Atlanta is a fun, festive place all year round. When Christmas approaches, this bustling city boosts celebration into high gear, offering plenty of memory-making activities while doling out holiday hospitality as only a Southern city can. Join in and be a part of Atlanta's Christmas joy. It's easy to do when there are so many places to go and things to do this time of year.
Seasonal Excitement
Annual events entice visitors to Atlanta for the holidays and become traditions to anticipate year round. At Christmas, Atlanta dresses in her finest, with lights shining and ornaments glittering. Get in the holiday mood with a few exhilarating turns on the temporary rink in Centennial Olympic Park. Get out in the brisk air for the Children's Christmas Parade. This is a delightful don't-miss event sponsored yearly by Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, a nonprofit hospital for children and teens. The standard visitor fare also takes on the holiday spirit. Look for special holiday tours of Atlanta's iconic attractions.
Transportation Considerations
Downtown Atlanta, like almost any city, is more crowded during the Christmas holidays, but that can mean a more festive atmosphere. Walking and biking get you where you want to go faster than motorized transport in some instances. For casual gadding about, the MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) buses and trains come in handy. The MARTA system is very bike friendly, so don't think twice about hopping on board for a leg of your journey.
Keep in mind that although it might be daunting to drive your car into Atlanta, especially during the holiday rush, you will have your own personal transportation that won't have to wait for schedules. Get a good street map with clearly marked one-way streets and become familiar with your chosen routes. Taxis are numerous and easy to find, and if you are in town for a special holiday event, hire a limousine for a once-in-a-lifetime Christmas present to yourself.
Budget Considerations
Atlanta can be expensive when you are in search of upscale venues, but it also provides ample opportunities for visitors on budgets. The best deals, of course, are the free ones. It costs nothing to walk or bike across metro Atlanta or to take a little time out in a city park. Turn the kids loose at Piedmont Park and pack a Frisbee or roller blades. Take free tours of the Governor's Mansion and the Georgia State Capitol. Enjoy nominal fees elsewhere. For less than $10, you can visit the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum, as well as the Wren House, home of Joel Chandler Harris, who wrote the Uncle Remus stories. Keep your eyes open for Christmas discounts and special prices available on certain days of the week.
Dining Considerations
If you are prepared to pull out the stops this season, make your reservations, get dressed up and hit one of Atlanta's dining showcases. Atlanta boasts its share of posh, premier restaurants that outdo themselves during the holidays. If it's a family affair at dinner time, gather the clan at a kid-friendly restaurant. Atlanta's dining choices are diverse, and you can often get exquisite crab bisques and arugula salads in the same dining room as collard greens and corn pudding. Vegans will have no trouble finding delicious fare. For parents who are concerned about the effect holiday eating out will have on their children, rest assured that the entire family can easily eat healthy meals in Atlanta. After all, this is the South. You are not going to have any trouble finding restaurants with plenty of vegetables and fruits.
Warnings and Tips
Atlanta's holiday season offers excitement and fun, but as with any city, there is an element of crime. When in town for Christmas celebrations, remain aware of your surroundings and be careful about wandering into areas not on your itinerary. Don't leave money, purses or packages where they can be stolen. Keep a list of your credit cards in a safe place with numbers for calling in case you are robbed. Don't flash money or credit cards; keep a bare minimum of these in a convenient place and put the rest away. If you find yourself in need of help or if you just want directions, approach one of Atlanta's wonderful Downtown Ambassadors. You will see these friendly street concierges all about town wearing their pith helmets and riding bicycles or Segways. They can provide information and assistance to anyone who needs it.
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