In this article we are going to tell you what to see and do in Atlanta (and also something NOT to do). If you are going to travel along the East Coast, know that it is a very interesting city and we would definitely include it in the tour.
If you plan to visit the main attractions of the city, you may be interested in getting the Atlanta City PASS that includes most of them, if not all.
Learn more about Martin Luther King (and civil rights)
Martin Luther King , the spokesman for the African-American civil rights movement, was born and raised in Atlanta. He is one of the most important figures in the recent history of the United States and we were able to visit a museum that traces his entire life (and the path towards equality for the African-American people), the church where he was a pastor, his house and an exhibition where we told more about the life and legacy of this great man.
Also very interesting is the Civil Rights Museum (free with the City Pass), where you can explore the history of segregation, Jim Crow laws and the first movements towards justice and equality (from Rosa Park to the March on Washington ). The topic is so big that, in the future, we will publish an article entirely dedicated to this chapter of American history.
Get to know the most alternative Atlanta: Little Five Points
It is a colorful neighborhood, full of graffiti, record stores, vintage clothing and cool little restaurants where you can rest a little and put on a few pounds. We, thanks to the recommendation of Carlus, a friend who lived in Atlanta for a few years, went straight to the Vortex … goal: eat a piece of hamburger! No sooner said than done. The winner of the fattest dish of the year was Lety who, with her “Fat Elvis”, a hamburger with bacon, fried banana and peanut butter, increased the volume of her love handles by 10%. At every bite Of course, highly recommended and the site is amazing!
Be one step away from the secret recipe of Coca-Cola
It may be Atlanta’s most famous tour, and it’s included with the CityPass! It is the Coca Cola World , or what is the same the kingdom of Coca Cola. It is a museum that tells the story of the most famous drink in the world, with thousands of pieces of merchandising the sea of cool, the secret formula (well, almost the entire secret formula) and of course, where you can try a few glasses of that addictive liquid (or about 100 other types, from all over the world*)
And why is this Museum in Atlanta? Well, why was Coca Cola invented here , in 1886 in a small pharmacy in the city… and no, the thing about it being green in the beginning is an urban legend.
Along the way you will learn a lot of curiosities, for example: did you know that in 1985 Coca Cola & Co withdrew the original Coca Cola from the market and marketed a new formula? The failure was such and the protests so many that shortly after they returned to produce the old drink and stopped fooling around! Or that there are only two people in the world who know the recipe for this drink? For this reason, they say, they cannot travel together, sleep in the same place, or eat from the same plate… in case an accident occurs, the bed explodes or someone wants to poison them XD
Visit the CNN studios
This visit was also included in the City Pass but we arrived at the last minute and could not do the tour. A pity, since the pint was phenomenal, so now you know: go in the morning and reserve your place!
The tour, essentially, consists of visiting the headquarters of one of the most important television stations in the world: they teach you how to make a newscast, they tell you a lot of curiosities, you can see the “behind the scenes” and if you are lucky, you can even attend a live broadcast (or be a journalist for a day, not live, of course XD). But what has been said: we are left with the desire
Even if you go to see the studio building inside, on the ground floor there is a food court with great views!
Georgia Aquarium
To tell you the truth, we very much regret having gone. Aquariums are not a good place, ever, not even if the reviews are good. Now we know. The one in Georgia is one of the most famous aquariums in the entire United States and on its page you can see that the focus is on the rescue, conservation and protection of marine species . But it wasn’t the feeling it gave us.
There were 4 things that really shocked us and made us feel foolish for having entered:
- Dolphin and sea lion show: Any place that offers animal shows should not proclaim itself a champion of the conservation of the species. It’s like a circus, animals learn with positive and negative reinforcements, unnatural. We had not even imagined that in such an “eco-friendly” Aquarium they would put on animal shows. Well, yes they do.
- There is a room where you can touch some small blankets. What need?
- Many of the aquariums were very small (some fish tanks with jellyfish that could only move vertically caught our attention).
- The ocean area was full of mantas, sharks and whale sharks
Useful information
Where to sleep in Atlanta?
Downtown, the best area to stay in Atlanta
Downtown is the undisputed heart of Atlanta. It is where the Georgia State Capitol is located , and an area where business and pleasure mix.
Due to its proximity to many of the city’s main tourist attractions , Downtown is the most recommended area to stay in Atlanta.
There are countless things to do and see in Downtown. In this area you will not lack options in terms of gastronomy and nightlife, with restaurants of different categories, bars, cafes and nightclubs.
Attractions worth visiting in this area include Skyview Atlanta , which offers great views of the city, and CNN Headquarters , which offers sightseeing tours.
Also on the list of things to see in Atlanta are Centennial Olympic Park, the Georgia Aquarium, and the World of Coca Cola.
