The Top Things to Do in Atlanta Airport During your Layover
Do you have some time to spare at Atlanta International Airport? Although layovers at the airport are considered a necessary evil, being boring and highly inconvenient, Atlanta Airport has been the busiest airport in the world since 1998 (except for the year 2020). As a result, it is a big aviation hub featuring a wide array of services and amenities. Hence, your free time at ATL Airport may as well become an interesting part of your journey. So, what are the top things to do at Atlanta Airport to make the most of your layover?
Our Tip: Atlanta Airport has two terminal buildings and seven parallel concourses lying right between them. Passengers can walk their way from one terminal to the other or to one of the in-between concourses (the two terminals lie within a 40-minute walking distance) without passing through security. Verily, the underground Transportation Mall links the two terminals airside. Alternatively, the APM Plane Train also connects the two terminals after security.
ATL Airport is a fully accessible airport, providing its disabled passengers with all the necessary services and facilities to optimize their traveling experience.
Atlanta Airport Shops: the Perfect Way to Spend your Free Time
Are you a shopping lover? Are you looking for some souvenirs for your loved ones or planning to buy some gifts while at the airport? Even if you are traveling on a tight budget, you can still enjoy some window shopping. Whatever the case, Hartsfield Jackson Airport has it all! From luxury brands to local retail stores and from convenience outlets to electronic, entertainment, and souvenir shops, there is something for everyone. In detail, 90 retail stores and 56 service outlets are scattered around the airport’s complex (terminals and concourses). Moreover, 3 duty-free areas are to be found on the ATL international airport premises. Hence, you can explore all the available options and turn your Atlanta airport layover into a real shopping adventure.
ATL Airport Promises Elevated Foodie Experiences
Forget all about the notoriously bad and expensive airport food and explore the countless places to eat at Atlanta Airport. ATL Airport houses more than 114 food options, from fast-food chains, bars, and cafes to casual eateries and fancier restaurants. Whether you want to grab a snack, enjoy a beer or a refreshing beverage, savor a good cup of coffee, or settle in for a meal at a fine dining restaurant, you’ll certainly find the perfect spot around the airport’s terminals and concourses.
Atlanta Airport’s Wi-Fi is Free
The airport’s Wi-Fi is out of charge and is available throughout all its premises, even at the Transportation Center. Thus, you can surf the internet, call your loved ones, finish the latest work project, or even watch your favorite series or movies. What’s more, Atlanta Airport features numerous charging points. Thus, even if you spend your entire layover surfing the web, you can still have your phone or device fully charged for your upcoming flight.
Find Peace or Attend to your Religious Needs at ATL Interfaith Chapels
Several interfaith chapels are to be found around Hartsfield Jackson Airport. What’s more, chaplaincy services are available at all facilities throughout the week. The chaplain office is to be found next to the domestic terminal’s prayer room in the atrium and is open from 09:00 am to 05:00 pm from Monday to Friday. The prayer rooms are available 24/7, while Catholic, Christian non-denominational, and Muslim services are also offered at designated times throughout the week. A prayer room is to be found on Level 3 of the domestic terminal’s atrium in the pre-security area. Moreover, Concourse E houses a prayer room airside at the top of the escalators, right behind the Martin Luther King, Jr Exhibit. Finally, another prayer room lies also airside, on Concourse F, on the second floor of the international terminal’s atrium.
Rejuvenate Yourself During your Atlanta Airport Layover
Can you think of a more relaxed and rejuvenating way to spend your free time at Atlanta Airport than visiting one of its spa facilities? With top-rated services (beauty treatments, mani-pedi, massages, and so much more), the spa establishments are scattered around the ATL premises. Indeed, you’ll find a Be Relax facility at Concourse B and four XpresSpa establishments at Concourses A, C, D, and E, respectively.
The ATL Airport Art Program
Established in 1979, the ATL Airport Art Program transforms layovers at Atlanta Airport into stimulating experiences. Verily, Atlanta Airport houses several cultural exhibitions and hosts various events, making it one of the city’s main artistic attractions. In fact, it houses more than 1000 works of art throughout its premises. Thus, you’ll find an exhibition dedicated to John Lewis, a local civil rights fighter, at the east side of the domestic atrium (pre-security), as well as some art installations along the Transportation Mall linking the terminals and concourses. Hence, the following exhibitions lie at the Transportation Mall:
- Zimbabwe: a Tradition in Stone (between Concourses T and A)
- Flight Paths (between Concourses A and B)
- A Walk Through Atlanta History (between Concourses B and C)
Moreover, several art installations are to be found at the Hartsfield Jackson airport concourses. In detail, if you travel between the concourses, you’ll come across:
- Georgia on my mind (Concourse T North)
- Natural Wonder (Concourse C)
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute Wall (Concourse E)
- Saints (Concourse E)
- Veneers (Connector between Concourses E and F)
- Mammatus (International Arrivals)
- Soul Ties That Matter (concourse F)
On the other hand, various periodical exhibitions are hosted at Atlanta International Airport from time to time, while local musicians are often found to perform at the domestic terminal’s atrium area.
