text:
Atins

Atins is a fishermen's village in Maranhão turned kitesurfing hotspot nestled on the estuary of Rio Preguiças (to the east) into the Atlantic Ocean (to the north), a few km away from the dunes of Lençóis Maranhenses National Park (to the west).

Understand
At the core, the village maintains a rustic feel, with small houses on sand streets. At the beachfront, the hotels are reminiscent of Southeast Asia's bungalow affaire and have a less authentic atmosphere.

The village has virtually no mobile signal, but most places have Wi-Fi, so Whatsapp is the way to go for instant communication.

Get in
Overland, the connection with Barreirinhas is assured by private but regular 4x4 truck services doing Atins-Barreirinhas-Atins. To Atins, trucks leave from in the morning, first service at 10:00, and occasionally in early afternoon. From Atins, passengers are picked up at their door (therefore advanced booking is necessary) roughly at 05:30. The trucks don't charge extra for luggage, boxes or kitesurf gear bags. M-Sa, 1½ hour, R$ 25 (April 2019).

Sailing, boats leave Barreirinhas for Atins at midday, and go back at 14:00. M-Sa, 1 hour, R$ 50. It's also possible to join the sightseeing river tours and ask to be dropped at Atins beach before the boat returns to Barreirinhas. These boats depart between 08:00 or 09:00 and call at Vassouras (around 10:00-11:00), Mandacaru (around 10:30-11:30) and Caburé (leaving for Atins between 13:00 and 14:30). On this direction, the total transit time from Barreirinhas is 5 hours, R$ 80. From Atins to Barreirinhas, when the boat tours are going back nonstop, the trip takes the normal 1 hr, R$ 50 (April/2019). Hiring a private boat is possible and easy, R$ 300-400 per boat (September 2016).

From São Luís, the straightest way in public transit is to get an early morning van, ask to be dropped at the Toyota stop to Atins in Barreirinhas, reserve your spot and then leave with the first car, usually at 10:00 (1½ hr R$ 25), arriving in Atins a little before noon. It's possible to do all that starting from the airport, even on the wee hours, as there's a van service after the last flight of the day (04:00 - 3½ hr R$ 60 + R$ 10 commission to the airport middleman, April 2019).

From Jericoacoara, the straightest way is a combination of land transport up to Caburé (7 hours), followed by the crossing of Rio Preguiças to reach Atins (10 min). Hired 4x4 trucks for up to 4 people with enough space for luggage or kitesurf gear: R$ 1,000, river crossing: R$ 45 (September 2016).

Get around
Atins is small, but do not underestimate the distances as all the streets are made of soft sand and walking them is tiring. The sand is too hot for barefoot existence from 10:30 to 14:30 - if you need to walk around at this time, you'd be better be on boots.

See
Tours from Atins are better and more expensive than the ones from Barreirinhas for exact the same reason: there are fewer people to form groups. On a same week in August 2018, the two most popular tours from Barreirinhas (Lagoa Bonita and Lagoa Azul) would receive 25-30 pickup trucks each, while those from Atins (Lagoa das 7 Mulheres and Lagoa Tropical) would receive 3-7 trucks each.

Do
Atins is the preferred departure point for crossing the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park because then you'll be moving East-West, or on the same direction of the wind, avoiding the nuisance of sand blowing on your face. Trekking, the crossing usually takes 3 days, but there's a good variety of itineraries on offer, including short walks. Guides usually charge R$ 200 per day (August 2018). Overnight at local homes on the way usually include simple meals and sleeping in a hammock. Water is very expensive on the stops, and a water purifier will come in handy if you have one. Some operators in Atins specialize in horseback riding or bicycle tours. Itineraries are tailor made and can range from half-day trips to multi-day expeditions.

Kitesurf
Between July and December, the conditions are ideal in Atins: the vast and sparsely populated beaches are met by constant cross onshore winds of 15 to 30 knots.

Beginners can practice in the, in calm and flat waters sheltered by two natural sandbanks, whilst the more experienced can venture out to the open sea, which has 1.5–2.5 m waves at the right tide.

It's also possible to kitesurf on the calm waters of the Preguiças River or on the inland lagoons in the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park (it is however forbidden - and widely ignored by locals and surfers alike - to sail in all but one lagoon). The lagoons are temporary, and their size and duration depend on each year's rainy season (January-June), but they are usually full from July to October.

The kitesurfing community in Atins is proportionally big and composed by a noticeable number of foreigners. English, French, Italian and Spanish are spoken, as well as Portuguese. Beginners' instruction usually takes the form of 10-hr or 12-hr courses priced by the hour, which is R$ 150-250/hr depending on the instructor. It's common to start the course in one location (say, Jericoacoara) and continue it along the many kitesurfing spots on the region.

It's easy to organize equipment rentals and guided adventures, such as downwind trips. Some repair service is also available in town.

Beach life
Often advertised as the point on Lençóis Maranhenses area where one can have both beach and lagoons, this is unfortunately only true for those sailing, since the distance between the river shore and the seaside is not easily covered otherwise. The going fee for hiring a boat to cross the river (towards Brasilia's seashore, for example) is R$ 40 return (August 2018).

The river beach, the one at walking distance from the village, has strong currents most of the time, and the steady winds that are Atins claim to fame make the water uncomfortable for bathing from August to December.

Buy
Atins is remote and small, the type of place that makes one grateful for the convenience of big cities. Basic goods can be found, but there's no variety and prices are no bargain.

If you are on a budget, definitely do your groceries (in Barreirinhas or anywhere else) before arriving, as neither the boat nor the truck charge extra for luggage or boxes and you'll be left at your destination's door. Consider buying a pack of big water bottles as well.

Drink
Rumor has it that pousada owners make pressure to drive away any noisy nightlife that could disturb their guests (unfortunately they still did not manage to quiet down the very noisy church cults on the main Atins intersection).

Only the beachfront bars occasionally hold live music nights - ask around.

Sleep
If on a budget, it's very important to make sure your accommodation provides drinking water and a place to cook, as water and meals are expensive in Atins due to its remote location. It's wise to shop for groceries in Barreirinhas before arriving.

If you get to Atins by boat, remember to give advanced notice to your accommodation so they can send you a free pick-up service. Walking in Atins is complicated due to its fluffy sand streets.

Canto do Atins
A tiny settlement inside Lençóis Maranhenses National park, known for the two family-run restaurants in it. The older is Luzia's, who made its fame with divine barbecued shrimps. After 8 years working with Luzia, her sister-in-law broke up with her and opened her own restaurant, named after her husband and Luzia's brother, Antônio. Hopefully, there are enough tourists to keep both businesses busy. Overnight at their rooms cost R$ 50 (as with all settlements inside the park, there's no electricity).

Canto do Atins is about 1.5 km trek from Atins village. To get there, follow the beach Westwards until the first dune, and then climb it. From its top, it's already possible to see the settlement. Most people take 90 minutes to walk there. It's also easy to arrange transport by 4x4 trucks or quadbikes.

Go next

 * Mandacaru

title: Atins


text:
Atiu

Atiu is an island in Southern Cook Islands. It is the third largest, third most populous, and third most visited island in the Cook Island group. It is and has a rapidly decreasing population of 434 (2016), of which most are children and elderly.

Get in
By plane - Air Rarotonga daily flights to Rarotonga except Sundays, and weekly flights (Wednesday) to Aitutaki. Officially there is a baggage limit of 16 kg per passenger, but it is not strongly enforced for tourists.

The wharf at Taunganui Harbour has cargo ships that can transport passengers. This is not recommended because there are not consistent times or openings.

Get around

 * By foot you'll see the most, but you need time.
 * By mountainbike ($10/day) Tel.33271
 * By Motorbike ($20-25/day), at the "Super Brown" store.

Understand
When the population dropped many of the shops closed. There are now few facilities.

Ngamaru Povaru
When Ngakaara’s power had waned Ngamaru Povaru was the more dominant of the three kings of Atiu. He was a pacifist and ruled with a kind hand and the people called his rule Te Au Maru. One of the first tasks he did was to build a wall around his part of the settlement. At the northern end of the wall he had three monuments built, each capped in a different fashion. These three monuments were to represent the three kings: Ngamaru, Rongomatane and Parua.

Beside his house he built a small marae at which he and his nine mataiapos conducted meetings. He did several things that earned the gratefulness of his people. He purchased a piece of land in Tahiti on which the Atiuans could settle. He bought a ship, called Ngamaru, to take copra to Tahiti. He spent much time in Rarotonga, finally marrying Makea Ariki of Rarotonga. He had built for the Queen a two storied house which still stands. Because of the so many good deeds he did, he was given the name of Ngamaru Rongo Tini (Ngamaru of many fames.)

The First Settlement
It is estimated that during the early part of the 14th century the first settlers arrived in Atiu. This was a group led by Mariri. He landed with his canoe of people at a place named Ava Tapu and settled near the beach at a place now known as O’Rongo. Because they were grateful for the safety of arrival here they built a Marae to the god Rongo – hence the name. They lived here for some time before they moved inland and built another settlement inland also named O’Rongo thus presenting some confusion so that now the two maraes are distinguished by the application of O’Rongo- i – Tai and O’Rongo – i – Uta. O’Rongo – i – Uta is worth seeing, but it is a long way from the beach, and is not always clean.

The Wharf
Before 1974 ships arriving in Atiu would unload and load at one or another of the numerous landings in Atiu depending on the state of the tide and the wind. In 1974 the big event took place of the New Zealand army building the wharf. It has enabled ships to unload and load except in very, very severe weather conditions. This wharf is also a boon to fishermen as they can launch their boats and canoes from here. This wharf is also a boon for the swimmers where they are reasonably safe. They dive off the walls and even shelter behind the inside of the wall with big waves breaking over the wall.

Cook’s Landing
When Captain Cook arrived in Atiu in 1777, O’Rongo was still in use, and here the men were entertained by the Atiuans. Cook’s men wrote about the eight to ten double canoes they saw there under the trees.

