Itinerary for First-Time Visitors to Downtown Atlanta

By Joleen Pete

Published February 27, 2024

So, you’re planning to visit Atlanta and you want to be at the heart of it all. Downtown Atlanta offers so much to do, see, eat and experience. 

Where to Stay in Downtown Atlanta 

Signia by Hilton Atlanta is the city’s largest ground-up development in four decades and promises to be an Atlanta landmark for years to come. It is conveniently located at Authority’s Championship Campus — also home to Georgia World Congress Center, Mercedes-Benz Stadium and Centennial Olympic Park.

In addition to comfort and great views, Signia features several dining options including the hotel’s signature restaurant, Capolinea, which offers Italian fine dining. Indulge at the Friendship Market with perfectly baked pastries and house-made gelato and sorbet. Watch the game from Nest on Four, the hotel’s modern sports bar. Enjoy a Southern breakfast at Homespun. Lobby Bar is the perfect spot for socializing at the end of the day, with cocktails and seasonal shareable plates or unwind poolside with a cocktail from Highball.

Spa Signia and the beauty bar offer an oasis of pampering and special treatments to have you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Treatments include massage, cupping therapy, cryo facial and more. Perhaps the most unique offering is the Wellness Rooms, featuring amenities centered around sleep, movement, nourishment, spa and mindfulness. If you’re looking to plan a retreat specifically for this purpose, check out our ultimate Atlanta wellness itinerary for more ideas.

Visit our hotel guide to find more places to stay in Atlanta.

Atlanta Attractions and Other Things to do Downtown

What brings you to Atlanta? A conference for work or a trade show at Georgia World Congress Center? Maybe you’re here to see your favorite artist at State Farm Arena or to watch a game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. While you’re here, be sure to schedule some time to explore and check out more of these downtown Atlanta attractions. 

• Visit the largest aquarium in the United States, with 500 animal species from around the world and more than 60 habitats. Georgia Aquarium has eight unique galleries and several animal-encounter opportunities.  
• Ever wondered what Coca-Cola products taste like in other countries? Visit the Taste It! exhibit at World of Coca-Cola for a tasting experience as you learn interesting facts and details. Visit The Vault where the legendary secret formula for Coca‑Cola is secured right here in Atlanta and learn more about one of the nation’s most beloved soda pops.
• Pay homage to college football and your favorite team with a visit to the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame. Here are 5 reasons to visit.
• Explore the past and present through interactive exhibits at the National Center For Civil And Human Rights. There are three main exhibits with interactive, hands-on displays centered around civil rights, human rights and the Martin Luther King Jr. Collection, on loan from Morehouse College.
• Centennial Olympic Park is a legacy of the 1996 Olympic Games and also a bustling downtown Atlanta landmark. Explore on your own or take the Audio Walking Tour, which can be accessed online. Get a thrill and take in a unique view of the city from atop the SkyAtlanta Ferris wheel.
• Explore the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park where you’ll have an opportunity to see his birth home, the International World Peace Rose Garden and the “Behold” monument. Listen to Dr. King speak as you sit in a pew at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church. Visit The King Center to pay homage to Dr. and Mrs. King’s tombs and Eternal Flame.
• Atlanta’s historic Oakland Cemetery dates to the mid-1800s and is rich in history, art, architecture and local lore. Walk through on your own or attend one of the cemetery’s unique themed events or tours. See the final resting place of famous Atlantans Bobby Jones, Margaret Mitchell and Maynard Jackson.
• If this is a family trip to Atlanta, you’ll want to take the kids to blow off steam and have lots of fun doing it at the Children’s Museum of Atlanta. Experience hands-on interactive learning zones and featured exhibits throughout the year, geared specifically toward young children.

Save 44% off combined admission prices to Atlanta’s top five attractions with an Atlanta CityPASS.

Where to Dine and Drink Downtown

There are more than 300 restaurants in downtown Atlanta to choose from, at every price point, from fast-casual dining to fine dining. Try something tasty and let the ‘gram eat first at one of these Instagram-worthy restaurants in downtown Atlanta. Take the guess work out of deciding where to dine with this delicious itinerary:

• Coffee and a quick breakfast: Stop by Friendship Market at Signia by Hilton Atlanta for pastries, coffee, tea and other grab-and-go essentials to start your day.
• Lunch: By George at the Candler Hotel offers contemporary American cuisine for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner.
• Dinner: At Alma Cocina you can expect fresh ingredients and local influences from the contemporary Mexican and Latin American menu.
• Something sweet: Sweet Stack Creamery is a dessert bar unique to Atlanta, offering handcrafted ice creams, cookies and doughnut sandwiches with traditional and innovative flavors. Vegan options are available.
• Late night drink and experience: Red Phone Booth is a 1920s-type Prohibition era speakeasy with award-winning craft cocktails, small plates and cigars. Access is password protected, so ask the front desk staff at your hotel to point you in the right direction.

Or, hop on a short Uber ride to explore nearby neighborhoods with local favorites such as: Little Bear in Summerhill (Michelin-recommended and Best Young Chef award by Michelin, with an affordable and unforgettable tasting menu). Delbar is located off the Atlanta BeltLine in the Old Fourth Ward and offers MICHELIN-recommended Middle Eastern cuisine. Palo Santo on the Westside offers elevated Mexican food with an energetic rooftop for drinks after dinner and a great view of the city. Krog Street Market in Inman Park offers a variety of options in a casual setting to please everyone in your party. 

Getting Around Downtown

There are several transportation options for getting around Atlanta. You can ride share, splurge on a car service from the airport or travel via MARTA, the city’s public transit system, which carries passengers to Downtown, Buckhead and beyond.

Joleen Pete lives outside Atlanta with her husband and their son. On the weekends they enjoy going into the city for family fun and exploration. Joleen is the family travel and lifestyle blogger behind Love, Joleen.