Sitting at an elevation of 320 meters and boasting a subtropical climate, Atlanta is not only one of the fastest growing cities in the United States, but it's also a new hub for Hollywood blockbusters and TV shows. In the last 20 years, Atlanta has seen its population grow by 2 million residents, and after Los Angeles and New York, has become number 3 in TV and film production in the United States. Hit TV series such as AMC's The Walking Dead, Netflix's Stranger Things and big-time movies including The Hunger Games and Captain America: Civil War are just a few TV and film productions from Atlanta.
Atlanta is also replete with history. Being the city where Martin Luther King Jr. grew up, it played an important role in the civil rights movement of the 1960s and is often viewed as the capital of the southeastern United States.
Atlanta has one major airport – Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). It's the busiest airport in the world, consistently accommodating over 100 million passengers annually. Citizens from the United Kingdom will not need a visa for a flight to Atlanta, as the United Kingdom is part of the Visa Waiver Program. The currency used in Atlanta is the dollar. Whereas the official language is English, there is a substantial population of Spanish speakers in Atlanta. When booking a flight to and hotel in Atlanta, remember that flights from London or Manchester to Atlanta are around eight hours long and Georgia's time zone is five hours behind the United Kingdom's.
A weekend in Atlanta wouldn't be complete without taking part in one of its many festivals. Its generally mild weather means that there is plenty of time throughout the year to celebrate neighbourhoods, barbecue, beer, oysters, film, arts & crafts and much more. In February, there's Oysterfest, in April, there's the Inman Park Arts Festival, and in late September, there's the East Atlanta Strut, which celebrates East Atlanta Village and focuses on local musicians, artists and food. Weather-wise, the best times of year for city breaks in Atlanta would likely be April, May, September and October.
If you intend on bringing the family for a weekend in Atlanta, you'll find that there's no shortage of activities. Package holidays in Atlanta might include a visit:
As we mentioned before, Atlanta has become quite the hub for TV and film. Should you ever find yourself in the Big A, you should seriously consider a tour with:
If you also have time to explore the surrounding area, you can also rent a car in Atlanta.
City breaks in Atlanta are the perfect opportunity to indulge in hearty Southern and international cuisine – this Southern metropolis boasts a multicultural population. Dig into classics such as biscuits and gravy at Home Grown or fried chicken with collards and cornbread at Mary Mac's Tea Room, and you may have to loosen your belt once you're done. For a more adventurous dining experience, head up Buford Highway, where you'll find restaurants serving cuisine from countries all over the globe: El Salvador, Vietnam, Korea, and Bangladesh, just to name a few.
Fans of Jimmy Carter, Gone With the Wind and Martin Luther King Jr will be delighted to find plenty of trinkets related to these iconic figures at the city's numerous gift shops. Also popular among visitors are postcards of Atlanta's expansive skyline.
Planning on flying to United States? If a city break in Atlanta doesn't quite convince you, why not explore other exciting cities in United States ? Check out our amazing flight and hotel packages for your next holiday adventure!