Weekend Trip to Atlanta: Best 3 Night Getaway Guide

Wondering what to do in Atlanta for a weekend? Few trips in the USA are as fun as a weekend getaway in Atlanta, Georgia. The city is home to so many unique attractions that it can be difficult to squeeze them all into a single trip. An Atlanta weekend trip is a great option for an escape, whether you're traveling solo, as a couple on a romantic getaway, with family, or friends. I recommend allowing enough time to explore the city and surrounding areas, so a weekend trip to Atlanta, or even three nights in Atlanta, make for a wonderful opportunity to see the city's best attractions.

You'll find something for everyone here. The city is full of culture, history, Southern charm, outdoor attractions, and must-visit museums. Whether you’re visiting from another place in the southeast, like Alabama or Florida, or you’re coming from somewhere farther away, you’ll find Southern hospitality galore here and plenty of attractions to add to your Atlanta itinerary while spending three nights in Atlanta. If you want to see a lot of attractions, consider a Go City Miami pass, which gets you 50$% off on attractions such as the Seaquarium, sightseeing cruises, alligator farm visit, and much more.

• Best for Lovers of the Fast-Paced Life - Midtown
• Best for Active Families - Grant Park
• Day Trips to the City - Downtown

• Best for Those Looking for a Taste of Luxury - Buckhead
• Best for Visitors Who Love Shopping - Old Fourth Ward
• Best for Artsy Types Looking to Explore the Quirky Side of Atlanta - Little Five Points

• Best for Young Couples Looking to Socialize with Locals, Solo Travelers That Want to Meet Others and Explore Several Neighborhoods at Once - Inman Park
• Best for Anyone Looking to Learn About Atlanta's Rich African-American History - Sweet Auburn
• Best for Anyone Looking for a Bit of International Flair - Duluth
• Best for Anyone Looking for a Slightly Quieter Experience Just Outside of Town - Chamblee

Atlanta is divided up into a variety of neighborhoods, each with its own distinct culture and unique experiences to be had. Each of these neighborhoods is a great choice for anyone looking to spend a long weekend in Atlanta. Most of them are accessible via Atlanta's rail system, MARTA, which can be easily accessed via Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

• ‌Perfect for:‌ Lovers of the fast-paced life
• ‌Highlights of Midtown:‌
  • Accessible without a car
  • Multiple MARTA stations
  • Reasonably-priced hotels
  • Great dining options

Midtown Atlanta has several MARTA stations — the Midtown and North Avenue stations are close to most of the area's attractions.

Midtown Atlanta offers attractions for the whole family. If you're traveling with kids, the Center for Puppetry Arts is a must-visit. Adult fans of art will enjoy a trip to the High Museum of Art, one of the top art galleries in the southeast.

The Fox Theatre is a grand performing arts theater that was built in 1929. It was originally a movie palace and now hosts concerts and nationally-touring Broadway shows.

If the weather's nice and you'd like to enjoy some outdoor activities, the Atlanta Botanical Garden is a perfect choice. The 30-acre garden is adjacent to Piedmont Park, one of the city's top green spaces.

You'll find several great hotels in Midtown for an Atlanta weekend trip. I recommend the Hampton Inn & Suites Atlanta Midtown. It's a great location with reasonable pricing and plenty of amenities. Parking is available if you have a car with you.

Most of the houses in Midtown are apartments, so you won't find any sprawling vacation rental homes with big yards. However, there are plenty of great listings on Airbnb and Vrbo. This adorable bungalow Vrbo is a great choice that's within easy walking distance of many of the neighborhood's attractions.

• ‌Perfect for:‌ Active families looking to explore green space within the city
  
• ‌Highlights of Grant Park:‌
  
  • Many old Victorian homes and a vast historic district
    
  • Several parks with hiking trails
  • Plenty to do with kids

The Grant Park neighborhood is over a mile from the closest MARTA station (King Memorial), and it's recommended you have a car to explore this area.

