2-Day Atlanta Itinerary

Arrival day

Before Day 1. Atlanta is spread out, so plan how you will move around before you land.Details

From the airport: The airport is busy and the rail line runs from it straight into downtown and midtown, so you can arrive without a car. For Day 4 you will want a car, or a ride, because the granite mountains are east of the city.
Heat and traffic: Summers are hot and humid and afternoon storms are common, so plan the outdoor places for the morning. Traffic is heavy at the ends of the working day, so leave extra time if you drive.
Where to sleep: Midtown is a good base, with the park, the trail, the museums and the rail line close by. Downtown is handier for the civil rights sites, and the east side suits the last day.
First evening: Keep it easy. Walk a stretch of the trail or sit in the park, eat early and sleep well, because Day 1 is a full day of history.

Day 1. Midtown and Piedmont Park and Sweet Auburn and downtown

7 stops · 16.3 mi

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

1
MorningWorth the time
Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park
The neighbourhood of Sweet Auburn, where King was born, grew up and preached. The park takes in his birth home, the church where he and his father served and the tomb beside a reflecting pool. A quiet, moving place to begin.
Go when Morning, when the street is quiet and the sites are fresh.
Local tip Several of the sites are separate buildings, so give yourself time to walk between them. Check ahead on which are open and whether any need a timed ticket.
Photo: Schatzim, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
About 12 min by car or transit2.4 mi
2
MorningWorth the time
Atlanta Botanical Garden
A garden beside the big park, with a walk through the treetops, a conservatory and beds that change with the seasons. Go early for cool air and good light.
Go when Morning, before the heat and the crowds.
Local tip Check ahead on what is in bloom and on any timed entry. A hat and water help in summer.
Photo: Ashish Kaul, CC BY 2.0 on Wikimedia Commons
Lunch
A picnic by the lake
Sandwiches, fruit and iced tea eaten on the lawn, with the skyline behind you.
Local tip Bring a blanket, because the lawns are busy.
About 14 min by car or transit2.9 mi
3
MorningWorth the time
Oakland Cemetery
A Victorian cemetery near downtown, shaded by old trees. It holds the graves of Atlanta's mayors, soldiers and writers, and an area for those who were enslaved. It is also a quiet garden, so walk slowly.
Go when Morning, in cool light.
Local tip Wear flat shoes and give it a slow hour. The paths are uneven in places. The walks and guides vary by season, so check ahead.
Photo by Alla Kemelmakher on Unsplash
About 14 min by car or transit3.0 mi
4
MiddayWorth the time
High Museum of Art
The leading art museum in the Southeast, in a cluster of buildings in the arts district of midtown. Its collection runs from American and European art to photography and folk art.
Go when Midday, when the heat peaks and the galleries are cool.
Local tip It is a good wet-day or hot-day stop. Choose one or two galleries rather than trying to see them all.
Photo by Ron McClenny on Unsplash
About 15 min walk0.8 mi
5
MiddayWorth the time
Piedmont Park
The city's central park, with lawns, a lake, shady paths and a view of the skyline. Locals run, picnic and play ball here, so it is a good place to watch Atlanta at ease.
Go when Midday or late afternoon, with a picnic.
Local tip Walk to the lake or the hill for a view of the skyline. The park is busiest at weekends and on festival days.
Photo by Ben Dutton on Unsplash
About 11 min by car or transit1.9 mi
6
AfternoonWorth the time
National Center for Civil and Human Rights
A museum on the civil rights movement in America, linked to the wider fight for human rights in the world. Plan a good stretch of time and a pause afterwards, because some of the rooms are hard going.
Go when Afternoon, after a morning walk, when you can give it your full attention.
Local tip Some exhibits are very upsetting. Plan a quiet hour afterwards, and check ahead on tickets and on what is open.
Photo: Marco Correa, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
About 21 min by car or transit5.4 mi
7
AfternoonWorth the time
Atlanta History Center
A large museum and garden in the north of the city, with a historic house, a farm and exhibits on the city's story, from the Civil War to the civil rights years. Allow a good part of the afternoon.
Go when Afternoon, with a few hours to spare.
Local tip The house and gardens are lovely in spring. Check ahead on which exhibits and tours are open. It is a car or ride from midtown.
Photo by Akhil Yerabati on Unsplash

If it rains. High Museum of Art, National Center for Civil and Human Rights and Atlanta History Center are covered, so keep them. Move Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, Atlanta Botanical Garden, Oakland Cemetery and Piedmont Park to a dry day if you can.

Day 2. East of the city

1 stop · 14.1 mi

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

Travel from Atlanta History CenterAbout 36 min by car or transit14.1 mi
Where Day 1 ended.
1
MorningA morning of its own
Stone Mountain Park
A park around a huge dome of bare granite that rises out of the plain. Walk up the path to the summit for the view, then see the carving on the north face, which shows Confederate leaders and is a contested monument. Go early, because it gets hot.
Go when Early morning, before the heat and the crowds.
Local tip The summit path is steep and has no shade. Bring water, go slowly and turn back if it is too hot. The carving is a contested monument, and the park's own history is worth reading.
Photo by Koushalya Karthikeyan on Unsplash
Dinner
Supper on Decatur Square
A Southern or neighbourhood supper at a table near the square, with the evening crowd.
Local tip Decatur is lively on weekends, so book ahead.

If it rains. Everything today is outdoors, so swap this day with a drier one if you can.

Departure day

After the last day. Leave time for the airport, because the roads can be slow.Details

Getting to the airport: The rail line is the surest way, since the roads fill with traffic at the ends of the working day. From the east side, allow plenty of time or take a ride.
Your flight: The airport is one of the busiest anywhere, so allow time at security. Do not plan a long outing on the day you fly.
If you have a few hours: Take one more walk on the trail, or sit in the park, before the ride to the airport.

Questions people ask

When is the best time to visit Atlanta?

By average weather from 2021 to 2025, March to April and September to November are the most comfortable months for walking around Atlanta. This plan is built for mid April, which is one of the best months. Crowds and prices change through the year, so check them before you book.

How many days does this plan cover?

It covers 2 days in Atlanta, planned for mid April. Each day is built around a small number of stops, with room to rest.

Who is this plan for?

It was planned for most travelers. The pace and the places reflect that, so check it fits how you travel.

Is anything on this plan booked?

No. Places marked "book ahead" need a reservation. Hours, prices and availability change, so confirm before you go.

Can I plan my own days like this?

Yes. Archie drafts a day by day plan for your dates and takes your pace, the weather and who is travelling into account. You can start one from the Archie app.

Can I change this plan?

Yes. It is a starting point you can change to fit your own trip: swap a place, add a day or move the pace.

How much walking is there?

Each day has about 16.3 miles between its stops, and 16.3 miles in all across 2 days. A short hop is a walk and a longer one a ride. Distances are straight-line estimates, so allow extra for the streets.