48 Hours in Atlanta

Day One

Morning

Start your stay out right with breakfast on-site at Centennial Grounds, where you can find delectable house baked pastries like Danishes and scones and mouthwatering hot delicacies like biscuit sandwiches paired perfectly with your choice of gourmet coffee and artisanal beverages.

Afternoon

Reinvigorated, it’s time to experience some of the local attractions, many of which are within a five-minute walk of the hotel.  Centennial Olympic Park (built for the 1996 summer Olympics), is 21 acres of parks and gardens and is one of the most visited areas of the city. Take in the spectacle of the Fountain of Rings where 251 water jets put on a show four times a day. If you’re a sports fan, check out the College Football Hall of Fame. Complete with more than 50 interactive exhibits, videos, games, selfies with digital face paint and a 45-yard indoor football field, this shrine to college football’s best is a winner.

When your appetite reemerges, try these downtown favorites. Thrive is a lively eatery offering American fare inspired by local farmers and also has a notable sushi bar. For Southern comfort food with a Thai spin, Poor Calvin’s is one of a kind. Try the signature dish, fried chicken with lobster mac and cheese.

Evening

New South Kitchen is a must for at least one of your dinners and boasts comfort food prepared from scratch, like shrimp and grits, peach cobbler French toast and modern takes on home-cooking favorites including sweet tea fried chicken and smothered pork chops.

For nighttime entertainment, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the historic Fox Theatre—featuring a variety of musicals and live performances—are both nearby. Or, opt for a smaller venue and soak up live jazz, blues and other musical genres at Sweet Georgia’s Juke Joint, which is a short 10-minute walk or five-minute cab ride from the Omni Atlanta.

Day Two

Morning

Enjoy breakfast on site, or visit one of the great local breakfast spots. Breakfast at West Egg Café is a short cab ride away and offers up build-your-own biscuits, chorizo burritos, black bean cakes, sour cream pancakes and other specialties with optional outdoor patio seating. If you prefer a short walk, head to Landmark Diner, serving a variety of egg dishes, griddle favorites and breakfast sandwiches.

Properly fueled, hit one of the local museums. Although there are many options in Atlanta, three of the closest stand out. World of Coca-Cola is just two blocks away and gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the bottling process and walks you through the history of this celebrated beverage brand. Next door to the World of Coca-Cola you will find the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, an engaging cultural attraction that connects the American Civil Rights Movement to today’s struggle for Global Human Rights. If you’re traveling with children, the Children’s Museum of Atlanta is only three short blocks away and engages children through immersive exhibits and programming.

Afternoon

For lunch, try Alma Cocina, just a 10-minute walk from the hotel and known for its margaritas and authentic Mexican cuisine. If you want to sample barbeque with Georgia flare, try Twin Smokers BBQ. This downtown restaurant serves up slow-cooked smoked meats utilizing high-quality, locally sourced products. Finish you meal with the signature “Double Trouble” milkshake made with local craft ice cream and Bulleit bourbon.

If you’re in the mood for some shopping, there are a number of area choices. Atlantic Station in Midtown is a local favorite. This outdoor mall is home to dozens of big name and specialty shops, as well as dining and a state-of-the-art movie theater.

Evening

Sports lovers have come to the right place with the State Farm Arena home to the NBA Atlanta Hawks, the Mercedes-Benz Stadium featuring the NFL Atlanta Falcons and nearby Truist Park home of the Atlanta Braves. Depending on the season, catching a game is a great Atlanta pastime. For an evening game, first, grab dinner at Cuts Steakhouse with fine cuts of meat and seafood served alongside tasty sides and an extensive wine menu.

After your sporting event—whether you’re drowning the sorrow of a loss or celebrating a big win—you can enjoy a late-night drink at Omni’s Latitudes Bistro and Lounge, where you’ll soak in views of Centennial Olympic Park with expertly mixed cocktails, beers, wine and small bites.

If you have more time...

The Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park also provides great options for lovers of plants, animals and nature. The nearby Georgia Aquarium is the largest in the Western Hemisphere and includes tens of thousands of animals. Meanwhile, Zoo Atlanta was established in 1889 and is home to a wide variety of wildlife. The Atlanta Botanical Garden offers a children’s garden and a number of other specialty gardens and exhibits not to be missed by garden aficionados.

Lovers of 19th and 20th-century American art won't want to miss the High Museum of Art, home to a renowned collection of 15,000 works of art. The High Museum's architecture by Richard Meier and Renzo Piano is also noteworthy.

Explore the flavors of Krog Street Market, a high-quality food hall and market where you can shop, wine and dine. Taste everything from sushi to Southern-fried chicken.

Experience a taste of elegance at City Winery, an urban winery which doubles as a music venue, combining concerts by artists like Elvis Costello who play surrounded by wine casks. The wines are made from grapes harvested at night and shipped in a refrigerated container at 35 to 45 degrees.

The Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park concierge team contributed to this article.