Grant Park is home to one of the city's most popular attractions: Zoo Atlanta. More than 200 species are housed at the 40-acre zoo. It's one of just a small handful of zoos in the country to have giant pandas.

Lovers of history will have no shortage of places to explore within Grant Park. The neighborhood has some of the oldest Victorian homes in Atlanta. You can also visit Oakland Cemetery, a historic graveyard that is the final resting place of Margaret Mitchell, Georgia governors, Atlanta mayors, and Civil War dead.

The Grant Park neighborhood is named for its 131-acre park, the oldest surviving park within the city of Atlanta.

There aren't too many hotels within the Grant Park neighborhood, but the Country Inn & Suites by Radisson is a great mid-range choice that won't break the bank. There are plenty of great options for affordable vacation rental homes within Grant Park.

I love this Airbnb bungalow because it has off-street parking and is within walking distance of the zoo.

• ‌Perfect for:‌ Day trips to the city, those looking to enjoy the best of Atlanta's attractions
• ‌Highlights of Downtown Atlanta:‌
  • Extremely walkable
  • Lots of dining options
  • Good variety of attractions

Downtown Atlanta is one of the city's most walkable areas, as most of the neighborhood's attractions are all within a few blocks of each other. You can easily reach downtown via MARTA by exiting at the Georgia State, Five Points, or Peachtree Center stops. You can also take the Atlanta Streetcar, which loops through downtown and several other neighborhoods.

If you're looking to stay for a long weekend trip, the Atlanta CityPASS is a great option for enjoying some of downtown Atlanta's most popular attractions at a low price.

There is so much to see in downtown, and it's home to some of the city's most-visited landmarks. The College Football Hall of Fame is in this area, as is the CNN Center, the World of Coca-Cola, and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.

The Georgia Aquarium is another of the neighborhood's most popular attractions. This is the country's largest aquarium, with hundreds of thousands of different species on display. It's the only aquarium outside of Asia to house whale sharks, and you can also see dolphins and Beluga whales here.

The Mercedes-Benz Stadium is in downtown Atlanta. This massive stadium is home to the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United teams, and also hosts concerts. State Farm Arena is also downtown — it's another of the largest event venues in Georgia.

Centennial Olympic Park offers a bit of greenery within this urban hub. This 22-acre park hosts events and concerts throughout the year, and has popular attractions like an interactive fountain and SkyView Atlanta, a 200-foot tall air-conditioned Ferris wheel.

There's no shortage of hotels in downtown Atlanta. One great option that will put you right in the thick of things is the Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center, an upscale option that's connected to some of the neighborhood's most popular attractions.

If you prefer a homier environment, check out this stylish Vrbo high-rise.

If you've got a little more time and are looking to explore the Atlanta area a little more, these neighborhoods are popular with locals but not visited as often by travelers.

• ‌Perfect for:‌ Those looking for a taste of luxury
• ‌Highlights of Buckhead:‌
  
  • Lots of boutiques and high-end shops
  • Many trendy restaurants
  • Several art galleries

There is a MARTA station in Buckhead accessible via the red line, but this area of north Atlanta is pretty spread out. You'll likely want a car if you are intending to stay primarily in Buckhead.

Buckhead is one of the most affluent neighborhoods in Atlanta, making it great for people-watching or shopping. You'll find a variety of high-end shops here, particularly at the fashionable Lenox Square, one of the best places to spot celebrities in Atlanta.

If you're interested in history, make sure to visit the Georgia Governor's Mansion. The 30-room mansion offers tours throughout most of the year. Another must-visit spot in Buckhead is the Atlanta History Center. The museum provides a fascinating look at local history, has one of the state's most extensive collections of Civil War memorabilia, and houses the Cyclorama, a massive circular painting depicting the Battle of Atlanta.

There are numerous hotels in Buckhead, including many high-end options. We recommend the Kimpton Sylvan Hotel, a good mid-range choice that provides plenty of amenities while not breaking the bank.

