What's the best time to visit Atlanta?
The best times to visit Atlanta are in spring (March-May) and late fall, featuring mild weather and numerous activities. Spring is great for warm temperatures and visiting places like the Atlanta BeltLine and Botanical Garden, highlighted by music festivals like Sweetwater 420 Fest. In fall, cooler weather supports a vibrant event schedule, including Music Midtown and Atlanta Pride, though accommodation prices may increase.
Atlanta is a must-visit destination for culture and history lovers, and there’s something for everyone to do in this metropolis. The city played an important role in the Civil Rights Movement, and you can learn more at the Atlanta History Center or Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park.
The modern metropolis is famous for its food, culture, and open-minded atmosphere, so be sure to check out some of the cool neighborhoods such as Buckhead and Inman Park.
Atlanta is the perfect destination for a city break no matter when you visit, but some seasons are more fun than others. Keep reading to learn the best, least busy, cheapest, and worst times to visit; let us be your guide!
Overall Best Time to Visit Atlanta
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The best time to visit Atlanta is during the spring, from March to May, which has milder weather than the summer and plenty of things to do. Late fall is also a good time to visit.
Atlanta has a subtropical climate, like much of the southern United States, which means that the weather is warm and fairly rainy.
Spring temperatures are warm, and probably offer a nice break from colder weather up north, with average high temperatures in April already reaching 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Spring is also one of the drier periods in Atlanta’s yearly calendar.
Thanks to the nice weather, this is a good time of year to check out Atlanta’s many outdoor areas. The Atlanta BeltLine is a miles-long loop around the core of Atlanta where locals go to cycle, exercise, and take a break from the traffic.
To see the best spring blooms, check out the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Spring is the peak season for music festivals in Atlanta.
Some popular events include:
- Sweetwater 420 Fest (April)
- Atlanta Jazz Festival (May)
- Shaky Knees Music Festival (May)
Fall is also a good time to visit Atlanta. September is still muggy with plenty of thunderstorms, but by October it becomes a bit more bearable to visit the city. Average temperatures in October are around 73 degrees, meaning it’s still warm enough to walk around but you won’t be sweltering.
The rains also calm down by October. Fall is probably the busiest season in Atlanta, with events ranging from music festivals to food festivals to celebrations celebrating the LGBT community.
Check out these popular events:
- Music Midtown (September)
- Dragon Con (September)
- Candler Park Fall Fest (October)
- Atlanta Pride (October)
- Taste of Atlanta (October)
- African American Arts & Culture Festival (November)
Due to the many events, hotels tend to be more expensive in the fall, but it’s worth paying a little extra for accommodation to experience Atlanta at its most bustling.
Cheapest Time to Visit Atlanta
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The cheapest time to visit Atlanta is in the mid-late winter, from January to February. You can also get good discounts in early spring. As the events calendar in Atlanta quiets down somewhat, hotel room rates also go down.
After the frenzy of the holiday season in December is over, hotel rates go down after New Year’s. By early January, you can get rooms for as much as 50% off compared to peak-season prices.
Early spring (March-April) also has discounts on hotel rooms. You won’t be able to save as much as you would in the winter, but you can find rooms for 15-20% less than during the peak season.
You can fly into Atlanta for your city break from pretty much anywhere in the world, since Delta Airlines uses Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport as its hub. Since so many airlines fly to Atlanta, the competition keeps prices low.
As tourism slows down in January and February, expect to see the lowest fares during this time. Delta Airlines also has regular yearly sales in the winter and again in early spring.
Least Busy Time to Visit Atlanta
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The least busy time to visit Atlanta is during the winter, as crowds diminish in January and February. Early spring, in March and early April, also has fewer people around.
Even when there are fewer tourists around, Atlanta is never truly empty. The city has nearly 500,000 people, after all, and that’s just counting the people living in the city center. However, during January and February, tourism slows down.
Most people are recovering after the holidays and there are fewer vacations that give people enough time off to go traveling.
You can expect shorter lines at popular tourist attractions, making the experience of visiting one of Atlanta’s many museums more pleasant. The weather is chillier than during the rest of the year, but temperatures are usually in the mid-50s, meaning that you can still walk around.
Snow or below-freezing temperatures during the day are rare. Winter represents a bit of a lull in Atlanta’s cultural calendar, and there aren’t as many big festivals.
However, you can still visit museums, attend plays and movie screenings, and catch concerts of all genres from classical to trap. The biggest event of winter in Atlanta is Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Attend commemorative services at Ebenezer Baptist Church where Dr. King served as pastor, attend lectures at the King Center, or attend celebrations of African American culture held in his honor.
Worst Time to Visit Atlanta
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The worst time to visit Atlanta is in the summer, from June until September, as the weather is most pleasant during this time. Summer in Atlanta is not for the faint of heart or those who easily get heatstroke.
Average temperatures in June, July, and August are in the high 80s to the low 90s. Like elsewhere in the south, the weather is very humid, which makes hot weather feel even hotter.
June to September is also the hurricane season in the Gulf of Mexico. Atlanta is too far north in Georgia to get hit directly by hurricanes, but hurricanes downgraded to tropical storms sometimes make it to the city during this time.
