ATL long layover ideas

you can probably leave the bag at the hotel if you choose during your layover if you go into Atlanta;
or just pay to do a later check out and forget going into the city if you can not find out anything you want to see there.
you should consider what you are interested in (no one at RS Europe Forum knows) and just google that with the word Atlanta in it like e.g. "hiking ideas in Atlanta"

Couple things...

1. Just because your miles are in Delta's program, that doesn't necessarily mean you can only fly on Delta flights. You should investigate Delta's partner airlines - including AeroMexico and Aerolineas Argentinas. Don't know how difficult it might be to use those carriers compared to Delta (Delta does very work hard to cripple your redemptions options) but before you just conclude you must fly on Delta, it's worth a look at the others. This could easily require some research (many options are intentionally hidden/obfuscated to keep you from utilizing them) so prepare to invest a little time & effort.

2. You should check carefully what the impact might be of taking an extra day in transit at ATL before planning too much - Delta might end up charging you for not one but two awards (one award for PDX-ATL, another for ATL-wherever you're going in South America). Some airlines allow a "stopover" (typically defined as a layover of more than 24 hours, which is what I think you are proposing) but not all do, and even those that do have lots of restrictions and gotchas. Check carefully before you start counting on this as an option.

3. I can't stand ATL either. Feh. I'd try to go via LAX, IAD, MIA or MEX if you can find a way.

Good luck.

If you do wind up with that long layover in Atlanta consider this hotel. The Drury Inn on Virginia Ave. which is technically in College Park. It's very close to the airport, free shuttle back and forth, free happy hour drinks complete with free food, free breakfast, and a really nice staff. Atlanta is so spread out that getting around to anything interesting without a car is difficult. You can take the motel shuttle back to the airport, then catch MARTA (the local public transit train) downtown or perhaps the north side. Just google "Atlanta downtown tourist attractions" and see if anything strikes your fancy. Depending on where you decide to go, when you leave the MARTA station you may have a really long walk or need a taxi. Sad to say but it's just not that easy without a vehicle.

There's a service called Minute Suites at ATL that we've used in the past when faced with long layovers between connecting flights. Located in concourse B as I recall.They offer small, compact, and quiet dayrooms where you can work, nap, or just relax in peace away from the crowds on the concourses. They rent by the hour and the price is pretty reasonable - competitive with an overnight stay anyway, and entails much less hassle. Really made long delays bearable for us. Can google them to see if it might be an attractive alternative for you.

thanks everyone, just the advice I was looking for! I will do some searching on partner airlines (it is true they don't make it easy) and check out the suggested hotels. I will also consider whether I should save the miles for another trip and find a more efficient route south.