Atlanta

State: Georgia (state capital and most populous city). Type: major metropolitan city in Fulton and DeKalb counties. Incorporated December 29, 1847; grew from an 1837 railroad terminus originally called Terminus, then Marthasville. Elevation about 1,050 feet, the highest of any major city in the eastern U.S. 2020 census population: 498,715. Home to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world's busiest by passenger traffic, and host of the 1996 Summer Olympics. Nicknamed the "City in a Forest."

Atlanta is the capital of Georgia and the economic and cultural anchor of the U.S. Southeast, a sprawling metropolis that grew from a single railroad junction into a global city. Founded in 1837 as the terminus of the Western and Atlantic Railroad and incorporated in 1847, it was largely burned during the Civil War in 1864 and rebuilt so completely that it adopted the phoenix and the motto Resurgens, "rising again," as symbols of its recovery. In the 20th century Atlanta became a cradle of the civil rights movement and the home of Martin Luther King Jr., whose birthplace and church are preserved in the Sweet Auburn district. The city hosted the Centennial Summer Olympic Games in 1996, whose legacy includes Centennial Olympic Park at the center of a downtown attractions district. Today Atlanta is known for its dense tree canopy, giving it the nickname the "City in a Forest," and for major draws such as the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola, the Fox Theatre, Piedmont Park and the ever-expanding Atlanta BeltLine trail. As the site of the world's busiest airport and headquarters to numerous major corporations, it serves as both a destination in its own right and the gateway to the wider region.

Atlanta sits in north-central Georgia, spread across Fulton County and part of DeKalb County, in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. At roughly 1,050 feet above sea level, it has the highest elevation of any major city in the eastern United States. It anchors a large metropolitan region and lies at the convergence of Interstates 20, 75 and 85, with a downtown core, the Midtown arts and business district to the north, and the upscale Buckhead district beyond.

Atlanta has a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are hot and humid, with an average summer temperature around 81 degrees Fahrenheit and highs reaching 90 or above on roughly 47 days a year, often accompanied by afternoon thunderstorms. Winters are mild, averaging about 45 degrees, with only occasional freezes and light snowfall averaging around 2 inches annually. Annual precipitation is about 50 inches, spread fairly evenly through the year. Spring and fall bring the mildest, most comfortable conditions.

Spring (March through May) and fall (September through November) are generally the most comfortable times to visit, with mild temperatures, lower humidity than midsummer, and blooming dogwoods and azaleas in spring or crisp weather and fall color later in the year. Summer is warm, humid and prone to thunderstorms but coincides with festivals and school holidays, while winter is mild and quieter, with only occasional cold snaps.

Atlanta began in 1837 as the endpoint, or "terminus," of the Western and Atlantic Railroad, and was first known simply as Terminus, then Thrasherville, then Marthasville in 1842, before being renamed Atlanta, a coined feminine form of "Atlantic," and incorporating as a city on December 29, 1847. Its railroad connections made it a vital Confederate supply and transportation hub during the Civil War, and in 1864 Union General William Tecumseh Sherman captured and largely burned the city during his March to the Sea. Atlanta rebuilt rapidly and cast itself as the capital of a modernizing "New South," adopting the motto Resurgens. In the 20th century it became a center of the civil rights movement, producing leaders including Martin Luther King Jr., who was born in the Sweet Auburn neighborhood. The city continued to grow as a corporate and transportation center, and its 1996 hosting of the Centennial Summer Olympic Games spurred major downtown development, including Centennial Olympic Park. More recent projects such as the multi-billion-dollar Atlanta BeltLine, which is converting a 22-mile ring of former rail corridor into trails and parks, continue to reshape the city.

Atlanta offers a deep roster of attractions. Downtown's Centennial Park District clusters the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola and Centennial Olympic Park within walking distance of one another. History-minded visitors can tour the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park in Sweet Auburn, including King's birth home and Ebenezer Baptist Church. Culture and performance draw crowds to the restored 1920s Fox Theatre and the arts venues of Midtown. Outdoor recreation centers on Piedmont Park in Midtown and the Atlanta BeltLine's Eastside Trail, a multi-use path linking neighborhoods, murals and green space. Other popular stops include the Atlanta Botanical Garden, the College Football Hall of Fame, and, farther afield, Stone Mountain Park east of the city. Sports fans can catch professional baseball, football, basketball and soccer at the city's major venues.

