This vibrant city is a melting pot of culture, history, and innovation, offering something for every traveler. Whether you’re a foodie, history buff, outdoor enthusiast, or simply seeking an unforgettable experience, Atlanta has it all. And if you need an extra incentive to visit, look no further than METALCON 2024, the premier event for the metal construction industry, scheduled to meet in Atlanta, October 30 – November 1. Here’s why you should pack your bags and head to the heart of the South.
The City of Neighborhoods – An Overview of Atlanta
Whether you arrive in Atlanta by plane or a road trip, Atlanta’s neighborhoods are the best way to experience the city. Many are walkable and accessible with public transit. Atlanta’s vibrant neighborhoods deliver electric experiences and legendary adventures intertwined with dynamic Southern culture. From funky “Little Five Points,” to the artsy and cool “Midtown,” historic “Downtown” to the sophisticated “Buckhead,” the new Atlanta BeltLine connects several intown neighborhoods along the Eastside and Westside trails.
Watch an overview of these neighborhoods here.
Why Should You Visit Atlanta?
Everyone is buzzing about Atlanta, including travel experts Lonely Planet and National Geographic, having selected the city in their 2022 “places to visit” lists. From it’s inclusivity to its parks, rich history, and accessibility, here are just a few reasons why you should visit Atlanta.
Friendly, welcoming, and diverse
In Atlanta, “y’all” means ALL!
Known as the “City in the Forest”
From biking to hiking, you are never too far from exploring the “greener” side of Atlanta. Get to know the city by exploring iconic parks like Piedmont Park in Midtown or the newest and largest, Westside Park, which offers nearly 280 acres of land surrounding the Bellwood Quarry Reservoir.
Rich progressive history
Home to two Nobel Peace Prize recipients, Martin Luther King Jr. and President Jimmy Carter, while also representing the heart of the civil rights movement. Civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and John Lewis paved the way in Atlanta, and it is here where you can visit the places where history was made then and is still being made today.
Accessibility
Atlanta has long been heralded as the Hub of the Southeast, not only easily accessible for flights, but also for drivers. Known as one of the most accessible cities in the world being home to the world’s most traveled and most efficient airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The airport is two hours from more than 80 percent of the US population and provides direct, non-stop access from more than 150 U.S. cities and 75 international destinations from six continents. Once you land in Atlanta, you’re less than 20 minutes from the heart of the city and everything Atlanta has to offer, with easy public transportation on MARTA or taxis, limos and shuttles.
10 Best Things To Do in Atlanta
Atlanta Botanical Garden
Experience this lush, urban oasis in the heart of the city. Enjoy walking through the Orchid Display House or across the Canopy Walk, a 600-foot suspension bridge.
Atlanta History Center
Watch the past come to life at the Atlanta History Center as you tour the acres of gardens or take a run on the basketball hardwood from the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games. Home to the largest collection of Civil War memorabilia in the Southeast, the center guides you through Atlanta’s fall and rise as an International City.
Centennial Olympic Park
Centennial Olympic Park, housed in the center of Atlanta’s downtown convention and entertainment district, serves as Atlanta’s legacy from the 1996 Olympic Games.
Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame
Find your team on the Helmet Wall, punt a football to score a field goal, and view sports history from the 52-foot touch screen wall at Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame. The Hall honors its inductees while engaging fans through celebration of their favorite teams and love for the game.
Georgia Aquarium
Ranked as the #2 best and largest aquarium in the world, you won’t want to miss this amazing attraction. Escape into an underwater paradise where you can see the world’s largest fish, whale sharks, as well as belugas, dolphin, otters and more. Take a behind the scenes tour or indulge in one of the animal encounters where you can swim with the whale sharks, pet a beluga or get up close with a penguin.
High Museum of Art
Mingle with the masters at the foremost art museum in the Southeast. The High, located in the middle of Midtown Atlanta’s Arts District, features several permanent collections as well as high-profile traveling exhibits.
MLK Jr. National Historical Park
Take a journey through Martin Luther King Jr.’s storied life as the leader of the Civil Rights Movement. Start with a guided tour of his birth home, then make a stop in the original Ebenezer Baptist Church and the theater where visitors can view Civil Rights films.
Stone Mountain Park
There is a reason Stone Mountain Park is the most-visited attraction in the state of Georgia! Go hiking, biking or jogging, take in 18 holes of golf, complete the ropes course, catch a movie projected onto the mountain and enjoy the spectacular nightly laser show.
World of Coca-Cola
Take a peek into the world’s most iconic brand at the World of Coca-Cola Museum, located next to the Georgia Aquarium in Centennial Olympic Park. View tons of Coca-Cola memorabilia and visit the tasting room, where guests travel the globe by sipping more than 60 varieties of Coca-Cola from around the world.
Zoo Atlanta
Lions, tigers and bears! Oh my! But if you’re at Zoo Atlanta, you also get a chance to see twin giant pandas, elephants and maybe even a kangaroo! Animal lovers of all ages unite to explore the habitats of more than 1,000 animals.
Register for METALCON 2024 in Atlanta
Atlanta beckons with its blend of history, culture, cuisine, and outdoor adventures, making it the perfect destination for METALCON 2024. There’s never been a better time to visit this great city. Whether you’re passionate about metal construction or simply seeking new experiences and opportunities, Atlanta and METALCON offer an unbeatable combination. So pack your bags, prepare for adventure, and get ready to explore all that Atlanta has to offer. We can’t wait to see you.
If you aren’t convinced, click here to hear from past METALCON attendees to learn why you should attend METALCON 2024.
