We've just been advised that we'll have a 12 hour layover at the Atlanta airport on our flight to Spain in early May. 12 hours! Besides taking the MARTA into downtown and spending the day there, is there anything else that might be in the region to do or see? We thought about renting a day for the "day" and going to Callaway Gardens, but not sure. What would you do? Kathy

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That would be rent a CAR for the day. I'm a bit frustrated over the long layover.

Having lived in Atlanta for 4 years while getting my doctorate, I would take MARTA into town and do that. There is so much to see and do in downtown Atlanta and it would be easy to do it. *zoo, coca cola muuseum, underground, olympic park, SHOPPING,etc**

Since you will be leaving out of Atlanta internationally they will require you to be checked in 2 hours before the flight and with only 12 hours the hassle of renting a car would not be worth it for me.
Hope you have a great trip and a great layover whatever you decide to do.

How did the 12 hour layover come about? Was it due to a schedule change by Delta? If so, call Delta and see if you can get a better connection (after researching the available flights yourself). I've been able to successfully "fix" a disasterous schedule change by calling before.

April, I think we will do MARTA into town. We've been to Atlanta a few times before, but can always see more of downtown. I just wondered if there was anything on that side of town (south) that might be relaxing. (I'm saving my shopping for Spain, even with the terrible dollar to Euro exchange rate)

Brian, I've already checked with Delta, our airline. They did cancel some mid day flights from our starting city, so we arrive early AM to Atlanta and leave at night. We could fly mid day to JFK, but then we add more flying time, and still arrive only three hours earlier in Spain. I really don't want to fill the day with flying, so we decided to keep the long layover instead. The flight from Atlanta to Barcelona is a straight, non-stop flight and that is very nice. We'd like to keep it.

Personally? I'd get a day room at a nice hotel by the airport. Hang out at the pool, get a message, rent a movie. Check out the Atlanta airport Marriott and Westin.

I'd be hot, sweaty, and worn out tired if I tried to sightsee around Atlanta before such a long flight. Don't forget that Atlanta will will hot that time of year.

I like the idea of seeing a movie. Does the MARTA go past a movie theatre, or is there a downtown movie theatre? We could have a nice lunch, see a movie and be back at the airport for our check in time period.

MARTA's CNN stop is about a four block walk to the wonderful new aquarium and right next door is the World of Coca Cola. Both of interest. Also possible to do the CNN tour while in the building.

You can stay on the north bound line and exit Lennox Square for Phipps Plaza and Lennox Mall. Both very good. Many fine restaurants nearby.

I believe that a midtown station would be near the High Art Museum. All depends on your interest.

I was going to recommend the High. They have a great exhibition from the Louvre. The Arts Center MARTA station is adjacent and everything would be nice and cool. There's a cafe in the museum or lots of restaurants within a block.

http://www.high.org/experience/exhibitions/default.aspx

Another option would be Atlantic Station. It has lots of shops, restaurants and a mega theatre. It's about a 1/2 mile walk from the Midtown MARTA station.

http://www.atlanticstation.com/home.php

We took that same flight to BCN 2 years ago. We had a 6 hour layover that turned into an 8 hour layover. Delta changed the gate 3 times on us and not just a short walk. Lots of running around.

Just a heads up.

MY

Thanks everyone, I think we will take MARTA into town. Seems like there are plenty of inside choices for things to do. My preferences would be, in order--movie (depends on what's playing, High museum (we've been there before, but depends on the current exhibit), or CNN tour (which I've always wanted to do). We'll pick one, eat somewhere nearby, then back to the airport where hopefully our flight will not be delayed. Thanks for the heads up on that Michelle.

Kathleen, you could take the MARTA to Lenox Square Mall where there are movie theaters adjacent to the food court. Also shopping (which I know isn't your focus).

If you're not adverse to a taxi, you cold visit the Fernbank Museum (natural history and some ethnic displays), or the Atlanta Botanical Gardens (nice indoor facility in addition to extensive gardens. Of course, the Aquarium is Atlanta's biggest draw these days.

Noe, Thanks for the additional suggestions. I'll look into them especially the museum.

On a side note... Are there lockers at the airport to store carry on luggage for several hours? We had planned on taking our roll type carry ons with us on the plane, but I suppose we could check them through if no lockers are available.

No locker in an airport since 9/11. Might be a coat check room in the mall/aquarium/museum and then again, might not.

kathy is that you? What day of the week will you be there? You have my email. Dend me a note!

Donna

What about putting on a black and white striped shirt, grab your whistle and have lunch with Iceeu2 and starrs?

Hi Kal,
Love you bunches but not needed.
Thanks anyway
Hugs,

No lockers...should have guessed that. It looks like we'll be checking the luggage. I don't want to lug them into town and back again, that's for sure.
Donna, It's a Tuesday. I will email you. Maybe we can have lunch.
Thanks everyone.

We once took a bump in ATL, stored our hand luggage at this:
http://www.realpages.com/sites/wrapabag/index.html

and took MARTA into Atlanta. If I had it to do over, I think I would have gone to Lenox for a movie or booked a day at an airport hotel. Downtown was very hot and very crowded. Keep in mind also that ATL security can sometimes really back up and allow plenty of time.