Atlanta area
Around Atlanta area
Photo: Marc Merlin · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Greater area · Georgia · 7.3M people
Atlanta area
Locals say Atlanta · “ATL”, “Hotlanta”, “The Big Peach”
Where Southern charm meets a modern beat.
Atlanta Falcons redGeorgia Tech gold
Welcome to Atlanta, the heart of the South! Whether you're here for the food, the music, or the green spaces, you'll find a city that's always buzzing. Get ready to explore the BeltLine, cheer on the Braves, and enjoy a sweet tea on a hot afternoon.
Clubs for Atlanta area
No clubs for Atlanta area yet.
The room
Atlanta area is big: its rooms are its areas'. This is Atlanta's; the others are below.
One room for everyone around Atlanta. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Atlanta area. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Piedmont Park Atlanta's central green space, host to festivals and concerts.
- Centennial Olympic Park Built for the 1996 Olympics, home to the Fountain of Rings.
- Georgia Aquarium One of the largest aquariums in the world, with whale sharks.
- World of Coca-Cola Interactive exhibits and tasting room for the iconic soda.
- Fox Theatre Opulent 1920s movie palace hosting concerts and Broadway.
- Mercedes-Benz Stadium Home of the Falcons and Atlanta United, with a retractable roof.
- Outdoors Walk or bike the BeltLine
- Outdoors Kayak on the Chattahoochee River
- With kids Georgia Aquarium
- With kids Zoo Atlanta
- Evenings Rooftop bars in Midtown
- Evenings Live music in Buckhead
- Locals love Food halls
- Locals love Breweries
Through the year
- Peachtree Road Race July 4th 10K road race on July 4th, one of the largest in the world.
- Atlanta Jazz Festival Memorial Day weekend Free jazz concerts in Piedmont Park over Memorial Day weekend.
- Music Midtown September Two-day music festival in Piedmont Park with big-name acts.
- Atlanta Food & Wine Festival September Tastings and seminars showcasing Southern cuisine and beverages.
- Atlanta Film Festival Spring Screening of independent films from around the world.
Atlanta has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters. Best: Spring and fall are the best times to be out, with blooming dogwoods and crisp air.
Talk like a local
- “The A”
- Nickname for Atlanta
- “ITP”
- Inside the Perimeter (I-285), referring to the city core
- “OTP”
- Outside the Perimeter, the suburbs
- “Hotlanta”
- A nickname for Atlanta, though some locals dislike it
Getaways
- Athens College town with live music and the University of Georgia.
- Gainesville Lake Lanier and outdoor recreation.
- Rome Historic downtown and riverside trails.
- Calhoun Gateway to the North Georgia mountains.
Local flavour
Teams
- Atlanta Falcons NFL
- Atlanta Hawks NBA
- Atlanta Braves MLB
- Atlanta United FC MLS
- Atlanta Dream WNBA
- Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets NCAA Division I
- Georgia State Panthers NCAA Division I
- Atlanta Gladiators ECHL
Also rooting for Georgia Bulldogs (NCAA) – Athens, GA, widely followed across the metro.
Eat and drink
- Coca-Cola Invented in Atlanta; the city is its global headquarters.
- Peach cobbler Georgia is the Peach State, and this dessert is a local staple.
- Fried chicken Southern comfort food, ubiquitous in Atlanta's soul food restaurants.
- Sweet tea The quintessential Southern drink, served everywhere.
- Waffle House A 24/7 diner chain founded in the metro, a cultural icon.
Where people go
- Soul food restaurants Family-run spots serving fried chicken, collard greens, and cornbread.
- Barbecue joints Smoky, slow-cooked meats with regional sauces.
- Civil War battlefields Historic sites like Kennesaw Mountain, reminders of the region's past.
- Peach orchards Though more rural, the peach is a state symbol and appears in local imagery.
- The BeltLine A network of trails and parks that defines modern Atlanta's urban vibe.
Heritage and traditions
Atlanta is proud of its role as the cradle of the Civil Rights Movement, its status as a global hub for business and entertainment, and its blend of Southern hospitality with a modern, diverse energy.
This time of year in Atlanta area
- Atlanta Pride Festival October A major LGBTQ+ celebration in October.
- Atlanta Pride Festival October One of the largest LGBTQ+ pride events in the Southeast.
Say it like a local: “fixin' to” — Getting ready to do something
Festivals
- Atlanta Dogwood Festival April Held in Piedmont Park, celebrating spring with art vendors and music.
- Atlanta Pride Festival October One of the largest LGBTQ+ pride events in the Southeast.
- Sweet Auburn Springfest May Celebrates African American heritage in the historic Sweet Auburn district.
