I confess, I’ve never been to Atlanta, Georgia, properly. I’ve only been to its Airport, the William B. Hartsfield International, better known as ATL. For many travelers, this is a pretty big place, with several terminals, mandating a rail train to connect them all. I approve of flying — it’s fast, efficient, and still one of the safest ways to travel — but why hasn’t anyone yet found a solution to the problem of what to do during layover time? Of course, what you do during this time depends on how much delay or layover there is between flights. If it’s an hour, you may only have time to seek out the things you can do in an airport. If it’s a few hours, you might actually be able to find your way into Atlanta itself and see some real sights that the city has to offer. If you’re flight’s delayed indefinitely, you may find yourself looking for hotels in Atlanta, preferably luxury ones, providing you with a great deal of time to explore this great city of the South.
Unless you have more than three hours, don’t leave ATL. The stress that worrying about your next flight will bring isn’t worth it. Fortunately, the airport itself has attractions and things to do. You’ll find all the shops and restaurants available to you from six in the morning to about nine at night. However after nine, the airport shops begin to shut down, and after eleven there’s nothing really open on the concourses (especially C and D). However, if you want to go outside security, you’ll find three places open twenty-four hours! Dominos Pizza (with their new improved taste), Wendy’s and the Atlanta Bread Company.
If you have over three hours, consider taking a trip into town, either by renting a car or by taking the subway system. Give yourself plenty of time to get back, though. You can store in any bags you have at Wrap-a-Bag in the North and South Terminals. As you leave, also plan to go through security on the way back. Make sure you’ve accounted for all of that before heading off into the city. You’ll need at least an hour and a half once you return to get through security and return to your gate.
Of course, if you find yourself staying overnight, then there’s plenty of options that open up before you. The World of Coca-Cola Museum, the Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta Underground, Margaret Mitchell’s house (the author of Gone with the Wind), even a tour of CNN headquarters. If you’re staying overnight unexpectedly, you’ll want to see at least one of the places, just to relax!