Expect plenty of rain, occasional flooding, and strong winds if you’re unlucky enough to visit during a storm.
Overall, summer is one of the rainiest seasons in Atlanta. Many attractions, such as malls and museums, are indoors so the air conditioning can help you stay cool.
However, that exposes you to the other problem of visiting Atlanta in the summer—the crowds. Expect long lines to get into popular attractions. You can still make the most of summer if you are patient with crowds and avoid being out and about in the middle of the day.
Plus, visiting during this time allows you to take advantage of the many festivals that come to Atlanta during this time, such as:
- Atlanta Fringe Festival (June)
- Fourth of July
- Atlanta Ice Cream Festival (July)
- Summer Shade Festival (August)
- Atlanta Food & Wine Festival (September)
Atlanta by Month: Climate & Activities
Atlanta, GA – August 4th 2019: Broad view of Balloon festival at Piedmont Park, Atlanta/Aninkya Kohle/Shutterstock
Still unsure about the best time to visit Atlanta? Take a look at our summary of the weather and climate by month below:
January
January in Atlanta sees chilly winter temperatures, ranging from 0 to 11°C (32-52°F). This month is ideal for visiting indoor attractions like the Georgia Aquarium, exploring the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, and enjoying cozy southern cuisine in local restaurants.
February
February continues with cool weather, perfect for exploring the Atlanta History Center, attending Atlanta Winter Beer Fest, and enjoying the vibrant arts scene with visits to galleries and theaters.
March
As spring approaches, temperatures in Atlanta range from 5 to 17°C (41-63°F). March is great for visiting the Atlanta Botanical Garden to see the early spring blooms, exploring the BeltLine’s art installations, and attending the annual Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
April
April brings milder weather, with temperatures around 10 to 22°C (50-72°F). Enjoy the Atlanta Dogwood Festival in Piedmont Park, explore the trendy shops and restaurants in Midtown, and experience the Atlanta Film Festival.
May
May sees warmer temperatures from 15 to 27°C (59-81°F). It’s an excellent time for outdoor concerts at Chastain Park, visiting the Zoo Atlanta, and enjoying the diverse culinary offerings at the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival.
June
June brings hot, humid weather, with temperatures between 20 to 30°C (68-86°F). Cool off at the Six Flags Over Georgia water park, enjoy the Atlanta Summer Beer Fest, and explore the city’s historic neighborhoods like Inman Park.
July
July is very hot in Atlanta, with temperatures from 22 to 32°C (72-90°F). Celebrate Independence Day with fireworks at Centennial Olympic Park, attend the Atlanta International Fashion Week, and explore the High Museum of Art.
August
August continues with hot weather, offering temperatures from 22 to 31°C (72-88°F). Visit the SunTrust Park for an Atlanta Braves game, enjoy the Piedmont Park Arts Festival, and explore the vibrant nightlife of the Buckhead district.
September
As fall begins, temperatures in Atlanta range from 18 to 28°C (64-82°F). September is perfect for attending the Music Midtown Festival, exploring the Atlanta BeltLine Lantern Parade, and enjoying the cooler evenings in the city’s rooftop bars.
October
October sees cooler temperatures from 12 to 23°C (54-73°F). Enjoy the Atlanta Pride Festival, explore the haunted houses for Halloween, and take scenic drives to see the fall foliage in the nearby North Georgia Mountains.
November
Fall temperatures in November range from 6 to 17°C (43-63°F). This month is ideal for visiting the Atlanta History Center’s Fall Folklife Festival, exploring the Chastain Park Arts Festival, and enjoying Thanksgiving Day festivities.
December
Winter brings cooler temperatures ranging from 1 to 13°C (34-55°F). December is festive with holiday lights at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, Christmas markets, and celebrating the New Year at the Peach Drop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Atlanta, Ga USA – 06 14 20: Downtown Atlanta night covid-19 lockdown Fox theater street lamp and city skyline/Billy F Blume Jr/Shutterstock
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about visiting Atlanta:
What time of year is least expensive to go to Atlanta?
The least expensive time of year to go to Atlanta is mid-late winter. The months of January and February offer discounts on hotels and flights.
How many days do you need in Atlanta?
You should spend three days in Atlanta. That gives you enough time to see all the famous sights, plus have some downtime to enjoy the cuisine and culture.
What are the hottest months in Atlanta?
June, July, and August are the hottest months in Atlanta, with temperatures regularly going above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The weather is also very humid.
What are the best months in Georgia?
The best months in Georgia are April, May, and October, thanks to their mild weather and packed festival calendar.
When is the hurricane season in Atlanta?
Atlanta is too far north to get hit by hurricanes. However, it can get more rain and storms when there are hurricanes further south, usually from August to early October.
So, What’s the Best Time to Visit Atlanta?
The best time to visit Atlanta is in the spring (March-May) or fall (late September-November). During this time, take advantage of Atlanta’s packed cultural calendar and the milder temperatures to make the most of your city break.
Budget travelers should visit during the winter (January-February), when hotel prices go down but there is still plenty to do.
So, with so much to see and do and plenty of amazing times to visit, what are you waiting for — book your trip today and experience for yourself all that Atlanta has to offer. Happy travels!