- Decatur Book Festival September One of the largest independent book festivals in the country.
- Shaky Knees Music Festival May A rock and indie music festival in Central Park.
- Atlanta Greek Festival September Greek food, music, and dancing at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral.
Landmarks with a story
- Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park Includes his birth home, Ebenezer Baptist Church, and the King Center.
- Ebenezer Baptist Church Where MLK and his father preached; a focal point of the Civil Rights Movement.
- The Carter Center Founded by Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, dedicated to peace and health.
- Oakland Cemetery Historic burial ground for many notable Atlantans, with Victorian gardens.
- Sweet Auburn Historic District Once the center of African American commerce and culture.
- The Shrine of the Immaculate Conception A historic Catholic church in downtown Atlanta.
Food traditions
- Sweet tea A staple at every meal, served over ice with a generous amount of sugar.
- Soul food Fried chicken, collard greens, mac and cheese, and cornbread, rooted in African American heritage.
- Georgia-style barbecue Often pork with a sweet, tomato-based sauce, slow-cooked at local joints.
- Peach cobbler Georgia is the Peach State, and this dessert is a summer favorite.
- Coca-Cola culture Invented in Atlanta, Coke is a local icon and often the default drink.
Music and arts
- Atlanta hip-hop and trap music The city is the birthplace of trap music, with artists like Outkast, T.I., and Gucci Mane.
- Atlanta Symphony Orchestra A leading American orchestra, performing at the Woodruff Arts Center.
- High Museum of Art The premier art museum in the Southeast, with a strong collection of American and contemporary art.
- Alliance Theatre A Tony Award-winning regional theater known for new plays.
A little history
- 1837 Atlanta founded as a railroad terminus
- 1864 Battle of Atlanta and Sherman's March to the Sea
- 1886 Coca-Cola invented by John Pemberton
- 1946 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) founded in Atlanta
- 1950s-1960s Civil Rights Movement led by Martin Luther King Jr. from Atlanta
Rivalries
- Georgia Tech vs Georgia Clean Old-Fashioned Hate, annual college football clash.
- Falcons vs Saints NFC South rivalry with intense games.
- Braves vs Phillies NL East rivalry, often competitive.
- Atlanta United vs Orlando City MLS rivalry known as the 'Southern Derby'.
- Game day Tailgating at Falcons games
- Game day Tomahawk Chop at Braves games
- Outdoors Hike Stone Mountain
- Outdoors Bike the Silver Comet Trail
- With kids Center for Puppetry Arts
- With kids Stone Mountain Park
Atlanta's accent is a Southern drawl, but with a mix of many transplants, it's often a milder version. Locals use 'y'all' and 'fixin' to', and they get annoyed by 'Hotlanta'.
Only here
- Over 70 streets in the metro are named 'Peachtree'.
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the world's busiest airport.
- The world's largest drive-in restaurant (The Varsity) is a local institution.
- CNN Center is the headquarters of the Cable News Network.
New here? A few tips
- Traffic on I-285 (the Perimeter) is heavy; consider using MARTA for some commutes.
- Locals don't say 'Hotlanta'—call it 'Atlanta' or 'the ATL'.
- There are over 70 streets with 'Peachtree' in the name; be sure to check the full address.
- Try sweet tea and a soul food restaurant for a true taste of Atlanta.
- Understand the difference between ITP (inside the perimeter) and OTP (outside the perimeter).
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Areas in Atlanta area
AtlantaGeorgiaWhere Southern charm meets a modern beat.AthensGeorgiaLive music, Southern soul, and Bulldog pride in the Classic City.GainesvilleGeorgiaWhere the lake meets the mountains.LaGrangeGeorgiaA river valley of warm welcomesRomeGeorgiaWhere the rivers meet and the hills rememberJeffersonGeorgiaWhere the foothills meet the fast lane.CalhounGeorgiaWhere the mountains meet the valleyCorneliaGeorgiaWhere the mountains meet the apple orchards.CedartownGeorgiaWhere the trail winds through friendly streetsThomastonGeorgiaWhere the red clay meets the Flint River.
Nearby
Every areaToccoaGeorgiaWhere the falls meet the mountain.BarnesvilleGeorgiaWhere the buggy days live on and the peaches grow.North Georgia MountainsGeorgiaHigh peaks, deep forests, and a warm welcome.DaltonGeorgiaWhere the mountains meet the millsSummervilleGeorgiaWhere the river runs through the hillsRoanokeAlabamaWhere the pines meet the red clay.Cherokee CountyAlabamaWhere the hills meet the waterBlue RidgeGeorgiaWhere the mountains meet the orchards
Atlanta--Athens-Clarke County--Sandy Springs, GA-AL CSA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.