Atlanta Travel Guide — Best Time, Things to Do & Where to Stay

Why Atlanta

Atlanta serves as the state capital and most populous city in Georgia, located in the Southeastern United States across Fulton and DeKalb counties. Situated in the Appalachian Mountain foothills at an elevation exceeding 1,000 feet above sea level, the area features rolling hills and dense greenery, possessing the highest urban tree canopy among major American cities. Beyond its regional significance, the city functions as a global commercial center and the hub of a broad metropolitan area.

Historically inhabited by Creek and Cherokee populations, the area transitioned to European-American settlement in the early nineteenth century following the displacement of indigenous residents. The community was established as the southern endpoint for the Western and Atlantic Railroad, marked by a milepost in what became the Five Points area. Initially called Terminus, and later Thrasherville and Marthasville, it was incorporated as Atlanta in 1847. Its crucial role as a military supply junction made it a strategic target during the American Civil War, resulting in a siege and widespread destruction by Union forces in 1864.

Following the war, Atlanta was rebuilt during the Reconstruction era and replaced Milledgeville as the state capital in 1868. Promoted as an economic center of the New South, the city constructed notable skyline landmarks, including the Flatiron and Candler buildings, and established itself in higher education through institutions like the Georgia Institute of Technology and the Atlanta University Center. Districts such as Sweet Auburn emerged as prominent commercial centers. In the mid-twentieth century, expanded defense manufacturing and a new highway network further accelerated population growth.

During the 1950s and 1960s, Atlanta served as a key organizing center for the American civil rights movement, led by figures including Martin Luther King Jr. and Ralph Abernathy. The city incrementally desegregated its public facilities and elected its first Black mayor in 1973. Key infrastructure developments followed, including a rail transit system, the Georgia World Congress Center, and expanded aviation facilities. The selection of Atlanta for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games prompted major investments in local parks, educational institutions, and public facilities, while modern developments like the Atlanta Beltline continue to shape its urban landscape.

Today, Atlanta maintains a diverse economy spanning aerospace, news and media production, logistics, healthcare, and information technology. It remains an international transportation hub, anchored by Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, which ranks among the busiest passenger airports in the world.