Sightsee in Atlanta During Layover?

Old Apr 1st, 2015, 10:09 AM
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Sightsee in Atlanta During Layover?

Our family (mom,dad, 2 kids--aged 9 and 12) will be flying from SJO Costa Rica through Atlanta on a Saturday. Our plane gets in at 1:30 and leaves for a domestic flight at 7. That should give us 3 hours of real free time if everything works.

Any suggestions for what we might be able to see in that time period? Is there a subway/train that goes from the airport to downtown? Maybe we could ride the trolley and hop on/off to see some stuff? I don't want to reserve anything or make it too complicated-we might be beat from vacation. But I want to have something planned out and in my back pocket in case we do have time and energy.

We like history sites and museums. TIA!
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Old Apr 1st, 2015, 11:53 AM
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Stanton...IMO your time line is tighter than tight. You're hoping everything is on time? IF you can get into downtown then the only thing you'll have time for is probably the Coca Cola Museum at the plant. We (adults) found it interesting. Kids will no doubt love it.

I'd be jumping nerves if I had to follow that schedule...honestly!
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Old Apr 1st, 2015, 12:03 PM
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Have you ever been through the Atlanta airport? It's a huge hub which often leads to delays (You know the saying...whether you go to heaven or hell, you have to transfer in Atlanta). I don't think your time is that tight but I also don't think it's enough time to have a relaxed excursion. I wouldn't be stressed about making the connection as it is of course, but I wouldn't want to try to cram in an activity outside the airport either.

Half an hour to de-plane and get to mode of transport, half hour to get to downtown, leaves from 2:30 until about 5 to do an activity. That's probably enough time but you have to assess your own tolerance for flight-missing-stress.

oops--I see you are on an international flight--so you have to add in time at customs/immigration when you arrive in Atlanta, which is completely unpredictable. It also means you will need to get your luggage and then re-check it before your get on your 7 PM flight. So I would say...not enough time.
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Old Apr 1st, 2015, 12:04 PM
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Stanton..this is a report fromthe World oCoca Cola web page..just to give you an idea:
Coca Cola World is an interesting place to kill a few hours with the kids and try all the cokes from around the world. Fun for the whole family.

youtu.be/GHvQ4U19tX



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There are not many "attractions" in Atlanta, so do not be surprised to encounter a lot of guests when you go to the World of Coca-Cola (or the Georgia Aquarium or Six Flags) during a busy tourist period!

The World of Coca-Cola is an interactive museum located in Centennial Park in downtown Atlanta. There are various surface lots and garages in the area where you can park. Don't forget to check out the park after you tour the museum. The Georgia Aquarium and the Atlanta Skywheel are also located here.

The museum itself is awesome! You begin with an introduction from a museum employee within a room packed with Coca-Cola memorabilia from around the world. You then enter the theater and watch a 5 minute film about happiness. I guarantee that you will leave the film feeling especially happy and excited to see what the rest of the museum has to offer!

Highlights of the museum to check out: get your picture with the Coca-Cola bear, the secret formula exhibit (includes the vault where the formula is held), the pop culture room, and the ever-popular tasting room.

The 4-D film is fun, but the chairs were especially rough when they moved around, so I would not suggest doing this if you are pregnant or have neck/back pain.

TIP: If you have a family member or friend in Atlanta who works for Coca-Cola, then recruit them to go with you - they get 1/2 off tickets (up to 4) for guests!
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Old Apr 1st, 2015, 12:04 PM
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"...if everything works"

"I'd be jumping nerves if I had to follow that schedule...honestly!"

Me too.
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Old Apr 1st, 2015, 12:37 PM
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Well, the first question will be if you can re-check your bags for the domestic flight after you pick them up at customs/immigration (likely yes). Your best case scenario is to get out of ATL by 2:30, probably closer to 3.

It's 9 stops (20-25 minutes) from the Airport to Civic Center on either MARTA line that services Hartsfield. Civic Center is about 1/4 to 1/2 mile from the Coca-Cola museum. Then you can have the kids run back to the airport while you hop a train . . .

It's definitely doable if the passport line coming into ATL isn't bad. But I wouldn't hop on a train any later than 5:15, which means only a short trip for the funky cokes.
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Old Apr 1st, 2015, 12:38 PM
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Oh crud, arriving on a Saturday means fewer trains running. Check MARTA's site for schedules.
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Old Apr 1st, 2015, 01:35 PM
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You'll be lucky to make your flight!! LOL Sort of just kidding, but believe me, I don't think you could exit the airport in that time frame.
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Old Apr 1st, 2015, 02:39 PM
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Have you flown through Atlanta before? It really is humongous. I'd buy lounge passes for the day (if you don't already have membership/access) and relax/eat.
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Old Apr 1st, 2015, 07:36 PM
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Crud--I was afraid that would be the answer. I have flown through Atlanta many times--domestic connections and have always done fine. This layover will be plenty of time to make our connection but not enough time to do anything fun. AKA bored children and frustrated parents. oh joy. and goodness knows--they love having kids in the Delta lounge (insert eye roll here)

Thank goodness for electronics
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Old Apr 1st, 2015, 08:19 PM
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I remember standing jn the plane , waiting for the door to open and catching the eye of another frequent flyer. It was obvious we both were exhausted. He said "You know , something is wrong when it takes longer to deplane and get out of the airport than it just did to fly from Orlando".

There's a great fine dining restaurant on E if you want to give it a go.
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