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7 Best things to do near Atlanta Airport: Nearby attractions and activities
Explore the best things to do near Atlanta Airport during your layover, from visiting the Delta Flight Museum to enjoying a stroll in Piedmont Park.
Most people sigh in contempt after hearing of a layover between flights. From overpaying for food and running down your phone battery in a noisy airport, it can get exhausting. But there is another way to run down the clock!
If you have an upcoming layover at Atlanta Airport (one of the busiest airports in the US), you can keep yourself entertained by exploring the city. Luckily, you’ll find conveniently situated attractions near the airport, making it easy to explore without straying too far.
From historic landmarks like the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park to Downtown Atlanta’s famous Fox Theatre, there are many things to do near Atlanta Airport. In this guide, we’ll narrow it down to seven unmissable places near Atlanta Airport, ensuring you make the most of your time in this dynamic city!
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1. Explore the Delta Flight Museum
- Distance from ATL Airport: 10-15 minute car ride, but you can also take a cheaper 50-minute subway or bus from the Airport Station. While it is a longer journey, you won’t have to worry about rush hour or traffic if you take the subway.
- Cost: Ticket prices range from $10-15 (children under five can enter for free!)
- Opening hours: Open Thursday to Tuesday from 10 AM to 4 PM
One of the most exciting things near Atlanta Airport is visiting the Delta Flight Museum. Conveniently located at Delta’s Atlanta headquarters near the airport’s international terminal, this museum offers a glimpse into Delta Airlines’ rich history.
You can also explore vintage aircraft like the 1928 Northwest Airways Waco 125 biplane, special interactive exhibits, and even try out their full-motion flight simulator! If you’re interested in a pilot career, try a training session in the only full-motion simulator in the USA for a hefty $425 fee. For an even better experience at the museum, download the “Delta Flight Museum AR” app onto your phone. Ensure you can access such apps and book tickets in advance using the best eSIMs in the USA.
2. Visit the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park
- Distance from ATL Airport: 15-20 minute car ride or a cheaper 40-minute subway ride (from the Airport Station), including a 10-minute walk
- Cost: Entry is free!
- Opening hours: Open 9 AM to 5 PM daily
Just two blocks away from where the last scene of “Black Panther” was filmed, the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park is easily one of the best free things to do near the Atlanta Airport.
Walk in the footsteps of the world’s greatest civil rights movement leaders and discover the Ebenezer Baptist Church, where King was once a pastor. Next door, you’ll find the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change with multiple exhibits and the tombs of King and his wife, Coretta Scott King. For those interested, a 30-minute guided tour of King’s birth home is also available. Overall, it’s a great learning experience and one of the worthwhile attractions near Atlanta Airport.
Pro tip: Remember to pack comfortable shoes since the entire complex spans several city blocks.
3. Tour the Centennial Olympic Park
- Distance from ATL Airport: 15-20 minute car ride or a 30-minute subway ride from the Airport Station
- Cost: Entry is free!
- Opening hours: 7 AM to 10 PM daily
Located in downtown Atlanta and across the street from the College Football Hall of Fame, Centennial Olympic Park is a great option for those wondering what to do near Atlanta Airport. Originally built for the 1996 Olympic Games, this park is now one of the most visited areas in Atlanta and is a comfortable distance from the airport as well. Centennial Park is also near other must-see sights in Atlanta, such as the SkyView Atlanta Ferris Wheel and the World of Coca-Cola, making it worthwhile to visit near Atlanta Airport.
The park also hosts special events like the Magic Theater every year. One of the park’s best elements is the Fountain of Rings, which comprises 251 water jets. You can watch the four daily water shows with jets shooting up to the beats of various songs, making it a great place to visit with kids especially.
4. Take a quick trip to the Piedmont Park
- Distance from ATL Airport: 15-20 minute ride or a 40-minute subway ride from the Airport Station
- Cost: No entry fee
- Opening hours: 6 AM–11 PM daily
Piedmont Park is one of the top destinations in Atlanta. Spanning over 200 acres, it is close to the Atlanta Botanical Garden in Midtown and is the perfect place to spend an afternoon, especially after a long-haul flight. It is also one of the best free things to do near Atlanta Airport.
There’s no shortage of activities here. From walking and jogging paths to dog parks and playgrounds, tennis courts with rentable tennis rackets, and a public swimming pool, it’s known as one of Atlanta’s best parks. If you’ve got a layover at Atlanta Airport, head out to this scenic location, which also hosts a variety of Atlanta’s top events, such as the Atlanta Ice Cream Festival and Music Midtown.
