Only have a weekend in Atlanta? No problem — 3 days is plenty to hit the city’s highlights. From fried chicken and peach cobbler waffles to street art and rooftop bars, Atlanta packs a lot into a short trip.
Table of Contents
This itinerary covers the best things to do, eat, and see with stops grouped by area so you’re not wasting time driving all over. Perfect for first-timers or anyone wanting a fun, food-filled weekend in the South.
Here’s Day 1: Exploring Downtown Atlanta, written in a clean, blog-style format with SEO-friendly headers:
Day 1: Exploring Downtown Atlanta
Downtown is the heart of Atlanta and the best place to kick off your weekend. You’ll hit a few of the city’s biggest attractions, eat some legendary Southern food, and get a feel for the vibe.
🍽️ Breakfast at Atlanta Breakfast Club
Start strong at Atlanta Breakfast Club — a local favorite for good reason. The must-order? Peach cobbler chicken & waffles. It’s technically off-menu, but they’ll make it if you ask. Expect crispy fried chicken, thick waffles, and warm peach cobbler syrup on top. It’s huge. You’ll still eat the whole thing.
🕒 Pro tip: Get there early. Weekend lines can be 1–2 hours long.
🐠 Visit the Georgia Aquarium
Just a 5-minute walk away, the Georgia Aquarium is a can’t-miss. It’s the largest in the U.S. and home to sharks, beluga whales, and an epic tunnel walkthrough.
✅ Don’t miss:
- Ocean Voyager exhibit (perfect for pics)
- Dolphin and sea lion shows (included with admission — book ahead!)
🎟️ Tip: If you’re visiting multiple attractions, grab an Atlanta CityPASS for discounted entry.
🥤 Explore the World of Coca-Cola
Right across the street is the World of Coca-Cola, a museum dedicated to all things Coke. It’s fun, a little quirky, and the best part is the “Taste Around the World” room, where you can sample sodas from different countries.
🎟️ Included in CityPASS, but skip it if time’s tight — the aquarium’s better overall.
🌳 Chill at Centennial Olympic Park
After the museums, walk over to Centennial Olympic Park, built for the 1996 Summer Games. It’s a great place to relax, people-watch, or hop on the SkyView Ferris wheel for skyline views.
🍗 Where to Eat Southern Food Downtown
You’ll be ready to eat again. Here are some go-to spots nearby:
- Gus’ Fried Chicken – Spicy, crispy, and always fresh.
- The Food Shoppe – Try the Voodoo Mac (mac & cheese + BBQ pulled chicken).
- Busy Bee Cafe – A soul food institution. Think fried chicken, yams, catfish.
🎟️ Other Downtown Attractions to Consider
If you’ve got extra time or energy, check out:
- Zoo Atlanta (CityPASS)
- College Football Hall of Fame (CityPASS)
- The Fox Theatre – For Broadway-style shows
- Children’s Museum of Atlanta – Great if you’re with kids
- Atlanta Trolley Tour – A 1.5-hour ride through historic neighborhoods, markets, and landmarks
Day 2: Midtown, Markets & Gardens
Day 2 takes you outside of Downtown into some of Atlanta’s coolest neighborhoods. Think food halls, public art, green spaces, and Southern comfort food done right.
🛍️ Shop & Snack at Ponce City Market
Start your morning at Ponce City Market — a historic Sears building turned trendy shopping and dining spot. Inside, you’ll find boutique shops and one of the best food halls in the city.
🍴Try:
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Ton Ton for ramen
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Botiwalla for Indian street food
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King of Pops Bar for poptails (yep — cocktails with a popsicle inside)
It’s fun, stylish, and a great place to graze.
🚶♂️ Walk the Atlanta BeltLine
From Ponce, head upstairs to the BeltLine — a 22-mile trail connecting neighborhoods via a converted railway line. Even just walking a short stretch gives you street art, skyline views, and easy access to bars, parks, and patios.
📍 Nearby: Krog Street Market — a smaller food hall with great local eats.
🍗 Classic Southern at Mary Mac’s Tea Room
For lunch, grab a table at Mary Mac’s Tea Room, a true Atlanta legend. They’ve been serving up comfort food for over 75 years.
✅ Must-try dishes:
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Fried chicken
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Chicken fried chicken (yes, that’s a thing — and it’s amazing)
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Mac & cheese, collards, candied yams
🍲 First-time visitors get a free cup of potlikker — a traditional broth made from collard greens. Some love it, some don’t. Worth trying once.
🌸 Visit the Atlanta Botanical Garden
Surprisingly awesome. The Atlanta Botanical Garden sits right in Midtown and feels like a calm, colorful escape from the city.
🌿 Highlights:
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The Earth Goddess sculpture — Instagram-famous for a reason
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Tropical greenhouses with desert and rainforest ecosystems
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Flower sculptures and seasonal displays
⏱️ Plan for about 1.5 to 2 hours here.
🧺 Relax at Piedmont Park
Next door is Piedmont Park, Atlanta’s answer to Central Park. Great for a slow walk, a quick jog, or just chilling on the lawn with iced coffee.
🎯 Things to do:
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Walk the 2.4-mile loop
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Rent bikes or paddleboats
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Check if there’s a local market or event happening (there usually is)
🏛️ MLK Jr. National Historical Park
Before dinner, make a stop at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park. This 35-acre site includes:
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His birth home
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The Ebenezer Baptist Church
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The King Center
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His final resting place
🎟️ Guided tours are free — just grab tickets at the Visitor Center.
