Dylan and Maddy
Weekend in Atlanta, Georgia: Best Things to Do
Atlanta, Georgia, is one of those cities that packs a lot into a long weekend — sports, iconic attractions, and solid food. This trip was a guys’ weekend, built around going to a football game, golfing, and checking out some of Atlanta’s most popular spots, but it’s also a city that you can bring the whole family to.
In this guide, I’m breaking down the best things to do in Atlanta for a long weekend, how we got around, what we liked, and what we’d honestly do differently next time. From visiting the Georgia Aquarium and walking through Centennial Olympic Park, this itinerary is perfect if you want to see a lot without overplanning.
Getting to Atlanta
Atlanta is one of the easiest cities in the U.S. to fly into. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is one of the busiest airports in the world, which means nonstop flights from just about everywhere. Whether you’re coming from the Northeast, Midwest, or South, you can usually find direct flights at reasonable prices.
We flew in and out of ATL from Buffalo and had a smooth experience overall. The airport is massive, but it’s well-organized and efficient. Just give yourself extra time on departure days, especially during peak travel hours.
If you’re driving, Atlanta is also well-connected by major highways, making it an easy destination for a road trip from many surrounding states.
How to Get Around Atlanta
We got around Atlanta with a rental car, and it was easily the best option for our trip.
Atlanta is spread out, and while public transportation is available, many of the city’s best attractions are not located in close proximity to one another. Attractions like Stone Mountain aren’t realistically accessible without a car, and relying on rideshares can get expensive fast — especially with a group.
Having a rental car gave us:
- Flexibility to move on our own schedule
- Easy access to areas outside downtown
- Less stress and waiting around
- More freedom overall
Parking was easier than expected, and most places had garages or nearby lots. If you’re visiting Atlanta for a long weekend, especially with friends or family, renting a car is the move.
Where to Stay in Atlanta (Don’t Skip This)
This is where we’d do things differently.
Atlanta is a huge city with neighborhoods that vary a lot, and where you stay matters. While Atlanta has plenty to offer, it’s also frequently ranked as one of the more dangerous cities in America, particularly in certain areas. We didn’t research neighborhoods enough before booking, and that’s something we’d change next time.
Best Areas to Stay in Atlanta:
If we could redo the trip, these are the areas we’d focus on:
The Battery Atlanta
This would be our top choice, especially for a guys’ trip. The area is clean, lively, and packed with restaurants, bars, and entertainment. It’s right next to Truist Park and has a great overall vibe day and night. Staying here means you can walk around comfortably and have plenty to do without hopping in the car constantly.
Centennial Olympic Park Area
Staying near Centennial Olympic Park puts you close to major attractions like the Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca-Cola. It’s convenient for sightseeing and works well for families, but you’ll want to be selective and stick close to the main tourist areas and well-reviewed hotels.
Buckhead
Buckhead is more upscale and polished, with great dining, shopping, and nightlife. It’s a solid option if you’re looking for a nicer hotel experience and a generally safer, more refined area. This is a great pick for couples or families who want something quieter.
Bottom line: don’t wing it when booking accommodations in Atlanta. Spending a little more to stay in a better neighborhood will make your trip far more enjoyable.
Best Things to Do in Atlanta
Georgia Aquarium
The Georgia Aquarium absolutely lived up to the hype — and then some. The sheer size of the tanks is insane. Pictures genuinely don’t do it justice.
Being able to see a whale shark in person was unreal. The whale shark is the largest fish in the sea, and watching one casually glide through the water is something we won’t forget anytime soon. It makes you realize just how massive these tanks actually are.
The aquarium is set up really well, with each section grouped by species and environment, which made it easy to explore without feeling overwhelmed. One minute you’re watching massive sharks cruise by, the next you’re in the beluga whale area, which was another highlight. Seeing belugas up close was super cool, especially how interactive and expressive they are compared to other animals.
