Getting to Atlanta

If you need a visa letter, please contact the registration chair Eunhye Song (eunhye.song at isye.gatech.edu)

By airplane

The closest airport is the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL). Downtown Atlanta is approximately 12 miles away from the airport. The domestic terminal is connected to a MARTA station, and there are plenty of taxi/ride-sharing options. There is also a free shuttle between the international and domestic terminals.

Driving

You may arrive to Atlanta via interstates 20, 75 and 85.

Amtrak

You may ride the Amtrak train from New Orleans, New York, and stations in between.

Some activities in Atlanta

Atlanta is the state city, and one of the most populated cities in the United States. There are plenty of dining options and activities to enjoy during your stay. Here we highlight a few activities you may like.

Get to know the Georgia Tech campus

Every year, Georgia Tech hosts the Pi-Mile race in March, where hundreds of students, faculty and staff run around campus in a route that is π miles long and goes through the most iconic parts of campus. A map to the route can be found here, but there are also markers on the road.

Outdoor activities

  • The Atlanta Beltline is a 22-mile loop of walking/biking trails and parks surrounding a large portion of the city. While walking or biking on it, you will find multiple restaurants and can reach Piedmont Park. 
  • At the heart of Midtown is Piedmont Park. It has large green areas where you can enjoy sports or a picnic, picnic tables, a bike path, a small lagoon, etc.
  • The Atlanta Botanical Garden is right next to Piedmont Park and has beautiful seasonal exhibitions that we recommend checking out.
  • Georgia hosted the Olympic Games in 1996, and the Centennial Olympic Park serves as the Georgia legacy for these games. This park is a center for entertainment and multiple activities, including indoor activities listed below.
    • A wonderful view of the city can be appreciated from the Ferris Wheel in the park.
  • The Chattahoochee River flows through Atlanta and offers plenty of outdoor activities, such as hikes, biking, kayaking, tubing, etc. More information about the parks around this river can be found at the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA) at this link.
  • Atlanta has multiple parks with creeks and nice, green, and shaded walking trails. Some of them are:
    • Freedom park
    • Tanyard Creek
    • Memorial Park
    • Westside Reservoir
    • Proctor Creek
  • If you have more time to drive (~1 hr), and like parks and hiking, here are our recommendations:
    • Lake Lanier and Lake Allatoona. Both lakes are surrounded by parks with picnic and camping areas. 
    • The Red Top Mountain Park, and the Stone Mountain Park are some of the most popular state parks in the area, and the Kennesaw Mountain Park is the most famous national park for a hike in the area.
    • For more information about the state parks near Atlanta, you can visit this link.

Indoor activities