Cook’s two ships, Resolution and Discovery, arrived in Atiu at the end of March. The purpose of the visit was to obtain food for the animals on board, cows and sheep. The sailors were reluctant to go ashore as they were not sure how they would be received. It was not until the Atiuans approached and boarded the ship that communications were made. They had a Tahitian on board whose language was very similar to the Cook Islands language so there was little barrier to communications. Finally Captain Cook sent two of his officers ashore. They were taken to O’Rongo and entertained then fed and sent back to the ship with the left over food. No satisfactory food for the animals was obtained here so Cook went to Takutea and obtained food from there. Because of the Atiuan’s pleas they were given a dog, not a sheep nor a cow which they feared.

Tombs
During the early days of Christianity when lime was plentiful, four of our kings were buried in tombs. There is no sign to say which king is buried here. The tomb was surrounded by a low fence of slabs of coral from the beach. However, when the kings were entombed, the place became sacred and no one was allowed to enter the fenced area. Trees and bushes were not to be disturbed. Two of the kings were entombed in Mapumai, one in Areora and one in Tengatangi.

Airport
In the early 1970 an airport was built on the plateau close to the villages. Later on however, it was realised that the runway was too short and could not be extended. About 1984 the building of the airport near the beach was undertaken. The work was done by hand voluntarily by the people of the island. The land belongs to a large number of landowners who are supposed to be paid from the landing fees charged but maintenance of the airport and runways depletes this fund and very little get to the land owners.

It is served by a twelve seater Banderant which flies most days though it would pay to check with Air Raro. Very rarely a bigger plane may be used.

In 2015 the Chinese have given the island several large machines to enable the runway to be to tarsealed.

Areora Village (Punakau)

 * Atiu Villas
 * Kopeka Lodge
 * Atiu Bed & Breakfast
 * Kia Orana Bunglow
 * Aretou Tumunu
 * Vanilla Tumunu
 * Super Brown Store
 * Meeting House
 * Marae
 * Coral Garden
 * Rimarau Burial Cave
 * Anatakitaki Cave
 * Takauroa Beache
 * Matai Beaches
 * Oneroa Beach

Ngatiarua Village (Mokoero)

 * Hospital
 * Meeting House
 * Dental
 * Lake Tiroto
 * Marae
 * Police Station
 * BCI Bank
 * Tourism Officer
 * House of Ngamaru Ariki
 * Marine
 * Ministry Of Infrastructure
 * Taungaroro Beaches

Tengatangi Village (Taturoa)

 * Justice Department
 * Government House
 * House of Rongomatane
 * Catholic Church
 * Apostolic Church
 * Meeting House
 * Tank House
 * Rising Sun Tumunu
 * Marae

Mapumai Village (Ruavari)

 * Sunday School Hall
 * Air Rarotonga Office
 * Meeting House
 * Moeakai Bakery
 * Ezra Store-Atiu Island Coffee
 * Blue Sky
 * Enuamanu School
 * Agriculture
 * Taparere Lodge
 * Atiu 100FM Radio Station

Teenui Village (Kurukava)

 * Atiu Airport
 * Atiu Harbour
 * Meeting House
 * Center Store
 * Manuka 102 Store
 * Jumbo Bakery
 * CICC Church
 * Marae
 * Vaitamina Tumunu
 * Maroa Boys Tumunu
 * Power Station
 * SDA Church

Tumunu
From the early colonial days when the local population was barred from drinking alcohol, the Tumunu came into being. The men carved themselves a barrel from the trunk of the coconut tree and brewed the concoction in there. This would be hidden away near the plantations. As time went by drinking was finally legalised and now the villages each have a place for drinking and socialising. Formerly women were not allowed in these places but this rule has been relaxed and both men and women may be found in these places. There are strict rules of behaviour and anyone causing problems in one place will also be barred from other places. Visitors are very welcome here and all one needs to do is to leave a small donations at departure. The participants sit on home made seats around the barman who is in the centre and in reach of all the participants. The barman has a miniature cup – the bottom part of a tiny coconut – and serves everyone from it – going around the full circle. One may drink or wave away the drink. There is a table with sliced up fruit and one may help oneself. There are generally instruments strumming and everyone joins in the singing.

Meeting Houses
There are five villages in Atiu – visitors may not distinguish one from the other – and each village has a meeting house which is very important to them. They are well maintained and the villagers have pride in them. In these houses they conduct village meetings and community functions like welcoming and feeding visitors, selling of products. Educational courses are conducted in these houses and when a big group from overseas visit they could be accommodated in here for the time they are on the island

Water catchment
These were one of the earliest houses built by the government. There was one for each village. Inside at either end of the house is a huge concrete tank to contain the rain water collected. In the concrete floor beside each tank is a hollow about a square metre and about half a metre deep with a tap from the tank at one end. Here is where the villagers are to fill their containers to carry home for the day’s use. Today, every household has been supplied with plastic tanks to catch the rainwater and they no longer need to go to the catchment building. However, in times of water shortage tankers may fill up from here to take to the homes.

Taro planting
Taro roots and taro leaves are the staple food of Atiuans. Every meal is not complete without taro. Each home has two, three, four or more taro patches. There may be as many as ten varieties. The taro is of very good quality and highly sought after by the people in Rarotonga, in Aitutaki and in New Zealand. However, the cost of freight is very exorbitant and there is little being sold overseas. When island visitors come to Atiu they delight in being able to go back home with a bag of taro. Because of the large numbers of wild pigs in Atiu, no person is able to grow taro or any other crop without fencing. In 2005, the growers of Mapumai were able to get overseas aid to get materials for fencing. Working for one day each week for a whole year the men of the village completed the fence, about 1.6 kilometres and surrounding about twelve acres of swamp. This area is now completely pig proof and the men grow taro without worrying about pigs. This is the most taro plants one can see on the island. One other village has fenced their area but the growers are not as plentiful nor as enthusiastic as the growers in Mapumai.

Agricultural Nursery
The agricultural nursery has existed for a number of years and it is a very important place for the planters of Atiu. Here are propagated things like pawpaws, avocado, citrus and new plants being introduced to the island such as new pawpaws, new pineapples, new citrus. Fertilizer and potting mix may be bought here.

Do
Bushwalking, caves, birdwatching, fishing, diving, Relaxing.

Unlike the islands of Rarotonga and Aitutaki the settlements on Atiu are central. Difficulties in accessing the coast, and the lack of protective reefs and lagoons do not make Atiu as suitable for swimming and snorkelling as these other islands. Nonetheless it is possible, and there are some very nice secluded beaches on Atiu.

In detail:
 * Relax, have a coconut.
 * Walk around the island, have a coconut.
 * Chat with the local people, learn about their culture, have a coconut.
 * Have another coconut
 * Ask around when the next pig hunt is taking place and join.

Organized tours:
 * Marshall's Island Discovery Tour ($50) visit places of historical interest and learn about the daily life on a pacific island.
 * Kopeka Cave visit ($35) visit the cave of the Atiu swiftlet, a bird which find their way in the darkness.
 * Burial Cave visit ($25) see the bones of Atiu's ancestors.
 * Raka's Cave visit ($15) the fairy tale castle of Atiu's underworld.
 * visit the Atiu coffee factory ($25 / minimum 2 pers.) learn all there is to know about coffee.
 * Bush walk with George ($40) if you want to learn about bird life and other flora and fauna of Atiu.
 * Reef fishing ($25). if you want to know more about Atiu's sea creatures.
 * Deep sea fishing ($100) with a boat.
 * Seafary ($50) see the island from the other perspective.
 * Historical Tour ($26) Ancient and recent history of the island.

Buy
Coffee is the local produce of the island, and can be purchased and sampled on the other Cook Islands.

Shops:
 * ADC shop Tel. 33028
 * Super Brown store (next to the football field) Tel. 33141
 * Center store Tel. 33773
 * Akai bakery Tel. 33207

Eat
There are 3 possibilities to eat out on Atiu (2009):
 * Super Brown store serves Burgers Tel. 33141.
 * Terangi Nui Cafe Tel.33101 Serves dinner for $25 (Book before 15:00).
 * Kura's Kitchen Tel.33777 Serves dinner for $25 (Book before 15:00).

Self catering is also a good option, there is a lot of local stuff growing on the island. Ask the locals where to get it, usually they give it to you. Be nice and give them something back, like something you brought from home or bake some cookies, use your imagination. Bring as much non-local stuff like butter, eggs, meat, spices,... as you need. These things are extremely expensive as they are imported by plane (to give you an idea: 12 lowest quality cage eggs cost $11.50).

Drink

 * Water should be boiled before you drink it.
 * There are plenty of coconuts.
 * Join a traditional bush beer drinking session.

Sleep

 * Kopeka Lodge Tel.+682 33283.
 * Kopeka Lodge Tel.+682 33283.
 * Kopeka Lodge Tel.+682 33283.
 * Kopeka Lodge Tel.+682 33283.

Go next
Takutea - uninhabited island 20km off the coast.

Stay safe

 * Water should be boiled before you drink it.
 * Ciguatera Poisoning is something you do not want. It is caused by reef fish collecting poison from dying corals. If you want to be sure, only eat the fillet of reef-fish, but locals say the last case on Atiu has been 12 years ago. Flying fish and ocean (game) fish are OK.
 * Stealing. Cook Islanders are raised to share almost everything naturally. Things may be borrowed (even without telling the owner) and will be returned upon request, provided you know whom to ask. It is not considered stealing in their culture and so it's best to closely watch your stuff.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Atiu


text:
Atlanta

Atlanta is the vanguard of the New South, with the charm and elegance of the Old. It's a city that balances southern traditions with sleek modernism, and southern hospitality with three skylines and the world’s busiest airport. It's a city that has been burnt to the ground and built back up; seen the horrors of war; felt the pain of droughts and floods; and given birth to Martin Luther King, Jr., the greatest figure of the civil rights movement. Atlanta is the capital of the state of Georgia and, according to many, the capital of the entire Southern United States.

Districts
There are three separate skylines in Atlanta: Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead. The size of any one of these districts could rival the center of any other city in the South. However, Atlanta consists not only of skyscrapers and other high-rise constructions; each of the city’s urban neighborhoods offer unique atmospheres that are well adapted to living in the shadow of the city.

Understand
Sitting on the Piedmont Plateau in Northern Georgia, Atlanta is almost entirely in Fulton County, while a part of the city limits extends into DeKalb County. The city covers 132 sq mi (343 km²), but Metro Atlanta, which includes 28 counties, has an area of 8,376 sq mi (21,693.7 km²). The Chattahoochee River, which forms the northwestern boundary of Atlanta, is a major source of water throughout the metro area. Aside from the river, the topography of Atlanta is assorted with rolling hills, forests, lakes and ponds, and granite Stone Mountain to the east.

