Atlanta Georgia Civil Rights History and BeltLine Strolls

Why visit Atlanta

Few American cities let you engage with history as directly as Atlanta. The Sweet Auburn district, where Martin Luther King Jr. was born, worshipped and is buried, is now a national historical park, and nearby museums tell the wider story of the civil rights movement and human rights around the world.

Atlanta is also a modern, creative city. The BeltLine has transformed old rail corridors into walking and cycling paths lined with murals, parks, food halls and breweries.

Downtown and Centennial Olympic Park

Centennial Olympic Park

Built for the 1996 Summer Olympics, this downtown park is the hub of Atlanta's main tourist district. Its Fountain of Rings, shaped like the Olympic rings, is a favorite with children on hot days, and wide lawns host concerts and events.

Georgia Aquarium

One of the largest aquariums in the world, the Georgia Aquarium is best known for its huge Ocean Voyager gallery, where whale sharks and manta rays glide overhead as you walk through an underwater tunnel. Other galleries feature beluga whales, sea lions, penguins and river fish of the Southeast.

World of Coca-Cola, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights and the College Football Hall of Fame

Coca-Cola was invented in Atlanta, and its museum next to the aquarium covers the brand's history and ends with a tasting room of soft drinks from around the world.

Sweet Auburn, the Old Fourth Ward and the BeltLine

Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park

Along Auburn Avenue, this national park preserves the places that shaped Martin Luther King Jr.: the house where he was born, Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he was baptized and served as co-pastor with his father, and the tombs of Dr. King and Coretta Scott King beside a reflecting pool at The King Center.

Sweet Auburn Curb Market

A short walk west of the King sites, this historic public market has been operating since the early twentieth century. Inside you will find butchers, produce stands, bakeries and small counters serving everything from soul food to global dishes.

The BeltLine Eastside Trail

The Atlanta BeltLine is a multi-use trail on a former railway corridor that will eventually loop around the city's core. The Eastside Trail is its most popular section, running through the Old Fourth Ward and Inman Park past murals, sculptures, parks and restaurants.

Ponce City Market and Krog Street Market

Ponce City Market fills a massive former Sears catalog building beside the BeltLine with a food hall, shops and offices. Its rooftop has carnival games, mini golf and skyline views.

Midtown, Buckhead and beyond

Piedmont Park and the Atlanta Botanical Garden

Piedmont Park is Atlanta's central green space, with wide lawns, walking trails, Lake Clara Meer and a dog park, all framed by Midtown towers. It hosts many festivals, including the Dogwood Festival in April and the Atlanta Jazz Festival over Memorial Day weekend.

High Museum of Art and the Fox Theatre

The High Museum is the leading art museum in the Southeast, with a striking white modernist building and collections of American, European, African and contemporary art, as well as folk and self-taught artists of the South.

Historic Oakland Cemetery

Founded in 1850, Oakland Cemetery is Atlanta's oldest public park and a classic Victorian garden cemetery, with ornate monuments, mausoleums and gardens under old oaks. It is the resting place of Margaret Mitchell, author of Gone with the Wind, and many former mayors.

Atlanta History Center

In Buckhead, the Atlanta History Center covers the city's past through museum galleries, historic houses including the grand Swan House, and gardens. It also displays the restored Cyclorama painting of the Battle of Atlanta.

Stone Mountain Park

About fifteen miles east of downtown, Stone Mountain is a huge granite dome rising above the surrounding forest. You can hike a steep trail of about a mile to the summit or ride the Skyride cable car, and the park also has lakes, trails, a historic village and family attractions.

Food and local flavors

Atlanta's food reflects its deep Southern roots and its growing international population. Look for fried chicken, collard greens, macaroni and cheese, shrimp and grits, biscuits and peach cobbler in soul food restaurants and meat-and-three diners.

For international food, head to Buford Highway in the northeastern suburbs, a long corridor of strip malls packed with Vietnamese, Korean, Chinese, Mexican and other restaurants.

Where to stay

Downtown is convenient for first-time visitors focused on the aquarium, Centennial Olympic Park and the civil rights sites, and it is well served by MARTA, though it is quieter in the evenings.

Inman Park and the Old Fourth Ward put you right on the BeltLine, ideal for travelers who want food halls, bars and a neighborhood feel. Buckhead suits travelers looking for upscale shopping and dining, though you will likely need a car.

Best time to visit

Spring is a lovely time to visit Atlanta, when dogwoods and azaleas bloom across the city and the Dogwood Festival fills Piedmont Park in April.

Summer is hot and humid, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms; plan indoor attractions for the hottest part of the day.

Getting there and getting around

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, south of downtown, is one of the busiest airports in the world and has nonstop flights across North America and to many international destinations.

Atlanta traffic is notorious, especially on the Downtown Connector at rush hour, so plan drives outside peak times when possible.

A suggested itinerary

First day

Start at the Georgia Aquarium in the morning, then walk across Centennial Olympic Park to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.

Second day

Spend the morning at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park and have lunch at the Sweet Auburn Curb Market.

Third day

Explore the High Museum in the morning, then walk to Piedmont Park and the Atlanta Botanical Garden.

Fourth day

Drive to Stone Mountain Park for an early hike, then visit Historic Oakland Cemetery in the afternoon. End with dinner on Buford Highway.

Practical tips

• Buy timed tickets online for the Georgia Aquarium and other popular attractions to skip lines.
• Check the official website for current hours and fees, as schedules change by season.
• Avoid driving at rush hour, and use MARTA for airport trips whenever you can.
• Carry water and sunscreen in summer, and plan outdoor activities for the morning or evening.
• Keep valuables out of sight in parked cars and stay aware of your surroundings downtown at night.
• Reserve popular restaurants ahead, especially on weekends in Inman Park and Midtown.

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