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Whether you need to know local public holidays or highlights through the seasons, we hope you will find the facts gathered below useful tools for your travel planning. Please feel free to contact us if we can assist you further.

General information

The capital of Georgia since 1877, Atlanta is now also known as the capital of the New South. Visitors will find traditional Southern pleasures: legendary sunshine, gracious hospitality and a genteel equestrian culture.

Atlanta is steeped in the history of the Civil War and the civil rights movement, yet it is also a vibrant, sophisticated, forward-looking city, with outstanding theatres, museums and shopping. Home to major league sports teams and major U.S. company headquarters, the city is spread across the Piedmont Plateau (1,050 feet/320 metres high).

Time zone

GMT -5 hours
Eastern Standard Time

Language(s) spoken

English

Electrical system

Local voltage is 110 to 120 volts AC. Adapters available; please request through the Concierge.

Shopping hours

Monday to Saturday 10:00 am to 9:00 pm
Sunday 12:00 noon to 6:00 pm

Working hours

Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Time and distance to city centre

5 minutes/2 miles/3 kilometres

Time and distance to shopping

• Lenox Square/Phipps Plaza (national retailers): 15 minutes/6 miles/10 kilometres
• Virginia-Highlands (local retailers): 10 minutes/3 miles/5 kilometres
• Bennett Street (antiques/home décor): 10 minutes/2.5 miles/4 kilometres
• Miami Circle (antiques/home décor): 12 minutes/5 miles/8 kilometres
• North Georgia Premium Outlets (nationally known upscale outlets): 55 minutes/47 miles/75 kilometres

Time and distance to financial district

Buckhead: 15 minutes/6 miles/10 kilometres; Downtown: 5 minutes/2 miles/3 kilometres

View in–depth travel advice from Frommers.com

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Seasonal highlights

January

• Martin Luther King Jr. week is celebrated in the second week of January to commemorate Dr. King's birthday.
• Atlanta Boat Show

February-March

• The South-Eastern Flower Show, held annually in February/early March at the Georgia World Congress Center, is a massive exhibition of all sorts of gardens, including flower and vegetable gardens.

March

• The St. Patrick's Day Parade
• Atlanta International Auto Show

March-April

• Easter at Stone Mountain Park

April

• The Atlanta Braves Baseball Season begins
• The Atlanta Steeplechase, with all sorts of cars, including antiques and racers - all benefits go to the Atlanta Speech School
• The Atlanta Ballet Spring Season
• Atlanta Home Show
• Atlanta Dogwood Festival