The ATL Lounges are One of the Most Relaxed Things to Do at Atlanta Airport
If you want to relax during your Atlanta airport layover, you should consider using one of the airport’s lounge facilities. Even though they operate on a membership base, they are generally accessible by all travelers for a fee. In detail, the following lounges are located inside the ATL airport premises:
- Delta Sky Club (Concourse T, Gate T6)
- American Airlines Admiral Club (Concourse T, Gate T10)
- United Club (concourse T, Gate T11)
- Delta Sky Club (Concourse A, Gate A17)
- Delta Sky Club (Concourse A, Centrally located on the second level)
- Delta Sky Club (Concourse B, Gate B18)
- Delta Sky Club (Concourse C, Gate C37)
- Delta Sky Club (Concourse D, Gate D12)
- Delta Sky Club (Concourse D, Gate D27)
- Delta Sky Club (Concourse E, Gate E15)
- Delta Sky Club (Concourse F, Mezzanine floor)
- Club at ATL (Concourse F, Mezzanine floor)
Our Tip: The PS private terminal offers the ultimate lounge experience. It features the Salon and Private Suites and offers private transfers, spa services, fast security and immigration procedures, and several dining and drinking options. Overall, it is the most luxurious way to spend your time at Atlanta Airport, offering a “terminal” experience almost exclusively for yourself.
Check-in at Minute Suites During your Atlanta Airport Layover
You won’t find an inside-the-terminal hotel at ATL Airport. Still, Minute Suites are ideal for travelers who want to relax, take a quick nap, or even work during their layover at Atlanta Airport. They are to be found at Concourse B (near Gates B16 and B24), Concourse E (at the atrium’s top of the escalators), and Concourse F (near Gate F6). The facilities close to Gate B24 and Concourse E’s atrium also feature showers. In fact, travelers can opt for the shower package and use the shower facilities for 30 minutes. Rooms at Minute Suite are clean and simply decorated, featuring a daybed (and fresh linen), a worktable, and a TV. Flight info is also provided at all times. Please note that the minimum stay at Minute Suites is one hour, and the maximum (overnight stay) is 8 hours.
Our Tip: If you don’t mind passing through the customs and immigration procedures and re-checking once returning at ATL, you should leave the airport and check in to one of the numerous hotels near Atlanta Airport. The options are various, and all the facilities provide free shuttle rides from and to the airport.
Smoking is strictly prohibited in Atlanta Airport. You’ll only find designated smoking areas outside the north part of the domestic terminal – terminal N (close to Doors LN1, LN2, N1, and between Doors N3 and N4) and outside the south part – terminal S (outside Doors LS1, LS2, S6, and between Doors S1 and S2, and S4 and S5). Finally, the smoking areas at the international terminal are located outside, close to Doors D1 and D3 of Departures and Doors A1 and A3 of Arrivals.
The Best Things to Do Near Atlanta Airport
If you have a long layover ahead of you and want to take a quick glimpse of Atlanta’s attractions, you can visit one of the nearby options. Indeed, there are many things to do near Atlanta Airport. Although you can use modes of mass transit to make your way to most of them, airport taxis are usually the fastest and most convenient choice. In most cases, rides via public means of transit require changes of lines, while MARTA Station is located in the domestic terminal. As a result, international passengers have to make their way there to catch the train to their destinations.
So, do you feel like exploring Hartsfield Jackson airport’s surrounding areas? Grab a taxi and go visit the top nearby attractions:
- Delta Flight Museum: Open since 1995, the Delta Flight Museum is located a 10-minute ride from Atlanta International Airport and is a widely favored attraction by ATL passengers with long layovers. Here, you’ll spot vintage aircraft, flight attendant outfits, and several interactive exhibits, and have the chance to experience the highly recommended flight simulator.
- Porsche Experience Center: A 10-minute drive away from ATL terminals lies the Porsche Experience Center. Car and speed lovers simply fall for the tours of the facility, and especially for the test drive! A visit to the Porsche Experience Center will teach you everything about the legendary car models, as well as driving and safety tips and techniques. Finally, you’ll come across several historic Porsche models that are iconic representations of the brand.
- Chick-fil-A Home Office Backstage Tour: A unique experience awaits you close to the airport. Guided tours around the restaurant chain’s headquarters will reveal all the company’s history. Tours include interactive exhibits, along with access to several areas that are normally closed to the public.
- Zoo Atlanta: Zoo Atlanta lies 20 minutes away from Atlanta Airport. It is home to more than 1000 animals from all over the world. There are various reasons to visit the Zoo Atlanta. To begin with, it houses one of the largest populations of great apes in North America, as well as giant pandas. Moreover, several activities are available for the zoo’s guests, such as the Giraffe Eating, the Norfolk Southern Zoo Train, the Treetop Trail, and the Petting Zoo area where you can feed goats and sheep, while numerous playgrounds guarantee thrilling moments for the zoo’s little guests.
- Original Selfie Museum: What do you think about selfies? The Original Selfie Museum is one of the most joyful things to do near Atlanta Airport. The museum establishment is situated just 20 minutes from Hartsfield Jackson Airport and offers a wide variety of sets and backgrounds. Spend your free time in the most creative way and be sure of at least one thing: you’ll leave with the perfect Instagram-worthy photo.