Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport is one of those airports you wouldn‘t mind being stuck in. It’s huge and offers something to do for everyone. Hartsfield-Jackson is the primary hub for Delta Airlines, offering connectivity to airports across North America, South America, Central America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Don’t worry if you find yourself at Atlanta Airport with hours to kill! There are loads of things to do at the airport and in the surrounding areas. Whether you’ve got just a couple of hours or an entire day, here are 7 things you can do on your Atlanta Airport layover.
Fill Your Belly
Atlanta Airport’s food and dining options are a far cry from the usual underwhelming, overpriced fare that airports are notorious for. The upscale One Flew South has consistently ranked among the world’s best airport restaurants. Enjoy their salmon hotpot or miso BBQ ribeye. Ecco offers the ideal ambiance for unwinding, along with some pretty awesome pizzas, pasta, and cheese boards. For some of the best-tasting burgers in Atlanta, head over to Bobby’s Burger Palace, owned by celeb chef Bobby Flay.
More celeb food? Rapper Ludacris owns the Chicken + Beer restaurant in ATL that dishes out chicken (no surprise!), batter-fried catfish, sandwiches, and waffles. The Atlanta Chophouse offers some mean steaks and delicious Reuben sandwiches. Popeyes will serve you some fantastic fried chicken. Krispy Kreme, Wolfgang Puck Express, Shake Shack, and LottaFrutta are some of the airport regulars you’ll find here. So, make the best of your Atlanta layover by digging into some great food.
Enjoy the ‘Beer’ Necessities of Life
There are plenty of places you can get a pint and more to quench your thirst during your Atlanta Airport layover. Last Cast Bar & Grill has some awesome beer and food pairings. Three Taverns Craft Beers offers Belgian-style brews. TAP has craft beers and cocktails along with upscale pub food. The Atlanta Braves All-Star Grill also has beer and pub food that you can enjoy while cheering on the Braves. The Atlanta Stillhouse is a Jim Beam-sponsored bourbon bar. Sweetwater Drafthouse & Bar serves craft beer from one of Georgia’s most famous craft breweries. If it’s fancy cocktails you’re looking for, head over to the 40/40 Bar. El Taco can help take your pre-flight edge off with margaritas, as can the Dos Equis Explorers Lounge with tequila.
Shop till You Drop
Shopping is a great way to pass the time during an Atlanta Airport layover. There are plenty of options – from luxury brands to last-minute gifts. You’ll find an eclectic mix of international brands and locally owned shops at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport. For high-end shopping, check out Ermenegildo Zegna, Michael Kors, Tommy Hilfiger, Bvlgari, Ferragamo, Swarovski, Brooks Brothers, and Montblanc. P. Diddy’s contemporary menswear brand, Sean John, has an outlet here, as does Lather’s eco-friendly beauty store. More beauty products are available at Lancôme Beauty Lounge, L’Occitane, The Body Shop, and Kiehl’s. You also have all the usual airport electronics and bookstores, including InMotion, iTravel, SimplyBooks, and Duty-Free Americas. Panda Veranda and All ATL are ideal for last-minute gift and souvenir purchases.
Get a Dose of Culture
There’s plenty of art and culture to be appreciated at Atlanta Airport. The Atlanta airport displays 250 permanent artworks, including 20 sculptures brought in all the way from Zimbabwe. You can also enjoy music by local musicians at the Atrium.
Surf the Web
Wi-Fi is free and unlimited here, making your Atlanta Airport layover the perfect time to catch up on your work emails or social media streams.
Relax and unwind
There’s nothing quite like a gentle shoulder massage to help relax your muscles. Head straight to one of the two XpresSpas. Treat yourself to a relaxing pedicure, soothing shoulder massage, or any other relaxation treatment.
Settle down for a snooze
Getting a little shut-eye during your Atlanta Airport layover is a great idea, especially if you’re someone who finds it difficult to sleep on an airplane. Minute Suites offer daybeds, desks, and showers – perfect for some quiet time! Some lounges at Atlanta Airport allow you to use their facilities for a fee. These lounges are ideal spots to nap in before boarding your flight.
How to get around Atlanta Airport
Atlanta Airport has its own train station and is connected to MARTA, the city’s rapid transit system, making it easy to get to downtown Atlanta. A SkyTrain runs between the rental car center, the domestic terminal, and the Georgia International Convention Center. If you’re staying within the airport premises, there’s an automated people mover, the Plane Train, that transports passengers between the various terminals and the airside concourses.
Things to do near Atlanta Airport
If your Atlanta layover is long enough, you can spend a few hours exploring the city. Atlanta has plenty to offer sightseers. If you’re going to downtown Atlanta, the Center for Civil and Human Rights, Centennial Olympic Park, the Georgia Aquarium, and the World of Coca-Cola should be on your itinerary. You could also take a ride on the Skyview Atlanta Ferris wheel to get panoramic views of downtown Atlanta. Midtown Atlanta includes the Atlanta Botanical Garden, the High Museum of Art, Margaret Mitchell House, and Woodruff Arts Center. While in Atlanta, be sure to visit the King Center and MLK National Historic Site.
Note: Before you venture out during your layover at Atlanta Airport, make sure you are permitted to do so.
Fanny Dorris is an author with four years of experience in travel and automotive topics. She provides readers with clear guidance on airport navigation, travel planning, and vehicle ownership.
