48 Hours in Atlanta: Where to Stay, Eat & Explore the City’s Rich Music Culture

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Planning a trip to Atlanta? In our guide, you’ll find the best places to stay, eat and explore the city’s rich history of music and culture. More commonly known these days for the birthplace of trap music and many modern-day artists like Future, Young Thug, 21 Savage, Lil Baby, Gucci Mane, Migos, 2 Chainz and Jeezy, Atlanta has an even deeper imprint on music that exceeds the genre and era. From James Brown to Mariah Carey to CeeLo Green to Gladys Knight, the city of Atlanta has given us many iconic superstars over the decades and its impact is felt throughout the city.

With so many things to explore like iconic music venues, one-of-a-kind museums, and cultural landmarks, a weekend is hardly enough time to fully take in everything Atlanta has to offer. However, we’ve created a fun 48-hour itinerary that will give you a great slice of culture that A-Town has to offer.

Checking In: The Candler Hotel Atlanta, Curio Collection by Hilton

With a city filled with history, the most historic stay for travelers is the Candler Hotel Atlanta, Curio Collection by Hilton. Built by Coca-Cola founder and former Atlanta Mayor, Asa Griggs Candler in the early twentieth century, the building was Atlanta’s first downtown skyscraper and the city’s tallest building at the time. It was also initially used for offices, including those of Coca-Cola. There was even a rumor that the brand’s famous Coca-Cola formula was hidden away in the building’s basement.

In 2019, the location was remade into a 17-story steel beauty infusing classic style and art deco glamour with a sweeping marble staircase, Tiffany windows and a stunning pink-marble reception desk inspired by the pink marble found in the hotel’s basement during renovations. There are also plenty of amenities and restaurants to keep you entertained without leaving the building.

For dining, By George is a must-visit for your stay. This sleek restaurant is located in the building’s former bank and is headed by celebrity chef Hugh Acheson (of Top Chef and Iron Chef Canada) and serves locally sourced Southern cuisine with a mix of French flair. For more historic charm, the restaurant’s name pays homage to the building’s original architects, George E. Murphy and George Stewart.

The Candler Hotel is located minutes from a lively downtown Atlanta with many sights like the Georgia Aquarium, State Farm Arena and Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Day 1: Exploring Downtown and Summerhill

First things first – breakfast! Start day one at the popular downtown restaurant, Atlanta Breakfast Club. Treat yourself to their delicious fried chicken and waffles or try their signature “Georgia Peach” meal featuring crispy all-natural chicken breasts, a Belgian-style waffle, fresh peach cobbler sauce, shortbread crumble, powdered sugar, and vanilla butter.

Once your stomach is filled, go walk it off at the Georgia Aquarium nearby. With over 11 million gallons of water, you’ll find everything from tiger sharks and whale sharks to African penguins, bottlenose dolphins, and sea lions. For adults only, the Aquarium hosts “Glow Nights,” an 18+ event that includes live music, signature cocktails, and glowing décor throughout the Aquarium after hours.

Other great daytime activities downtown include walking through the Coca-Cola museum, as well as checking out the Black Music and Entertainment Walk of Fame. The monument honors African Americans and Black people worldwide for their achievements in music and entertainment. Initial honorees included icons Quincy Jones, James Brown and Otis Redding. Currently, many of hip-hop’s best like Jay-Z, Beyonce, Usher, Mariah Carey, Pharrell Williams OutKast, and Lauryn Hill are all honorees. For the full list of nominees, see here.

In the evening, let’s head over to the vibrant Summerhill neighborhood that’s just south of downtown. Decorated with colorful murals and art, this quaint area is home to the city’s most exciting restaurants. At the heart of Summerhill is Georgia Avenue, a lively street filled with incredible eats like Little Bear. Owned by Michelin’s Young Chef Award winner Jarrett Stieber, this cozy, brick-lined eatery features a rotating menu with international dishes, plus beer & cocktails.

Other great food options to check out in the area include the trendy Thai eatery, Talat Market, a southern-global hotspot Southern National, the brewpub Halfway Crooks and a laidback barbecue joint called Wood’s Chapel. If you have a sweet tooth, head over to Little Tart Bakeshop and its soft serve ice cream sister, Big Softie.

Day 2: Trap Museums & Live Music

To start off day two, head over to the Inman Park neighborhood to treat yourself to delicious coffee and donuts at Revolution Doughnuts. After stuffing your face with their delicious peach sliders, take a quick car ride over to Wax N’ Facts, a historic music shop serving up new and classic records, CDs, turntables and other music gear since 1976. A staple location in the area, Wax N’ Facts used to house the record label of co-owner and Georgia Music Hall of Famer Danny Beard. DB Recs released records such as the B-52’s 1978 debut single “Rock Lobster” before shuttering in the ‘90s. If you’re a music lover, this store is a must during your visit. For more landmarks like this, check out our music lover’s guide to Atlanta here.

Once you grab some classic vinyls, it’s time to go appreciate more modern hip-hop music at the Trap Music Museum. The space is a unique gallery specializing in the exploration of Atlanta’s most polarizing music genre, trap. Guests will step inside a recreated “trap house,” complete with a replica drug dealer living room, a crack cooking kitchen, an armed walk-in closet, a jail cell and escape room. To be clear, the museum isn’t glorifying violence or drug use, but exploring the origins and harsh realities that helped birth the music genre and its storytelling.

Not far from the Trap Music Museum is Miller Union, a delicious New American eatery with a farm-fresh, Southern-accented menu in a country-modern space. Perfect for dinner, this refurbished warehouse turned restaurant is cranking out a seasonal American menu with Southern twang. To start, go with their seared spätzle with corn, poblano chile, parmesan and tajín, as well as the merguez spiced kofta with bbq sea island red peas, summer slaw and white BBQ. Then tuck in to a seared, herby braised duck breast and save room for their award-winning desserts, especially the seasonal cake served with ice cream.

With a city known for its music, its only right to go catch a live show. In the A, there are plenty of famous music venues within the city to choose from. We recommend Tabernacle, a former church renovated into a staple concert hall since 1996, or Center Stage, which is located downtown and features not one but three music venues within the facility. Choose between the more intimate 300-capacity Vinyl space, the 650-capacity Loft area, or the larger 1,050-capacity Center Stage Theater. Many superstar artists have graced the Center Stage including Adele, Jay-Z, Beck and 21 Savage.

After the show, make sure to hit Metro Diner downtown for some late night eats as you make your way back to the Chandler Hotel.