Can't afford to travel to Paris this summer for the Olympics? That's okay: You can travel to a place where the Olympics were held nearly 30 years ago.
A new ranking of the most affordable summer travel destinations in the United States has awarded the top spot to Atlanta — where the 1996 Summer Games were held and where most vacationers stop off before heading elsewhere.
WalletHub Analysts named Coca-Cola's hometown the most accessible for those without money to spend during the warmer months, beating out the sweltering heat of Washington DC and Orlando, a theme park filled with.
“The Atlanta metro area is the top summer travel destination, in part because the cheapest flights from major cities require no connections and can cost as little as $278,” the report said.
The researchers cited an alleged abundance of activities, attractions and a pleasant climate to explain their decision.
So what exactly do you do, inside or outside the Perimeter, during summer vacation?
Have you set your sights on the Acropolis or the Colosseum in Rome? How about the World of Coca-Cola, where visitors can experience the world-famous soda brand’s headquarters hands-on? Bring cash: Admission costs $21 and up.
Then visit Centennial Olympic Park, which commemorates a Summer Games that has consistently ranked among the worst Olympics of all time. Don't miss a ride on the Ferris wheel, a very expensive attraction that offers a breathtaking view of Atlanta's uniconic skyline.
And while no one will be playing football in town this summer, you can still check out the College Football Hall of Fame, a museum that still lacks a few exhibits to beat Cooperstown.
Yet it is in this relatively new attraction where you can take a kick yourself while reading about a Southern game they claim to have invented.
And what about an Atlanta Braves game? The team loves the city so much that they built their stadium on the other side of the country, without any train lines.
At least you can eat well: head to the nearest strip club and order the lemon pepper wings, the pinnacle of local haute cuisine.
All kidding aside, Atlanta recently managed to land Michelin stars for five of its restaurants. And, as WalletHub’s investigation points out, it’s a nightlife lover’s dream, with one of the latest closing times in the country: bars don’t close until 4 a.m.
And of course, after that, everyone knows it's Waffle House's turn, which almost never closes — Whatever happens.
Pop culture junkies are also well served here: Private tours of “Stranger Things” film sets and locations are a hit with visitors, wine lovers can take a day trip north for a vineyard tour, and thrill seekers can head to nearby Six Flags over Georgia.
Too hot outside? Take a trip to one of the area's many shopping centers, like the nearly 2 million-square-foot Mall of Georgia in neighboring Gwinnett County.
