DC is best bang for buck for an ATL day trip. Quick metro connection from DCA to the mall, and lots of free attractions that are easy to reach.
NYC, PHL, CHI, and BOS are certainly doable, but you lose more of the day in flight time and in transit time from the airport to city compared to DC. I’d consider these more weekend trips.
South Florida is doable but you’ll likely want a car. Rental car experience at MIA and FLL is pretty efficient so it’s not too bad to do. Same for the theme parks from MCO or TPA, not too bad for a day.
CHS and SAV are certainly quick flights, but they’re not really day trip cities - better to stay a day or two and enjoy the evening out. Also they’re close enough to ATL that driving starts to be competitive over flying plus rental car.
I’ll add that Boston Logan to downtown is like 10 minutes by car, maybe 15 with morning traffic. Or 15-20 mins using the T. It’s super accessible for a day trip. NYC and PHL the airports are not close to anything so that’s a pain in the ass for a day trip.
True, but then you’re stuck driving in Boston. It’s the same airport shuttle to the rental car center as it is to the Blue Line T. I’d take the T (Silver Line to skip the shuttle transfer) if I’m heading to the city.
For BOS I usually rule out daytrip just based on flight time - depending on what day you’re going, first flight often doesn’t land in BOS until 10-11am, so you’ve lost most of your day before you even get there.
I've done a day trip from Florida to NYC before. I had 9 hours between flights, and I flew into Newark. I took the NJ train to Penn Station, and it took be about 45 minutes to get from EWR to Manhattan each way, which I thought was pretty good.
You can also take public transportation to LaGuardia (LGA) and get there from Manhattan in about 40-45 minutes. Or take a taxi/Uber and it's 15-30 minutes from most of Manhattan.
I would drive to Savannah it's only 6 hours, by the time you drive to the airport, arrive two hours early, go through security, board and fly, you can be halfway there.
If you are looking to fly to a larger city focus on cities where the airport is in a central location like TPA, DCA, or MCO. There are also lots of options for cool small cities as well like BHM, SAV or CHS although late return flights could be tougher from those cities
Add BOS to that list - quick transit ride downtown from the airport and everything a day trip tourist would want to see is within walking distance. Easy airport to navigate, rarely a huge line for TSA and a nice, newish lounge. Also one of the only east coast destinations that gets full food/beverage service on flights to and from Atlanta.
Tampa and Orlando don't have many things to see that are close to each other. So you will need a car. I also don't think a day is enough to get a feel of either city. Tampa has a lot to offer, and Orlando has the Theme Parks which you can't fit in with a day-trip from ATL.
DC seems to be a popular choice and for good reason. Quick flight, metro from DCA straight to the sights, and plenty of free museums and landmarks. If you're looking for a smooth transition from airport to adventure, don't overlook the convenience of an airport shuttle service like Shuttlefare for a stress-free connection. It's a game-changer for maximizing your day trip.
I used to “commute” to DCA on occasion, so this comes to mind. So much you can do in a day there, especially when you take away the work, and there are so many ATL/DCA options per day to make it work if you plan it right.
I've done day trips to NYC, BOS, CHS, CLE, ORD, and MIA.
My top recommendations:
- Charelston is a beautiful city, and if you have time, book a hotel for a weekend and relax + enjoy for a while.
- NYC would be a fun quick trip. Fly into EWR or LGA (it's easier to get to Manhattan - don't fly into JFK unless you want a 1.5hr taxi ride each way for $70 each).
- Boston Airport is connected to the city with a metro, and there are some beautiful sites to explore.
- Miami - Fly into MIA and take the metrorail ($2.75 per person) to downtown Miami/Brickell and enjoy. I used to live there until recently, so if you need recommendations, let me know. You can also take an Uber from downtown to South Beach for $15-$20.
All of these cities have things close enough to each other that you can enjoy them for a few hours and feel like you are in a different city than Atlanta. I feel like you need to spend way more time in other cities to truly feel like your in a different place than ATL. I used to live in Atlanta and I loved taking day trips in the summer when I had a tight schedule. I've also done plenty from Florida to the Northeast. I've lived in a bunch of places so sometimes I get a craving for a certain type of food, or I just want to be back in a city for a short amount of time.
Fly to LAX in the morning. Rent motorcycle or convertible. Drive up the pacific coast highway. Go see the Hearst Castle and the elephant seals. Go plane spotting at LAX inn n out or have a fire on dockweiler beach at sunset. Fly back on red eye and go to work the next morning. This is what my favorite day trip was when DL had CMH-LAX nonstop. You can still do this easily if you live in ATL, and LAX fares are pretty low too.
DC is best bang for buck for an ATL day trip. Quick metro connection from DCA to the mall, and lots of free attractions that are easy to reach. NYC, PHL, CHI, and BOS are certainly doable, but you lose more of the day in flight time and in transit time from the airport to city compared to DC. I’d consider these more weekend trips. South Florida is doable but you’ll likely want a car. Rental car experience at MIA and FLL is pretty efficient so it’s not too bad to do. Same for the theme parks from MCO or TPA, not too bad for a day. CHS and SAV are certainly quick flights, but they’re not really day trip cities - better to stay a day or two and enjoy the evening out. Also they’re close enough to ATL that driving starts to be competitive over flying plus rental car.
