Atlanta 3-Day Itinerary

Whether you love history, food, shopping, outdoor activities, or just plain exploring, Atlanta has a little bit of everything. With nearly 45 distinct neighborhoods, there’s plenty to keep you busy throughout your stay. This three-day itinerary highlights some of the best Atlanta has to offer.

Day 1 - Discover Downtown

Morning: Spend the day exploring all that downtown Atlanta has to offer. First up, the iconic Georgia Aquarium. The nation’s largest aquarium does everything big – including more than 100,000 animals of 500 different species in more than 8 million gallons of fresh and marine water. Plus, you’ll also get up close to the world’s largest fish: whale sharks. Before or after your visit, grab a bite at the Atlanta Breakfast Club for some Southern comfort food staples.

Afternoon: No trip to downtown Atlanta is complete without a visit to Centennial Park. From concerts and festivals to the world’s largest Fountain of Rings, this area is always bustling with excitement. If you need a respite from the heat, explore the World of Coca-Cola and learn about Atlanta’s famous soft drink. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to taste more than 100 beverages from all over the world!

Evening: Sports fans are in for a treat with four major league sports – depending on when you visit, catch an Atlanta Hawks game, Atlanta Falcons game, Atlanta United match, or Atlanta Braves game.

Day 2 - Midtown Explorer

Morning: Spend the day in Midtown, starting off the day like a local by enjoying a delicious cup of coffee at Dancing Goats. Or spend the morning wandering Atlantic Station and enjoy brunch at The Pig & The Pearl or relax with some retail therapy. Depending on when you visit, you may stumble across yoga on the green or the chance to take home some local, handcrafted items from the Maker’s Market.  

Afternoon: There are plenty of options in the afternoon. Whether you head to the Center for Puppetry Arts, home of The Jim Henson Collection, enjoy a leisurely walk through Piedmont Park, or venture to the urban oasis of the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, your afternoon will be filled with unique sights. After that, you’ve probably worked up an appetite. No trip to Atlanta is complete without a meal at The Varsity, the world’s largest drive-in restaurant.

Evening: Catch a performance at Fox Theatre. With everything from Broadway productions to live music, there’s something for everyone. Or challenge the family to some friendly competition at Midtown Bowl.

Day 3 - Outdoors & Outskirts

Morning: Venture north to Stone Mountain Park for the best views of the city. Take the 1-mile trek up to the top where, on a haze-free day, you can see for 60 miles.

Afternoon: On your way back toward downtown Atlanta, stop by the city of Decatur. Grab a delectable sandwich at Victory Sandwich or sample some Spanish tapas at The Iberian Pig. Then, visit the Fernbank Museum of Natural History.

Evening: End your trip with great sunset views and indulging your inner child at THE ROOF at Ponce City Market. Play carnival games like skeeball or ring toss or head down the three-story slide.