Thus, the Georgia Aquarium is a must-see for families of all ages, where visitors can see thousands of animals and marine species in its 7 main galleries that contain almost 38 million liters of fresh and salt water.
There’s also the World of Coca-Cola , a huge museum complex dedicated to the history of one of the world’s best-known soft drinks.
Afterward, be sure to take a stroll through Centennial Park built by the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games as part of the infrastructure improvements for the 1996 Summer Olympics.
Also include in your itinerary a visit to the busy shopping area of Five Points , founded in 1845, is a must for history lovers, shoppers and tourists in general.
You’ll find plenty of restaurants, bars, brewpubs, and specialty eateries here, as well as plenty of points of interest to visit as you explore the area.
Accommodation options are plentiful in the Five Points district, from 5-star hotel chains to unique boutiques, as well as private rentals and hostels.
Atlanta is a city where accommodation is expensive , and more so in the Downtown. So it is advisable to book early, planning well and trying to take advantage of special rates and discounts.
How to get to Atlanta from Washington?
What amenities are included in a bus trip from Washington to Atlanta?
- Free WIFI
- free entertainment on board with Megabus RIDE
- individual outlets
- recliners
- reserved seats
- rates starting at just $1*
Do you prefer window or hallway? It is not important to us. Whatever your preference, and whether your trip from DC to Atlanta or Atlanta to DC is for pleasure or business, megabus will get you there comfortably and conveniently.
All seats on our luxury double-decker buses from DC to Atlanta are equipped with onboard bathrooms, individual power outlets, three-point seat belts, reclining seats, free Wi-Fi, and onboard entertainment subject to availability.
Plus, when you book your bus tickets from DC to Atlanta, we offer multiple upgraded seating options to ensure a comfortable and stress-free experience.
We offer reserved seating on all of our double-decker buses from DC to Atlanta and from Atlanta to DC.
Reserve one of the 20 most popular seats on our buses to enjoy more space and a great view, and to be able to sit at the table or near your family and friends, if you wish.
Remember that reserved seats are limited, so be sure to plan ahead and book early for your trip from DC to Atlanta!
Information about the bus route from Washington to Atlanta
As it happens, our bus route from DC to Atlanta is one of the most popular routes in our network of over 100 cities across North America, giving you a flexible schedule.
With convenient departure times, megabus makes planning your next trip from DC to Atlanta easy.
Track your DC to Atlanta itinerary online at megabus.com, which is also easily accessible from your smartphone.
Bus stop locations and passenger drop-off locations in Atlanta and DC
Whether you’re traveling by bus from DC to Atlanta or vice versa, you’ll be centrally located for hotels, restaurants, and public transit when you arrive.
Plus, when you’re heading out of Atlanta or DC, you can find parking available near our bus stops.
When traveling from Atlanta to DC, your bus will depart from: MARTA Civic Center – 435 W Peachtree St NW.
Your bus from Atlanta to DC arrives at Union Station, in the heart of Washington DC.
When traveling from DC to Atlanta, your bus will depart from: Union Station. Your DC to Atlanta bus arrives at MARTA Civic Center: 435 W Peachtree St NW.
You can verify your reservation with the exact place and time of departure at any time online or from your smartphone.
Bus ticket prices from DC to Atlanta
When you book in advance, you can save big on the price of your bus ticket from DC to Atlanta.
Megabus makes bus travel easy and affordable for your next trip from DC to Atlanta, with fares starting at $1*.
Booking your bus tickets for your next trip from DC to Atlanta is easy online or with your smartphone at megabus.com.
How to move in Atlanta?
If you stay downtown, you will not need to take public transport to visit the Olympic Park area, the Coca-Cola museum, the aquarium, etc. But if you want to get to Little Five Points or Martin Luther King’s house, we recommend taking Uber , super common in the United States. You can create an account with this invitation and get a discount of up to €20 on your first race. Transfers in Atlanta were the cheapest we found in the US, for example to Little Five Points we paid less than $4!
We also got around by tram (or streetcar), there is a line that runs through the center of Atlanta, with different stops at places of interest. Ticket price is $1 and day pass price is $3. To buy the ticket there are machines at the stops (when we went they didn’t work and we ended up getting it anyway with no problem…).
How to save money on Atlanta attractions?
With the Atlanta CityPASS you can save up to 40% on admission, if you want to visit all the attractions. It costs $75 and includes tickets to:
- Georgia Aquarium
- World of Coca-Cola
- CNN Studio Tours
- Zoo Atlanta O Center for Civil and Human Rights
- Fernbank Museum of Natural History OR College Football Hall of Fame
These are the best things to see and do in Atlanta.