Atlanta, Georgia

• Atlanta is the capital of Georgia and the biggest city in the Southeast. It is spread out and heavily wooded, with no single dense core. Instead there are several in-town neighborhoods, including Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, Virginia-Highland and Buckhead, each with a walkable pocket of cafes, restaurants and parks. Most visitors spend their time in these. Downtown has the big attractions, such as the Georgia Aquarium, Centennial Olympic Park and the World of Coca-Cola, and the streets around them are busy and patrolled.
• People are friendly in a casual way. Strangers chat in lines, servers are talkative, and eating alone at a bar counter or a cafe table is ordinary. English is the everyday language. The city has a large Black cultural heritage, a strong food scene, a visible LGBTQ+ community and a big university and creative crowd.
• Atlanta is built around cars, so distances are bigger than they look on a map. Most of the city's crime is concentrated in areas away from the visitor districts, but car break-ins, phone snatching and late-night incidents near nightlife venues do happen. After dark, stay on lit, populated streets and take a rideshare for anything longer than a short walk.
• MARTA rail is useful for the airport, Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead and Decatur, but stations can be quiet and some are rough late at night. A common approach is MARTA by day and Uber or Lyft in the evening.

English is the main language, and 911 call-takers can reach interpreters for other languages. Spanish is widely spoken across the metro area. In tourist areas, English speakers will have no trouble with signs or staff.

• Tip 18-20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and $1-2 per drink at a bar. Servers rely on tips for their income, and service is rarely included in the bill.
• Strangers are chatty. A greeting like 'hey, how are you?' is small talk, not an invitation, and it is fine to answer briefly and move on. Locals tend to be direct about saying no.
• Many streets are named Peachtree, including Peachtree Street, Peachtree Road and West Peachtree Street, and they are different roads. Check the full name and the part of town before booking a ride or hotel.
• Dress is casual and varies by neighborhood. Buckhead and upscale Midtown restaurants lean smart, while Little Five Points and the BeltLine are very relaxed. In summer, carry a light layer because indoor air conditioning is strong.
• Open carry and permit-based carry of firearms are legal in Georgia, though you are unlikely to see them in tourist areas. Alcohol sales are limited on Sundays in some areas, and bars generally close by about 2:30 am.

The first hour after landing is when you're tired, carrying everything, and easiest to take advantage of. Three things to sort before you fly:

• Your ride from the airport. A driver who meets you in arrivals, at a price fixed before you fly — no haggling at the taxi rank.

  Book an airport pickup

• Data the moment you land. Maps, ride apps and a way to call for help as soon as you switch your phone on. An eSIM installs at home.

  Get a good eSIM

• The emergency number. Police, Fire, Ambulance: 911. Save it in your phone, not just on this page.

  All emergency contacts

• Uber and Lyft are the easiest and safest way to get around in the evening. Check the plate and driver name before getting in, and wait inside a venue rather than on the curb. Atlanta is spread out, so even short hops between neighborhoods can be too far to walk comfortably.
• MARTA rail runs from Hartsfield-Jackson Airport to Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead and Decatur in under 30 minutes, which makes it the best airport transfer. Buy a reloadable Breeze card at a station machine. When the train is quiet, ride in the car near the operator, keep headphones out of one ear, and avoid waiting alone on empty platforms late at night.
• The Atlanta Streetcar loops around Downtown. The BeltLine Eastside Trail is a busy walking and cycling route linking Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park and Piedmont Park, and it is fine by day. Electric scooters are common, but sidewalks and crossings can be poor, and drivers are not always careful with pedestrians.
• If you rent a car, never leave bags or electronics visible inside it. Car break-ins are one of the most common crimes affecting visitors, especially in parking decks and street spaces in Downtown, Midtown and Buckhead.
• If you're planning day trips outside the city, consider renting a car.

Explore Atlanta with local guides and curated experiences.