Atlanta’s Buckhead

Before you keep reading: GoldenAgeTrips.com is making use of affiliate links, which in some cases will end up in a commission for purchases originated from this website. However, all referred companies/products/accommodations have been tried out or researched by us first.

How to get to Atlanta, GA?

Driving – The major Interstate Highways that’ll take you to Atlanta are Interstate 85 (I-85) and Interstate 75 (I-75). I-85 is a Northeast-Southwest route that runs across Alabama up to Virginia. I-75 is a North-South route that goes from Florida to Michigan.

As long as there are no traffic incidents, these are your best options. However, I recommend not driving during peak hours because traffic can get extremely congested.

As always, we recommend downloading an offline version of the map of where you are traveling. Having an offline ‘copy’ of the map will come in handy in situations where you don’t have cellular coverage or data for any reason. Google explains here how to do it.

By Train – The closest Amtrak Station is Peachtree Station. From there, you can connect with MARTA, the city’s rapid transit system. You can also use a ridesharing app, or catch a cab to move around the city.

By Bus – Atlanta is serviced by Greyhound, and here is a link with the address of its bus station location. From there, you can connect with MARTA, the city’s rapid transit system. You can also use a ridesharing app, or catch a cab to move around the city.

By Plane – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Aiport (ATL) is one, if not the most, world’s busiest airport. The upside to it is that there are a vast amount of flights to and from Atlanta at decent prices. Here you can pick up a rental car, connect with MARTA, call a cab, or use a ridesharing app.

Should I book a car for Atlanta, GA?

I’m going to say yes if you’re planning to go somewhere else than the Downtown/Midtown areas. I’m going to say no if you’re not used to driving in busy cities and only exploring the Downtown.

Renting a car in Atlanta doesn’t have to be expensive, and sometimes it can help you save money. Hotels in Downtown ATL can get pricy,  and staying in the outskirts of the city can help stretch your budget.

CheapOair typically has Exclusive Car Deals. Take up to $10.00 off their fees with Promo Code CAR10 and Book Now!

How many days to spend in Atlanta, GA?

After you finish reading this article, you’ll realize there are lots to do. The minimum recommended stay for you to experience at least a bit of everything would be a three day/two-night stay.

Where to stay in Atlanta, GA?

 

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View from a corner room at The Westin – Buckhead.

Before you make a choice, make sure to read ‘How to Avoid a Disastrous Stay at a Hotel.’ The following Atlanta hotels are my preferred choices, and those that I can recommend based on me having stayed in them, or someone I trust.

Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center: It would be difficult to find a better location than the one this hotel has. Almost every major attraction in Downtown Atlanta is at walking distance, or a short Uber or Lyft ride away.

The Westin – Buckhead: A beautiful, clean hotel in a lovely location. The Lennox Mall is right beside it. I felt spoiled by the hotel when I visited after they assigned me a corner suite. The views were unbelievable, and the room was spacious.

Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead: This hotel used to be Atlanta’s Mandarin Oriental, but not anymore. However, it is still a 5-star hotel, and if it is in your budget, it has exceptional spa facilities. It is located on Peachtree Street in the prestigious Buckhead neighborhood.

Emory Conference Center Hotel:  A hotel designed by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Located in a gorgeous forest preserve where I slept like a baby. I have found the rates to be similar (and even cheaper) than those in Downtown Atlanta on many occasions. It does book fast, so don’t wait until the last minute.

Hampton Inn & Suites Atlanta Perimeter Dunwoody:  This Hampton is 20 minutes from Downtown Atlanta, but it still has excellent amenities and is close to many shops and restaurants. It also includes free breakfast and parking, which is not easy to find in city center hotels.

Another option is to stay on an Airbnb. Click here to receive $40 off your first trip of $75 or more after signing up.

What to pack for Atlanta, GA?

Weather in Atlanta fluctuates from ‘balmy’ during Early Spring and Late Fall, to warm and incredibly hot during the summer. During ‘winter’ there are rare occasions where it snows but is never the norm.

Because of this never forget sunblock, mosquito repellent, sunglasses, and ‘hot weather appropriate clothes.’ Also, if you’re going out for dinner don’t think people will be in flip-flops, tank tops, and shorts. Locals and visitors alike tend to put a bit of effort into how they look when going out, so don’t forget about that when packing clothes.

Regarding makeup, I made a list for Florida, but that also applies to anywhere where it’s warm and humid. Click here to read ‘The Only Makeup You Need for a Florida Vacation.’

Where to eat/drink in Atlanta, GA?

Atlanta’s Buttermilk Kitchen

If there’s something not lacking in Atlanta, its excellent food. The tricky thing with recommending places to eat is that what I think is tasty, might not be your cup of tea. But, I’ll highlight two places where I always (and I mean always) stop when I visit ATL.

