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a local ACT LIKE
Avoid the “confused tourist” look with our handy-dandy guide to navigating the A Getting Around Town
Atlanta is infamous for its transportation. To truly be an Atlantan, you need to learn the art of defensive driving, as Atlanta’s drivers are some of the worst in the country. When it comes to driving around the city, you will need to be comfortable with driving the highway. While you can drive back roads pretty much anywhere within the perimeter (aka I-285, which loops around the city), chances are it’ll take much longer, and — unless there’s a crash on the highway — the traffic probably won’t be much better. So, if you’re driving, be ready to brave the crowded Atlanta highways: the major ones you’re bound to encounter are I-20, which runs east to west; I-75, which runs northwest to southeast; and I-85, which runs northeast to southwest. Be mindful when it comes to parking. Our city’s parking enforcement is known for vigilance, especially in Midtown, so you will be ticketed, booted, or even towed. If you’re in a paid lot with Park Mobile signs, make sure you pay through the app.
Unfortunately, thanks to a lack of long-term, historic infrastructure (shoutout Sherman’s march to the sea!), Atlanta’s public transportation system isn’t comparable to other major American cities like Chicago or New York. MARTA (ItsMarta.com), our train and bus system, is a convenient way to get some places around town, but it won’t take you everywhere. We suggest opting for MARTA to get to Piedmont Park (especially if you’re going to a festival like Music Midtown), the Fox Theatre, the Woodruff Arts Center (home to the High Museum, Alliance Theatre, and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra), downtown Atlanta, downtown Decatur, or the airport. The bus system will take you further outside the bounds of the subway, but it can be confusing and tedious even for locals. If you’re staying in the downtown area, the Atlanta Streetcar (ItsMarta.com/streetcar.aspx) is a prime mode of transportation for you. It connects the Centennial Olympic Park area to the Martin Luther King Jr. National
14 DESTINATION TRAVEL GUIDE
Historic Site. Cars run about every 15 minutes and there are 12 stops along this 2.7-mile route. This lack of infrastructure, which results in an almost complete lack of grid system in the city, plus our hilly geography, means that Atlanta isn’t very walkable. However, the Atlanta BeltLine (BeltLine.org) is working to change that. The massive project is comprised of a 22-mile route around the city along abandoned railroad tracks and 33 miles of multi-use trails for the ultimate outdoor experience. The BeltLine links you to Piedmont Park, Ponce City Market, Krog Street Market and dozens of other green spaces. Other walkable pockets that provide a charming afternoon of shopping and dining include the tourist area around Centennial Olympic Park (including the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights), Atlantic Station, Decatur, East Atlanta Village, Little Five Points, Virginia-Highland, the Midtown epicenter of 10th and Piedmont, and more! You can learn more about each of Atlanta’s distinct neighborhoods later in this guide. If you’re looking to just take a walk without a destination, Atlanta has several expansive parks that offer a more relaxing, nature-filled experience than the bustling BeltLine. Some of our favorites include Westside Park, Piedmont Park, Freedom Park, and the Decatur Cemetery.
Make a Plan
When it comes to braving a day out in Atlanta, there are several things to consider before making your plan. Atlanta is known for its hot hot HOT summers. So, if you’re going somewhere outdoors anytime from May to even as late as October, dress accordingly. Luckily, Atlanta is a city in a forest — 48 percent of land within the city limits is covered by tree canopy — which means chances are there will be some shade to find relief from the brutal Atlanta heat. Our beautiful – if not scorching – Southern weather attracts
