We'll have this much time between flights prior to taking a 4:00 pm European flight. Our luggage will have already been checked through, so all we would need to do if we leave the airport is to go through security. Can we take MARTA and do anything interesting or at least find a nice place to have a leisurely lunch? We visited the MLK Jr. site a few years ago, but that is the only thing we've actually visited in Atlanta. Maybe a good museum or a garden? Even a nice, interesting neighborhood where we could take a good walk and have a nice lunch would be fine with us. We enjoy ethnic foods, and an authentic barbecue place might also be nice.
We aren't shopping mall people, but I suppose that might be a back-up if it is beastly hot. Is there a place in the airport where we could leave our carry-on?

Or, is our time so limited that we'd be better off just staying put in the airport? thanks so much.

One of the design flaws of the Atlanta airport, IMO, is that all of the concourses share the same security line. This means that the wait for security can be frighteningly long. And, you need to check in for an int'l flight at least 2 hrs in advance.

That being said, there is MARTA in the airport, so you could get on the subway and go to downtown (Five Pts or nearby) for lunch. I wouldn't do much else. Figure 30 min on MARTA each way and you are essentially only left with about 2 hours.

While I have found the securities lines to be time consuming on Monday mornings, at other times I've breezed through. That's not to say the line isn't long and looks intimidating, but with 12-14 security machines open, it's not taken me more than 10 minutes to get through. They have really improved the process in the last couple years.

And as long as you have your boarding passes (which you should get at check-in for your first flight) there's no reason to check in at all. You will have to ride the small train out to the last concource (E), but that takes about 10 minutes.

If you only had a 4 hr layover, I'd tell you to stay at the airport, but 5 1/2 hours is plenty of time to head out on MARTA.

Definitely do not get off at 5 Points downtown - not an attractive area.

While you don't have a lot of time, you could do a quick run through the Margaret Mitchell House right next to the Midtown marta station (if that interests you) and then stroll over to one of many Midtown restaurants and maybe even walk through Piedmont Park (3-4 blocks from the station).

If that doesn't interest you, or your first flight is late and you're short on time, stop at the North Ave station and have lunch at Baraonda.

I assumed I'd only need to allow enough time to actually go through security since we would have already checked our luggage and have boarding passes. My thought was that the 2 hours necessary was for those who are doing an initial check-in rather than those who have already completed that part of the process.

It could easily take you two hours to clear security in Atlanta **if** any one of a variety of situations occurs. On occasion, it has taken us up to an hour to just park.

If you get off the MARTA at the airport station at 2:45, you'll be fine. The securites lines are not busy at that time on a Tuesday. So to be safe, you'll want to enter the Midtown station at 1:45 as trains run every 20 minutes that time of day.

So assuming you land at 10:30, that gives you almost 2 hrs for a leisurely lunch and a stroll. Better than sitting in the airport. Plus you'll get an interesting view of some of Atlanta's worst neighborhoods from the train.

Hi,

Just one subway stop away from the Atlanta Airport is the College Park Marta station and there are two wonderful restaurants with in very easy walking distance from that Marta stop.

Oscar's at 3725 Main Street, 404-766-9688 - see sample menu at following link

http://tinyurl.com/ntmj9

or The Feed Store at 3725 Main Street 404-209-7979 - see sample menu at following link

http://tinyurl.com/n4524

Both are delightful restaurants with extremely easy airport access - the Marta Station is right on Main Street.

Have a great trip!

eveningcrane, Oscar's is closed so don't send julies there, ok?