In 2020, Atlanta had 500,000 residents within the city limits and 6.3 million in the metro area.

Climate
Atlanta is on the Piedmont Plateau, at an approximate elevation of 700–1100 ft (220–330 m) above sea level. The city is thus somewhat cooler than other places in the U.S. South, a fact that certainly helped the growth of the city before the introduction of air conditioning.

Atlanta experiences a very wide range of temperatures. Temperatures in winter are overall mild to warm, but cold-fronts can bring light accumulations of snow and lows occasionally plummet into the teens. However, days are usually in the 50s F (10 °C) and nights in the low to mid 30s F (0 °C). Ice-storms are very rare, but not unheard of. Summers are hot and humid, with temperatures frequently reaching above 90 °F (32 °C), thus the city earning the nickname "Hotlanta" (a name which makes locals cringe, and will likely be met with a retort of "Nobody calls it that"). Rainfall is high in late winter and early spring, and afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer. Spring and autumn are the best times to visit. The region is often affected during hurricane season (June through November) from remnants that spill out from the Gulf, bringing heavy rains and sometimes high winds.

History
Atlanta began taking shape in 1837 when the Western & Atlantic Railroad selected the site as the southern end of its tracks. The town was called Terminus until 1843 when it was renamed Marthasville after the daughter of Gov. Wilson Lumpkin. In 1847, the city was renamed Atlanta, supposedly a feminine form of "Atlantic", probably created by an engineer with the Western & Atlantic. The city was incorporated in 1847.

By the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861, Atlanta was a major railroad hub, manufacturing center, and supply depot. But in 1864, to cripple transportation between the South and the North, Union General William T. Sherman's army burned to the ground all of the railroad facilities, almost every business and more than two-thirds of the city's homes during his infamous "March to the Sea." Atlanta lay in ruins, the only major American city ever destroyed by war.

Atlanta's first resurgence began soon after. Within four years of Sherman's attack, the Georgia capital was moved from Milledgeville to Atlanta and a drive to attract new business was underway. In the meantime, colleges and universities began to open, telephones were introduced, and trolleys began to roll. In 1895, the Cotton States and International Exposition in Piedmont Park showed 800,000 visitors and residents that Atlanta was headed in a new direction and braced for the 20th century.

By the late 1920s, a downtown business sector had taken shape, giving Atlanta much of the distinct pattern it maintains today. At the same time, Atlanta Alderman (and later Mayor) William B. Hartsfield campaigned long and hard to convince the city to turn a vacant racetrack into an airport. Today, Hartsfield–Jackson International Airport is the world's busiest airport, with more than 100 million annual passengers.

While the city continued its economic surge, it also became known as the "City Too Busy to Hate." Atlanta and Georgia preempted much of the strife associated with the 1950s and 1960s by taking the lead in the Southeast in strengthening minority rights. The city's strongest identification with the movement was through its native son, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Much has been accomplished in the last 25 years to elevate Atlanta to world-class status. An efficient (by the standards of the Southern US at least) public transportation system, MARTA, was put in place; Underground Atlanta was added to the entertainment map; the Georgia World Congress Center made the city a convention hub; the Georgia Dome was built in 1992; and Philips Arena was built in 1999. The Dome was torn down in 2017 once its replacement, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, opened.

From July 20 through August 4, 1996, all eyes were on Atlanta as it hosted the Centennial Olympic Games. The city successfully hosted the biggest Olympic Games ever, showcasing itself to 2 million people in person and 3.5 billion people through global broadcast.

The Olympics served as a catalyst for a second resurgence of Atlanta as it experiences a dramatic transformation from great American city to greater international city by fueling more than $6 billion in development and changes.

Atlanta has become a major conference and convention destination, due mostly to the enormous airport and favorable weather. Most of the conference venues are near the Peachtree Center MARTA station in downtown, and when there is a large show in town, it can sometimes seem as though every other person in the city is wearing a name tag.

Watch
Atlanta’s southern culture, deep history, and bustling city have been the backdrop for numerous classic films.
 * Gone with the Wind (Victor Fleming, 1939). Steeped in Confederate politics, a struggle for survival, and unavoidable love intrigues, this film has the rare distinction of being as good as if not better than the classic southern book it is based on.
 * Driving Miss Daisy (Bruce Beresford, 1989). This film tactfully explores the racial issues of the civil rights-era through the nuances of a relationship between a wealthy white woman and her black chauffeur.
 * ATL (Chris Robinson, 2006). A coming of age drama set in the hip-hop culture of the modern city.

Atlanta is also the background for the popular television shows The Walking Dead and Atlanta.

Atlanta (and the rest of Georgia) have quickly become a favorite filming location thanks to state tax incentives. You can catch glimpses of Atlanta landmarks in movies like The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (Francis Lawrence, 2013) where it plays the decadent capital city, and The Internship (Shawn Levy, 2013) where it plays Google's high-tech modernist headquarters.

By plane
Atlanta's principal airport is  ("Hartsfield–Jackson," "ATL," or just "the airport" to locals), about  south of downtown. Hartsfield-Jackson has been the world's busiest airport since 1999, serving more than 107 million passengers in 2018. The airport has 192 domestic and international gates, and covers 4,700 acres (1,902 ha) of land with five parallel jet runways. ATL is a major hub for Delta Air Lines and a focus city for Southwest Airlines, and also serves as the location of Delta Air Lines corporate headquarters.

Private aviation
Atlanta has the 3rd highest concentration of Fortune 500 companies in the United States, and is one of the nation's largest media centers. Due to the high levels of media and executive activity, together with heavy congestion at Hartsfield-Jackson, there are several airports that focus on business and leisure aviation.

is located within "the Perimeter" in Chamblee, Georgia. Although PDK offers shuttle service to Cincinnati, Memphis, and Destin, it mainly serves as Atlanta's main private jet hub with 4 runways and 3 private terminals. There are 5 additional airports with private FBO terminals just outside of the perimeter: Fulton County Airport ; Cherokee County Airport ; Falcon Field-Atlanta Regional Airport ; Field-Cobb County International Airport ; and Gwinnett County Airport. Air charter companies including Priority Jet and Georgia Jet Charter offer access to a variety of planes based at Atlanta metro area airports, with aircraft ranging from economical single and twin engine planes, to modern business jets and luxury Gulfstreams.

By train
Atlanta is served by Amtrak, +1-800-872-7245. Amtrak's Crescent train runs daily and serves New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Charlotte, Gainesville, Birmingham and New Orleans. Southbound, the train leaves New York just before 3PM, calls at Atlanta at around 9AM the next day and reaches New Orleans by 8PM. Northbound, the train leaves New Orleans at around 7AM, calls at Atlanta at around 8PM and reaches New York by 2PM the next day.

The is at 1688 Peachtree St. NW, which is several miles north of downtown and the airport. To connect from MARTA, take bus #23 or #110, which can be transferred to at Buckhead Station and Arts Center Station. There is no on-site parking at the Amtrak station, but Elite Parking has a surface lot nearby and offers longterm parking at reasonable rates.

By car
The principal highways serving the city are I-75 (serving traffic from Detroit to Florida), I-85 (connecting the Mid-Atlantic to New Orleans) and I-20 (connecting Texas to Florence, South Carolina), all of which cross through Downtown. GA-400 connects North Georgia to I-85 by passing through Buckhead.

I-285 (commonly called "The Perimeter" by Atlantans, and "Atlanta Bypass" on overhead signs) circles the city at a distance of about out, crossing and connecting with all the above freeways and the airport. In the shorthand of traffic reports, it's sometimes specified as "inner loop" (the lanes that travel clockwise) and "outer loop" (counterclockwise), or the "top end" (the busy segment on the north between I-75 and I-85).

Free real-time traffic information is available by dialing 511 anywhere in the state of Georgia.

Get around
Although most locals rely on their cars for day-to-day transportation, walking and public transit are well suited for visitors. The major downtown neighborhoods are quite walkable, and many attractions are easily accessible from public transit.

If you'll have a car anyway, driving is often the fastest means of getting around. It also opens up destinations that are difficult or impossible to access by public transit. However, having a car in Downtown is often a hindrance where parking is scarce, and the lengthy rush hour is an exercise in frustration.

Street names in Atlanta are very confusing. There are more than 70 streets that have "Peachtree" in their name, and they are often difficult to distinguish (Peachtree Street, Peachtree Lane, West Peachtree Street, etc.) When someone says "Peachtree" without clarifying, they mean Peachtree Street, a major north-south thoroughfare through Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead. Do not confuse it with West Peachtree Street, which parallels Peachtree Street a block away and is a major road through Midtown. Additionally, many thoroughfares change street names frequently, generally at intersections and curves.

Ponce de Leon Avenue, often shortened to Ponce, is pronounced PAHNS duh LEE-ahn.

By foot
Visitors will find today's Atlanta very walkable, with many improvements made in the last decade. Most of the in-town neighborhoods are individually easy to walk around, with dense collections of bars, restaurants, and shops. In particular, getting around within Midtown, Downtown, Decatur, Buckhead, or the areas around the North Highland Avenue corridor in East Atlanta (including Virginia-Highland, Poncey Highland, and Little Five Points) is usually quite easy; walking times rarely exceed 10–20 minutes, and buses or trains provide some relief for longer trips. Getting between those neighborhoods solely by foot is more difficult; for example, expect a 30–45-minute walk between Midtown and Virginia-Highland. Inter-neighborhood transportation is best done by car or public transit.

By transit

Atlanta is served by MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority),, which operates rapid rail and bus networks in the city of Atlanta and the counties of Fulton and Dekalb. Locals just say "MARTA"; referring to it as "the MARTA" will mark you as an out-of-towner.

A single ride on MARTA costs $2.50 (children 46 inches and under free, up to 2 per adult); the fare includes transfers. MARTA uses wireless Breeze Cards to store your fare; a new card costs $2.00 but is reloadable and valid for 10 years. (Breeze Cards can't be shared; you need one per person.) Breeze Cards are sold in vending machines at all rail stations or at RideStores at Airport, Lindbergh Center, and Five Points Stations (vending machines accept credit cards, but cash may be faster as the machines are slow and prone to breaking). On the bus, tap the card at the fare post next to the driver. At the train station, tap on entry and exit at the fare gate. When transferring, tap your card again. (The card uses RFID technology, so you can leave it in your wallet and just tap your whole wallet on the sensor.)

