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Airport in Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Photo: redlegsfan21 from Vandalia, OH, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) ("Hartsfield," "ATL," or just "the airport" to locals) is about 8 miles south of downtown Atlanta. Hartsfield–Jackson is Delta Air Lines' main hub and headquarters as well as a focus city for Southwest Airlines, and has been the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic and aircraft movements since 1998.
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Started in 2017, this fashion show has models sporting spring and summer looks from retail brands like Swarovski, Sean John, and Tommy Hilfiger. Other displays feature a range of curated items, from luxury jewelry to casual T-shirts and blazers. Unlike a typical fashion event, you're encouraged to touch the display items and take selfies with the models. Some parts of the events may be held inside the secure area, meaning you must be a traveling passenger that day to attend.
The world's first food festival in an airport has since 2015 highlighted the hundreds of restaurants and bars that travellers can choose from at ATL. Buy tickets to get tastings from more than 30 eateries spanning the gamut of casual to fancy, and cast your vote for the best. A 25-minute cooking competition takes place in a temporary kitchen, with all the drama of an Iron Chef episode. Some parts of the events may be held inside the secure area, meaning you must be a traveling passenger that day to attend.
Every month, Delta sells off items it no longer needs, with proceeds benefiting the Delta Flight Museum in Hapeville. Selection varies, but can include things like first-class seats and galley carts (and occasionally even lavatories) from retired aircraft, servingware and cutlery, vintage uniforms and merchandise, and office furniture. To avoid crowding, only a handful of people are allowed in at a time; arrive half an hour before opening to ensure you'll be among the first, or come later in the day to avoid the crowd. Everything purchased must be removed the same day, and you have to arrange your own transportation or shipping.
Steaks, drinks, and an excellent Reuben.
Local fast-casual chain serving barbecue sandwiches, plates, and ribs.
Excellent burgers; you might even say they're good enough to die for. Cheap wine and a good selection of craft beers.
Local shop to satisfy your craving for a Manhattan-style bagel with all the trimmings. Unfortunately the quality and selection at the small airport shops fall short of their other locations in town.
Great place for a traditional American breakfast with a Cuban twist, or for big Cuban sandwiches at lunch. Also has a bar and serves Cuban coffee.
This southern fast-food chain serves chicken sandwiches, chicken nuggets, and waffle fries. Displaced southerners flock here for a taste of their former home, and it's an easy chance for foreign travellers to try something unique. An additional bonus is that they use peanut oil that's processed to remove all allergens, so people with peanut allergies can generally eat here without any problems (but check with your doctor first, of course).
Local shop to satisfy your craving for a Manhattan-style bagel with all the trimmings. Unfortunately the quality and selection at the small airport shops fall short of their other locations in town.
Outlet of the immensely popular New York–based burger chain. Takes a few minutes, but worth the wait compared to other fast food burgers. Breakfast and good coffee.
Little sibling to Varasano's Pizzeria in Buckhead, ranked among top pizza restaurants in the U.S. Also serves drinks and music at the piano bar. Breakfast available.
Burgers from celebrity chef Bobby Flay. You can subustitute chicken, turkey, or a veggie patty on any burger.
Local favorite with dozens of espressos, cappuccinos, and other dressed-up coffees. Sweet and savory crepes, sandwiches, and charcuterie.
Pressed sandwiches, fresh fruit cups, and smoothies.
Branch of an Atlanta soul food institution serving fried chicken and catfish, country-fried steak, mac 'n' cheese, and Southern vegetable plates.
Fast-casual burritos, quesadillas, and other Tex-Mex combinations. Similar to, and arguably better than, Moe's or Chipotle.
This southern fast-food chain serves chicken sandwiches, chicken nuggets, and waffle fries. Displaced southerners flock here for a taste of their former home, and it's an easy chance for foreign travellers to try something unique. An additional bonus is that they use peanut oil that's processed to remove all allergens, so people with peanut allergies can generally eat here without any problems (but check with your doctor first, of course).
Hot dogs and sausages in a variety of styles, and a few other sandwich offerings, with beer to wash them down.
Famous as the world's largest drive-in restaurant, the Varsity is a favorite of many locals for chili cheese hotdogs, burgers, and onion rings. An equal number of people dislike its greasy, low quality food. If you don't want to risk the heartburn, try the F.O. (Frosted Orange, a sort of orange creamsicle slushie). Breakfast is also available, unique among Varsity locations.
