In July 2024, we combined our existing blogs (The Committee Blog and the Community Blog) into one: The NFA Blog. This space will be a landing page for the flute community to share their insights. Check back each month for new posts!
Soon, flutists from all over the world will be traveling to Atlanta for the NFA’s 53rd Annual Convention. This short guide includes practical information on navigating the city and making the most of your trip.
Atlanta is a thriving metropolis, rich with culture and history. This capital city, with over 500,000 residents, offers something for everyone. If you are looking for information on the city and its many attractions, our friends at Discover Atlanta have created a special website for NFA attendees to learn about all that the city has to offer, including restaurant, travel and attraction information and special discount offers.
All convention activities will take place at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta (265 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30303). The venue is centrally located in downtown Atlanta, just blocks away from tourist attractions like the Georgia Aquarium (convention guests get a discount on Aquarium tickets via the website noted above!), the Children’s Museum of Atlanta, the World of Coca-Cola, and other options.
For venue accessibility information, visit our website. Guests needing to rent a scooter or wheelchair can do so through Scootaround:
Website: scootaround.com
Phone: 888-484-1804
Email: info@scootaround.com
If you have specific questions about the Hyatt Regency Atlanta’s accessibility, we encourage you to contact them directly at 404-577-1234.
NFA Convention Attendees can receive special discounts at area restaurants and attractions, including the nearby Georgia Aquarium. Visit Discover Atlanta to learn more.
Summers in Atlanta can be quite hot and humid. Daily high temperatures frequently reach the 90’s, with overnight low temperatures averaging around 70 degrees. If you are staying at the
Hyatt Regency Atlanta or the Hilton Atlanta, you will be able to walk to convention activities without going outside. If you plan on venturing outside of the venue, dress accordingly for the weather and carry water.
Atlanta’s public transit system, MARTA, offers a convenient way to travel around the city by bus, train, or streetcar. The Peachtree Center Station is the closest station to the Hyatt Regency Atlanta.
If you are traveling to/from ATL airport, the Gold and Red train lines provide a direct connection to the Peachtree Center Station. For maps and schedules, visit itsmarta.com.
Downtown Atlanta offers plentiful parking for those who are driving to the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. Our friends at Atlanta Downtown have provided a Parking Map of the area (external link opens in new window).
We also recommend checking a discount parking reservation service (like SpotHero - external link opens in new window) to reserve your parking in advance.
The Hyatt Regency Hotel has a restaurant and a market in the lobby. However, they are expensive and more affordable options are available in the nearby Peachtree Center and other locations near the hotel. The convention center does not have a food court.
Stocking up on some groceries and snacks to keep in your room can be a more affordable option than eating out throughout the convention. All rooms have mini-refrigerators and coffeemakers. A microwave is located in the market in the hotel lobby. Check with hotel staff to find out if there are other microwaves throughout the hotel.
A CVS store is located at Peachtree Center next to the hotel.. Publix supermarket is 20 minutes away and Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s 1.7 miles away from the hotel. Publix and Instacart will deliver to the hotel.
The NFA cannot print documents for you during the convention. There is a FedEx Print & Ship Center located within the Hyatt Regency.
This section was written by our Local Arrangements Co-Chairs, Katherine Emeneth and Nathalie Simper, and originally published in The Flutist Quarterly
A quick walk away [from the Hyatt Regency] you will find Centennial Olympic Park, a beautiful green space originally built for the 1996 Olympics. Enjoy a stroll through the park, take in the Fountain of Rings, or relax with a meal at one of the many nearby restaurants. Experience a panoramic view of the area at SkyView Atlanta and cool down with a sweet treat at the Instagram-famous The Yard Milkshake Bar or the Bottle Cap Café.
For history enthusiasts, Atlanta offers significant landmarks that showcase its important past. The Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park includes Dr. King’s childhood home, Ebenezer Baptist Church, and The King Center, where visitors can learn about his enduring legacy. While the National Center for Civil and Human Rights will be undergoing renovations while we’re all gathered, there are some other wonderful options not within walking distance, the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum and The Atlanta History Center.
If you’re looking for family-friendly fun, downtown Atlanta has plenty to offer. Less than 10 minutes from the hotel, you will find the Georgia Aquarium, home to thousands of marine animals, including the famous whale shark. Right next door, the World of Coca-Cola offers tours of the famous beverage brand’s history, complete with tastings from around the world. The interactive Children’s Museum of Atlanta is also nearby, perfect for younger visitors looking to learn and play.
Additional indoor museums include the High Museum of Art, which will have a unique exhibition by Japanese media artist Ryoji Ikeda called data-verse. Visit the Fernbank Museum of Natural History for a glimpse into Georgia’s past, as well as limestone tiles throughout the museum that feature ancient fossils. If you’re looking for timeless artwork collections, make some time to browse the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia.
Food lovers will have plenty of options in Atlanta’s dynamic culinary scene. From classic Southern fare to international flavors, there is something for everyone. Popular spots near the convention hotel include Paschal’s, known for its famous fried chicken and deep-rooted civil rights history, and The Varsity, the world’s largest drive-in restaurant, where you can grab an iconic chili dog and experience a true Atlanta institution.
For those who love shopping and exploring, head to Ponce City Market, located in a historic Sears, Roebuck & Co. building. This market features local boutiques, specialty food vendors, and rooftop views of the Atlanta skyline. Another great destination is Krog Street Market, a vibrant food hall filled with artisan shops and eateries, located along the BeltLine, Atlanta’s trail and park system.
Sports fans will also find plenty to enjoy in Atlanta. Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home to the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United, is close to the Hyatt Regency and offers stadium tours if you’re interested in seeing its state-of-the-art design. Just a few blocks away, State Farm Arena hosts the Atlanta Hawks and major concerts year-round.
Atlanta has a reputation of being “the city in the forest” for good reason. It is one of the few large cities that has an abundance of trees throughout the city. Head over to Piedmont Park, a refreshing urban oasis perfect for walking, jogging, or picnicking.
Adjacent to the park is the Atlanta Botanical Garden, where you can explore stunning plant collections, the tropical rainforest dome, and the Alice’s Wonderland larger-than-life greenery sculptures.