Atlanta

blue

A guide to fun things to do in Atlanta this weekend.

Axios Atlanta Weekender

Weekender

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Atlanta with Kristal Dixon and Thomas Wheatley.

Axios Atlanta

Standard

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Atlanta. Written by Kristal Dixon and Thomas Wheatley.

Axios Atlanta Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Atlanta Alerts

Alert

Axios Atlanta Partners

Atlanta Members

Membership

What to know about Georgia's 3 constitutional amendments

From farmland tax breaks to 911 funding, here's what the three statewide proposals would change.

Election

Voters who stick around to the end of the ballot will be met with three constitutional amendments to consider.Here&#x27;s a quick cheat sheet to the ballot questions:<h2 class="text-h6 !font-sans !font-normal !leading-[1.2em]">💵 Property tax breaks</h2>Georgia would increase the amount of land a single owner can enroll in the state&#x27;s conservation-use property tax <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="program" data-vars-click-url="https://dor.georgia.gov/local-government-services/digest-compliance/conservation-use-land-values" data-vars-content-id="e49e1213-a575-4194-ae63-2dd375dd14c6" data-vars-headline="What to know about Georgia&#x27;s 3 constitutional amendments" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://dor.georgia.gov/local-government-services/digest-compliance/conservation-use-land-values" target="_blank">program</a> from 2,000 to 4,000 acres if voters approve this measure.

Atlanta Dream face elimination in lunchtime WNBA Finals showdown

The Golden State Valkyries lead the series 3-2. Atlanta must win Thursday to force Game 7 on Saturday.

Sports

Delano here!Look, y&#x27;all, the Dream are one loss away from elimination. Whether you&#x27;re taking PTO, calling in sick or &quot;working remotely&quot; with your camera off, Atlanta needs to show up for this team.Why it matters: The Golden State Valkyries lead the series 3-2. Atlanta must win Thursday to force Game 7 on Saturday.<ul><li>Otherwise, the Dream&#x27;s pursuit of their first WNBA championship will end at State Farm Arena.</li></ul>

Georgia's early voting surge fuels final campaign push

Obama and Harris rallied Democrats while Kemp and Perdue hit the trail for GOP gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson.

Politics

Republicans and Democrats are pulling out their respective heavyweights to galvanize supporters as Georgia enters the last day of early voting. Why it matters: While Georgians have already <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shattered" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/GabrielSterling/status/2115765220740153724" data-vars-content-id="d51f71c5-2d79-4ce0-b750-fd40f9b23298" data-vars-headline="Georgia&#x27;s early voting surge fuels final campaign push" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/GabrielSterling/status/2115765220740153724" target="_blank">shattered</a> early voting records for midterms, candidates will spend the final days before the election crisscrossing the state to win over voters.

Metro Atlanta's $8.9 billion I-285 toll-lane expansion advances

The massive highway expansion could begin in 2027 or 2028, with the first lanes opening in 2034.

News

An $8.9 billion plan to expand metro Atlanta&#x27;s toll-lane network on Interstate 285&#x27;s congested north end could spark years of construction and community impacts in the quest for congestion relief.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="I-285 East Express Lanes" data-vars-click-url="https://i285topendexpresslanes-gdot.hub.arcgis.com/" data-vars-content-id="0c1e3fa2-650d-48fa-90d0-ba35a537e401" data-vars-headline="Metro Atlanta&#x27;s $8.9 billion I-285 toll-lane expansion advances" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://i285topendexpresslanes-gdot.hub.arcgis.com/" target="_blank">I-285 East Express Lanes</a> project kicks off one of the Georgia Department of Transportation&#x27;s biggest to date and allows a private consortium to collect toll revenue for half a century.

I tried ATL's Minute Suites for an airport nap

Minute Suites offer travelers a private place to rest between flights.

Travel

Editor Geoff here! I was in your fine city this week and decided to try ATL&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Minute Suites" data-vars-click-url="https://minutesuites.com/locations/atlanta-airport/#" data-vars-content-id="4a0a1105-9675-4c2f-a474-20885c698312" data-vars-headline="I tried ATL&#x27;s Minute Suites for an airport nap" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://minutesuites.com/locations/atlanta-airport/#" target="_blank">Minute Suites</a> while waiting several hours for my flight home on Wednesday.Why it matters: All of Axios Local convened in Atlanta this week for our annual retreat. We journalists love to karaoke, throw back a few rounds and yap into the wee hours, so a bit of rest was much needed.<ul><li>And I&#x27;m sorry, but I&#x27;m just not that traveler who can lie down on a filthy gate carpet. (And tbh, neither should you. You&#x27;re better than that!)</li></ul>

Hipcamp names Georgia's best campsites for 2026

From mountain escapes to the Okefenokee, these Georgia campsites earned top marks from Hipcamp.

