The name of this airport serves as a nickname for the city itself, as in, “the ATL.” If you’re staying nearby or have a long layover and don’t want to venture too far away, options abound for things to do near the Atlanta airport. Plus, there’s always MARTA (the city’s rapid transit system) to zip you downtown and back quickly.
Delta Flight Museum
Delta Air Lines calls Atlanta home. The company, founded in 1924 on an airstrip that would evolve into one of the world's busiest airports, operates a museum next door. The Delta Flight Museum, housed in the airline's oldest hangers, features vintage aircraft and interactive exhibits, including a pilot training session inside a flight simulator. Many of the planes on exhibit are open for exploration, even the cockpits. You can't reach the museum from inside the airport grounds, so hail a cab or ride-share service—or make the short drive over to experience this unique slice of commercial aviation history.
Dwarf House
Like Delta, the fast-food chain Chick-fil-A also calls the ATL home. And its roots lie next to Atlanta's airport. The original location opened in 1946 as the Dwarf Grill, later renamed the Chick-fil-A Dwarf House (461 N. Central Ave., Hapeville). It sits less than a mile from the Delta Flight Museum in the small city of Hapeville. A full-service establishment with table service, the restaurant sports an expansive menu beyond the offerings at regular Chick-fil-A locations. You can easily spot the restaurant because the front of the building has a tiny door that kids love to use.
Reynolds Nature Preserve
Take a nature break when you have a layover in Atlanta, staying close to the airport by visiting Reynolds Nature Preserve. This 146-acre preserve is about a 7 to 10-mile drive, depending on which side of the airport you're coming from. It's the closest and best spot to unwind outdoors away from the busy runways and roaring planes. You can hike on 3 miles of looping trails that run through rolling hills and spring-fed ponds. Along the way you'll see historic farm structures, some dating back to the 1860s, and perhaps even spot some wildlife in this refuge so close, yet seeming so far away from the hustle and bustle of Hartsfield.
Hop on MARTA
At the western end of Hartsfield's domestic terminal building, you'll find the Airport MARTA station. This rail line for Atlanta's public transit system will whisk you to the heart of downtown in less than 20 minutes with no transfers. Get off at the Peachtree Center station and head a few blocks west to Centennial Olympic Park. The park is home to some of the city's top attractions, including the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.
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