Planning A Trip To Atlanta | The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta

Planning Your Trip

Just as Atlanta is home to an exciting diversity of activities, so too does it welcome a range of attire. Whether you arrive for a high-powered meeting, to indulge in the latest Southern cuisine or to explore the wealth of attractions just steps away from this five-star hotel, here is what should be in your suitcase.

What to Pack

Make sure to see what musicians are in town. Atlanta’s Fox Theatre is a stop on almost every major music act’s schedule, while the lower-key City Winery brings in legendary performers who want a more intimate setting for their solo performances.

Business Travel

Southern hospitality is Atlanta’s specialty, and you can return that graciousness by packing clothes that adhere to the city’s unofficial corporate dress code.
Though a stylish fit is always preferred, Atlanta embraces color and pattern. Bring on your gingham button-downs, square-checked suits and bright pocket squares.
Linen is a classic in the South, so feel free to pack classic khaki linen suits and shirts. Keeping cool is a top priority, and you will not be judged for creases.
Accessorize with a pair of neutral pumps and understated jewelry. Men can add a pair of nice cuff links for an extra sharp look.

Exploring the City

Atlanta recently debuted a new streetcar, a climate-controlled electric car whose 2.7-mile loop stops at some of downtown Atlanta’s biggest attractions. Be prepared with this quick packing list.
A comfortable pair of flat shoes will help you navigate the city in style and safety. Some of the local museums suggest closed-toed shoes, so best to pack accordingly.
In late winter and early spring, temperatures can dip at night, so pack a light winter coat that can keep you insulated if cold weather comes into play.
Bring your running or walking shoes because no visitor should miss the Atlanta Beltline, an urban reconstruction project that transformed 22 miles of abandoned railroad lines into trails and parks.

Weekend Getaway

Home to more sports stadiums than nearly any other town in the South and a plethora of beautiful parks, Atlanta welcomes you to explore its great outdoors. Tackle the weekend in style with these essential items.
Pack your baseball cap for a day at Truist Park, home of the beloved Atlanta Braves. The ballpark opened in 2017 with exciting dining outlets including Gu’s Dumplings and Fox Bros Bar-B-Q.
A stylish brunch is a must in the South. Men should pack pastel shirts and bright shorts; women might wear a bright dress or chic jumpsuit.
If you plan to spend a night out in fashionable Buckhead, bring your sharpest nighttime ensembles. Some clubs do not allow T-shirts, sneakers or shorts.

Whale shark swimming with fish in a tank

What to Reserve

With so much to see and do in Atlanta, a little planning goes a long way. Here’s what you should book ahead, from meals that define your romantic getaway to day trips that take you out of the city and into unforgettable experiences.

Dining Reservations

Southern cuisine is now a global culinary phenomenon, but nowhere is it done better than in the place where it started. The recently reimagined AG Modern Bar and Steakhouse inside The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta executes pitch-perfect Southern classics, such as braised pork belly and fried green tomatoes, stocked full of local ingredients. For a true local’s brunch, head to Murphy’s in the Virginia Highland neighborhood.

Day Trips

Head north on Interstate 85 for two hours to land in the scenic town of Greenville, South Carolina. With more than 600 restaurants (despite having only 60,000 residents) the town is a launch pad for Southern culinary stars. Make sure to stop at Passerelle Bistro, a local favorite known for its roasted trout and bistro burger. Another Southeast gem, the town of Athens is an alternative music mecca (R.E.M. and the Indigo Girls started out here) in addition to having the University of Georgia’s main campus. Whether you’re a fan of college football or independent music, the 1.5-hour drive south is worth it.

Museum Tickets & Cultural Sights

The High Museum of Art is the leading art museum in the Southeast. The spacious galleries and beautiful architecture are a tribute to the 103 prominent Atlanta residents who died in an Air France crash in 1962 as they returned from visiting museums in Paris. The Louvre donated the Rodin sculpture called “The Shade” at the museum’s entrance. And Atlanta offers a wealth of attractions for all the senses. The World of Coca-Cola is a museum for the taste buds — see how the brand developed its secret recipe, and taste 60 versions of Coca-Cola from around the world. To offset your sugar buzz, head to the Atlanta Botanical Garden to walk through 30 acres of groomed greenery and see dozens of permanent sculptures.