Things to Do

From a base camp for exploring the Okefenokee Swamp to an RV spot on a fruit-picking farm, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hipcamp" data-vars-click-url="https://www.hipcamp.com/en-US" data-vars-content-id="937bc757-908d-4cb3-b5cf-ca97cb37748b" data-vars-headline="Hipcamp names Georgia&#x27;s best campsites for 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.hipcamp.com/en-US" target="_blank">Hipcamp</a> has released its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="list" data-vars-click-url="https://www.hipcamp.com/en-US/stories/2026-awards/usa" data-vars-content-id="937bc757-908d-4cb3-b5cf-ca97cb37748b" data-vars-headline="Hipcamp names Georgia&#x27;s best campsites for 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.hipcamp.com/en-US/stories/2026-awards/usa" target="_blank">list</a> of the best Georgia campsites.How it works: Hipcamp is... well, think of it like Airbnb for campsites.<ul><li>Property owners make their platforms, RV spots, riverbanks and flat patches in the woods available to rent.</li></ul>

The World Cup is here. Here's how to plan your commute around the games

A new commute guide estimates the best and worst times to travel Downtown on match days.

With about 300,000 people expected to visit Atlanta for the city&#x27;s eight World Cup matches, you&#x27;ll want to avoid the accompanying traffic in and around Downtown over the next month.Why it matters: Dodging Atlanta traffic <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="is stressful" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/10/29/were-spending-more-time-stuck-in-traffic-in-atlanta" data-vars-content-id="772a249b-26c2-4c01-a7e8-c8fa2813c469" data-vars-headline="The World Cup is here. Here&#x27;s how to plan your commute around the games" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/10/29/were-spending-more-time-stuck-in-traffic-in-atlanta" target="_self">is stressful</a> on a normal day, and the World Cup will likely put even more strain on the region&#x27;s congested roads.

Test drive: MARTA's new rapid bus line

The route runs from South Downtown to the Atlanta Beltline's Southeast Trail.

Transit

MARTA&#x27;s long-awaited <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bus rapid transit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/01/21/marta-bus-rapid-transit-camera-enforcement" data-vars-content-id="a7ba0191-d094-4e37-b9d0-d57eb2930a61" data-vars-headline="Test drive: MARTA&#x27;s new rapid bus line" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/01/21/marta-bus-rapid-transit-camera-enforcement" target="_self">bus rapid transit</a> route from South Downtown to the Atlanta Beltline&#x27;s Southeast Trail is up and running. <ul><li>And even in its unfinished first phase, it&#x27;s a fast and easy ride.</li></ul>

How to explore the best of the Carolina coast

Discover a historic riverfront city and three unique island vibes all in one easy trip.

Beach vacations were the most popular type of trip through 2025, and experts anticipate demand for sunny getaways won&#x27;t let up this year.<ul><li>But scroll through your feed in July and it&#x27;s the same snapshot over and over again — one stretch of sand, one seafood shack, one boardwalk. 🥱</li></ul>What you need to know: Wilmington, NC &amp; Island Beaches offers something different, less than an hour and a half flight away from Atlanta.Three distinct beaches— each with its own history and personality — sit just minutes from a historic riverfront city, creating a coastal experience tailored to your distinct vacation vibe.

Hartsfield-Jackson expects to see over 8.3M passengers in April

The airport said Friday, April 3 will be one of its busiest travel days.

The world&#x27;s busiest airport projects over 8.3 million passengers will walk through its terminals and concourses throughout April.The latest: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport predicts Friday, April 3 will be one of its busiest travel days ever recorded, the airport said Wednesday in a press release.

DHS: 41% of TSA agents called out of work on Sunday in Atlanta

TSA officers who are working are not being paid due to the shutdown.

