Sights & Attractions in Atlanta

Atlanta's lack of a grid system confuses many drivers, even locals. Some streets change their names along the same stretch of road, including the city's most famous thoroughfare, Peachtree Street, which follows a mountain ridge from Downtown to suburban Norcross, outside Interstate 285: it becomes Peachtree Road after crossing Interstate 85 and then splits into Peachtree Industrial Boulevard beyond the Buckhead neighborhood and the original Peachtree Road, which heads into Chamblee. Adding to the confusion, dozens of other streets in the metropolitan area use "Peachtree" in their names. Before setting out anywhere, get the complete street address of your destination, including landmarks, cross streets, or other guideposts, as street numbers and even street signs are often difficult to find.

Atlanta proper has three major areas—Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead—as well as many smaller commercial districts and in-town neighborhoods. Atlanta's Downtown is filled with government staffers and office workers by day, but at night the visiting conventioneers—and, as city improvements take hold, residents—come out to play. Midtown, Virginia-Highland, Buckhead, and Little Five Points are the best places to go for dinner, nightclubs, and shows. Other neighborhoods like East Atlanta, Grant Park, and Kirkwood have unique characteristics that merit exploration.

The city's public transportation system, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), operates bus and rail networks in Atlanta and Fulton and DeKalb counties. The two major rail lines, which run east-west and north-south (there's a northern spur, so consult a map before you jump on board), extend roughly to the edges of Interstate 285. MARTA is best for traveling to and from the airport and within Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead; if you plan to venture beyond those regions, call a taxi or rent a car.