Nightlife

Inman Park and Old 4th Ward are the newest neighborhoods to be seen in. Start your night at The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta, where Lumen Lobby Bar has a lively happy hour. Your next move is to taste the flavors of Cajun-meets Vietnamese at Bon Ton with craft cocktails and boiled seafood. Enjoy the house style classic cocktails before setting out for Nine Mile Station, where you can enjoy the city skyline from Buckhead to downtwon along with local craft beers from Burnt Hickory Brewery.

Itineraries

It’s not hard to find inspiration for your visit to Atlanta, but it helps to organize activities in a way that maximizes the fun and minimizes the logistics. Here, we jumpstart the process for you with two options: One for a 24-hour, whirlwind tour; and another for a weekend getaway that hits all the highlights.

24 Hours

Home to America’s busiest airport, Atlanta has always been a popular stop for a long layover. But more travelers are dedicating an overnight stay to truly experience the city’s culture and diverse culinary scene. Buford Highway challenges Atlanta’s former Southern fried stereotype. And the new BeltLine Trail is dotted with projects from some of Atlanta’s most talented artisans and chefs. Art lovers can spend an entire day museum-hopping, while theater fans can find award-winning Broadway shows at Fox Theatre.

The bar at Lumen, specializing in handcrafted cocktails

Day 1

Morning

Park It. Nature lovers should head to Piedmont Park, a 211-acre green space where locals jog around the meadow or reel in fish at Lake Clara Meer. Every April, the park serves as the backdrop for the Atlanta Dogwood Festival, an arts and crafts event that includes a 5K run and live music. If you’re in town in September, head to the Music Midtown Festival to see performers like Bruno Mars and Mumford & Sons.

Best Breakfast. Nestled in the vibrant Reynoldstown neighborhood, Home Grown serves home-cooked Southern goodness sourced from local farmers (hence the name). Start your day right with the Best French Toast Sandwich, with bacon, spinach and tomato between two pieces of battered, griddled bread.

Midday

Shopping Therapy. Explore the unique shops of Atlanta’s one-of-a-kind Westside. Literary lovers should stop at well-curated Cover Books. Crafted/Westside is a collective of mostly Atlanta-based artisans and designers. The shop has a great selection of kitchen and entertaining staples, including flour sacks and tea towels with adorable prints and conversation-starting coasters and glassware.

Afternoon

Star Chef Tasting Crawl. Ponce City Market, a mixed-use retail-food space from the developers behind Manhattan’s Chelsea Market, is like foodie nirvana with multiple outposts from James Beard Award-winning chefs under one roof, plus much more. Start with oysters at Anne Quatrano’s W.H. Stiles Fish Camp. Follow with fried catfish tacos from Sean Brock’s Minero. Then, split one of the insanely good burgers at H&F Burger by Linton Hopkins.

Third-Wave Coffee Fix. Head to the city’s Old Fourth Ward neighborhood for an afternoon pick-me-up. Chrome Yellow Trading Co. serves Stumptown Coffee in its front café. Once you’re caffeinated, check out the back space, which has a tightly curated selection of ceramics, indie magazines and small-batch brands like Ace & Jig.

Local Art Stars. Visit the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia to view more than 1,000 works by Georgia artists. Upcoming exhibits highlight works from Chip Simone, a founding member of the city’s photography community.

Evening

The Happiest Hour. Enjoy a preshow cocktail at Lumen Bar in the lobby of The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta. Drink like a local with a Smoky Manhattan, which pairs bourbon, vermouth and bitters with a smoky Scotch whisky for a uniquely Southern sip.

Broadway in the South. Catch an early show at Fox Theatre, a former movie palace-turned-performing arts venue in Midtown that lures big names including Aretha Franklin, Hillary Clinton, David Sedaris and Bon Iver.

Enjoy an Award-Winning Meal. In 2016, Bon Appétit named Staplehouse as America’s Best Restaurant. The restaurant in the city’s Fourth Ward was born from the Giving Kitchen, a nonprofit that helps restaurant workers facing unanticipated hardships. All the profits, after taxes and payroll, go to the charity. With a menu of grilled Isle Dauphine oysters with popcorn butter and chicken liver mousse with burnt honey gelée, it’s a delicious cause.

Perfect Weekend

Any visit to Atlanta revolves around shopping, culture and great food. Luckily, the city’s new outdoor spaces, like the BeltLine Trails, and multitude of museums make it easy to walk off your indulgences. Southern staples, like grits and fried chicken, will get balanced out with lighter fare, and you can mix history lessons (a visit to the birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr.) with of-the-moment art exhibitions and dance performances.

Day 1