Atlanta, GA
Atlanta city guide: What to do and where to stay
With its famous outdoor festivals, world-class museums, a thriving restaurant scene and slew of popular sports teams, Atlanta has cemented itself as a popular city break for Americans and – increasingly – international tourists. It would be easy for visitors to limit their stay to Downtown, where you’ll find the Coca Cola Museum, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, and the Atlanta Aquarium in a convenient triangle just metres apart, as well as Centennial Olympic Park a short walk across the street.
But to do so would be to miss the richness of Atlanta’s many diverse neighbourhoods where street art, quirky boutiques and food markets can be found among high-end galleries, fine dining, and peaceful green spaces. It’s the city where Martin Luther King Jr was born, where hip-hop legends were moulded, and where countless films have been shot. This is how to delve a little deeper and get under the skin of the unofficial capital of the South.
What to do
Stroll along the Beltline
The 22 miles of former railroad tracks that now comprise Atlanta’s Beltline have fast become the place to meet friends, run, walk, cycle, roller blade or simply sit at one of the bar or restaurant patios that line the way and watch city life go by. Whichever section you opt for, you’ll likely spot various art installations and sculptures and be tempted to stop off for coffee, ice cream or a pint. The stretch from Ponce City Market, which forms part of the Eastside Trail, is particularly pleasant – head north and in less than a mile you’ll reach Piedmont Park with the Atlanta Botanical Garden at its far end, while a wander south takes you past the Krog Street Market to the Krog Street Tunnel with its famous graffiti.
Explore by electric car
The ATL-Cruzers Electric Car Tour is a great introduction to the city. In the course of the 90-minute tour in the low-speed six-seater GEM cars, you’ll cover 12 miles and a surprising amount of history. As well as passing by the typical tourist hotspots like Centennial Olympic Park and Downtown Atlanta, you’ll also get taken to areas that you may not have heard of like the Margaret Mitchell House and Museum and the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church where Martin Luther King Jr was baptised. The real beauty of these tours is the local recommendations and information provided by the incredibly knowledgeable drivers who seem to know everything about their city. Do this tour on day one of your stay as it provides a taste of some of the best bits of Atlanta so you can then decide where to explore further.
Tour Cabbagetown street art
Art runs through the veins of Atlanta, and Cabbagetown is where you can see some of the best examples. Join one of the walking tours through this former mill settlement turned hipster neighbourhood or you can simply stroll along the streets yourself. Start at Milltown Tavern (where you can grab a beer or cold drink) and walk up the road towards Wylie Street to admire the large wall murals created by emerging Atlanta talent as well as established artists, then head through the Krog Street Tunnel that is known for its graffiti and you’ll end up at the end at the Beltline, where there’s plenty more art to be spotted. In Cabbagetown and across the city, be sure to look out for the tiny doors that are part of a miniature public art project in Atlanta.
Visit the National Center for Civil and Human Rights
Atlanta played an integral role in the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s, and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights does an excellent job at showcasing the city’s involvement, as well as documenting some of the most significant moments for human rights across the United States and the world. One of the most distinctive installations is the lunch counter sit-in simulation that visitors are invited to participate in after learning about the training involved in nonviolent protests, while there are various temporary exhibits held on a rotating basis. At present, the expansive top floor is devoted to portraits of prominent human rights defenders through history who have devoted their lives to advocating for equality and freedom. Note: The museum is undergoing expansion and will be closed from 1 January until autumn 2025.
Bike through Inman Park
Atlanta is a great city for cyclists and Inman Park is one of the best neighbourhoods to rent a bike and explore. The streets are filled with greenery and lined with beautiful Victorian-era homes, and as you head onto Highland Avenue you’ll be met by independent cafes, quirky boutiques, vintage stalls, and lively cocktail bars. From Inman Park you can also hop straight onto the Eastside Trail of the Atlanta Beltline or the Freedom Parkway PATH trail to continue your cycle through the city.
Learn about the life of Martin Luther King
As the birthplace of the famous civil rights leader, the Sweet Auburn neighbourhood is filled with buildings of historical significance. Start by taking a stroll down Auburn Avenue where you’ll see the two-storey home that belonged to Martin Luther King Jr’s grandparents and where he lived from birth until age 12 (you can go inside but opening times are limited and vary, so check ahead of time). This street was known as the heart of Black enterprise in the early 1990s and became a political focal point during the civil rights movement.