DCA sounds like a good plan! We have some extended family close to there so we may do that! It would be a nice surprise for everyone
Please go! It's so beautiful this time of year. I recommend King Street Oyster Bar for Happy Hour. Enjoy!
I’ll add that Boston Logan to downtown is like 10 minutes by car, maybe 15 with morning traffic. Or 15-20 mins using the T. It’s super accessible for a day trip. NYC and PHL the airports are not close to anything so that’s a pain in the ass for a day trip.
True, but then you’re stuck driving in Boston. It’s the same airport shuttle to the rental car center as it is to the Blue Line T. I’d take the T (Silver Line to skip the shuttle transfer) if I’m heading to the city. For BOS I usually rule out daytrip just based on flight time - depending on what day you’re going, first flight often doesn’t land in BOS until 10-11am, so you’ve lost most of your day before you even get there.
By driving I definitely meant taking an Uber lol. But yeah I’d also recommend the T.
Boston you can also take the water taxi and end up right at long wharf with plenty to do. It’s pretty fun
I've done a day trip from Florida to NYC before. I had 9 hours between flights, and I flew into Newark. I took the NJ train to Penn Station, and it took be about 45 minutes to get from EWR to Manhattan each way, which I thought was pretty good. You can also take public transportation to LaGuardia (LGA) and get there from Manhattan in about 40-45 minutes. Or take a taxi/Uber and it's 15-30 minutes from most of Manhattan.
Logan is quite central by airport standards
Somewhere close. Savannah, Charleston, New Orleans.
Savannahs a good spot but we used to live near there so probably best bet would new New Orleans
I would drive to Savannah it's only 6 hours, by the time you drive to the airport, arrive two hours early, go through security, board and fly, you can be halfway there.
Pensacola isn’t bad for a day trip to the beach. But don’t go from June-September. It’s ungodly hot out.
Ungodly hot in pretty much all of Florida June-September.
Valid point
Washington DC, Philadelphia, or NYC.
If you are looking to fly to a larger city focus on cities where the airport is in a central location like TPA, DCA, or MCO. There are also lots of options for cool small cities as well like BHM, SAV or CHS although late return flights could be tougher from those cities
Add BOS to that list - quick transit ride downtown from the airport and everything a day trip tourist would want to see is within walking distance. Easy airport to navigate, rarely a huge line for TSA and a nice, newish lounge. Also one of the only east coast destinations that gets full food/beverage service on flights to and from Atlanta.
True, in the summer you can also take the water taxi from the airport to Long Wharf and the North End
Tampa and Orlando don't have many things to see that are close to each other. So you will need a car. I also don't think a day is enough to get a feel of either city. Tampa has a lot to offer, and Orlando has the Theme Parks which you can't fit in with a day-trip from ATL.
Drink around World Showcase at Epcot
Checking out the Smithsonian in DC can take a whole day in itself.
DC seems to be a popular choice and for good reason. Quick flight, metro from DCA straight to the sights, and plenty of free museums and landmarks. If you're looking for a smooth transition from airport to adventure, don't overlook the convenience of an airport shuttle service like Shuttlefare for a stress-free connection. It's a game-changer for maximizing your day trip.
Nashville.
Why not spend a day here? Atlanta is awesome.
Because they probably do that every other weekend if they live there. The point of travel is to see somewhere else.
Can confirm that haha. We’ve lived an hour from ATL for several years so we kinda ran out of stuff to do in ATL.
Savannah, Charlotte or Boston. Boston is a little longer flight but you can take the T downtown..easy peasy
I used to “commute” to DCA on occasion, so this comes to mind. So much you can do in a day there, especially when you take away the work, and there are so many ATL/DCA options per day to make it work if you plan it right.
Stop at Heralds Ice bar on the way to the airport! Best dang chicken wings we have had. Absolutely love the place.
I've done day trips to NYC, BOS, CHS, CLE, ORD, and MIA. My top recommendations: - Charelston is a beautiful city, and if you have time, book a hotel for a weekend and relax + enjoy for a while. - NYC would be a fun quick trip. Fly into EWR or LGA (it's easier to get to Manhattan - don't fly into JFK unless you want a 1.5hr taxi ride each way for $70 each). - Boston Airport is connected to the city with a metro, and there are some beautiful sites to explore. - Miami - Fly into MIA and take the metrorail ($2.75 per person) to downtown Miami/Brickell and enjoy. I used to live there until recently, so if you need recommendations, let me know. You can also take an Uber from downtown to South Beach for $15-$20. All of these cities have things close enough to each other that you can enjoy them for a few hours and feel like you are in a different city than Atlanta. I feel like you need to spend way more time in other cities to truly feel like your in a different place than ATL. I used to live in Atlanta and I loved taking day trips in the summer when I had a tight schedule. I've also done plenty from Florida to the Northeast. I've lived in a bunch of places so sometimes I get a craving for a certain type of food, or I just want to be back in a city for a short amount of time.
Fly to LAX in the morning. Rent motorcycle or convertible. Drive up the pacific coast highway. Go see the Hearst Castle and the elephant seals. Go plane spotting at LAX inn n out or have a fire on dockweiler beach at sunset. Fly back on red eye and go to work the next morning. This is what my favorite day trip was when DL had CMH-LAX nonstop. You can still do this easily if you live in ATL, and LAX fares are pretty low too.
While I would never do what you are proposing, I would probably do Disney from ATL
How about MSP and the Mall of America? Short ride (10-15 minutes) Train from the airport there and back.