Buses accept fares in cash, but cannot issue transfers on fares paid in cash — you must have a Breeze Card to obtain the transfer. If you plan to make a connection, make sure to get one before starting your trip.

Unlimited passes are available ($9 for 1 day, $19 for 4 days, $23.75 for 7 days). These will easily save you money if you plan on making more than one or two trips per day.

MARTA runs slower on the weekends; typical wait times are 20 minutes for trains and up to an hour for buses. Be sure to accommodate for this.

The system is quite safe regardless of the time of day, although there have been a handful of incidents of violent crime in the last decade. Like in any other city or transit system, use common sense, keep aware of your surroundings during low ridership periods, and avoid train cars with no other riders or with only a couple of other riders.

Rail
The rail network consists of four lines: Red, Gold, Blue, and Green. The Red and Gold lines run north-south, while the Blue and Green lines run east-west, forming a cross with Five Points Station in the center as the only connection point between the Red-Gold and Blue-Green lines. Trains run M-F 5AM-1AM, and on weekends and holidays 5AM-12:30AM. Trains run on all lines every 12 minutes during peak periods, and every 20 minutes at night and on weekends. The wait is often shorter than this for trips in the center of the city, as you will not have to wait for any specific train; you could take either the Red line or the Gold line to get from Downtown to Midtown, for example.
 * The Red and Gold lines run on the same rails from a southern terminus at Hartsfield-Jackson airport through Downtown and Midtown Atlanta, before splitting into two branches: the Red line runs to north metro Atlanta at North Springs Station, and the Gold line runs northeast and terminates at Doraville Station.
 * The Blue line runs from a western terminal at Hamilton E. Holmes to an eastern terminal at Indian Creek. The Green line runs east-west along with the Blue line, but has a small spur to Bankhead station and only goes as far east as Edgewood/Candler Park station.

Bus
The bus network comprises over 100 different bus routes, with many routes operating approximately every 20 minutes. Bus service on some lines (generally including the most popular tourist areas) runs M-F 5AM-1:30AM, and on the weekends and holidays 5AM-1AM.

There are a few buses which are particularly useful for getting around some of the in-town neighborhoods:
 * 110 "The Peach" – This bus traverses Peachtree Street/Road from Downtown to Buckhead. Although most trips along this corridor will be easier and faster using the train, this bus is still especially useful for getting to a destination between Arts Center Station and Buckhead, including the Buckhead Village, which is 20-minute walk from Buckhead Station.
 * 36 – Useful connection to Virginia-Highland from Midtown Station. Beyond Virginia-Highland, this bus continues north and then east, stopping at Emory University, then traversing many residential neighborhoods before ending at Avondale Station east of Decatur.
 * 16 – Leaves from Five Points Station in Downtown first eastward, passing the Carter Center, then turning onto North Highland Avenue and heading north to Virginia-Highland and beyond into the northeastern reaches of the city. Before turning onto North Highland Avenue, this bus runs roughly parallel to Highland Avenue in close proximity, and it follows North Highland Avenue through its most active areas, so this is a good route to get between destinations along that corridor.
 * 2 – Leaves from North Avenue Station heading east and operates on two slightly different routes. Most of these follow Ponce de Leon Avenue and head briefly south and east along North Highland Avenue and Freedom Parkway before going along Moreland Avenue (through Little Five Points) and continuing to Edgewood/Candler Park Station. Once an hour, however, the bus will continue along Ponce (instead of turning down North Highland Avenue) and eventually reach Decatur Station. This route is useful for getting to parts of North Highland Avenue and to Little Five Points (both of which will be short walks regardless of which route the bus takes), and the hourly detour can be useful as well for reaching parts of Decatur which are further removed from the MARTA station.
 * 12 – Leaves from Midtown Station and heads west along 10th Street past Georgia Tech. Turns north along Howell Mill Road and continues into far northwestern parts of the city. This can be useful for getting to the west end of Georgia Tech campus or for getting to the West Midtown district (near Howell Mill and Marietta Street and continuing for some time along Howell Mill). The redevelopment of this district began in the1990s, and it now has many restaurants, boutique shops, bars, coffee shops, and art galleries.
 * 1 – Leaves from Five Points Station heading northwest, passes the Aquarium, CNN Center, and World of Coca-Cola (if you don't want to make the 10-minute walk), stops by Georgia Tech, and also passes through West Midtown before heading into far northwestern parts of the city.
 * 6 – Runs from Inman Park Station in the east to Lindbergh Station in the north. It first travels along Moreland Avenue (which becomes Briarcliff Road, on which it continues) with stops in Little Five Points (providing a shortcut there if the 10- to 15-minute walk is too much) offering short walks to much of Poncey Highlands. It also has stops at Emory University and the Centers for Disease Control.

Streetcar
Downtown, the Atlanta Streetcar has brought streetcars back to Atlanta, 65 years after the previous service ended. The Downtown Loop runs east-west, connecting Centennial Olympic Park, Peachtree Center MARTA station, and going across the highway to the Martin Luther King, Jr., National Historic Site. It's cheaper than MARTA (adults $1, children free [46 inches and under, up to 2 per adult]; multiple trip passes available), but the limited destinations mean visitors may not get much use from it.

By taxi
It is usually possible to flag taxicabs down near tourist attractions and bars in Midtown and Downtown. However, calling ahead is recommended.

24-hour taxicab services:
 * Checker Cab,
 * Easy Rider Taxi,

Taxis between the airport and major areas of town are flat rate. Be sure to insist on the flat rate, even if the driver claims no knowledge of it.

You can also use ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Lyft. Be aware the pricing can be high during times of high demand.

By car
Cars are the most popular form of transport to get around the sprawling city, and usually the fastest during non-peak hours. Many destinations outside the urban centers are only accessible by car. Rush hour peaks around 7:30AM–9:30AM and 4PM-6:30PM on weekdays and often results in congestion when traveling inbound in the mornings and outbound in the afternoons. Downtown/Midtown and major shopping districts such as Buckhead can also get crowded on weekends. In most of the city, parking is free and plentiful. In the most urban areas, some restaurants offer free or cheap valet services ($1–3 tip expected) and on the rare occasion where parking is scarce, public lots are usually nearby for a fee. Real-time traffic information is available online or by dialing 511 from any phone.

Museums
Atlanta's top attractions form an eclectic mix that is sure to have something that appeals to everyone, and enough variety to keep the adventurous traveler busy. The highest concentration of exhibits can be found in the Centennial Park Area, where Atlanta's three biggest attractions are within two blocks of one another: World of Coca-Cola tells the history of the world’s most iconic brand, with plenty of samples to ensure understanding; across the street is the Georgia Aquarium, the world’s largest by volume of water, where you can swim with the biggest fish of them all, the whale shark; and the CNN Center and Studio Tour, which offers a behind the scenes look at what it takes to run one of the nation’s leading news sources (closed due to COVID-19 as of January 2022).

Those more inclined to history can visit the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site in Sweet Auburn, which includes this inspiring leader’s birthplace home, his final resting place, the church where he once gave sermons, and a museum and memorial dedicated to his colossal achievements. The largest collection of Civil War memorabilia in the nation, including the Cyclorama (which tells the story of the Battle of Atlanta through a massive, continuous, circular painting), can be found at the Atlanta History Center in Buckhead, alongside a large exhibit memorializing the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games.

Exhibits of both ancient and modern history can be found near Little Five Points at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, featuring a humbling display of the largest dinosaur ever unearthed, and the Jimmy Carter Library & Museum, which is the permanent home of the former president’s Nobel Peace Prize. The Michael C. Carlos Museum on the campus of Emory University is an excellent attraction for those interested in the Greek and Egyptian cultures. The museum houses the largest collection of Greek, Egyptian and Near Eastern artifacts in the Southeast. Those with more refined tastes can enjoy the High Museum of Art in Midtown, which displays fine art from the last two centuries, as well as modern and contemporary pieces. In Midtown, the Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA) features rotating design exhibits and the Atlanta Contemporary Art Center offers rotating contemporary art exhibitions. The Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia (MOCA GA) between Midtown and Buckhead features a permanent collection as well as temporary exhibitions of contemporary art, focusing on Georgia artists. Georgia State University's Rialto Center for the Arts in Downtown has a free exhibition of visual art as well. And finally, Gone with the Wind aficionados can’t miss the Margaret Mitchell House & Museum, which preserves the Tudor Revival mansion in Midtown where the Pulitzer Prize–winning novel was written.

Travelers planning to visit multiple attractions may benefit from Atlanta CityPASS, which grants admission to 5 Atlanta attractions within 9 days of first use for a much reduced rate and includes expedited entry in some cases. The included attractions are: Georgia Aquarium; World of Coca-Cola; Zoo Atlanta; and two out of three following attractions: Fernbank Museum of Natural History; College Football Hall of Fame; National Center for Civil and Human Rights.

Architecture
Explore the cityscape and enjoy the many pieces of architecture built all around Atlanta, including the skyscrapers of Midtown, the Downtown skyline, the houses on Highland Avenue, and the mansions of Buckhead. Inman Park, Atlanta's showcases the city's old Victorian architecture. Other notable architectural attractions include the High Museum of Art and The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library.

Atlanta has a rich assortment of skyscrapers, notable for their modern aesthetic and the abundance of spires. The Bank of America building in midtown rises to a height of making it the tallest office building in the country outside of New York or Chicago. A building boom has left Atlanta glittering with dazzling glass skyscrapers, many of which contain some of the most expensive condominiums in the country. That said, the city owes a sizeable portion of its modern cityscape to home-grown architect John Portman. The construction of the icon Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel helped steer Atlanta in a more urban direction. Portman, famous for the development of the hotel atrium also designed numerous other buildings in Atlanta, including the Hyatt Regency, the Marriott Marquis, and AmericasMart.

Atlanta also has a few view points where you can enjoy a 360-degree view of the city in Downtown. One of them is the Sundial atop the Westin Peachtree. Another is the Polaris atop the Hyatt Regency Atlanta (its view is becoming obscured by the growing walls of glass around it), and there is also Nikolai's Roof on top of the Hilton.