Just a block away, the King Center contains the largest collection of primary source materials in the world on Dr King, including his original writings, and you can take a quiet moment at the memorial outside with the reflection pool and eternal flame. Across the road from the center is the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park. Although not as extensive or curated as the National Center for Civil and Human Rights and the King Center, the park’s visitor center currently has an excellent (and free) ‘Courage To Lead’ exhibit and the staff are wonderfully welcoming.
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Where to stay
Wylie Hotel
A chic and stylish boutique hotel situated in Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward neighborhood, the Wylie is reasonably priced and well located for a city break. Although situated on a busy road, it’s a stone’s throw from Ponce City Market, which is excellent for eating out and shopping, and takes you straight out onto the Beltline. The on-site hotel Mrs. P’s Bar & Kitchen does a very good breakfast and brunch, as well as having a bar and offering a menu of southern comfort food for dinner.
FORTH
Also in the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood, FORTH ticks all the boxes for a luxe experience in Atlanta without completely blowing the budget. It’s right on the Beltline’s Eastside Trail so you’re next to a variety of bars and restaurants, and also boasts a large and very well equipped fitness area, a large outdoor pool (a dream during Atlanta’s sweltering summers), wellness treatments and Le Labo bath products in every room.
Hotel Granada
Hotel Granada offers a fun and character-filled place to stay right at the heart of the action in Midtown Atlanta. Pom Court is the hotel’s restaurant, serving an interesting blend of Spanish and Southern cuisine, while guests and visitors can enjoy a cocktail or two at the May Peel bar.
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Where to eat and drink
Wisteria
The dishes at Wisteria in Atlanta’s are hearty so make sure you come with an appetite. In a gorgeous old building in the Inman Park neighbourhood you’ll be served modern southern fare, such as pan fried pecan crusted trout, molasses rubbed grilled pork tenderloin, pimento cheese deviled eggs, and the restaurant’s famous fried green tomatoes.
Lyla Lila
Still a relative newcomer to the Atlanta dining scene, every dish at Lyla Lila is beautifully prepared using seasonal ingredients. The pastas are the stars of the show here – try the wild boar and sweet potato ravioli, or cappelletti filled with buffalo mozzarella, Thai basil, pepper relish and caviar from the current menu. The cocktails are fabulous and the wine list extensive.
No Mas! Cantina
Part of the appeal of No Mas! Cantina is the fun and quirky decor, extending to the covered outdoor patio. Pop in for a margarita on your way out for the evening (it gets very lively at night), or book a table and feast on Mexican classics. During the day, you can also browse the artisan market just across the patio where you’ll find ceramic, pottery, crafts and jewellery.
Atrium
A pleasant spot for brunch located in Ponce City Market, the brightly decorated and highly Instagrammable Atrium serves American classics with a modern twist. The food is freshly prepared with local ingredients, and the service friendly and welcoming.
Krog Street Market
Ideally located right on the Beltline’s Eastside Trail, you’re spoiled for choice at Krog Street Market, with stalls selling everything from dumplings and burritos to gourmet popcorn. There are plenty of places to sit down for a beer or coffee in this large industrial building originally built in the 1920s, as well as shops where you can browse skincare, cycling equipment, gifts, home furnishings and more.
Murphy’s
Something of a neighbourhood institution, Murphy’s in Virginia Highland is unlikely to disappoint. Breakfast/brunch favourites include crab cakes benedict, chilaquiles and eggs Virginia Highland, and it’s also a fun spot to stop for a glass of wine in the evening. If you don’t have room for dessert, be sure to grab a slab of the tollhouse pie or Bonzo slice from the bakery to take home with you.
Aurora Coffee
This independent coffee shop in Little Five Points is quite possibly the best spot for an espresso or latte in Atlanta. The atmosphere is laid-back, but Aurora takes its roasts seriously and you can be sure to get a good cup of coffee – whether you’re ordering to take away or to enjoy in the shop while taking advantage of the free wifi and enjoying the local art on the walls.
