Why We Love Staying in Downtown Atlanta for Concerts + Events
đź“ŤDowntown Atlanta, Georgia
📆 August 2025
🏩 Downtown Atlanta Marriott Marquis
📸 Fuji x100vi
We went on a family road trip in our trusty Subaru to downtown Atlanta for The Weeknd’s After Hours Til Dawn Tour at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. This was a birthday gift for our 15-year-old and we made it a family trip.
Our whole family had a blast exploring Atlanta for the weekend – and yes, we also loved the concert!!
Here’s our video of the weekend –
The reason we went: The Weeknd in Atlanta
Seeing The Weeknd live at Mercedes-Benz Stadium was the anchor of the trip. The scale of the stadium, the production, the lights — it all felt epic in the best way. Our teen LOVED IT. We did not intend to get fancy seats – but our seats came with a private club area with food and drinks and bathrooms and seatings. My daughter and I even watched the concert from the club area because it was too loud for her. This stadium is FANTASTIC and we love going to concerts and events there.
Being downtown made a big difference here. Getting to and from the concert felt easy, and we didn’t spend the night worrying about traffic or logistics — which, after a late show, matters more than you think. We walked everywhere – it was easy and felt safe.
Staying downtown Atlanta for a concert weekend
For trips built around concerts or big events, staying downtown Atlanta simplifies everything.
We were close to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, within easy reach of classic attractions like the Georgia Aquarium, and the World of Coke. Downtown worked as a true home base — somewhere we could return to between activities without feeling like we were constantly in transit.
Where we stayed: Downtown Atlanta Marriott Marquis
We stayed at the Downtown Atlanta Marriott Marquis, which ended up being an ideal fit for a concert-centered weekend.
The location made it easy to move between the stadium, attractions, and meals, and having everything centralized helped the weekend feel relaxed instead of overplanned. If you’re coming to Atlanta for a concert, game, or event, staying downtown — especially near the stadium — is a smart move.
Classic Atlanta stops (with kids in tow)
When you’re traveling as a family, the best weekends balance big moments with familiar favorites.
We spent time at the Georgia Aquarium, which never disappoints, and caught an Atlanta Braves game, soaking in the atmosphere even without making it the main focus of the trip. We also love to go to Phipps and Lenox to shop. These stops fit naturally into the weekend and paired well with the late-night concert energy.
Meals we’ll remember
Food always becomes part of the memory.
We stopped at Woody’s Famous Philly Cheesesteaks which is located in a shack outside of Piedmont Park, and an ATL staple. It was fun and casual! We went upscale and enjoyed a more polished lunch the next day at Atlanta Fish Market.
How this weekend was captured
Most of this trip was filmed on the Fuji X100VI — not traditionally thought of as a video-first camera, but one I ended up loving for both video and photos on this weekend.
Keeping things simple made a difference. Fewer decisions, less gear, and more presence. It was a good reminder that the right camera is often the one that lets you stay in the moment instead of managing equipment.
Fujifilm X100VI — The Camera I Take Everywhere
A photographer’s cult favorite camera. The Fuji x100vi is my travel + everyday camera. I usually have it with me in my bag. Fuji x100vi’s retro look, manual dials, film simulations, make this camera a JOY to use. I love it for video, too – although it is definitely built to be more for photography.
Check out: Fujifilm X100VI Sample Photos
PS – I keep the PolarPro Shortstache Everyday filter on it + use Reggie’s Portra film recipe for pretty, cinematic, a little vintage-y look.
A weekend worth repeating
Atlanta is a city we lived in for a few years and love to visit. But this particular weekend — built around music, a downtown stay, and a few well-chosen stops — stands out.
Sometimes the best trips aren’t about doing everything. They’re about choosing one good reason to go, staying somewhere that makes the rest easy, and letting the weekend unfold naturally.
