on my next visit.
I have been to Atlanta several times but I haven’t been to the Olympic park!! Ugh!! One day…
It has been ages since I’ve been to Atlanta even though it’s hop, skip, and jump from where I live. I’d love to visit the Georgia Aquarium someday.
My husband went to school there but we’ve never done any sight seeing on foot. We’ve driven past most of these places.
Its official! I need to visit Atlanta! There are so many amazing things to check out there!
I’ve never been to Atlanta but it looks like there’s plenty to do! I think the City Passes are awesome and they’re a great way to get familiar with a new place.
This looks like a fun trip to Atlanta. I hope to visit there someday.
I have never been to Atlanta but I would like to go. My kids would love the aquarium and the botanical garden.
I love Atlanta! We live just outside the city and have played tourist a few times and most date nights are in the city. There is so much still for you to see and taste. The High Museum of Art, Fernbank Museum, new stadium for the Falcons and not to mention all the delicious food! Oh my goodness. Y’all come back now, ya hear! 😉