Itineraries

 * Old South and New South — This tour takes you through the old historical sides of Atlanta and the new rapidly growing areas with postmodern architecture and technology, as well as unique culture.

Parks and recreation

 * Visit Centennial Olympic Park in Downtown and relax by the man-made river, splash in the Fountain of Rings on a hot summer day or go ice skating at the ice rink in the wintertime, attend a concert, and pay respects to the victims of the 1996 Olympics bombing.
 * Walk through Piedmont Park in Midtown, the largest park in Atlanta. Attend the Dogwood Festival in the spring time or one of the many musical events.
 * Grant Park is the oldest city park in Atlanta and is home to Zoo Atlanta. Historic Oakland Cemetery, also here, serves as the final resting place for more than 3,900 Confederate soldiers, famous Atlanta author Margaret Mitchell, golfing legend Bobby Jones, six Georgia governors and 25 Atlanta mayors.
 * The BeltLine is a multi-use trail. Its plan calls for a loop around Atlanta, of which only some portions are complete. Many sections of the former railway corridor have already been renovated with paved walking paths, while some others are still au naturel but hikeable. The BeltLine has been a big hit with locals; on weekends with good weather you will see dozens of people every minute crossing the street at popular intersections such as near Piedmont Park.

Performing arts
Founded in 1929, the Atlanta Ballet is the oldest professional dance company in America, the largest self-supported arts organization in Georgia and the official Ballet of Georgia. The company's performances combine contemporary and traditional styles with classic ballets and new choreography. Its annual season is presented at the historic Fox Theatre (Midtown), including the holiday season favorite The Nutcracker. The "Fabulous Fox" is worth a visit just to see its grandiose interior, and hosts many plays and concerts throughout the year.

Opera fans can enjoy the Atlanta Opera (northwest Atlanta). Atlanta's love affair with opera has spanned over 125 years of the city's history. Founded in 1979, the Atlanta Opera has won numerous awards nationally and locally.

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra is recognized for its creativity and innovation internationally. It is also known as a wonderful training ground for musicians who go on to stellar careers with other orchestras. Regular orchestral performances can also be caught at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre (Alpharetta in metro Atlanta).

Atlanta has one of the most impressive theater communities in the United States with more than 65 active performance groups. Metro theaters present a variety of new and old works. The Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse (Midtown) is one highlight; this leading playhouse is the first troupe in America to complete the production of all 38 of Shakespeare's plays. Other highlights include Broadway musicals through Broadway in Atlanta and Theater of the Stars, improvisation, southern themes, political and human issues, contemporary, classic and, of course, Shakespeare. Check out Alliance Theatre (Midtown), Center for the Puppetry Arts (Midtown), Dad's Garage improv (Little Five Points), Georgia Shakespeare Theatre (Brookhaven in north metro Atlanta), or Seven Stages more alternative line-up of shows and musicals (Little Five Points).

Sports

Befitting a city closely associated with one of golf's most legendary figures, Bobby Jones, Atlanta hosts one of the most important events on the PGA Tour. Although not a major championship, The Tour Championship, held in late August at Jones' home course of East Lake Golf Club at the city's eastern edge, is the final event of the PGA Tour season. The Tour Championship field is limited to 30 players, the survivors of a season-long qualifying process that culminates in the FedEx Cup Playoffs. The winner of The Tour Championship earns over $1.6 million, one of the largest prizes in the sport, and due to a format change in 2019 also wins the season-long FedEx Cup points race that brings a $10 million bonus.

In addition to Georgia Tech, the city has a second NCAA Division I athletic program, and a third is in the metropolitan area. Both have considerably lower profiles than Tech.
 * The Georgia State Panthers compete in the Sun Belt Conference. The basketball teams play at the school's downtown campus, but most other athletic facilities are in DeKalb County. The football team plays in the Braves' former home of Turner Field, which has since been converted to a football-specific venue now called Center Parc Stadium. The school plans to build a new baseball park within the footprint of the former Fulton County Stadium while retaining the preserved wall section from the original stadium.
 * The Kennesaw State Owls, members of the ASUN Conference but set to move to Conference USA in 2024, are in the Cobb County city of Kennesaw. KSU football plays at Fifth Third Bank Stadium near its campus; as noted above, that stadium is now home to Atlanta United 2.

Festivals

 * In January and February, look for the city-wide celebration of visual arts with ATLart and enjoy an early spring at the Southeastern Flower Show held at the Cobb Galleria Centre.
 * In March, Atlanta celebrates Irish Heritage with Downtown Atlanta's St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival, followed, in April, by the Atlanta Dogwood Festival staged at Piedmont Park with children's activities, an artist market, and more.
 * Each May celebrates jazz in Atlanta, the Atlanta Jazz Festival is presented at the Woodruff Arts Center and other venues.
 * In June, visitors can experience the Atlanta Film Festival.
 * The days around Independence Day (July 4) are filled with quite a few celebrations, but the most notable is the Peachtree Road Race, with 55,000 runners and many more spectators.
 * Even if you don't go to Dragon Con, you should watch the
 * The days around Independence Day (July 4) are filled with quite a few celebrations, but the most notable is the Peachtree Road Race, with 55,000 runners and many more spectators.
 * Even if you don't go to Dragon Con, you should watch the
 * Even if you don't go to Dragon Con, you should watch the
 * Even if you don't go to Dragon Con, you should watch the

Work

 * You can serve alongside and meet the people of Atlanta at a Hands On Atlanta volunteer project.

Buy
Atlanta has one of the top 10 retail markets in the US, and the city's neighborhoods are a great place to find antiques, art galleries, arts and crafts stores, thrift stores and boutiques. The city's eclectic shopping neighborhoods include downtown Atlanta, Little Five Points, Virginia-Highland, Buckhead and Midtown.

Looking for antiques and art? The Miami Circle, Bennett Street, and The Galleries of Peachtree Hills offer some of the best merchandise in Atlanta.

Buckhead is home to more than 1,400 retail stores. Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza offer the most concentrated collection of upscale stores available anywhere in the city including Neiman Marcus, Tiffany & Co., Jil Sander, Gucci, Cartier, Burberry, Jimmy Choo and Louis Vuitton. The Midtown Mile is a stretch of Peachtree Street in Midtown that offers street level retail shopping. Atlantic Station also offers plenty of retail options.

If your interest lies in smaller, specialty, boutique or vintage stores, try Little Five Points, Virginia-Highland, and East Atlanta Village. Wax 'N Facts is a popular store in Little Five Points that actually still sells vinyl records. Bill Hallman Boutiques are also a neighborhood staple, providing fashion forward clothing for Atlanta's social set.

Underground Atlanta is six city blocks in the heart of downtown Atlanta transformed into a spirited marketplace that offers historic guided tours and features restaurants, specialty stores, entertainment emporiums and street-cart merchants.

Street vendors are common in Downtown, especially in the Five Points neighborhood. You can also find large assortment of trade retailers at AmericasMart.

Eat
See the Districts articles for more listings.

Affordability, variety of restaurants, culinary diversity and award-winning chefs are key ingredients that earn Atlanta a place at the table with other popular culinary cities. An assortment of neighborhoods offers an array of restaurants featuring cuisine that spans the globe, serving something for every taste.

If you want to plumb the depths of what Atlanta's restaurant scene offers, do what locals do and sift through local magazine Creative Loafing. They review restaurants all over the city, and have several lists of "100 Dishes to Eat in Atlanta".

During the past few years, several celebrity chefs have traveled south to call Atlanta home. Drawn to the quickly growing culinary scene, these chefs have been welcomed with open arms and some true southern hospitality. Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Anne Quatrano (Bacchanalia and Floataway Cafe), and Richard Blais (FLIP Burger Boutique, and One Midtown Kitchen) are just a few.

What better place to travel than to the heart of Atlanta to experience classic and contemporary Southern cuisine at its finest? Mary Mac's Tea Room has been serving "meat and three" for close to 70 years, and has photos in every room to prove it, while innovators like Canoe, JCT, Restaurant Eugene, and South City Kitchen update Southern cuisine for the 21st century.

A Wall Street Journal article in 2007 named Atlanta the best city in the U.S. for burgers. Their top pick went to Ann's Snack Bar, an 8-seat dive run by one woman. The Vortex and The Earl were also listed, and are better choices if you don't have several hours to spend waiting in line. There are dozens of other highly-rated relative newcomers to the burger scene.

Atlanta is also making a name for itself in pizza of almost every style. For gourmet Neapolitan-style pizza, Antico Pizza Napoletana and Varasano's are invariably named among the best, but opinions are divided about which is the top. Other gourmet pizzerias include Ammazza, Double Zero, and Fritti, to name just a few. If you're looking for less-pretentious 'za, check out Blue Moon Pizza, Cameli's, Fellini's, Nina & Rafi, or Rocky Mountain Pizza.

Of course, you can stick with the landmarks, such as The Varsity (the world's largest drive-in), The Sun Dial (a restaurant on top of the Westin Hotel which revolves for a 360° view of the city), Pittypat's Porch (Southern charm inspired by Gone With the Wind), or R. Thomas (healthy meals including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free).

You might be surprised to learn that Atlanta is home to the headquarters of many restaurant chains. Some are small regional or Atlanta-only chains such as Flying Biscuit Café, Taqueria del Sol, Figo Pasta, Tin Drum Asiacafé, and Willy's Mexicana Grill. The iconically Southern chains Waffle House and Chick-Fil-A got their start in Atlanta, as did Mellow Mushroom, Moe's Southwest Grill, and national chain restaurant Applebee's. Other chains just find Atlanta to be a great business home, including Ted's Montana Grill (founded by Atlanta media mogul Ted Turner), Arby's, and Krystal.

The dominant local grocery chains in Atlanta are Kroger, Publix, Aldi, and Lidl. The city is also dotted with dozens of ethnic groceries, especially Hispanic, Korean, Indian and Vietnamese. For organic and or specialty grocery stores, Whole Foods Market, Trader Joe's and Fresh Market also have locations throughout the city.