The dolphin section was also a favorite. Dolphins are always impressive, but seeing them swim and interact in such a huge space made it even better. And the sharks? Massive. We honestly spent way more time than expected just standing there watching all the different types of sharks swim overhead and past the glass.
We ended up spending a few hours inside and easily could’ve stayed longer. Whether you’re traveling with friends or family, the Georgia Aquarium is an absolute must-do in Atlanta and easily one of the coolest aquariums I’ve ever been to.
Centennial Olympic Park & Olympic Rings
Golfing at Stone Mountain Golf Club
Golfing at Stone Mountain Golf Club was one of the highlights of the weekend and a perfect break from the city. The course itself is beautiful, surrounded by greenery and scenic views that make you forget you’re still close to Atlanta.
While a few of the greens were a little beat up, it didn’t take away from the experience at all. Overall, the course was in great shape and super enjoyable to play.
One thing that really stood out was the club rentals. We rented clubs for nine people, and every single set was legit — easily worth around $2,000 each. That made traveling way easier and saved us from dealing with bringing our own clubs on the flight.
If you’re planning a guys’ trip and want to golf without the hassle, Stone Mountain Golf Club is a solid choice. Great setting, quality equipment, and an all-around fun experience.
Walking Around The Battery Atlanta
Walking around The Battery Atlanta was one of our favorite parts of the trip. This lively entertainment district is packed with restaurants, bars, and shops, making it a great place to hang out whether there’s an event going on or not.
The Battery is also where the Atlanta Braves play, with Truist Park located right in the middle of it all. Even when there wasn’t a game on, the area still had great energy and felt alive. On game days, though, the vibe goes to another level.
We spent time walking around, grabbing dinner, and soaking it all in. It’s one of the best areas in Atlanta to eat and just chill with friends, and it’s a huge reason why staying nearby would be an awesome choice for a long weekend.
Atlanta Falcons vs. Buffalo Bills Game
The entire reason for this trip was football. Every year, we do a Bills away game guys’ trip, and Atlanta was this year’s destination. New city, new stadium, same emotional rollercoaster.
We caught the Atlanta Falcons vs. Buffalo Bills game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and even though the Falcons ended up winning 24–14 (yeah… not great), the experience itself was unreal. As Bills fans, this one definitely stung — especially considering our away game track record isn’t exactly elite. We’re now 2–7 on the road, which is… a stat we try not to think about too much.
That said, it’s always awesome getting to see Josh Allen play in person. No matter the outcome, watching him do Josh Allen things never gets old.
The stadium itself was a huge highlight. Mercedes-Benz Stadium is incredible — modern, massive, and super easy to navigate. The sightlines are great, the atmosphere is electric, and the food options are actually solid. And yes… they have Chick-fil-A inside the stadium, which honestly feels like a cheat code for game day food.
Between the overall experience, the stadium design, and seeing the Bills play in a new city, Mercedes-Benz Stadium is easily one of our favorite NFL stadiums we’ve visited so far — and might even be our favorite of all time, loss aside.
Final Thoughts on our Weekend in Atlanta, Georgia
Overall, we had a really fun weekend trip to Atlanta. There are so many options for things to do — whether you’re into sporting events, major landmarks, or getting a round of golf in, you definitely won’t be bored while you’re here. For a long weekend, Atlanta delivers a lot.
That said, while the activities themselves were awesome and we had a great time, the city itself felt pretty dangerous at times, which we didn’t love. It’s something to be aware of and a big reason why researching neighborhoods and where you stay is so important.
We’re really glad we took this trip, made some great memories, and checked Atlanta off the list. But if we’re being honest, we don’t feel a strong need to return again — and that’s okay. Atlanta was a fun experience, especially for our annual Bills away game trip, but it feels more like a one-and-done kind of destination for us.
Still, if you plan smart, choose the right area to stay, and build a solid itinerary, Atlanta can absolutely be a great long weekend trip.
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