You'll also find quite a few vacation rentals in Buckhead. I love this lavish Airbnb at St. Imperium. The modern decor and penthouse views will have you feeling absolutely luxurious.

• ‌Perfect for:‌ Visitors who love shopping
• ‌Highlights of the Old Fourth Ward:‌
  • lots of boutique shops
    
  • easy access to the Atlanta BeltLine Trail
  • plenty of street murals to check out
    

The area is accessible by bus and also has access to the Atlanta BeltLine Trail (walking/cycling). Wear comfortable shoes, because this is a very walkable neighborhood that's worth exploring on foot.

Ponce City Market is a cool shopping center located inside an old Sears and Roebuck. It's got a food hall, miniature rooftop amusement park, and lots of shops inside.

The Old Fourth Ward has access to the Atlanta BeltLine Trail, a trail project that is currently in development to make for more pedestrian-friendly areas within Atlanta. The trail is still under development, but currently spans about 22 miles.

If you are looking for green space, make sure to check out the Historic Fourth Ward Park, an 18-acre park with playgrounds and a splash pad.

There aren't a lot of options for hotels within Old Fourth Ward, but the Darwin Hotel is an excellent choice thanks to a courtyard cocktail bar and modern, bold rooms.

Looking for something a little more private? This ultra affordable Vrbo suite has tons of natural light and is right in the heart of O4W.

• ‌Perfect for:‌ Artsy types looking to explore the quirky side of Atlanta
• ‌Highlights of Little Five Points:‌
  • several concert venues and theaters
  • very compact, easy to explore in an afternoon
  • lots of murals and street art
    

Little Five Points has much more parking than many areas of Atlanta. You'll find plenty of free street parking in the surrounding residential areas.

This place is something of a Bohemian paradise. It's where all of Atlanta's creatives gather. You'll find plenty of interesting shops here, but you don't want to miss Junkman's Daughter, a massive eclectic store filled with all kinds of oddities. Music fans should visit Criminal Records, one of the best independent record stores in Atlanta.

There are a variety of great restaurants here, including The Vortex (famous across the state for burgers) and Savage Pizza. Aurora Coffee serves up a superb cup of joe.

‌Where to Stay in Little Five Points‌ Little Five Points is an extremely small area and there are no hotels within the neighborhood. However, it's surrounded by several larger neighborhoods: Candler Park, Inman Park, Edgewood, and Poncey-Highland. All of these surrounding neighborhoods offer great hotel options. We recommend the Hotel Clermont in Poncey-Highland. It's a mid-range, artsy spot with lots of color. There are also quite a few vacation rental homes in the area.

I love this Lush Lodge Vrbo that's right at the edge of Inman Park. I may never have a couch like that but at least I can stay in a house with one!

Feel like you've seen it all on previous trips to Atlanta and want to go even more off the beaten path? These neighborhoods are perfect for those wanting to experience life like the locals do.

• ‌Perfect for:‌ Young couples looking to socialize with locals, solo travelers that want to meet others
  and explore several neighborhoods at once

• ‌Highlights of Inman Park:‌

  • very walkable, lots of attractions in a relatively short distance
  • good blend of artsy attractions and historical sites
  • easier to drive through than many areas of Atlanta

Inman Park overlaps with several other Atlanta neighborhoods, including Little Five Points and Cabbagetown. It's best to have a car if you're going to be exploring more distant areas of Atlanta, but these neighborhoods are all pretty walkable and easy to explore on foot.

Three Taverns Imaginarium is one of the best breweries in Atlanta. It's a lovely little space with an outdoor beer garden that's perfect for socializing. If you're looking for brunch, you don't want to miss Julianna's Coffee and Crepes. The menu is filled with a great combination of savory and sweet options. The mural-filled Krog Street Tunnel is a great stop to see some cool street art.

The Crowne Plaza Atlanta - Midtown is just outside of the Inman Park area and provides easy access to the North Avenue MARTA station at a fair price.