Roughly 41% of TSA agents did not report to work at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Sunday, the Department of Homeland Security told Axios.Why it matters: Along with the hourslong security lines at airports across the country, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="skyrocketing prices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/20/iran-war-flight-prices-air-travel-tips-cheaper" data-vars-content-id="249d77e2-2899-45b9-9b8d-b631a97e0549" data-vars-headline="DHS: 41% of TSA agents called out of work on Sunday in Atlanta" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/20/iran-war-flight-prices-air-travel-tips-cheaper" target="_self">skyrocketing prices</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="safety concerns" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/02/03/plane-crash-black-box-investigation-cockpit-recorder" data-vars-content-id="249d77e2-2899-45b9-9b8d-b631a97e0549" data-vars-headline="DHS: 41% of TSA agents called out of work on Sunday in Atlanta" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/02/03/plane-crash-black-box-investigation-cockpit-recorder" target="_self">safety concerns</a>, a partial <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="government shutdown" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/13/government-shutdown-dhs-democrats-trump" data-vars-content-id="249d77e2-2899-45b9-9b8d-b631a97e0549" data-vars-headline="DHS: 41% of TSA agents called out of work on Sunday in Atlanta" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/13/government-shutdown-dhs-democrats-trump" target="_self">government shutdown</a> and a spike <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="in oil prices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/22/iran-war-oil-trump-hormuz-strait-threat" data-vars-content-id="249d77e2-2899-45b9-9b8d-b631a97e0549" data-vars-headline="DHS: 41% of TSA agents called out of work on Sunday in Atlanta" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/22/iran-war-oil-trump-hormuz-strait-threat" target="_self">in oil prices</a> are fueling a &quot;spring of hell for air travelers,&quot; Axios&#x27; Alex Fitzpatrick <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/23/travel-delays-shutdown-security-airfare-prices" data-vars-content-id="249d77e2-2899-45b9-9b8d-b631a97e0549" data-vars-headline="DHS: 41% of TSA agents called out of work on Sunday in Atlanta" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/23/travel-delays-shutdown-security-airfare-prices" target="_self">reports</a>.

Atlanta airport TSA lines stretch for hours amid shutdown

With nearly 40% of TSA staff out, ATL travelers were told to arrive four to five hours early.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents will assist short-staffed TSA officers starting today at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Mayor Andre Dickens said.Why it matters: The deployment by President Trump thrusts the very agency that sparked the shutdown with its conduct in Minnesota into the nation&#x27;s airports to deal with the consequences, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios&#x27; Andrew Pantazi reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/22/trump-ice-agents-airports-tsa-dhs-shutdown" data-vars-content-id="e45ad5fe-4d1e-4d03-bcf0-baa713b47834" data-vars-headline="Atlanta airport TSA lines stretch for hours amid shutdown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/22/trump-ice-agents-airports-tsa-dhs-shutdown" target="_self">Axios&#x27; Andrew Pantazi reports</a>.

Stat du jour: Atlanta airport traffic snarled

Storms, a checkpoint closure and TSA shortages have slowed Atlanta's airport to a crawl this week.

<h2 class="text-h6 !font-sans !font-normal !leading-[1.2em]">3,053</h2>Total number of canceled and delayed flights flying in and out of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport since Monday morning, according to Flight Aware.Zoom in: Awful weather, a security checkpoint closure and TSA <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="staffing shortages" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/12/tsa-dhs-shutdown-airports-donations" data-vars-content-id="eb025ab3-9bee-476b-89b3-cfcd7160e650" data-vars-headline="Stat du jour: Atlanta airport traffic snarled" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/12/tsa-dhs-shutdown-airports-donations" target="_self">staffing shortages</a> related to the partial government shutdown have slowed the world&#x27;s busiest airport to a crawl.Of note: On Tuesday, airport officials asked travelers who are taking a domestic flight to use the domestic terminals.<ul><li>Word has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="apparently gotten out" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/jisaacraymond/status/2033920464632811697?s=20" data-vars-content-id="eb025ab3-9bee-476b-89b3-cfcd7160e650" data-vars-headline="Stat du jour: Atlanta airport traffic snarled" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/jisaacraymond/status/2033920464632811697?s=20" target="_blank">apparently gotten out</a> about Hartsfield-Jackson&#x27;s best kept secret: passing through TSA in the international terminal and riding the Plane Train is a great way to skip gridlock in the domestic terminal.</li></ul>State of play: Airline CEOs including Delta Air Lines&#x27; Ed Bastain have called on Congress to end the shutdown.

ATL predicts over 4 million travelers for Thanksgiving holiday

The Atlanta airport projects its peak travel days will be Sunday, Nov. 30 and Monday, Dec. 1.

Holidays

The world&#x27;s busiest airport says it expects to see more than four million travelers throughout the Thanksgiving holiday period.Why it matters: Pack your patience and arrive at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport at least two and a half hours in advance for domestic flights and three hours before international travel.

How to avoid Memorial Day Weekend traffic

Avoid Atlanta's worst Memorial Day drive times

A table that shows Memorial Day weekend 2026 road traffic forecasts by day. Worst driving windows are Thursdayfrom noon to 9 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from noon to 5 p.m., and Monday from noon to 5 p.m.