3 days in Atlanta - enough time?

Question

Dear TripAdvisor Members,

I am a male in my 30s, and I am going on a bus trip to the US Civil Rights sites in Atlanta and then Alabama (Birmingham/Selma/Montgomery) from May 13-15. Seeing as how I have only been to Atlanta once when I was a child (and only to visit the World of Coca Cola on a road trip from Chicago to Orlando), I thought I would stay an extra few days.

I am thinking of flying into Atlanta on Sunday, May 12 and staying downtown for a night before the tour meets on Monday morning at 11:00 AM. The tour does visit Ebeneezer Baptist Church, Auburn Ave, and the King Center Neighborhood and Tomb, along with lunch at Ponce City Market.

The bus gets back into Hartsfield-Jackson Airport at 5:00 PM on Wednesday, and being a Chicago Cubs fan, I am planning on staying near Truist Park on Wednesday evening, dropping off my luggage, and catching the Braves-Cubs game at 7:00 PM. I would check out on Thursday morning, and stay at a downtown Atlanta hotel on Thursday and Friday evenings.

I would love to visit the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and the College Football Hall of Fame. I love local attractions along with trying local cuisine, all the way from street food to Michelin-star fine dining.

I plan on staying in Atlanta until Saturday, May 18, where I would fly to New Orleans.

Is this a realistic itinerary, and would you recommend spending more time in Atlanta? Any itinerary suggestions are appreciated!

Thank you,

Jason

Answer

Hi Jason,

Your itinerary for Atlanta from May 12–18 is ambitious but generally realistic, provided you plan your time efficiently and account for travel between sites. Here’s a detailed breakdown and some suggestions:

1. Arrival and Downtown Stay (Sunday, May 12)

Arriving on Sunday gives you a chance to settle in and enjoy a casual evening downtown. You could walk around Centennial Olympic Park, grab a bite at Ponce City Market (though it’s not far from downtown, it’s a nice evening spot), or check out local street food vendors.
This night is perfect for a low-key introduction to the city before your bus tour the next day.

2. Civil Rights Tour (Monday, May 13 – Wednesday, May 15)

Since your tour begins Monday at 11:00 AM and covers key sites (Ebenezer Baptist Church, Auburn Ave, King Center, lunch at Ponce City Market), you’ll get a solid historical overview.
The bus tour to Alabama is long (Birmingham, Selma, Montgomery) but well-structured. Expect to return to ATL around 5:00 PM Wednesday; this is a full day and will likely be tiring.

3. Braves Game & Truist Park (Wednesday Evening)

Dropping your luggage near Truist Park and attending the Braves-Cubs game at 7:00 PM is feasible, though you’ll want to have transportation pre-arranged to avoid traffic.
After the game, plan a comfortable stay nearby or back downtown depending on your preference.

4. Downtown Exploration (Thursday & Friday, May 16–17)

The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library is located in the northern part of Atlanta near Phipps Plaza. Allocate 2–3 hours to fully enjoy the exhibits.
The College Football Hall of Fame is conveniently downtown, near Centennial Olympic Park. A couple of hours will give you time to explore the museum and interactive exhibits.
Consider trying a mix of dining experiences: local BBQ, southern comfort food, and fine dining if you wish. Popular options include Mary Mac’s Tea Room, Staplehouse, or Bacchanalia (Michelin-level).
If time allows, a walk or bike ride on the Atlanta BeltLine is a great way to explore neighborhoods, public art, and food stops.

5. Suggestions for optimizing your itinerary:

Consider grouping attractions geographically to minimize travel time.
Reserve tickets ahead for Jimmy Carter Library and College Football Hall of Fame to avoid lines.
For local cuisine, try to schedule casual street food or food halls during lunch and save finer dining for dinner.
Leave some flexibility Thursday/Friday for neighborhoods like Inman Park, Virginia Highland, or Little Five Points if you enjoy walking and local vibes.

6. Overall Recommendation:

Three days are enough to cover your main Atlanta interests, especially with downtown as a base, but having Thursday through Saturday gives you comfortable padding to explore at a leisurely pace and fit in local cuisine.
If you want a deeper exploration of neighborhoods, arts, or hidden gems, you could extend your stay by an extra day, but your current schedule is manageable.

In summary, your itinerary is realistic for covering historical sites, key museums, a baseball game, and local food experiences. Just plan travel times, pre-book tickets where possible, and allow for rest after the long Alabama bus trip.