Another option is this cozy Airbnb that's filled with stylish decor and is in a great location.

• ‌Perfect for:‌ Anyone looking to learn about Atlanta's rich African-American history
• ‌Highlights of Sweet Auburn:‌
  • wonderful historical attractions
  • variety of great restaurants
  • lots of murals and street art

The Atlanta Streetcar travels to Sweet Auburn, and it can also be reached via the Georgia State or King Memorial stops on the MARTA rail line.

Sweet Auburn is a bustling hub of culture where you'll find plenty to do. The Municipal Market (also known as the Curb Market) is a fantastic indoor farmers market with dozens of local vendors and restaurants inside. If you're interested in the civil rights history of Atlanta, Sweet Auburn is also home to the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, which contains Dr. King's birthplace, church, and grave site.

The Sheraton Atlanta is located just outside of Sweet Auburn, in downtown Atlanta. It's in a prime location with easy access to many area attractions.

Prefer a vacation rental? This comfortable Vrbo has all you need for a cozy stay, with excellent views and a convenient location.

• ‌Perfect for:‌ Anyone looking for a bit of international flair
• ‌Highlights of Duluth:‌
  • great international restaurants
    
  • very affordable accommodations, but not so far from Atlanta that you can't visit the city for the day
    
  • less traffic than Atlanta proper and much easier to drive through

‌How to Get to Duluth‌ Duluth is much easier to access than Atlanta proper if you are visiting on a road trip, and the city doesn't have nearly the urban traffic that the bustling center of Atlanta does. It's not far off I-85 and very easy to reach by car.

‌Things to Do in Duluth‌ Duluth is Atlanta's Koreatown. This suburb lies about 25 miles northeast of central Atlanta, but there's so much to do and see here. The city is full of international restaurants and grocery stores that are quite interesting to spend the day walking through. H Mart, GW Supermarket, and Zion Market are three Asian grocery stores in the area where you'll feel like you've been transported to another continent.

Those traveling with kids should definitely check out Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf, a fun pirate-themed miniature golf course. It's an affordable outing that's great for the whole family.

‌Where to Stay in Duluth‌ If you want to stay in the Atlanta area without paying an arm and a leg, a suburb like Duluth is the place to go. It's close enough to the city that's it's easy to drive there for a day, but you can find quite a few hotels here for under $100 a night. Wingate by Wyndham Duluth/Atlanta will give you a comfortable night's stay without breaking the bank.

Traveling with a group? This affordable Duluth Vrbo can sleep up to 10 guests.

• ‌Perfect for:‌ Anyone looking for a slightly quieter experience just outside of town
• ‌Highlights of Chamblee:‌
  • some of the best antique stores in Georgia
  • affordable accommodations
  • easy to drive through

‌How to get to Chamblee‌ Chamblee is technically a suburb of the city of Atlanta, but it does have its own MARTA stop. The city is quite easy to drive through if you're visiting with a car.

‌Things to Do in Chamblee‌ Chamblee is home to the Antique Row District, a collection of 350 antique dealers spreading more than 300,000 square feet. If you like international food, Chamblee is the place to be. You'll find all sorts of amazing ethnic restaurants here. Gu's Kitchen has stellar Sichuan that really brings the heat. Himalayas Indian Restaurant serves up fantastic Indian food. Food Terminal has an excellent blend of dishes from a variety of countries.

‌Where to Stay in Chamblee‌ Since Chamblee is just outside the main area of Atlanta, the hotels here are a little cheaper than those directly inside the city. Studio 6 is an affordable, no-frills spot that will provide you with a cozy stay just off the highway.

Another comfortable budget option is this garage guesthouse Airbnb that can sleep up to four guests.

I hope this article has given you some inspiration to help plan your three nights in Atlanta trip! You can definitely spend more than 3 days here, but if you're wanting a weekend getaway, you'll be able to fill 3 days with no trouble. Enjoy Atlanta!