5. Visit the Porsche Experience Center
- Distance from the ATL Airport: 26-minute subway ride from the Airport Station or a 10-15 minute ride in a car
- Cost: Prices vary according to experience
- Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 9 AM to 6 PM
A shrine to all things Porsche, the Porsche Experience Center is a must-see for motorheads. Get in on the action and choose from a fleet of the latest Porsche models to race on world-renowned tracks. If you want a more authentic racecar experience, let the professionals take the wheel to show you how much the vehicle can do.
Tour the Heritage Gallery, which showcases historical Porsche vehicles, and fine-dine in the indoor Restaurant 356. Since the PEC sits next to the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, it’s one of the best things to do in Atlanta near the airport.
Stay connected on your trip to the Porsche Experience Center and share unforgettable moments with your loved ones (that may or may not spark jealousy). Buy an eSIM for your travels to ensure reliable internet.
6. Explore the exciting Georgia Aquarium
- Distance from ATL Airport: 10-15 minute car ride or a 30-minute subway ride from the Airport Station
- Cost: Tickets range from $40-$70 (book your ticket in advance to save more!
- Opening hours: Generally open from 9 AM to 9 PM (timings may vary according to the day)
Known as one of the world’s largest aquariums, the Georgia Aquarium is home to a multitude of marine life featured in eight different galleries. If you’ve got kids and want something enriching to do on a long layover, this is as good as it gets for places near Atlanta Airport. From freshwater animals in the “Southern Company River Scout” gallery to the gigantic whale shark tank in the “Ocean Voyager” gallery, it’s a crown jewel among aquariums worldwide.
One of its newest exhibits is particularly exciting. The “Sharks! Predators of the Deep” gallery features various shark species, including tiger sharks and hammerheads, in a massive 20-foot tank with over 1 million gallons of water.
7. Discover Atlanta’s Fox Theatre
- Distance from the ATL Airport: 15-20 minute car ride or a 25-minute subway ride from the Airport Station
- Cost: Ticket prices vary by performance and seat. Tour prices range from $15-25
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 10 AM to 6 PM
One of the city’s most iconic landmarks is only a 15-20-minute car ride from Atlanta Airport. Visit The Fox Theatre, inspired by the Karnak Temple Complex in Egypt and the Alhambra in Spain. If you’re looking for things to do around Atlanta Airport, visit this beautiful building. The best part is that you don’t need tickets to a show to explore its intricate interior.
You can choose to go on a tour, learn more about the building’s architectural details, and explore more than 10 locations within. It’s safe to say the biggest attraction inside is Mighty Mo, one of the world’s largest theater organs. If you’d like to experience a world-famous performance, you’ll have to book tickets in advance. But the Fox Theatre’s bright interiors still make it worth your time.
Tips for exploring near Atlanta Airport
If you’ve got time to spend before your next flight — a few hours or even half a day — it’s clear there are plenty of things to do around Atlanta Airport to make the most of your time.
Whether you’re looking for things to do in Atlanta Airport or exploring the city, planning ahead can definitely enhance your experience.
Knowing what to do around Atlanta airport depends on some key factors. The helpful travel tips below will help you easily navigate and ensure smooth and enjoyable travels.
Double-check your layover timings
Before venturing out of the airport, double-check how long your layover is and plan accordingly. You can comfortably do many things near Atlanta Airport within a 3-5 hour layover.
Plan your transportation
Getting a taxi to the locations mentioned above is the most efficient and time-saving way of exploring. However, do allow extra time for traffic when returning to the airport.
Airport Station MARTA train is also an excellent and fast way of reaching Downtown Atlanta in around 20 minutes.
Wear comfortable clothes
Atlanta’s weather can be quite unpredictable, so make sure to pack comfortable clothes for your excursions in the city.
Stay connected throughout
A reliable internet connection is crucial for navigation, booking taxis and rides, and checking flight updates. You can use Atlanta Airport WiFi while in the airport, but it might be too slow to stream films, call your family and friends, or even check updates.
On the other hand, Holafly’s USA eSIM helps you stay connected in and outside the airport as soon as you land. With unlimited data, a fixed, affordable price, and no lengthy registration processes, you’ll be able to make the most of your layover and enjoy Atlanta stress-free!
Additionally, Holafly offers reliable internet and eSIMs for over 200 destinations if you’re traveling internationally.
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Born and raised in Queens, New York, I'm a Psychology graduate with a passion for writing that I've been nurturing since 2019. Over the years, I've enjoyed creating meaningful content across various niches, including sports, hospitality, and career development. At Holafly, I focus on crafting useful and inspiring pieces to make your adventures more effortless. One of the best perks of this role? Creating travel content always seems to inspire my next vacation destination!