Excellent burgers; you might even say they're good enough to die for. Cheap wine and a good selection of craft beers.
A showcase of local foods, which unfortunately may fall short in its execution. Locally roasted Octane Coffee is good. Sandwiches like "The Big Peach" on bread from locally-renowned Holeman & Finch, with ham, brie, and Georgia peaches. Wine and local beers, and even Buford Highway–inspired pho. However, all food is pre-made (not even on site) and served cafeteria style, so expect dry biscuits and limp salads.
Upscale Mediterranean-influenced Italian food. Three dozen wines by the glass, emphasizing breadth rather than depth; cocktails are decent, mainly slight variations of the classics. Lovely dark wooden interior, plus some tables in the open balcony overlooking the gates below.
Famous as the world's largest drive-in restaurant, the Varsity is a favorite of many locals for chili cheese hotdogs, burgers, and onion rings. An equal number of people dislike its greasy, low quality food. If you don't want to risk the heartburn, try the F.O. (Frosted Orange, a sort of orange creamsicle slushie). Breakfast is also available, unique among Varsity locations.
Very generic sports bar. A few local beers, which you can use to wash down Cajun fish tacos and other average bar food.
Highly rated health-conscious food and drinks celebrating the celebrity chef's Greek and Southern heritage, including her signature ouzotini.
Connected to Varasano's Pizzeria, in addition to live piano they ply your heart with great selections of wine, cocktails, spirits, and local craft beers.
A small branch of a local gastropub.
A good bet for a decent pint of beer.
Serving up Georgia's most well-known craft beer.
Upscale sports bar, the third location of a chain owned by rapper Jay-Z. Reviews consistently say that the typical bar food is at best average quality, the drinks are overpriced ($20-25 for a glass of wine that would be $12 elsewhere, $10 for a 12oz beer), and service can be slow and sometimes downright rude.
Southern comfort food from local rapper Ludacris, sharing the name of his third album. Beers from multiple small Atlanta craft breweries, and cocktails.
Locally brewed craft beer from nearby Athens, Georgia.
Among the best-rated airport restaurants in the world and the first airport restaurant to be a semifinalist for a James Beard award, this part-Japanese part-Southern restaurant is tucked away in a primarily international concourse. It's worth going out of your way for, though, as highlights on the gourmet food menu include thyme-roasted pork belly, fresh sushi, and salmon hot pot. The bar is excellent as well: their seasonal cocktails are expertly constructed, and the wine list is similarly extensive and includes a few sakes. While all of the food is outstanding, portion sizes can be a little small, and there are almost no vegetarian options. Service can be a little slow, but they always ask how long you can stay and adjust accordingly; at least while you wait you can enjoy the decor and the forest photo-mural.
Beers from multiple small Atlanta craft breweries.
Their 7 x 8 ft rooms feature a daybed couch, HDTV, and an office desk. Rooms sleep 2 people or seat 4. Rates are no cheaper than a hotel for an overnight stay, but if you just want to rest between flights, this probably beats sleeping upright sitting in a chair. Showers are available for a separate fee.
5 rooms.
5 rooms.
Complimentary airport shuttle every 30 minutes.
Wi-Fi free in public areas, $14.95 wireless and wired in guest rooms.
Free 24/7 shuttle to the airport terminals, free parking for guests. Park N Fly reservations includes 1 night stay & 7 day parking
You may be able to spot this hotel with terraced floors while landing; half of its soundproofed rooms directly face the runways, providing excellent plane-spotting opportunities from the balconies.
Local merchandise including items from the gift shops of the High Museum of Art, CNN Center, and other Atlanta and Georgia attractions.
Merchandise from Zoo Atlanta featuring the giant pandas and other animal friends.
Gourmet sweets from Savannah, Georgia: pecan pralines, pecan pie, caramels, and fudge.
Contemporary menswear from rapper Sean "P. Diddy" Combs.
Lingerie and shapewear, as well as trendy casualwear like leggings to keep you comfortable on the plane.
Atlantans, and anyone who frequently flies through Atlanta, are endeared to the voices that have made announcements on the Plane Train over the years.
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