🔥 Dinner at Fox Bros. BBQ
End the day with serious Southern BBQ at Fox Bros. This place gets busy for a reason. Portions are big, and the flavor is bigger.
🥩 What to order:
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Pulled pork
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Brisket
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Sausage links
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Sides: pimento cheese, cornbread, fries
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Drink: Arnold Palmer (sweet tea + lemonade)
Not into waiting? Try Heirloom Market BBQ or Fat Matt’s Rib Shack for more low-key vibes.
Day 3: Day Trips & Local Favorites
Got a car? Day 3 is the perfect time to escape the city for a few hours — or explore some local gems just outside of Atlanta. Whether you want mountain views, German food, or sizzling Korean BBQ, this day has options.
🏞️ Day Trip to Helen, Georgia
About 1.5 hours north of Atlanta, Helen, Georgia looks like a tiny Bavarian village dropped in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Yep — there are German-style buildings, bratwurst, pretzels, and even Alpine fudge shops.
🥨 What to do in Helen:
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Walk around downtown
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Try German food at Muller’s Famous Fried Cheese Café
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Visit local shops and beer gardens
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Hike the Dukes Creek Falls Trail for a short, easy waterfall hike
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Take a hot air balloon ride if you’re feeling extra
It’s quirky, scenic, and definitely not what you’d expect in Georgia — which makes it even better.
🔥 Korean BBQ in Duluth
Back in the metro area, head about 30 minutes northeast to Duluth, home to Atlanta’s best Korean food. If you’ve never had real Korean BBQ, this is your moment.
🥩 Where to go:
678 Korean BBQ is a top pick. You can go à la carte or all-you-can-eat for around $35.
Recommended cuts:
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Beef brisket
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Marinated short ribs
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Pork belly
It’s a fun, DIY cooking experience at the table — great for ending the trip with something different.
🍹 End at a Rooftop Bar
Wrap up your Atlanta weekend with a drink and a skyline view. Here are a few of the best rooftops in the city:
Virtue Rooftop
Located above 5Church in Midtown, this spot is stylish, scenic, and serves great cocktails and small plates. Great vibe for a low-key night out.
Rooftop LOA
A newer rooftop with 360-degree views of Downtown. It’s got a bar, pool, and full restaurant. Very Instagrammable.
Want more? Check out The Rooftop Guide for a full list of Atlanta rooftop bars.
Bonus Atlanta Activities to Add
If you have extra time or want to swap something out, here are a few more Atlanta gems worth checking out:
🎭 Catch a Show at the Alliance Theatre
This Tony Award-winning theater has launched several Broadway hits. The lineup includes plays, musicals, and shows for all ages. Check what’s on during your visit — it’s a great cultural stop.
🛒 Visit the Atlanta State Farmers Market
One of the largest of its kind in the U.S., this market is packed with local produce, plants, and global goods. If you’re driving through or near Forest Park, it’s worth a visit.
🎨 Explore Little Five Points
An artsy, alternative neighborhood filled with vintage shops, record stores, murals, and indie vibes. Great spot for browsing or people-watching.
Essential Atlanta Travel Tips
Make the most of your weekend in Atlanta with these quick, helpful tips:
🚗 Getting Around
Downtown is walkable, but for everything else, you’ll want a car or rideshare. Atlanta’s public transportation (MARTA) is limited — especially when it comes to food spots and neighborhoods outside the core.
🚌 MARTA basics:
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One-way fare: ~$2.50
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Best for: airport access, downtown, and a few select stops
📅 Is 3 Days Enough?
Yes — three days is plenty for first-timers to hit the highlights, eat great food, and explore a few neighborhoods or nearby towns.
🧳 When to Visit
Spring and fall are ideal. Summer gets hot and humid. Winters are mild but less lively for outdoor stuff.
📍 Pro Tip: Get the CityPASS
If you plan to visit multiple attractions (Aquarium, Coca-Cola, Zoo, etc.), the Atlanta CityPASS can save you around 40% on admission.
🏙️ Downtown Atlanta
Best for: Easy access to tourist attractions
If you’re planning to visit the Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, and Centennial Park, staying downtown puts you within walking distance of it all.
✅ Pros:
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Walkable
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Close to major sights
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Good for short stays
⚠️ Cons:
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Can feel a little touristy and quiet at night
🌆 Midtown Atlanta
Best for: A mix of local culture + proximity to attractions
Midtown strikes a nice balance. It’s close to downtown but has a more local, artsy vibe. You’re near Piedmont Park, the Botanical Garden, and tons of restaurants.
✅ Pros:
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Safer, more local feel
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Great for food, parks, and nightlife
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Still near MARTA train stops
🛍️ Buckhead
Best for: Upscale hotels, shopping, and quieter stays
This is Atlanta’s more high-end area, with luxury hotels, big malls, and a polished vibe.
✅ Pros:
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Boutique and luxury hotel options
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Great dining and shopping
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Quieter at night
⚠️ Cons:
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Farther from central attractions
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You’ll need a car or Uber for most things
Three days in Atlanta is the perfect amount of time to hit the city’s highlights — from iconic landmarks and comfort food to rooftop views and day trips.
Stick to this itinerary, mix in your own finds, and you’ll get a solid feel for what makes Atlanta one of the South’s coolest cities. Great food, rich history, and chill neighborhoods.
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