What Is Atlanta Known for? 10 Things Atlantans Love About Themselves

#1: It’s the Capital of the Peach State

Though Atlanta is Georgia’s capital now, it wasn’t always that way. In fact, the Peach State has had 5 capitals since 1776. The first capital was Savannah, which switched to Augusta two years later. After many citizens claimed Augusta was too far east, the capital was moved to Louisville in 1796. Just 11 years later the capital was moved once again to Milledgeville, and in 1868 Atlanta became the final capital of Georgia.

Since it is the capital, you’ll find the Georgia State Capitol Building and Museum downtown. It’s worth visiting to see the unique Renaissance architecture featured in the 100-plus-year-old building. The museum also gives a bit more history into Georgia’s government and the history of Atlanta.

#2: Atlanta Is Full of History

Speaking of history, Atlanta is full of it. Many movements that changed the nation started in Atlanta. Martin Luther King Jr. was born in Atlanta, and some of his experiences growing up there led to his leadership in the Civil Rights Movement. You can visit King’s childhood home, his gravesite, and a few museums like The King Center, a center that features artifacts of MLK, Rosa Parks, and Gandi.

Beyond all of the movements that have taken place in the city, the history of the land is also worth taking time to discover. It became a settlement because of the same reason many other towns did at the time — railroads. Once a railroad station was built in the area, shops and other buildings spread.

#3: It Was Once Called ‘Terminus’

To delve a bit deeper into Georgia’s railroad town that became the state capital, we’ll have to go back to 1836. That was when the state built a railroad to the Midwest and chose the area to be the line’s terminus. Because of its role as a station, the town was originally called “Terminus”, which means “end of the line”. Buildings started to go up and Terminus quickly grew to a population of 30 people and 6 buildings. 

In 1842, locals of Terminus requested that the town be renamed Lumpkin after Governor Wilson Lumpkin. However, the governor requested that the town be named after his daughter Martha Atalanta Lumpkin instead. Therefore, the town became Marthasville in 1843. 

Marthasville must not have been a favorite because, in 1845, the chief engineer of the Georgia Railroad made a new suggestion: Atlantica-Pacifica. While the townspeople agreed, they shortened the lengthy title to Atlanta, which stuck. The first city council and mayor of Atlanta were elected in 1847 and the city blossomed.

#4: It’s Home to Some Delicious Coffee

Skipping ahead to modern Atlanta, one thing that Atlantans really love and are proud of is their coffee! As of 2024, there are over 200 coffee shops in the heart of Atlanta’s metro — more than any other city in the state.

Since so much of Atlanta’s culture revolves on cool coffee shops and hole-in-the-wall bistros, it’s hard to pick just one worth highlighting, so here are a few. Con Leche Coffee offers a unique business plan — a $10/week coffee subscription gets you unlimited hot and iced coffee as well as discounts on other items. Many locals love Con Leche Coffee because of the delicious drinks, great service, and unlimited coffee plan. Another coffee shop you can’t miss is ParkGrounds. It’s best known for being a pup-friendly place to people-watch while you sip on fresh roast. They also serve great sandwiches and snacks. 

#5: It’s Where Coca-Cola Got Started

Coca-Cola was invented right in the heart of Atlanta in 1892 by Dr. John Stith Pemberton. He was experimenting with a combination of coca leaves and kola nuts to create a new health tonic. Once he made the concoction and it was taste-tested and approved, it was added to the soda fountain for 5 cents per glass. In the first year, the company served around nine drinks per day. 

While the soda itself was delicious, it was the marketing that really made it pay off. Dr. Pemberton’s bookkeeper was the one who suggested the name Coca-Cola. He thought it sounded better than “French Wine Cola”, and it certainly does. The double Cs in the name made Coca-Cola catchy and popular.

#6: There’s A Difference Between ‘ITP’ and ‘OTP’

No, I don’t mean ‘on the phone’. In Atlanta, ‘OTP’ means ‘outside the perimeter’ and ‘ITP’ means ‘inside the perimeter’. But what perimeter are they referring to? That would be Interstate 285 — it pretty much encircles the city, leaving some shops ITP and others OTP. If you ask a local for directions, be ready to hear these terms!

#7: Atlanta’s Airport Is the Busiest in the World

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, also known as ATL, is the busiest airport by passenger count in the world. It’s held the top spot since 1998 (excluding 2020 due to COVID), and beats other airports by a landslide. In 2022, there were 93,699,630 total passengers at ATL. To compare to the second-largest airport, Dallas Fort Worth International only had around 73 million travelers. 

Each day around 1,000 flights leave and return from the airport. Since ATL sees so many passengers every year, it’s naturally a very large airport. It features two terminals, one domestic and one international, as well as seven concourses and a total of 192 gates. The busiest domestic routes from ATL are to Orlando and Fort Lauderdale, while the busiest international routes are from Cancun and Amsterdam. 

#8: The Sports Options Are Pretty Great

Atlanta is home to five professional sports franchises: the Atlanta Braves (MLB), the Atlanta Falcons (NFL), the Atlanta Hawks (NBA), the Atlanta Dream (WNBA), and the Atlanta United FC (MLS). Along with the many professional games that are going on throughout the year, you’ll also find tons of college sports. Atlantans love the fact that they can catch a game on a weekday afternoon without having to drive too far.

#9: It’s Home To Its Own Fast Food

California has In-N-Out, the Midwest has Good Times, but Atlanta has a unique spot called The Varsity. It’s a drive-in burgers and fries restaurant with some of the best food you can find in the city. The original building sits on two city blocks and has room to seat 800 diners, making it the world’s largest drive-in restaurant!

Atlantans will be the first to tell you that there’s nothing like The Varsity. The food is tasty, the service is always great, and there’s something for everyone. Since the first store opened in 1928, it’s become such a favorite of city residents that there are now 8 locations throughout Atlanta. 

#10: The Capital Is Covered In Pure Gold

Ask an Atlantan, and they’ll be the first to tell you that residents of the city can be a little ‘extra’. But this one takes it to a new level — the top of the capital building is covered in 43 ounces of gold! It’s extra special because the gold was mined in Dahlonega, a nearby Georgia city. It’s one of 10 capital buildings in the U.S. that are covered with gold, and it’s also one of the largest.