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Where to shop
Ponce City Market
As well as a whole slew of restaurants and food stalls, at Ponce City Market you’ll find shops including Reformation, Glossier, West Elm, Nike, Lululemon and Anthropologie. The roof of the building is home to Skyline Park, which features boardwalk-style games and an 18-hole mini-golf course. Plus, you’ll also find some of the best views in the city.
Little Five Points
Little Five Points is the place to head to for thrift shopping. Vintage stores jostle alongside record shops, a natural foods market, independent bookstores, lively bars and bike shops. Favourite spots for some retail therapy include A Cappella Books, Criminal Records, the Clothing Warehouse, Xocolatl Small Batch Chocolate and Young Blood Boutique.
Lenox Square
For designer stores as well as high street favourites, Lenox Square will have you covered. It’s known as one of the premier shopping destinations in the South. You’re also right next to the Phipps Plaza in Buckhead, which offers an upscale shopping experience, as well as plenty of dining options.
Best time to visit
Spring and autumn would generally be considered the best times to visit Atlanta, when the weather is pleasantly warm and the city’s famous outdoor festivals are in full swing. Atlanta can get stiflingly hot and humid in the summer – this is the South after all – and rates are often at the higher between June and August as this is peak season for domestic tourists. That being said, there is still plenty of outdoor fun to be had for those willing to brave the heat or save their partying for the cooler evenings, with some of the city’s best events taking place in the summer months, such as Piedmont Park Arts Festival and the Virginia-Highland Summerfest. Hotel rooms and airfares are at their most affordable in winter and, though cooler, the weather is still mild, making this a good time for budget-conscious visitors to plan their trip.
How to get there
British Airways and Virgin Atlantic fly direct to Atlanta from London. Flight time is around nine hours and 45 minutes.
FAQs
What currency do I need?
American dollars.
What language do they speak?
English.
Should I tip?
Yes, tipping is expected in the USA. Between 15 and 20 per cent is appropriate.
What’s the time difference?
GMT-5.
Average flight time from the UK?
Around nine hours 45 minutes.
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In a shocking turn of events up North in Minnesota, Julius Randle was just moved – for nothing.
In fact, the Timberwolves had to trade down in the 2026 NBA Draft in order to offload Randle’s negatively-viewed contract. A once All-NBA 2nd-Team player, Randle’s fall from grace is nothing short of jaw-dropping.
Amidst the loss of a seriously talented player who fell victim to a league enthralled with cap flexibility, the Timberwolves can only look on in envy to the Atlanta Hawks – the very team that stole their apparent alternative out from under them last summer.
Julius Randle’s shocking negative value in the new CBA
Ten years ago, Julius Randle’s contract (adjusted for inflation, at least) would not have resulted in a negative-value trade as it did in 2026.
With the new collective bargaining agreement, teams must now be ultra-focused on creating cap flexibility for themselves moving forward – especially when other players are due a pay day on their squad.
The Timberwolves have a large chunk of their cap space eaten up by Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert – a very talented duo at the guard and center positions. This leaves the rest of the roster limited room to work with. Needing to extend Ayo Dosunmu (which happened immediately after the Randle trade), Randle was ultimately dealt away, purely to create room for the rest of the roster.
While the Wolves lost Randle, it unfortunately could have all been prevented if they had made another choice last season – choosing Nickeil Alexander-Walker over the older Randle.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s value transcends his presence on the court
Outside of the tantalizing abilities that NAW exhibited on a nightly basis en route to earning MIP honors in the 2025-2026 season for the Hawks, his value is far, far greater thanks to the steal of a deal that Onsi Saleh negotiated last summer.
At nearly the same time that Julius Randle was inking the very contract that led to his parting from the Wolves, Alexander-Walker was agreeing to a deal that would secure his place in Atlanta on an incredibly team-friendly deal through at least 2027-2028.
Alexander-Walker’s $15M/yr deal was less than half of what Randle agreed to. A year separated from both contracts being finalized, and the consensus around NAW and Randle couldn’t be more disparate.
While Randle’s inefficient offense hindered his squad time and again, Alexander-Walker’s two-way play headlined by his stellar perimeter defense and lights-out three-point shooting skyrocketed him towards near All-Star levels of play.
