For a first trip to Atlanta, plan three days, stay in Midtown or Downtown and visit in April–May or October, when NOAA's normal highs are 73.8–81.1°F and 74.4°F. MARTA charges $2.50 one-way with up to four free transfers in three hours, the Atlanta Streetcar is $1.00, and Georgia adds a $5.00 per night State Hotel-Motel Fee to hotel stays.
Quick plan (our recommendation)
This is an editorial plan from official sources, not a trip we took. See the weekend itinerary for a two-day version.
- Day 1 — Downtown: Centennial Olympic Park and the Georgia Aquarium area, then the Atlanta Streetcar toward the King Historic District.
- Day 2 — Sweet Auburn and the Eastside: the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, then Old Fourth Ward and the BeltLine.
- Day 3 — Midtown: the High Museum of Art or Fox Theatre district and Piedmont Park.
What it costs (verified figures only)
| Item | Figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MARTA one-way fare | $2.50 | Up to four free transfers in 3 hours; reduced fare $1.00 for seniors over 65, Medicare recipients and people with disabilities. Source: MARTA. |
| Atlanta Streetcar | $1.00 one way | MARTA transfers do not apply. Source: MARTA. |
| Georgia State Hotel-Motel Fee | $5.00 per night | Per room per night; ends after 30 consecutive nights. City and county taxes also apply; see the hotels guide. Source: Georgia Department of Revenue. |
| MLK National Historical Park Birth Home presentations | Free | Limited to 15 people, first come first served. Source: National Park Service. |
Getting here and around
MARTA's Airport Station is inside the Domestic Terminal between the North and South baggage claims, the final station on the Red and Gold lines. See transportation.
When to go
NOAA's 1991–2020 normals for Hartsfield-Jackson show highs of 73.8°F in April, 81.1°F in May, 74.4°F in October and 90.1°F in July. Rain is steady at 3.28–4.75 inches in every month. Atlanta Track Club races fall on November 7, November 26 and December 5, 2026. See the best-time guide.
Safety and practical tips
Discover Atlanta advises "city smarts" — staying aware of your surroundings — and says MARTA is patrolled by the MARTA Police. This guide publishes no crime statistics or neighborhood safety ratings. Use broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher sunscreen in summer (American Academy of Dermatology).
What this guide does not cover
We do not rate hotels or restaurants and do not claim first-hand visits; see the editorial policy.