8 Mistakes People Make When Visiting Atlanta
What Not to Do in Atlanta on Your 1st Visit
These mistakes people make when visiting Atlanta may seem small, but can really affect your overall impression of the city. For instance, it’s important to know in advance that Georgia’s capital stands out from most cities in the US (and even the world) for its civil rights legacy, gorgeous state parks, and bike-friendly neighborhoods. There’s more than you might expect beyond Downtown.
This guide includes things not to do in Atlanta on your first visit, as well as essential information and little-known spots most visitors don’t know about. For the most part, making any of these mistakes won’t completely ruin your experience of the city, but avoiding them will certainly improve your time here.
8 Mistakes People Make When Visiting Atlanta
- Spending all your time in Downtown Atlanta
- Visiting Atlanta in August
- Driving in Atlanta
- Going to the wrong Peachtree
- Skipping the Atlanta Beltline
- Forgetting Atlanta’s civil rights legacy
- Ignoring the custom-built bike paths in Midtown Atlanta
- Failing to include festivals into your itinerary
1. Spending all your time in Downtown Atlanta
Many amazing state parks are just a short drive away
Categoría: Familias, Historia, Foto
It’s very tempting to just stay in Downtown Atlanta but Atlanta has many excellent state parks worth exploring.
The Autrey Mill Nature Preserve & Heritage Center encompasses 46 acres of natural forest with animal exhibits and 19th-century buildings in Johns Creek, about 28 miles north of Downtown Atlanta. The 2,965-acre Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park covers Kennesaw Mountain and a Civil War battlefield. It’s a great place for hiking and birdwatching, as well as learning about one of the most important battles in US history. If you’re traveling with family, enroll your kids in the park’s Junior Ranger Program where they can complete activity books and earn a special badge while learning about the history.
Ver hoteles cerca de Parque del Campo Nacional de Batalla Montaña Kennesaw
Spending all your time in Downtown Atlanta
2. Visiting Atlanta in August
It can result in a very sweaty vacation
Categoría: Parejas, Familias
Atlanta is one of the hottest cities in the USA, especially in August. The city has a humid subtropical climate, so it can get as high as 80°F in summer. Along with high humidity, you’ll be in for a very sweaty vacation.
Spring (March–June) is a great time to visit Atlanta as the city becomes a colorful landscape of blooming dogwoods and azaleas, as well as maples, cedars, and birches. And the temperatures are more comfortable, too. Or visit in late October and early November when many days are ideal for walking, sightseeing, and outdoor dining.
Visiting Atlanta in August
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3. Driving in Atlanta
Atlanta can be explored by public transportation or ridesharing instead
Categoría: De aventura, Económico
Driving in Atlanta can be a stressful experience due to the major traffic congestion and some less-than-friendly drivers. Thankfully, there’s excellent public transportation throughout the city. MARTA operates trains, buses, and streetcars across Atlanta. A Day Pass (options range from 1 to 7 days) gives you unlimited rides on the MARTA network.
You can also opt for ridesharing apps if your destination isn’t near a station or bus stop. Cycling is a great alternative as miles of bike paths wind through the city’s vibrant neighborhoods and parks. For short trips, use the city’s public bike-share system is Relay Bike Share, operated through the HOPR app.
Driving in Atlanta
4. Going to the wrong Peachtree
Atlanta has over 70 streets containing this word
Categoría: Historia, Foto
Peachtree is a district and the name of over 70 streets in Atlanta, so it’s a good idea to do some research when planning your itinerary. Choose the wrong one and you might find yourself looking around a quiet residential district, wondering what all the hype is about.
Peachtree Street runs from the financial district of Five Points through Midtown and up to Buckhead. Past Brookhaven, you’ll end up choosing between heading down Peachtree-Dunwoody Road or Peachtree Industrial Boulevard. The Peachtree Battle Avenue was where the Battle of Peachtree Creek took place in 1864. Be sure to take in its pretty boulevards in Atlanta and rows of Victorian-era mansions lining its streets.
Going to the wrong Peachtree
5. Skipping the Atlanta Beltline
An exciting and versatile urban development
Categoría: De aventura, Historia, Foto
The Atlanta Beltline is a massive urban development that connects 45 neighborhoods through multi-use trails, parks, and art installations. You can explore the trails on foot or by bicycle.
Each trail or section of the Atlanta Beltline has multiple access points so you can easily hop on and hop off the trail, depending on where you want to go. To learn more about the city, book a bus, bike, or walking tour with a knowledgeable guide for an immersive experience.
Skipping the Atlanta Beltline
6. Forgetting Atlanta’s civil rights legacy
The city is the birthplace of Dr Martin Luther King, Jr.
Categoría: Parejas, Familias, Historia
One of Atlanta’s most endearing nicknames is “the cradle of the Civil Rights Movement.” The city was a major center of the movement, with notable names like Dr Martin Luther King, Jr., Ralph David Abernathy, and John Lewis campaigning for equal rights here between 1940 and 1970.
As the birthplace of Dr King, Atlanta has many notable landmarks memorializing this iconic figure. Must-visits include the King Center, Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, and Ebenezer Baptist Church. To learn about fundamental human rights around the world, head over to The National Center for Civil & Human Rights.
Ver hoteles cerca de King Center for Non-Violent Social Change
Forgetting Atlanta's civil rights legacy
7. Ignoring the custom-built bike paths in Midtown Atlanta
Atlanta’s bike-sharing scheme is one of the best in the country
Categoría: De aventura, Económico, Foto
Midtown Atlanta is a vibrant arty neighborhood with miles of custom-built bike paths. It’s a great place for leisurely rides past grand mansions, high-rises, and the famous Piedmont Park. Bike rental shops are available throughout the city, but you can also use the public bike-sharing system called HOPR Relay Bike Share.
The Stone Mountain Trail is one of the most popular bike routes in Midtown Atlanta. This 19-mile paved path links the neighborhood to Stone Mountain Park, a 3,200-acre natural landmark with a massive hand-chiseled relief sculpture depicting figures of the Civil War. As you head east, the trail reaches Decatur. Stop in this charming city for lunch or coffee before continuing.
Ignoring the custom-built bike paths in Midtown Atlanta
8. Failing to include festivals into your itinerary
The city has an impressive musical and cultural heritage
Categoría: Parejas, Familias, Vida nocturna en
Atlanta has a busy lineup of events and festivals throughout the year, so it’s a good idea to plan your itinerary around a celebration or two. Every spring, the Atlanta Movie Festival hosts filmmaker panels, creative talks, and movie screenings across the city.
The Atlanta Dogwood Festival presents a colorful mix of arts and crafts over an April weekend at Piedmont Park. Music Midtown is one of Atlanta’s most anticipated outdoor music festivals, with four stages hosting around 30 internationally renowned artists. And those are just the top three, so do your research in advance to enjoy a stunning array of events and festivals.
Failing to include festivals into your itinerary
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