Thanks entirely to both the Timberwolves’ inability to recognize the gift right in front of them and the Hawks’ keen eye to spot a diamond in the rough, the two franchises are miles apart this Summer. While Atlanta vies for contention atop the wide-open Eastern Conference, the Timberwolves may be struggling to retain their franchise superstar.
Will Anthony Edwards finally be on the move after a saga of blunders from his front office? Doubtfully anytime soon. But when his time in Minnesota inevitably reaches its conclusion, the Hawks must be ready – the Atlanta native Antman no doubt sees the Hawks as a top alternative.
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This extension reportedly replaces the franchise tag Pitts signed earlier this spring, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Per the report, Pitts will not play on the $15 million franchise tag and instead receive the $36 million fully guaranteed on the new deal over the next two seasons.
The No. 4 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Pitts had a resurgent year in 2025 and showcased the playmaking abilities that made him such an enticing prospect. He caught a career-high 88 passes for 928 yards and five touchdowns, his most as a pro. Atlanta placed the franchise tag on Pitts earlier this offseason, ensuring he remained a Falcon for the 2026 season.
“They trusted that they see something in (me), and that’s pretty cool to see,” Pitts said of the franchise tag during OTAs. “It’s a new year. It’s already signed, and it’s going to be a good year.”
With an extension reportedly in place, Pitts is part of the team’s future for years to come.
Pitts turns 26 next season and is entering his first year working with head coach Kevin Stefanski, who got strong production from the tight end position while coaching the Cleveland Browns. That was particularly true of David Njoku, who has some similarities to Pitts. However, Pitts gives Stefanski and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees a weapon unlike any they’ve had.
The early reviews through OTAs and mandatory minicamp have been strong for Pitts. The new staff has praised Pitts’ buy-in with their program and the effort he’s shown both on and off the field.
“Kyle’s, again, a guy that is here working like crazy. Takes coaching,” Stefanski said during OTAs. “The physical skill set is obvious when Kyle’s on the field, with how big he is and how he moves. But I’ve been impressed with what we’re asking him to do, a couple new things for him. As your players continue on in their career, you want to find out more, what else is in there and what else can we do, and what can we help you with? So I think Kyle’s been outstanding in that regard of trying to continue to get better in so many areas.”
At his best, he offers the kind of matchup maneuverability that ignites an offensive coordinator’s imagination. That ability was most clearly on display in the Falcons’ thrilling 29-28 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday Night Football in Week 15 last season. As the focal point of Atlanta’s offense, Pitts caught 11 passes for 166 yards and three touchdowns.
“I love the position because of the versatility that it provides an offense,” Stefanski said. “And you’ve seen it around the league. This is nothing new or Earth-shattering, but tight ends that can line up all over make life hard on a defense. Whether you can line them up outside, in the backfield, in line, you name it, we love versatility at that position.”
As a rookie, Pitts burst onto the scene and finished the 2021 season with the second-most yards ever by a rookie tight end. His second year was cut short by a knee injury, the impact of which carried throughout the 2023 season as well. With the injuries and changes at the quarterback position since his arrival, consistency has been a focus for Pitts.
Despite those factors, Pitts has gained the third-most receiving yards by a tight end since he entered the league. He has averaged 12.6 yards per reception, which ranks fourth among his position, and has caught 15 touchdowns. Notably, he has improved in that metric with each successive season.
This report comes soon after wide receiver Drake London signed a new extension with the organization, keeping one of the best young outside weapons in the NFL on the roster. With Pitts now reportedly in the fold with a new extension and Bijan Robinson entering his fourth year, the Falcons will continue to have a trio of dynamic playmakers on offense.
A second-team All-Pro in 2025, the arrow is pointing up for Pitts. He is currently 13th on that Falcons’ all-time receiving yards list and has the fourth-most career yards by an Atlanta tight end. With 650 yards next season, Pitts will climb to second on the career yardage list for Falcons tight ends. If he repeats what he did last year, Pitts will not only take over the top spot, surpassing the great Jim Mitchell, but he will climb to sixth on the Falcons’ all-time receiving list, regardless of position.
“I think Kyle is going to be a big piece of this thing,” Falcons passing game coordinator Tanner Engstrand said of Pitts. “He had huge production last year. He’s clearly one of the top guys in the league at that spot. Hopefully, we see a lot more of what we saw last year out of him, and he can continue on that upward trend.”
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