Hotels in Atlanta, GA

Getting around Atlanta

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) gets you just about anywhere you need to go in the city. There is an extensive network of buses, and you can use Google Maps to plan your trip. A fare for a one-way trip on MARTA is $2.50 USD, but you can purchase a 1-day pass for $9 USD, 2-day pass for $14 USD, and a 3-day pass for $16 USD for unlimited rides.

Neighbourhoods to avoid in Atlanta

Most of Atlanta is safe, but there are certain areas you want to avoid as a tourist, especially at night. Visitors should avoid Southern Atlanta, including the Bluff, I-20 and Grant Park. These areas are far from tourist centres; therefore, you should have no reason to venture into them anyway. East Atlanta has some dangerous areas as well. Gang activity is found in the north-eastern area of the city around Kirkwood. Also, most of the city is undergoing a rejuvenation, and while those areas originally had a bad reputation for violence and crime, the rejuvenation has significantly reduced it.

Best places to stay in Atlanta

Atlanta, the home of the Braves and capital of the state of Georgia. In the Civil War, Atlanta played a pivotal role, and its influence on history continued into the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s. The city chronicles its rich past in the Atlanta History Center. The Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site pays tribute to the famous African-American leader and what he did for the country. Whether you are here on business or you are in Atlanta on holiday, you will find that the city offers something to discover on every block. The downtown area of Atlanta is quite vibrant, while the suburban areas offer trendy, boutique-style shops and eateries. Once you familiarise yourself with the neighbourhoods here, you will find that you can navigate your way like a local, and blend in with the crowd very easily.

The Old Fourth Ward

Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward (known as the O4W by locals), holds historical significance that some locals do not even know about. Tourists flock to this district to see the famous Martin Luther King Jr. residence, but then quickly leave without finding the hidden gems of this historic neighbourhood. Stay a while by booking a room at the Glenn Hotel, Autograph Collection so you can walk to the unique places in the area.

Westside

Technically named the West Midtown, the western end of Atlanta houses some of the trendier boutiques and eateries. A collection of historic buildings line the streets on the westside, and you can still see remnants of the city’s industrial age. Today, the westside is best known for its exciting nightlife and after-hours clubs, which take on an industrial vibe. When looking for hotels in Atlanta, stay in West Midtown at the Loews Atlanta Hotel or the Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta.

Midtown

Midtown is where you must go for the art scene in Atlanta. Here, you have the Museum of Design Atlanta, Alliance Theatre, and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra all in a single neighbourhood. The structures here are quite distinctive, and hotels take on boutique flair. Stay at the stylish Hotel Indigo Atlanta Midtown or the luxurious Hyatt Atlanta Midtown.

Cheap hotels in Atlanta

You have to be cautious when picking cheaper hotels in Atlanta. While there are plenty of safe options out here, some are located in less-than-ideal neighbourhoods. Luckily, there are budget-friendly options that are in safe downtown and suburban locations, like the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel, which is more business focused with its clientele, but has an array of amenities for regular tourists as well. Another affordable option is TownePlace Suites by Marriott Atlanta Buckhead and the Red Roof Plus+ Atlanta – Buckhead.

Atlanta is a commercial hub full of cultural activities, trendy boutiques, museums and history. You have plenty of beautiful spaces parked right up against the industrialised neighbourhoods, including Piedmont Park and the Fox Theatre. Whether you are a history buff, fashionista or you are travelling with the family, you will certainly find yourself busy with a full itinerary.

• The Atlanta History Center is a place where you could easily spend a day. It features over 33 acres of exhibits. Inside the perfectly restored 1928 home, you can learn about the city’s history. On the property you have the Swan Woods Trail, which is lined with gorgeous plants native to Georgia. Costumed farmers are throughout the grounds giving demonstrations on 19th century living.
• Spend the afternoon at the Piedmont Park and Atlanta Botanical Gardens in Midtown. Picnic areas are plentiful and the park is free for visitors.
• Centennial Olympic Park is right between the CNN Center and Georgia Aquarium, and it is a 21-acre patch dedicated to the Olympics held in the city.
• You cannot visit Atlanta without catching a Braves game at Turner Field. During the off-season, you can visit the hall of fame or grab a tour.
• If you are a fan of Coca-Cola products, then World of Coca-Cola is an exciting museum to visit where you can explore every flavour of Coke possible.
• Atlanta has plenty of family-friendly activities too, like the Zoo Atlanta with their unique panda exhibit. The Georgia Aquarium is on the expensive side but features over 80,000 animals and 500 species.
• Atlanta has plenty of free activities too, so you do not have to worry about spending a fortune exploring the area. The Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site is free to tour, and a visit to the Oakland Cemetery’s historic grounds will cost nothing. Both Centennial Olympic Park and Piedmont Park are free too.
• For the shopper in you, find some unique treasures on Chamblee Antique Row district, where you find nothing but stores devoted to antiques.
• The Atlanta Motor Speedway hosts racing events year-round, including the Richard Petty Driving Experience where you can see what it is like to be behind the wheel of a race car.