With a growing fondness for sports, and someone who’s near and dear to me a massive Falcons fan, I found myself celebrating American Thanksgiving in the peach state a few short years ago. With only 48 hours, make the most of your trip to ATL, Georgia.

Begin your day with a hot beverage and wander Centennial Olympic Park. The iconic park grounds downtown Atlanta. It’s also home to Sky View, the ferris wheel and popular tourist attraction for aerial shots. Take a photo near the Olympic rings, paying homage to the 1996 summer Olympic games hosted by the city.

From there take your pick between the Aquarium or World of Coca-Cola museum. If you have time, visit both, but to fully explore, you may be short on time. We opted for the Aquarium and weren’t disappointed. The two resident tiger sharks stole the show for me. Watching the 1,000 pound mammals swirl gracefully through the water was a peaceful way to spend the afternoon.

Sure to be famished after your tourist activity, visit a local pub. There’s no shortage in the downtown core. My recommendation? Park Bar. And while not terribly well reviewed, Hudson Grille made a nice salad to pair with my wine.

From there, treat the sports lover in your life with a tour of the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame museum, located adjacent to Centennial Olympic Park.

After that, let the games begin! We took in an NFL rival game—Atlanta Falcons hosting the New Orleans Saints.

TLW tip: for those less interested in sports, consider getting pampered at the St. Regis Remède Spa which makes top spa lists for the area year after year. Looking for something even more lavish? Don’t miss Chateau Elan, Atlanta’s premier luxury destination for accommodations, golf, wine and more.

Finish your evening at another local pub. The scene on game night is one you won’t want to miss. In fact, of all the States I’ve visited, Atlanta by far boasted the friendliest locals. Buddy up to the table next to you—you never know what hidden local gem they might share with you!

On your way back to your hotel, pass through Centennial Olympic Park for a night time view. The Park regularly hosts markets and festivals and the vibe differs greatly once dusk hits.

Wake up and wear comfortable shoes for a day of exploring and cheering for yet another team.

We started our morning with a coffee and a walk on the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail toward Ponce City Market. The market offers cafes, restaurants and an eclectic mix of shops such as Anthrologie, West Elm, City Winery and Posman books. There’s something for everyone.

TLW tip: if you’re a fan of city markets and food trucks, be sure to fit Krog Street Market into your itinerary.

After a mix and match lunch from the various food stalls, we continued walking through the city toward Georgia Tech University to watch the Yellow Jacket college team host their rivals, the Georgia University Bulldogs.

As a Canadian, being in an outdoor stadium of tens of thousands in nearly 30 °C weather at the end of November feels a little surreal.

When the game’s over, walk back to the hub of Atlanta and put that competitive energy to work at an arcade. There are a few highly rated options in downtown Atlanta.

Wrap up your second night on theme—at another sports pub!

Enjoy all that Atlanta’s got to offer.