What to See and Do in Atlanta Super Bowl Weekend

Now is a great time to visit Atlanta. If you're visiting for Super Bowl LIII, there will be plenty of football fanfest throughout the city, but don't forget to check out some of the local sites, too. With so much to do and see, you'll need more than just a weekend to pack it all in, and I can't wait to share my hometown with you.

The city of Atlanta is ready for a weekend full of Super Bowl revelry. The Super Bowl Experience opens at the Georgia World Congress Center on January 26 and runs until February 2. Guests will be able to score player autographs, shop specialty merchandise, digitally try on their favorite Super Bowl ring, test their football skills and challenge friends to see who will be the next Tom Brady.

The South loves football, especially at the college level. It just makes sense that the College Football Hall of Fame is located here. Spend your day checking out all the college football greats, marvel at the helmet wall featuring over 760 different schools and allow your kids some excitement by running around on the Indoor Playing Field.

Relax and take in the beautiful Atlanta skyline on the SkyView at Centennial Olympic Park. The SkyView is a twenty-story tall enclosed Ferris wheel that lights up at night. Plus, it is located just a few short blocks from Mercedes Benz stadium.

It's easy to become mesmerized by all the animals at the Georgia Aquarium, from whale sharks to sea otters to even a dolphin show. You can even upgrade your experience for just $15 and receive a Behind the Seas tour. Or, make your visit especially memorable by arranging an animal encounter.

Like most major cities, Atlanta offers a CityPass to save visitors money at all the top attractions. The pass includes tickets to:

-Georgia Aquarium

-World of Coca-Cola

-CNN Studio Tours

-Zoo Atlanta or Center for Civil and Human Rights

-Fernbank Museum of Natural History or College Football Hall of Fame

Ponce City Market is one of Atlanta's newest and most popular scenes. With a delicious food hall, shops and even a rooftop full of fun activities, this is one place you won't want to miss.

Krog Street Market is another converted warehouse turned food hall and voted one of the Ten Best Food Halls in the U.S. by Fodor's Travel.

But my personal favorite is the Dekalb Farmer's Market. Stalls are filled with delectable eats from around the world and show a wonderful mingling of cultures. Just be sure to bring cash or your debit card as they do not accept credit cards.

There are numerous Super Bowl events planned throughout the city leading up to the big day. With a three-night music festival, a fan village in Centennial Olympic Park, kickoff event on January 28th, Taste of the NFL at the Cobb Galleria Centre and even a Gospel Celebration at Atlanta Symphony Hall, you'll want to plan out your itinerary to catch all your favorites. Check out this list of events for a full schedule of concerts, parties and celebrations.

Known as the new Home of the Atlanta Braves, The Battery offers more than just SunTrust Park. With places to eat, party and shop, The Battery is even playing host to special events for Super Bowl LIII like Shaq's Fun House, concerts by Eli Young Band and the SunTrust Confidence Classic Fan Fest.

Do you and your family need a break from a weekend filled with football? If so, be sure to catch a show at Shakespeare's Tavern Playhouse, which will be playing Romeo and Juliet. The venue is set up like a real tavern and guests are encouraged to arrive early to order traditional English pub food.

Or, take a stroll through the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, where you will marvel at floral topiaries. With an ever-changing event calendar, it's almost like visiting a whole new garden with each trip.

See what all the buzz is about at the High Museum of Arts. You'll want to make sure to have your camera ready for the Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors.

If you consider yourself a foodie, then you're traveling to the right place. Atlanta is an explosion of culinary innovation, from top-rated chefs to traditional Southern cuisine to the tried and true favorites.

Try Mary Mac's Tea Room for traditional Southern home cooking. You definitely won't leave here feeling hungry. The Varsity is an Atlanta staple fast food establishment. You can either go inside and listen to the multitude of counter workers asking "What'll ya have?" or you can stay in your car as a car hop comes to take your order like back in the '50s. Just be sure to know the lingo before ordering.

Holeman & Finch Public House is revered for its burgers, which are served all through brunch, or you can try your luck at getting one of the elusive 24 burgers served at the start of service. The Brick Store is a personal favorite of mine located in Decatur, GA. The restaurant offers pub fare with an extensive beer list.

For more options, check out 25 delicious places to eat in Atlanta. Or, if you just want to find a hip spot to grab a couple of drinks, check out these recommendations.

Atlanta was the birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. And thanks to Delta Airlines, the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park has reopened amid the government shutdown. The destination is one of Atlanta's top tourist sites and includes MLK Jr's birthplace, Ebenezer Baptist Church where he preached, Fire Station No. 6, a visitor center and more. This is a moving experience and I encourage everyone to visit.

Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport is the busiest airport in the world, and also the home of Delta Airlines. Therefore, it is sometimes one of the first for innovative travel like the new biometric terminal. But did you know that there is a whole museum you can visit dedicated to Delta and its contribution to the world of aviation? The Delta Flight Museum is truly an awe-inspiring place for any travel lover with interactive exhibits, history and the famed 747 Experience.

February may not be known as having the best weather in Georgia, but there is still a chance of more sunshine and warmer temperatures when compared to New England. Stone Mountain offers the perfect outdoor attraction just minutes from Atlanta. For beautiful views of the city, hike all the way to the top of the mountain or take the Summit Skyride, for those less adventurous souls

If you don't want to leave the city of Atlanta, visitors can walk along the BeltLine, which links 45 different neighborhoods of the metro area. It even connects you to Piedmont Park, a popular green space located in the city.

Did you know that Georgia is a popular film spot? If you're a huge movie buff, you may want to double check the filming locations of your favorite shows and movies. Shows like "Stranger Things" and "The Walking Dead" are filmed in Atlanta and its surrounding suburbs. Even movies like "The Hunger Games", "Baby Driver", and "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" had scenes filmed in the area.