Can this itinerary be done

Question

Hi, so we live in Jersey and we are coming to Atlanta for practically a day and a half our flight gets in on a Friday morning at 11 AM and we are leaving Sunday morning at 8 AM

Coming to Atlanta for two main reasons:

One my father is buried in the military cemetery in Canton, Georgia, which is about 40 minutes from Atlanta. I would like to go there only for about an hour.

Also would like to go to the Atlanta aquarium, the Coca-Cola museum in the civil rights museum, which i hear all right next to each other

Those are really the only reasons we are flying down. Is it possible with just one full day and a half of Friday to get out to the cemetery and back and then spend all day Saturday at the aquarium, Coca-Cola factory and civil rights Museum do you need more than one day to cover those three museums? We will have a rental car And as of right now the plan is to stay at the Hilton Garden Inn airport millennial center. any advice would be greatly appreciated. .

Thank you

Answer

Your itinerary is definitely doable with some careful planning! Here's how I would suggest organizing your time to ensure you can fit in everything you want to do:

Friday (Arrival Day): You’ll be arriving in Atlanta at 11 AM, which gives you some time in the afternoon before heading to Canton. The military cemetery in Canton is about a 40-minute drive from Atlanta, so it’s not too far. If you plan to spend around an hour at the cemetery, I would suggest leaving Atlanta by around 12:30 PM to give yourself time to get there, visit, and return to the city. By the time you get back to Atlanta, it should be around 3-4 PM, depending on traffic and how long you spend at the cemetery.

Friday Afternoon (After Cemetery Visit): Once you're back in Atlanta, you might have a couple of hours to explore before dinner or relaxing for the evening. If you’re staying at the Hilton Garden Inn at the airport, you’re a little farther from the downtown area, but it's still an easy 15-20 minute drive to the major attractions. Since you won’t have time to visit the museums on Friday, this could be a good chance to explore other nearby attractions or grab an early dinner. For example, you could head to the nearby Camp Creek Marketplace for some shopping and dining, or head to the Georgia State Capitol area to walk around the city a bit and get a feel for downtown Atlanta.

Saturday (Full Day): This is your main day to hit all the key attractions, and with some smart timing, you can visit everything. The Georgia Aquarium, Coca-Cola Museum, and Civil Rights Museum are all located very close to each other, within walking distance, in the downtown area. Here's a suggested timeline:

Georgia Aquarium – Aim to arrive when it opens around 9 AM to beat the crowds. The aquarium is quite large, and you'll want to spend about 2-2.5 hours here to enjoy the main exhibits like Ocean Voyager and the Tropical Diver exhibit. You could also catch one of the shows if you're interested.
Coca-Cola Museum – After the aquarium, the Coca-Cola Museum is just a short walk away (about 5 minutes). The museum is fun and interactive, but it's not too large, so you can typically cover it in 1-1.5 hours. The tasting room at the end is a popular stop, where you can sample Coca-Cola products from around the world.
Civil Rights Museum – Finally, head to the Civil Rights Museum, which is about 5 minutes walking from the Coca-Cola Museum. The museum is one of Atlanta’s most significant attractions, and you’ll want to allow 1.5-2 hours to fully experience the exhibits. It's a powerful and moving experience, so you may want to take your time here.

Saturday Afternoon: If you find yourself with some extra time, you can visit other nearby attractions, such as Piedmont Park (great for a relaxing stroll) or take a walk through the Atlanta Botanical Garden, both of which are near downtown. Alternatively, you can explore the Midtown area for shopping and dining.

Sunday (Departure Day): Since your flight leaves at 8 AM, you'll need to head to the airport fairly early. Depending on how early you need to get up, you won’t have much time for sightseeing. However, if you’re looking to fit in one last activity, you might consider a quick stop at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport’s Plane Train for a fun and quick way to get a last view of the city before you depart.

Summary: Your plan is very feasible with careful timing. I would suggest the following schedule:

Friday afternoon: Cemetery visit in Canton, return to Atlanta by 4 PM, free time or dinner
Saturday: Start with the Georgia Aquarium at 9 AM, followed by the Coca-Cola Museum, and then the Civil Rights Museum in the afternoon (plan 6-7 hours total for all three museums)
Saturday evening: Dinner and some light exploring in downtown or Midtown
Sunday morning: Early departure from the airport

With this schedule, you should be able to enjoy your trip without feeling too rushed. Just be sure to account for traffic (especially on your way to and from Canton), and leave some buffer time between the museum visits. Have a great time in Atlanta!

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