If You're Looking For A Summer Travel Destination, Experts Say Visit This GA Metro

ATLANTA, GA — Metro Atlanta should be on your summer travel list, according to WalletHub's latest ranking released this month.

The metro dropped a spot from last year, when it was named the No. 1 best summer travel destination. This year, the personal finance website WalletHub says metro Orlando in Florida is the sole town above metro Atlanta.

Experts examined 100 U.S. destinations likely for summer travel based on travel costs and hassles, local costs, attractions, weather, activities and safety.

In the end, the Georgia metro landed in second place.

Here is how metro Atlanta ranked:

• Total Score: 68.19
• Travel costs and hassles: 2
• Local costs: 67
• Attractions: 17
• Weather: 15
• Activities: 8
• Safety: 35

"The Atlanta metro area is the second-best summer travel destination, in part because the shortest flights from major cities don’t require any connections and can cost as little as $219," WalletHub said in its report.

"In addition, Atlanta has a lot of diversity when it comes to attractions. The city also ranks very well when it comes to the prevalence of amusement parks, shopping centers, ice cream shops and swimming pools, so there are plenty of places to have fun and cool off. For those who enjoy drinking during their vacations, Atlanta also has one of the latest 'last call' times in the country, at 4 a.m."

Augusta, another Georgia metro, improved its score and ranked 60th overall. While Atlanta was second for travel costs and hassles, Augusta has fewer activities than most, WalletHub reported.

Georgians looking to get a little bit of sun this summer can visit places like Jekyll Island, St. Simons Island, Tybee Island or Savannah. Other attractions include Six Flags Over Georgia and Six Flags White Water.

Spivey Splash, a water park in Jonesboro, is opening its newest season on Memorial Day.

Still want more to do this summer? You can visit the Atlanta Botanical Garden, Atlanta Zoo, Stone Mountain Park, Georgia Aquarium, Centennial Olympic Park, Ponce City Market, the World of Coca-Cola or attend a home Atlanta United game.

See WalletHub's full methodology used in the scorings here.