Buttermilk Kitchen – I’ll dare you to not add the Buttermilk Kitchen to your ‘Top Something Breakfast Places in the USA’ list after visiting. I’m not sure if it is the fresh and local ingredients, the talented chefs, the exceptional service, its rustic decoration, or all of the above, but this place is special. You will not be disappointed ordering any of the following: Pimento Omelet, Chicken Biscuit, Pimento Grits, Housemade Jelly, House Blend Coffee, and probably the rest of the menu.

Bonus Tip: The Buttermilk Kitchen does not accept reservations. I had no issues visiting on Fridays (at the most a 10-min wait), but during the weekend you need to be prepared to wait longer. 

The Vortex Bar & Grill – The Vortex has two locations. I have only visited the one in Little Five Points, and because of how consistently good the food is I haven’t felt the need to betray it. If you enjoy burgers, this is an obligated stop. I’ll always go for the Classic Bypass and the Dixie Wrecked Taters with their homemade white sausage gravy. The Vortex House Beer is also a crowd pleaser.

Bonus Tip: The Vortex Bar & Grill is, as the name says it, a bar. Because of this, you will only be able to enter if you’re over 21+ Years Old. 

Martin Luther King, Jr. & Coretta Scott King Resting Place

What attractions are a must on a visit to Atlanta, GA?

• World of Coca-Cola
• Centennial Olympic Park
• Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park
• Atlanta Botanical Garden
• Center for Civil and Human Rights

Don’t forget to Share & Pin ‘A Weekend in Atlanta: All You Need to Know.’

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Before you keep reading: GoldenAgeTrips.com is making use of affiliate links, which in some cases will end up in a commission for purchases originated from this website. However, all referred companies/products/accommodations have been tried out or researched by us first.

Lunch

Pecan Pie at The Lady & Sons

We started our visit by having lunch at The Lady & Sons, Paula Deen’s restaurant. At first, I was a little hesitant to visit it because I have read a few reviews saying it was a tourist trap. However, after seeing a picture online of its Pecan Pie, we said “Why not?” and gave it a chance. As expected, the restaurant was crowded, but we only had to wait fifteen minutes for a table.

Tip: The restaurant has three floors, and we were lucky to be seated in an area that was away from the crowds and also had a great view. Try asking for a table or booth on the third floor near the bar where the tables are not that close to improve your dining experience.

City Hall

Ghost Tour

     After checking in at the Embassy Suites Savannah Airport (Book It Here!), we were joined by friends who were going with us to a Ghost Tour. I know that you are thinking: “that is so lame,” but Savannah is known as America’s most haunted city, and we wanted to know why. We were going to join the tour at Johnson Square (one of Savannah’s twenty-four historical squares) which faces the town City Hall. From there we were going to start our walk through Downtown Savannah for almost two hours trying to find some ghosts and listen to scary stories and puns courtesy of The Savannah Walks and our guide Lance.

Fun Fact: Savannah’s City Hall Gold Dome used to be clad in Copper. It has been gilded since 1987.

Independent Presbyterian Church-Side View

Historic Squares

During numerous instances, I stopped paying attention to what the tour guide was saying and could only focus on the architecture of the city. Churches, quaint inns, and houses adorn the city every step of the way, and all historic squares have an interesting story behind it. From Tomochichi’s monument (the head chief of a Yamacraw town on the site of present-day Savannah) to Nathanael Greene’s tomb (hero of the Revolutionary War), there is always history on and around the squares.

Independent Presbyterian Church-Front View

Dinner

After the ghost tour, we grabbed dinner and drinks at a British Pub, Bar & Grill called The Six Pence Pub. Nachos, soups, service, and ambiance were great, and they also had a good selection of drinks. Compared to other historic districts that I have visited this one is very much alive at night, in part because of tours and activities going on sometimes until almost midnight.

Foley House Inn

Downtown Savannah Home

River Street

The next morning we decided to visit River Street, which is also part of Historic Savannah. This cobblestone paved street was affected and quarantined because of a yellow-fever epidemic. It never recovered, and it wasn’t until 100 years later (in the 1970’s) that the people of Savannah worked to restore it to what it is today.

The street is lined up with places to eat, local artisans and crafts, and stores including the famous River Street Sweets Candystore.  Don’t forget to check their website to know what is happening on River Street when you are visiting. There is always something going on!

River Street

View from River Street

Bonaventure Cemetery

Our last stop was the Bonaventure Cemetery. It is fifteen minutes from Historic Savannah, but it’s worth the drive. This cemetery has been open since 1846, and it is not only the final resting place of Gracie Watson (the daughter of a popular hotel manager who was only six years old when she died), but it also has the graves of more than 500 Confederate soldiers and ashes of victims of the Holocaust.

Note: Do not forget to wear your mosquito repellent!

As you can see, Savannah it’s not impossible to manage during the summer. Give it a shot.

Bonaventure Cemetery

Special thanks to our friends Roselyn and Javier that joined us on our last minute adventure.

Don’t Forget to Pin & Share: Pin Photo Credit – Roselyn Gonzalez – Cathedral of St. John the Baptist at Night

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