Coca-Cola
In much of the South, thanks to the influence of Coca-Cola being headquartered in midtown Atlanta, "coke" can colloquially refer to any soft drink in place of "soda" or "pop". Ordering "a Coke" at a restaurant usually, but not always, means you're asking for a Coca-Cola Classic (and they will ask "Is Pepsi okay?" if they don't serve Coca-Cola products), but if someone says they're going to the grocery store to buy "some cokes" for a party, they mean "a variety of soft drinks", not just Coca-Cola.

Sweet tea
A true staple of southern culture, sweet tea can be found at almost any restaurant in Atlanta. In most places an order for "tea" will be assumed to mean "sweet tea"; hot or unsweetened tea need to be asked for specifically. A popular variant to a glass of sweet tea is an Arnold Palmer, a half and half mix of iced tea (either sweetened or unsweetened) and lemonade, named after the famous golfer who popularized it.

Beer and more beer
Atlanta is home to Sweetwater Brewing Company, one of the largest microbreweries in the South; their 420 Extra Pale Ale is a signature item. Red Brick is the second-largest, while relative newcomers include Monday Night, Orpheus, Second Self, Three Taverns, and Wild Heaven.

Beer bars are a big to-do in Atlanta. The most widely-known is local chain Taco Mac, which boasts an ever-changing collection of as many as 140 beers on draught and hundreds more in bottles, with wings, burgers, and tacos to wash them down. Not to be outdone, The Porter serves up 430 brews along with excellent gastropub food. Brick Store Pub offers over 20 beers for connoisseurs, plus an additional bar of Belgian beers in an upstairs alcove. Serving up their own in-house brews, Wrecking Bar and Twain's top the list of brewpubs. Other local favorites for a good pint include Publik Draft House, Book House, Thinking Man Tavern, and Cypress Street Pint & Plate.

Nightlife

With fun and unique attractions, renowned restaurants and top-of-the-line hotel experiences, Atlanta keeps the party going from day to night. With chic style in Buckhead, alternative scene in Little Five Points, a casual atmosphere in Virginia-Highland and a trendy vibe in Midtown, Atlanta nightlife suits every style of letting loose. Since each district has so many options, you will want to visit each district article for a more detailed listing.

Buckhead is still the most popular nightlife district for locals and out-of-towners alike. The Buckhead clientele is mostly of an upscale crowd, so be sure to dress to impress.

Midtown is the spot if you're looking for the urban vibe with diverse a crowd of 20s and 30s, many of them are college students, locals, transplants from out of state and foreign countries. This is also a gay and lesbian friendly area.

Downtown has a few options for nightlife as well. Many of the Downtown watering holes can be found in Kenny's Alley in Underground. The Fairlie-Poplar district has a few neighborhood bars as well. Stats is an ideal sports bar to watch a game near Centennial Olympic Park.

Other popular clubs throughout the city include The Masquerade and MJQ Concourse. All areas of the city also have plenty of pubs and taverns, such as Fado Irish Pub in Buckhead, Shakespeare Tavern in Midtown, and Highland Tap in Virginia-Highland.

If you like country line-dancing, you can head out of the city and into the suburbs and check out Wild Bills in Duluth.

Sleep
See the Districts articles for more listings.

Most of Atlanta's major hotels are downtown between Five Points and Midtown in area with a name that is easy to remember: the Hotel District. The district is in the heart of Atlanta's economic and political center and is within walking distance to many of the major tourist attractions, including the Centennial Olympic Park, the World of Coca-Cola, the Georgia Aquarium, and the CNN Center.

Rapidly growing Midtown, the center of Atlanta's business district as well as many high-rise luxury condos is nearby many museums and theaters. If you're looking for boutique hotels that are near a thriving urban setting, Midtown may be the area for you.

Once the heart of Atlanta's nightlife, Buckhead is still home to several upscale hotels, which are close to the area's shopping and dining districts.

If you're staying in Atlanta without a car, you'll have the best time if you stay around Midtown or Downtown, which offer central, easy access to MARTA. Both areas have many excellent bars, restaurants, and cultural attractions accessible by foot. The big-name hotels in these parts of town are close to train stations and bus routes, making access to most interesting parts of town quick and hassle-free. Buckhead and Decatur are other options with good access to transit, but not as many tourist attractions in the area (and in the case of Decatur, not many hotels to choose from).

If you plan on renting an apartment, good places to look include Midtown a few blocks from Peachtree Street between the Arts Center and North Avenue MARTA stations, and around North Highland Avenue south of Virginia Avenue (including Little Five Points).

Stay safe
Despite Atlanta's historic reputation for crime, the city is not as dangerous as many perceive it to be. In fact, Atlanta's crime rate dropped significantly during the 1990s and 2000s, reaching a forty-year low in 2005. While violent crime levels are still high compared to most American cities, most of it is related to the drug trade and takes place in parts of the city visitors rarely – if ever – see.

Usual precautions should be taken, as in any other major city, such as not traveling alone at night and being aware of which neighborhoods are more prone to crime. In Atlanta, the southwest and southeast areas have reported the most incidents of crime; the triangle created by I-285, I-75, and I-20 in particular is a dangerous neighborhood. Avoid venturing in areas surrounding the new Mercedes-Benz stadium such as Bankhead and Vine City late at night. Car theft is exceptionally high by national standards. Outside of the perimeter, crime rates are significantly lower (except Dekalb County).

One thing to watch out for in Atlanta are homeless people, which have become an unfortunately prevalent sight since the 2000s. Whereas homeless people in big cities tend to leave you alone if you ignore them, those in Atlanta have been known to physically harass locals or tourists alike. Areas where the homeless tend to congregate most include the John Lewis Freedom Parkway, the areas south of the Georgia Institute of Technology, and northern Midtown.

Connect
Atlanta area codes are 404, 770, 678, and 470. All 10 digits of the phone number are required when making local calls.

Consulates

 * 🇦🇷 Argentina
 * 🇧🇸 Bahamas
 * 🇧🇪 Belgium
 * 🇧🇷 Brazil
 * 🇨🇦 Canada
 * 🇨🇴 Colombia
 * 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
 * 🇩🇰 Denmark
 * 🇪🇨 Ecuador
 * 🇸🇻 El Salvador
 * 🇫🇷 France
 * 🇩🇪 Germany
 * 🇬🇷 Greece
 * 🇬🇹 Guatemala
 * 🇭🇹 Haiti
 * 🇭🇳 Honduras
 * 🇮🇳 India
 * 🇮🇪 Ireland
 * 🇮🇱 Israel
 * 🇯🇵 Japan
 * 🇲🇽 Mexico
 * 🇲🇨 Monaco
 * 🇳🇱 Netherlands
 * 🇳🇿 New Zealand
 * 🇳🇬 Nigeria
 * 🇳🇴 Norway
 * 🇵🇪 Peru
 * 🇵🇭 Philippines
 * 🇹🇼 Taiwan
 * 🇰🇷 South Korea
 * 🇸🇪 Sweden
 * 🇨🇭 Switzerland
 * 🇬🇧 United Kingdom

Inside the Perimeter
In Atlanta vernacular, "ITP" refers to everything inside I-285 which makes a loop around the city's far edges. A few cities, which are distinct from Atlanta proper, also reside ITP.
 * East Point is home to many well-known hip-hop and R&B groups as well as a burgeoning fine arts community, and is south-west of Atlanta's neighborhoods.
 * College Park is a small town south of East Point and adjacent to Hapeville and the airport in South Atlanta.

Outside the Perimeter
Many towns in the greater Atlanta area reside "OTP" but remain closely associated with the city.

 * Marietta is twenty minutes northwest of Atlanta, just outside I-285 along I-75, and is one of Atlanta's largest suburbs. It is home to the Marietta Gone with the Wind Museum and Six Flags White Water, as well as Dobbins Air Reserve Base and a Lockheed Martin manufacturing plant, and the local landmark, the Big Chicken. The Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground and headquarters for Atlanta's Major League Soccer team Atlanta United FC, the 2018 MLS Cup champions, is also here.
 * Kennesaw is just beyond Marietta on I-75 and is home to a Civil War battlefield, Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park in addition to Kennesaw State University and the Museum of History and Holocaust Education.
 * Stone Mountain is one of Georgia's most unique attractions, and is just half an hour to the east. Visitors can hike up the mountain or take a cable car to the top.

Greater Georgia

 * Austell — a half an hour to the west and is home to Six Flags Over Georgia. Goliath, the tallest roller coaster in the Southeast, can be found here.
 * Braselton — A small town approximately 53 miles (85 km) northeast of Atlanta. It's home to Road Atlanta, a 2.54-mile (4.088 km) road course race track which hosts the Petit Le Mans, as well as AMA motorcycle racing, The Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) Mitty, and smaller events throughout the year.
 * Helen — A mountain town created to resemble an Alpine village. Popular in the fall for viewing autumn leaves, and the largest and longest Oktoberfest in the Southeast. Also nearby are Unicoi State Park, Anna Ruby Falls, and Sautee-Nacoochee Valley.
 * Dahlonega — Once the location of Georgia's own gold rush. Visit the Dahlonega Gold Museum and try your luck finding some of your own gold. Also in Dahlonega is Wolf Mountain Vineyards, which offers a perfect get-away to taste award winning wines and enjoy a beautiful scenery. The vineyards and winery provide the perfect setting for Sunday brunch, café lunch, and gourmet dinners.
 * Flowery Branch — A suburb of Atlanta with roughly 10,000 residents on the shores of Lake Sidney Lanier. It contains the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility and has ushered in significant growth in both population and commercial-demand since its opening in 2005.
 * Savannah — A 4-hour drive, but well worth it. The downtown is a historical district with many parks, squares, and historic architecture.
 * Hampton — Home to the Atlanta Motor Speedway, an 870-acre racing complex hosting NASCAR Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Craftsman Truck Series events in March and October. In addition to the race weekend, the facility hosts events ranging from driving schools, Thursday Thunder Legends racing, Friday Night Drags, car shows and many others.
 * Chatahoochee River Fun — Sixteen recreation areas along a 48-mile stretch of the Chattahoochee River have been designed to conserve the river and provide outdoor entertainment for the whole family. In addition, the Chattahoochee Nature Center in Roswell offers education environmental programs, canoe trips and other recreational activities.
 * Lake Lanier Islands — The closet beach to Atlanta can be found at Lake Lanier Islands Resort, with its lakefront beaches, water park, golf courses, boating, spas, and more.
 * Chateau Elan Winery and Resort — Chateau Elan, a 16th-century-styled French retreat, is 30 minutes north of Atlanta in the town of Braselton, and has a festive atmosphere that encourages guests to tour the vineyards, visit the winery, have lunch at a sidewalk café and play a round of golf.
 * Barnsley Garden Resort — Barnsley Garden Resort is a beautiful hotel and resort in Adairsville, Georgia with lush gardens, cabins and a Zagat-rated golf course.
 * Callaway Gardens — in Pine Mountain, Georgia Callaway Gardens is a premier vacation spot with tons of activities for the entire family.

