Atlanta, Georgia Hotels and City Guide

Atlanta - Travel Tips

When to Go

Because of the warm climate here, Atlanta is a great place to visit any time of year. There can be entire winters here without snow, although an occasional ice storm or snow storm does hit the city about once every five years, so don’t be totally surprised if you see some white stuff on your visit. Spring in Atlanta is simply beautiful. Flowers begin to bloom, the weather heats up nicely and it is often too early for those daily summer thunderstorms. Spring is also festival season, which means that there is an almost unlimited amount to do here depending on the week. The main tourist season in Atlanta isn’t until mid-summer when school gets out, so spring is really ideal for those folks who want the best weather, reasonable hotel rates and a lot to do without families getting in the way. Summers can be crowded and hot here, but they are also a lot of fun. Much of the summer festival scene turns to family and kid friendly themes, and there is plenty of baseball and other attractions that make visiting this time of year completely worthwhile. It is important that you are prepared for the weather, however. If you come from a climate where it doesn’t get this hot, make sure you always have a bottle of water on you at all times, as well as sun screen and a hat to protect the top of your head. There was great concern during the Olympics of 1996 that the weather would actually be too hot for many of the athletes. Fall here is wonderful, as well, especially early fall before the middle of October. The city is often gripped by football fever, both the professional and college variety, and there is nothing in the world quite as nice as heading over to the campus of Georgia Tech University and watching a football game on a warm Saturday afternoon. There are less festivals in the fall than in the spring, but this can often mean less crowds and even more fun. As the fall progresses, things can get downright nippy around American Thanksgiving, so always be sure to pack a little bit of everything clothes-wise. Christmas and New Years here can range from balmy to below freezing so be sure to watch the weather.

When to Visit – Arts and Events

Atlanta is an interesting place to visit for so many reasons, but one of the most curious is to look at all of the ways Atlanta truly is a stereotypical American Southern city, and the ways that it tries to differentiate itself. One way in which Atlanta is proud to be a southern Mecca is through its festivals. As anyone who has been to Miami, New Orleans or Charleston can tell you, festivals, street parties, celebrations and other festivities seem to happen at the drop of a hat, for no other reason than it is a weekend or because it has been an entire week since the last one. No matter what month you visit Atlanta, or what week, chances are, there will be a full slate of things to do. Let’s look at just a few of the best known, and most fun, celebrations in Atlanta.

January

Martin Luther King Day Celebrations – While many cities throughout the south celebrate the birth of this great civil rights leader, it goes without saying that Atlanta does it bigger and better than anyone else. With King’s birthplace right in the center of the city, you can expect parades, parties and other joyous get-togethers throughout the city. Other areas have been known to take an almost mournful approach to this holiday, but in Atlanta, people tend to celebrate the life of Dr. King instead of simply focusing on the way that he died.

ATLart Citywide Visual Arts Event – There are few things more interesting than American Southern folk art, and this massive two week festival draws together galleries from all over the city to showcase the best exhibits so everyone can enjoy them. This festival started small, but is becoming one of the most anticipated on the yearly calendar.

February

Southeastern Flower Show – The Georgia World Congress Center is turned into a massive garden as one of the largest flower and garden shows in the world takes center stage. Learn everything you have ever wanted to know about flowers, gardening, landscaping and more. This is a major event for conventioneers but also a major tourist attraction, as well.

March

Golden Corral 500, Atlanta Motor Speedway – What is the south without motor racing? Check out this yearly NEXTEL Cup race every March and enjoy a beautiful day outdoors.

April

Atlanta Dogwood Festival – One of the best free festivals in the south, the Atlanta Dogwood festival is an arts and media festival that has been taking center stage in the city for an astonishing 74 years.

May

It wouldn’t be the south unless there was a major jazz festival at one time or another, and in Atlanta, it happens in the month of May. This three day festival is quickly becoming one of the most popular in the south, along with Jazzfest in New Orleans. The festival usually falls near the end of the month.

June

Virginia Highland Summerfest – The neighbourhood of Virginia Highland takes center stage in June for Summerfest. This annual festival celebrates art, food and fun in one of the cities’ most beautiful areas.

July

4th of July celebrations – Pick almost any spot throughout the city and you’ll find an Independence Day party to attend. From fashionable Lenox Square to a bash at Centennial Park, the whole city comes alive for this event.

August

Atlanta Braves Baseball – The baseball season is winding down and that means that the Braves are likely headed to the playoffs. Get pennant fever and attend one of many home dates the Braves play from April-October.

September

JapanFest Weekend – Beautiful Stone Mountain Park plays host to this weekend-long festival of Japanese culture, food and art. This event does a great job of showing the true diversity of Atlanta.

October

Atlanta Pride Festival & Parade – Rainbow flags will be out and in force for Atlanta’s yearly gay pride event. There will be a parade as well as cultural events, food booths and much more.

November

Various Sports – College football season really heats up in November. You can catch games at Georgia Tech in downtown Atlanta or an hour away in Athens. Pro football at the Georgia Dome occurs from late August-December or January and NBA basketball and NHL hockey also are in season during November with games at Phillips Arena.

