Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do when you take a trip to Atlanta. While many travel blogs will tell you the best things to do in Atlanta, we want to be sure you know about the things you should NOT do during your Atlanta vacation!
Don’t Just Hang Out Downtown
Downtown Atlanta is cool, and we’ll get to that. However, there are even more things to do outside of the downtown area of Atlanta. Midtown is a great place for food and drink, as well as home to the High Museum of Art. For a more eclectic neighborhood, head to Little Five Points where you’ll find the Vortex, my favorite bar. The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library is also in this area. Buckhead is an upper-class neighborhood with more great shops and restaurants. Make sure you explore some of these cool Atlanta neighborhoods.
Don’t Skip Downtown Atlanta
Now that I’ve told you to get out of downtown, I’m going to recommend you also explore the downtown area of Atlanta. The Georgia Aquarium is one of the best aquariums in the United States and claims to be the largest aquarium in the Western Hemisphere. At the World of Coca-Cola, you can learn all about this global brand. The National Center for Civil and Human Rights is also right downtown, as well as the Centennial Olympic Park.
Don’t Drive in Atlanta
With all of the great things to do in Atlanta and the surrounding areas, you might think it makes sense to rent a car. Atlanta has some of the worst traffic in the country, so I do not recommend driving anywhere in or around Atlanta. Drivers are aggressive, and there are eight lanes of them in each direction. Driving in Atlanta is stressful. Use Uber or Lyft to get around during your Atlanta trip. We also got a lot of really useful information from our drivers. Parking is also a huge hassle in Atlanta, so take my word for it.
Don’t Expect MARTA to Be Convenient
Although Atlanta does have a public transportation system, called MARTA, it’s not the most convenient. This is why I recommend spending the money to take Uber or Lyft. It’s really designed for commuters, so the Atlanta tourist attractions aren’t always the easiest to reach using the public transit system.
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Don’t Leave Anything Valuable in Your Car
If you do happen to drive to Atlanta, make sure you don’t leave anything valuable in your car. Even something that seems almost worthless might be enough of a reason for someone to break into your car. Don’t give them any reason. Car break-ins are pretty common in Atlanta, so just use caution if you have a car with you.
Don’t Just Say “Peachtree” When Giving Directions
Peachtree is a district and the name of several streets in Atlanta, so if you’re going to “Peachtree” be sure you know which one. There are several Atlanta tourist attractions on Peachtree Street, so make sure you have a specific address or a cross street!
Don’t Bring a Belt, Bring Suspenders
The food in Atlanta is so good. From traditional Southern cuisine to modern, global cuisine. Atlanta is a cultural melting pot with folks from all over the world. You will eat really well in Atlanta, so be prepared to gain a bit of weight. Don’t forget to have dessert; the South is known for its sweet treats!
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Don’t Forget Your Allergy Medicine
If you have seasonal allergies and you visit Atlanta in the Spring, don’t forget your allergy medication! The pollen in Atlanta can be really bad in the spring, so you want to be prepared for it.
Don’t Ignore Winter Warnings
Winter is a great time for a trip to Atlanta; the weather is usually pretty mild. Once in a while, they will have ice or snow warnings. If you’re from the north or the northeast, you might laugh and ignore the warnings, but that’s a bad idea. The city just isn’t prepared to handle these occasional storms, so there aren’t salt trucks lined up to clear the roads. A little bit of snow or ice can really shut down the city, so heed the warnings and adjust your travel plans accordingly.
Don’t Call it Hotlanta
This is a recommendation from my friends who live in Atlanta. This is an old name that was once cool, but it’s so played out, and the locals hate it.
Don’t Try to Order Pepsi in Atlanta
This is Coca-Cola country; don’t try ordering Pepsi when you are in Atlanta. Atlanta is home to Coca-Cola’s world headquarters, and the city even has a monument for the guy who invented Coke.
Don’t Forget How Great the Locals Are
Atlanta may be a major metropolitan area, but it’s still full of Southern hospitality and charm. The locals in Atlanta are fantastic! Everyone I’ve met in Atlanta has been super helpful and they love giving their local recommendations.
Atlanta is a great travel destination, whether you’re traveling solo, with family or even for business. When you do visit Atlanta, don’t forget to chat with the locals! I hope this helps you know some of the things to avoid doing on your Atlanta vacation. Looking for more tips on visiting the USA? Check out these blog posts!