Interstate tours
The Bandit Run is a tour to Texarkana, Texas, inspired by the 1977 film Smokey and the Bandit.

title: Atlanta


text:
Atlanta (disambiguation)

There is more than one place called Atlanta:

Canada

 * Atlanta (Nova Scotia) - A town in Nova Scotia.

United States of America

 * Atlanta - The capital of the state of Georgia.
 * Atlanta (Illinois)
 * Atlanta (Indiana)
 * Atlanta (Kansas)
 * Atlanta (Missouri)
 * Atlanta (Texas)
 * Atlanta (Wisconsin)

Nicaragua

 * Atlantico Norte
 * Atlantico Sur

title: Atlanta (disambiguation)


text:
Atlanta (Illinois)

Atlanta is a small city in Logan County, Illinois along historic Route 66. It had a population of 1,669 as of the 2020 U.S. Census. Atlanta was incorporated in 1853.

Understand
It was founded as Xenia but it changed ots name when it was incorporated in 1855, Atlanta sits between Springfield, the capital of Illinois, and Bloomington-Normal, a large metropolitan area and the home of Illinois State University. Atlanta is surrounded by country roads and farmland growing mostly corn and soybeans. Route 66 runs through Atlanta, resulting in the eye-catching Paul Bunyan Statue holding a hot dog, a famous Route 66 photo opportunity.

By car
Atlanta sits right on I-55. It is about a 45-minute drive from Springfield and a 25-minute drive from Bloomington-Normal. Historic Route 66 also cuts through town following I-55 to Chicago in the north and Springfield to the south.

By train
Atlanta is not served directly by train. Amtrak runs through town but does not stop. The closest stations are in Lincoln to the south and  to the north in Bloomington-Normal.

By plane
There is no airport in Atlanta. in Bloomington-Normal has four airlines that operate flights from multiple destinations across the United States. CIRA also has 5 rental car agencies for getting around the area. in Springfield operates flights from Chicago and Fort Worth and has 6 rental car agencies.

Get around
Car is the easiest way to get around in Atlanta and the surrounding areas. Walking is viable in downtown Atlanta but once downtown clears out, it becomes much more difficult to traverse the streets.

Go next

 * Bloomington-Normal
 * Springfield
 * Lincoln

title: Atlanta (Illinois)


text:
Atlanta/Buckhead

Buckhead, once known as Buckhead Village, is becoming a true district of Atlanta with massive construction projects. It has a skyline of high-rise apartments, condominiums, and office buildings, but despite the closure of numerous nightclubs, it is still the district of Atlanta most famous for nightlife.

Understand
Construction projects are creating an upscale shopping area similar to Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.

By car
Georgia State Highway 400 runs directly through Buckhead.

By bus
MARTA has two main bus lines which run along Peachtree Street, #23 and #110. However there are plenty of other routes that serve the area.

By train
Buckhead can also be accessed by the MARTA rail's Red Line at the Buckhead Station (N7), the Gold Line at Lenox (NE7), and Lindbergh Center Station (N6) by either of the fore-mentioned lines. Amtrak's Crescent Line stops at the Atlanta Peachtree Station.

Buy
Buckhead has plenty of shopping options with its Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza malls.

title: Atlanta/Buckhead


text:
Atlanta/Downtown

Downtown Atlanta is the central area of Atlanta, as well as the center of Georgia.

Understand
Downtown is home to the Georgia State Capitol, City Hall, and headquarters of numerous corporations. Despite the rise of Midtown and Buckhead, Downtown still contains much of the commercial activity of the city. All the places to see here are within 10 minutes walk of each other, and within a similar walking distance of any of the MARTA stations at Five Points, Peachtree Center or Omni-Dome-World-Congress Center.

Get in

Downtown Atlanta is 7 miles (11 km) from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Interstate 75/85 runs directly through Atlanta, providing numerous exits into the downtown streets. Downtown Atlanta can also be accessed by MARTA trains and buses.

Other MARTA stations in the Downtown area include Garnett Station (S1), Peachtree Center (N1), and Civic Center (N2) on the North-South Line, and Georgia State (E1) and Dome/GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN Center Station (W1) on the East-West Line.

By long-distance bus

 * Greyhound Bus Lines. Service from many locations throughout the U.S. Buses arrive at and depart from the Greyhound terminal at 232 Forsyth Street, in a less affluent neighborhood on the southern edge of downtown, directly beneath MARTA's Garnett Station.
 * Megabus. Service from locations across the Southern U.S. The bus stop at 435 West Peachtree Street is near MARTA's Civic Center Station; buses stop on the east side of the street at the north end of the station.

By streetcar
Downtown Atlanta is served by the small Atlanta Streetcar loop, connecting the Olympic park with Peachtree Center and Auburn. Fares are $1 for a one-way trip and $3 for a full day.

Subdistricts
Downtown Atlanta is large and can be further broken down into subdistricts:

 * Five Points is the central area and reference point of downtown Atlanta. The name refers to a point where five streets intersect, which are Marietta Street, Edgewood Avenue, Decatur Street, and two legs of Peachtree Street. It is also where the North-South Line and the East-West Line of the MARTA Rail intersect at MARTA Five Points Station. Underground Atlanta was at the entrance of Five Points Station, and the World of Coke used to be there but was moved to the Centennial Park area.
 * The Centennial Park Area not only includes the park itself, but also The CNN Center, Phillips Arena, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Georgia World Congress Center, Georgia Aquarium, World of Coke, and a few other attractions. This area is heavily frequented by tourists as well as local residents.
 * Sweet Auburn served as the thriving center of black enterprise in Atlanta from the 1890s through the 1940s and is the birthplace of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
 * The Hotel District is the northern section of downtown. Some of the more luxurious hotels of Atlanta are in this area.
 * Castleberry Hill is an artsy and eclectic transitioning area west of downtown Atlanta with galleries, restaurants and bars.

Destinations

 * The neon Coke sign one block north of Underground Atlanta is worth looking at, and gives an update of time and temperature.
 * Georgia World Congress Center
 * The neon Coke sign one block north of Underground Atlanta is worth looking at, and gives an update of time and temperature.
 * Georgia World Congress Center
 * The neon Coke sign one block north of Underground Atlanta is worth looking at, and gives an update of time and temperature.
 * Georgia World Congress Center
 * The neon Coke sign one block north of Underground Atlanta is worth looking at, and gives an update of time and temperature.
 * Georgia World Congress Center
 * Georgia World Congress Center
 * Georgia World Congress Center
 * Georgia World Congress Center
 * Georgia World Congress Center

Buy

 * There are several street vendors outside the Five Points Station. However, purchasing expensive items such as jewelry should be avoided, as the products may possibly be an imitation of an expensive brand.

Mid-range

 * Sheraton Atlanta Hotel, 165 Courtland St NE. With an appealing poolyard plus restaurant.
 * Sheraton Atlanta Hotel, 165 Courtland St NE. With an appealing poolyard plus restaurant.
 * Sheraton Atlanta Hotel, 165 Courtland St NE. With an appealing poolyard plus restaurant.
 * Sheraton Atlanta Hotel, 165 Courtland St NE. With an appealing poolyard plus restaurant.

Stay safe
Downtown Atlanta is relatively safe compared to many of the surrounding areas. Statistics have shown that downtown crime continues to decrease, contradicting the recent citywide statistics. Certain precautions should still be taken such as not traveling alone at night and being aware of suspicious activity. A more common activity that may be intimidating to visitors is pan-handling, which is mostly harmless. Do not plan to walk anywhere in this area at night unless you are in a larger group. Tourists are often approached and/or followed by aggressive pan-handlers and hustlers. Three downtown hotels have made a formal complaint regarding this with the City of Atlanta due to an increase in complaints from guests at their properties.

title: Atlanta/Downtown


text:
Atlanta/East

East Atlanta is the gentrified district of Atlanta. It includes the growing communities of Inman Park, the popular dining and nightlife neighborhoods of Little Five Points, Virginia-Highland, and Poncey-Highland. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and one of the top U.S. research universities, Emory University, are in this area.

Understand
Part of this district extends into DeKalb County, including the neighborhoods:

Other neighborhoods include:

Get in
MARTA Rail East-West Line stops in King Center (E2), Inman Park/Reynoldstown (E3), Edgewood/Candler Park Station (E4), and East Lake Station (E5). Interstate 20 is also close.

To park in Virginia-Highland on a Friday or Saturday night:
 * Near the corner of Virginia and Highland, find the parking lot entrance across from the fire station at the corner of N Highland and Los Angeles Ave. Parking there is free.
 * For parking farther south on N. Highland (near Hand in Hand), there are $5 lots near the CVS. Watch out for resident-only parking on the side streets; tow trucks really do tow cars who park in the resident-only areas.

See

 * Highland Avenue

Do

 * Bike or walk along the East-West Stone Mountain Trail - or the North-South Beltline Trail.
 * Walk from Virginia-Highland to Little Five Points. Approximately a 2-mile walk. Walk south down Highland Avenue from Virginia Avenue to North Avenue, turn left and walk one block to Moreland Avenue. Turn right on Moreland and walk through Little Five Points, and turn right on Euclid Avenue.
 * Walk down Moreland Avenue, McLendon Avenue, and Euclid Avenue on both sides.
 * Shop at the many boutiques and vintage clothing stores.
 * Relax in the bars with an alternative crowd.
 * Attend a live music performance.
 * Attend a live music performance.

Buy
Virginia-Highland has a mix of clothing and gift stores, many with Southern flair, mostly catering to the 20-30s-something woman.

Drink
Virginia-Highland is a popular area for twenty- and thirty-somethings. Most of the bars are places to laze around with friends or to indulge in the laid-back singles scene rather than to dance the night away. Dress is casual and drinks flow by the pint.