Signature sites include Centennial Olympic Park, the legacy public space of the 1996 Games; the Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca-Cola at adjacent Pemberton Place; the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park; the historic Fox Theatre with its "Mighty Mo" pipe organ; Piedmont Park and the neighboring Atlanta Botanical Garden in Midtown; and the Atlanta BeltLine's trails. The Sweet Auburn district, once the commercial heart of Black Atlanta, and the CNN Center area downtown are also common points of interest.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic, sits about 10 miles south of downtown and is the primary gateway, with the MARTA rail system connecting the airport directly to downtown and Midtown stations. Atlanta is also a major highway hub, with Interstates 20, 75 and 85 converging in the city, and Amtrak serves a station in Midtown. Rental cars, rideshare and taxis are widely available, though traffic congestion is significant during peak hours.

As a city, Atlanta has no single set of hours; individual attractions such as the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, Fox Theatre and museums each keep their own schedules, while public spaces like Centennial Olympic Park and Piedmont Park are generally open daily. Confirm hours with each specific attraction before visiting, as they vary by site and season.

There is no charge to enter the city, and many public spaces such as Centennial Olympic Park, Piedmont Park and the BeltLine trails are free. Individual paid attractions, including the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola and Fox Theatre performances, set their own admission prices. The Atlanta CityPASS bundles several top attractions at a discount for visitors planning to see multiple sites. Check each attraction directly for current pricing.

A long weekend of two to three days lets visitors cover the major downtown attractions, a civil rights history stop and some parkland, while four to five days allows a more relaxed pace with day trips such as Stone Mountain Park and time in neighborhoods like Midtown and Buckhead.

Atlanta offers a wide range of lodging, with clusters of hotels downtown near the Centennial Park District and convention facilities, in Midtown near the arts and business core, and in the upscale Buckhead district to the north. Options span budget and extended-stay chains, mid-range business hotels and luxury properties. Staying downtown or in Midtown places visitors near MARTA rail and many of the top attractions; rates rise around major conventions, sporting events and festivals.

Atlanta has a large and diverse dining scene, from classic Southern comfort food and soul food to a nationally noted array of global cuisines reflecting the city's diverse population. Neighborhoods such as Midtown, Buckhead, the Old Fourth Ward and areas along the BeltLine concentrate restaurants, food halls and cafes, while downtown offers dining near the major attractions. Ponce City Market, a food hall in a converted industrial building along the BeltLine, is a popular eating and gathering spot.

Stone Mountain Park lies about 15 miles east of the city and makes an easy day trip. Other regional draws include the North Georgia mountains and wineries a short drive north, the historic town of Marietta and Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park northwest of the city, and the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area for outdoor recreation close to town.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is the main gateway, about 10 miles south of downtown and directly connected to the city by MARTA rail. MARTA operates rail and bus service across the core of the metro area, and Amtrak serves a Midtown station. Rental cars and rideshare are widely used, though a car is the most flexible way to reach outlying attractions given the region's sprawl.

As in any large city, stay aware of your surroundings, keep valuables secured and out of sight in parked cars, and take standard precautions in unfamiliar areas after dark. Traffic congestion is heavy at peak commuting times, so allow extra travel time. In summer, prepare for heat, humidity and sudden thunderstorms. Using MARTA rail can help avoid parking and traffic downtown. For any emergency, dial 911.

Comfortable walking shoes are useful given the distances between attractions and along the BeltLine. Pack water, sunscreen and a hat for hot summer days, plus a light rain jacket or umbrella for thunderstorms. A reusable transit card or the MARTA app helps for getting around by rail, and a portable phone charger is handy for full days of sightseeing.

Consider using MARTA rail to move between the airport, downtown and Midtown to sidestep traffic and parking hassles. Buying attraction tickets, or a bundled CityPASS, online in advance can save time and money if you plan to visit several major sites. Grouping the downtown attractions, Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola and Centennial Olympic Park, into one day is efficient since they sit within walking distance. Allow extra time in traffic if driving during rush hours, and pair the city with a Stone Mountain day trip if your schedule allows.

For any emergency, dial 911, the nationwide emergency number in the United States. For non-emergency visitor information, use the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau and official tourism resources rather than an emergency line.

Discover Atlanta (Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau) - https://discoveratlanta.com ; Explore Georgia - https://exploregeorgia.org

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.