December

Chick-fil-A Bowl and Parade – In December, the Georgia Dome becomes the sports capital of Atlanta as the yearly Peach Bowl takes place in the city. There is much in the way of pageantry, including a parade and a full festival preceding the yearly clash between football powerhouses.

Events You Should See

The King Holiday
January
The King Center
449 Auburn Ave NE
(404) 526 8900
Website:  http://www.thekingcenter.com/

Southeastern Flower Show
February
Two Galleria Parkway
(404) 351 1074
Website:  http://www.flowershow.org/

St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March
Downtown Atlanta
Website:  http://www.stpatsparadeatlanta.com/

Atlanta Dogwood Festival
April
Piedmont Park
(404) 817 6642
Website:  http://www.dogwood.org/

Atlanta Jazz Festival
May
Grant Park
Website:  http://www.atlantafestivals.com/ajfpage.html

Virginia Highland Summerfest
June
Virginia Avenue
Website:  http://www.vahi.org/

National Black Arts Festival
July
Woodruff Arts Center
Website:  http://www.nbaf.org/

Festival Peachtree Atlanta
August
Peachtree Street
Website: http://www.festivalpeachtreelatino.com

JapanFest Weekend
September
Stone Mountain Park
Website: http://www.japanfest.org

Taste of Atlanta
October
Atlantic Station
Website:  http://www.tasteofatlanta.net

Coca Cola PGA Tour Championship
November
East Lake Golf Club
Website:  http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/r060/

Holiday in the Garden
December
Atlanta Botanical Garden
Website:  http://www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org

Local Holidays

New Year's Day (January 1)
Martin Luther King's Birthday (third Monday in January)
Washington's Birthday (third Monday in February)
Memorial Day (last Monday in May)
Independence Day (July 4)
Labor Day (first Monday in September)
Discoverers' Day (second Monday in October)
Veterans' Day (November 11)
Thanksgiving (last Thursday in November)
Christmas (December 25)

Visas and Passports

If you plan to be in the country for more than three months or you will be conducting business of any kind in the United States, you’ll need to obtain a visa, specifically a Tourist or Business Visitor Visa. If you’ll be in the country for less than that period of time or your country has a visa waiver program, this isn’t required. The Visa Waiver Pilot program is available if you:

• Plan to be in the country for less than three months.
• Have a valid passport for more than six months after traveling time.
• Are a citizen of a country that is involved in the program.
• Have a return ticket or other material that shows intention to leave
• Are of good character
• Have an MRP (machine readable passport).

Check with your country to see if you participate in the Visa Waiver Pilot Program.

Local Customs & Language

Customs

Atlanta, as a whole, is a fairly informal place. While that can change when in certain business environments, it’s generally a good place for tourists to experience southern hospitality. You’re likely to find helpful local residents willing to ensure you make it to your destination.

Language

While English is clearly the favorite here, Atlanta can also be a fairly diverse place. With a large Hispanic population and a growing population of other ethnic minorities, you may find yourself overhearing a number of different languages during your visit. All road signs and official documentation, however, appears in English.

Tipping Advice

It’s important to remember that your tips frequently won’t be included in bills of any sort. While restaurants will, on occasion, include the gratuity if you have a fairly large party, don’t expect that on a regular basis. Your waiters and serving staff at restaurants should receive a tip of 15 to 20% of the total bill. Hairdressers frequently get ten percent. Bellhops or baggage personnel get $2 per bag, and valets expect a tip of at least a dollar. Bartenders and maids typically receive a tip of at least a dollar as well.

Health and Security

There are a number of hospitals in Atlanta, so many of the places you’ll be visiting will be located within just a mile or two of a place ready to handle any health emergencies you may experience. If you take prescription medications on a regular basis, though, don’t forget to add them to your carry-on luggage. Should they be lost during your visit, there are a number of major twenty-four hour drug chains located throughout the city. Simply ask your concierge to direct you to the nearest one. Perhaps the biggest concern for your health while you’re in the city occurs during the summer months, as the city is quite hot and sunstroke or heat stroke is possible. Staying hydrated, though, should help you avoid this concern entirely.

Because safety for tourists is an ongoing mission of the city of Atlanta, there are a number of city-deemed ambassadors wearing uniforms throughout the downtown area. They can not only keep crime at bay, but also offer helpful tips and advice to direct you to your location. However, they are not always present, so it is essential that you use common sense throughout your visit to the city. After dark, stay away from public parks or other deserted areas, and be aware of public transit terminals. If you plan to drive through the city at night, make certain you know how to reach your destination. You may also want to use valet parking services if you intend to be out late.

Disabled Travelers

If you require accommodations for any reason, you’ll find them at most hotels, businesses, and eateries. The airport does have specialized shuttles if you call ahead of time, and most attractions have services as well.

Tax Refunds

Atlanta has an 8.25% tax rate, but it doesn’t apply to grocery items. The rate on hotel rooms is between 8.05% and 12% depending on where you stay. Because sales tax is administered by states and not the United States Government, no refund is possible in most cases.

Hotels in Atlanta, Georgia