North Highland Avenue
North Highland has many bars within just a few blocks; it's easy to walk between them, but as it's a residential area parking will be very difficult on Friday and Saturday nights.

title: Atlanta/East


text:
Atlanta/Midtown

Midtown is a major financial and residential district of Atlanta, and an area for dining and nightlife. In other words, it is an area to work, live, and play, with many sites and activities.

Understand
Midtown is a large commercial and residential neighborhood of Atlanta directly in between Downtown and Atlanta/Buckhead. The skyscraper district aligns Peachtree Street. To the east of Peachtree Street is Piedmont Park, and to the west is Spring Street and West Peachtree Street. This area is rapidly growing with new restaurants, bars, high-rise apartments, and condominiums, creating an urban living experience. While urban, the epicenter of Midtown is the 180-acre Piedmont Park.

Midtown is one of Atlanta's largest art districts and has the highest density of art and cultural institutions in the Southeast. Some of these include the Woodruff Arts Center, the High Museum of Art, and the Fox Theatre. Midtown is also the site of major artistic events such as Music Midtown and the Atlanta Dogwood Festival.

Inhabitants of Midtown typically include students from nearby Georgia Tech University and young professionals in their 20's and 30's who come from all over the country/world. As a result, Midtown is one of Atlanta's most diverse neighborhoods in the city. Midtown also has a thriving LGBTQ scene.

Get in
Midtown is where Interstate 75 and Interstate 85 join a single corridor of I-75/85, also known as the Downtown Connector. Midtown can also be accessed by MARTA trains and several bus routes. Both the red and gold lines (the North-South lines) of the MARTA rail stop at three stations in Midtown: North Avenue Station (N3), Midtown Station (N4), and Arts Center Station (N5). MARTA bus 110, "the Peach," runs North-South on Peachtree Street through the entire length of Midtown (connecting to Downtown to the South and Buckhead to the North), running approximately every 15 or 30 minutes depending on the time of day.

Atlantic Station is accessible by a free shuttle provided that departs from the MARTA Arts Center Station approximately every 5-15 minutes. The MARTA Bus Route #113 also serves Atlantic Station. By car, from Interstate 75/85 Northbound exit at 14th Street, from Interstate 75 Southbound exit at 16th Street, and from Interstate 85 Southbound exit at 17th Street.

See

Buy
Midtown has stores catering to young urban professionals and to the gay crowd, including hip furniture stores and a few trendy clothing boutiques. The city has planned the "Midtown Mile," a mile-long retail shopping district on Peachtree Street, and retail shops are popping up all over midtown, seemingly on a weekly basis.

Budget

Drink
Midtown is the destination for trendsetters and fashionistas, though due to increasing pressures to keep the area more upscale and to reduce noise at night, the legislature has begun to enact ordinances which have had the result of pushing club activity downtown. Several bars and clubs are within hopping-distance of one another on Crescent Street, and others are scattered about the area.

Clubs

Gay and lesbian
Midtown is the heart of gay life in Atlanta, particularly centered around the corner of 10th and Piedmont/Juniper.

title: Atlanta/Midtown


text:
Atlanta/South

South Atlanta is a district in Atlanta that contains the Grant Park, Peoplestown, Lakewood Heights, and Mechanicsville neighborhoods, and is near the world's busiest airport.

Understand
South Atlanta contains the neighborhoods:

Get in
MARTA East/West Line stops at King Center Station. Interstate 75, Interstate 20, and Freedom Parkway provide access by car.

To get to Grant Park, take MARTA Bus #397 from King Memorial Station. By car, exit from I-20 at Blvd SE.

title: Atlanta/South


text:
Atlanta/West

West Atlanta is the side of Atlanta that includes the neighborhoods Bankhead, Vine City, West End, Oakland City, Westview, and Riverside.

By car
The district can be reached via I-20, I-285, and Langford Parkway.

By public transportation
MARTA East-West Line stops in Vine City, Ashby, Westlake, and H.E. Holmes Station, and Proctor Creek Line runs to Bankhead Station.

Go next

 * Downtown
 * Midtown
 * South Atlanta

title: Atlanta/West


text:
Atlantic

There is more than one place called Atlantic:

Atlantic Ocean

 * Cruise ships and Cruising on small craft have some general information.
 * Hitchhiking boats gives advice on getting to cross the ocean as crew on small craft.
 * Islands of the Atlantic Ocean — relatively remote islands that are hard to group with the continents
 * The Canary Islands are a popular tourist destination in the Atlantic. Madeira and Cape Verde are also tourist destinations.
 * Ocean liners were an important means of crossing the ocean. Wikivoyage has an itinerary article related to RMS Titanic.
 * Round the world overland has a section on crossing the Atlantic.

Canada

 * Atlantic (Nova Scotia) — A town in Nova Scotia.
 * Atlantic Canada

United States of America

 * Atlantic (Iowa) — A town in Iowa.
 * Atlantic (Massachusetts) — A town in Massachusetts.
 * Atlantic (North Carolina) — A town in North Carolina.
 * Atlantic (Pennsylvania) — A town in Pennsylvania.
 * Atlantic (Virginia) — A town in Virginia.
 * Atlantic City — A city in New Jersey.
 * Atlantic County — A county in New Jersey.
 * Mid-Atlantic — A region on the East Coast spanning from New York to Washington, D.C.

title: Atlantic


text:
Atlantic (Iowa)

Atlantic is a city in Southwest Iowa.

title: Atlantic (Iowa)


text:
Atlantic Beach

Atlantic Beach is a small town of 1,500 people (as of 2016) in the Crystal Coast region North Carolina. A popular seaside vacation town since the 1920s, Atlantic Beach is on Bogue Banks, part of the southern Outer Banks chain of barrier islands, between Bogue Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. The nearby communities of Pine Knoll Shores and Salter Path are often considered to be part of Atlantic Beach.

Get in
The most direct way to reach Atlantic Beach, if you're coming from the direction of Raleigh, is down US-70 to Havelock. Atlantic Beach is on NC-58, which runs the length of Bogue Banks. It's only possible to cross to the island at two points: from Morehead City into Atlantic Beach on the eastern end, and from Cape Carteret to Emerald Isle on the western end. Both crossings are large bridges with pleasant scenic views.

Get around
The island of Bogue Banks is only 26 miles from one end to the other, but due to the reduced speed limit, you'll need about 45 minutes to travel the entire length. At some points, the island narrows to only a third of a mile wide, giving you excellent views of the ocean and the sound. Mile marker signposts are placed along Highway 58 every half-mile, and these are often used for giving directions.

There is no public transportation on the island, but you can hitch a lift with one of several reliable taxi companies.

Do

 * The heart of downtown is the Circle, the local name for the culmination of the Atlantic Beach Causeway in a traffic circle by the beach. The Circle is fringed with souvenir shops and a boardwalk along the beach; large groups of teens and young adults are often to be found playing volleyball, sunbathing or listening to music. The area is being renovated, with upscale retail shops and restaurants joining the touristy kitsch.
 * There are miles of beautiful beaches where you can take a stroll or sunbathe; they can be fairly busy during the day, unless you walk beyond the crowds (particularly around Fort Macon), but they're also quite pretty for moonlight strolls at night. There are beach access points up and down the coast; some are only available to residents of the adjacent hotel or condo, but there are several with large parking lots for public access.
 * By far the most popular dance with the Crystal Coast community is the amusingly-named shag, which some even claim was invented in Atlantic Beach. It's usually done to classic beach music. If you want to take shagging lessons (yes, we know), they're offered at Memories Beach and Shag Club, 128 E Fort Macon Road (mile marker 1.5), +1 252-240-7424.
 * Go for a hike along the Hoop Pole Creek Nature Trail, off Highway 58, in a 31-acre maritime forest.
 * If you like sailing, there are plenty of opportunities for it on the Intracoastal Waterway of Bogue Sound, or in the Atlantic Ocean.
 * If you like sailing, there are plenty of opportunities for it on the Intracoastal Waterway of Bogue Sound, or in the Atlantic Ocean.

 * If you're more of a fisherman, you can take a stroll down one of the local piers. Because of damage by hurricanes Bertha, Fran and Bonnie in the 1990s, and real-estate developers afterwards, the piers in the area are dwindling. Out of eight that once existed on the island, there are only two left today, one of which is in Atlantic Beach:
 * If you're more of a fisherman, you can take a stroll down one of the local piers. Because of damage by hurricanes Bertha, Fran and Bonnie in the 1990s, and real-estate developers afterwards, the piers in the area are dwindling. Out of eight that once existed on the island, there are only two left today, one of which is in Atlantic Beach:

Buy
Beach shops are abundant, if you're desperately in need of a surfboard, beach towel, flip-flops, sunglasses, or a lucite dolphin sculpture. Two of the more prominent ones are listed below, but you'll see plenty of others in the nearby vicinity:

 * Wings, 101 W Fort Macon Road, +1 252-499-0473; and 200 W Fort Macon Road, +1 252-240-5363. The largest beach shop on the island, with beach apparel, souvenirs and accessories.

Otherwise, you mostly have the traditional beach gifts: seashells, things carved out of seashells, things made from seashells, things made from driftwood, salt-water taffy and nautical-themed items. A lot of it is tacky and cheap; some of it is really nice quality.

A couple of specialty shops that might come in handy for your seaside vacation needs:

Drink
If you want to mix your own drinks, there's an ABC store at 101 Cedar Lane, +1 252-726-3221, open M-Sa. Otherwise, you can check out one of the local nightspots:

Sleep
As with many coastal areas, visitors can choose between cheap motel or upscale hotel rooms rented by the night, or a beach cottage by the week. Prices are highly variable, usually running between $60 - $150 per night; prices naturally go up with the quality of the lodging establishment and, in particular, proximity to the beach.

Go next
The Crystal Coast area has a variety of other areas to visit:
 * Emerald Isle
 * Morehead City
 * Beaufort
 * Harkers Island
 * Swansboro

Further afield, there are some interesting destinations for daytrips:
 * Havelock, about 30 minutes north on US-70.
 * New Bern, about 1 hour north on US-70.
 * Jacksonville, about 1 hour west on US-24.
 * Bath, about 3 hours north.
 * Ocracoke Island, about 3 hours east.

title: Atlantic Beach