Atlanta is one of the southeast’s most traveled destinations due to its ability to accommodate fun plans and activities during all four seasons. From can’t-miss summer festivals to the Atlanta Winter Beerfest, visitors are bound to find excitement any day of the year.
Spring
Weather-wise, spring is the best time to visit Atlanta. The average highs are in the 60s and 70s, and the humidity is bearable. Many festivals are held outside during March, April, and May due to the fantastic weather. One of the most popular festivals is the Atlanta Dogwood Festival, which is held in April when the dogwood trees are in full bloom. Visitors can listen to live music as they browse and purchase art from local vendors.
Summer
Atlanta is nicknamed “Hotlanta” for a reason with its high humidity and temperatures in the 80s. The scorching heat doesn’t keep people away; summer is the busiest season for Atlanta. Similar to spring, there are a lot of outdoor festivals held during the summer months. The Atlanta Ice Cream Festival is a great way for families to cool down during the day. The Food and Wine Festival at the end of May is very popular with couples and wine connoisseurs.
Fall
Fall can be a bit chancy, as September is peak hurricane season and the region generally sees a lot of rain. However, the cooler temperatures can be refreshing at Atlanta festivals. Music Midtown, held in September, is one of the city’s largest festivals and features large and small acts from across the United States. Taste of Atlanta is a great way to try what food Atlanta has to offer without visiting every restaurant in the city.
Winter
Like most U.S. cities, winter in Atlanta has its pros and cons. While it doesn’t snow a lot in the city, there are occasionally ice storms that cause the city to completely shut down due to the lack of snow removal equipment. However, flights and hotels are at an all-time low which makes winter the best time to visit financially. Atlanta hosts the popular college football Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl in early January. The city also celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. in January by throwing an annual celebration.
Traveling During All Seasons
Whether you visit in January or July, Atlanta offers a lot of different ways to travel across the city. Visitors can also get around Atlanta via MARTA, cars, shuttles, taxicabs, and walking. The variety of ways to travel can also help cut costs on hotel rates. Instead of staying downtown, visitors can find a more affordable hotel in neighboring College Park. Staying in the nearby suburbs of Atlanta can offer a neighborhood feel, but also let visitors enjoy the big city attractions as well.
There is not a bad time to visit Atlanta, as it features exciting events all throughout the year. The weather is tolerable in both winter and summer months. Unlike other cities, Atlanta is great to visit during all four seasons.