Tips and tricks for the ATL.
“Oh, Atlanta, hear me calling,
I’m coming back to you one fine day
No need to worry, there ain’t no hurry,
‘Cause I’m, on my way back to Georgia…”
Bad Company – Oh Atlanta
Atlanta, Atlanta, Atlanta. What a place to be. I have to say ATL hasn’t always been on my list of places to visit until my sister moved down there. I knew it was a big city with good southern food and probably some cool things to do, but I never knew how much I would come to love it. Below you’ll find my suggestions for things to do, places to eat, and spots to drink. Head on down to Hotlanta when you get a chance, it’ll be a memorable trip.
Things to Do:
A great day can be spent on the Beltline, a biking and walking trail where you can spend all day making stops in cool neighborhoods and fun shops. You can rent city bikes all along the Beltline and spend your day exploring. Check out Ponce City Market where you can find cool shops, delicious food, and a great way to spend an afternoon. Next, go to Paris On Ponce for cool antiques and quirky art. While you’re on the Beltline, look for some tiny doors scattered throughout. Check out Piedmont park for some beautiful views, a nice lake, and plenty of activities.
In the downtown area, go to the World of Coca Cola for a cool look at the history of Coca Cola and samples of their products from all over the world. While you’re in the area, go to the Georgia Aquarium to see one of the best aquariums in the world. You’ll pay some money to get in to these, but they’re well worth it.
Be sure to head to the Old Fourth Ward to see the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Site where you can learn all about the American hero and his childhood. It’s a very well done museum and it’s mostly free. While in the area, head to the Jackson St. Bridge around sunset for some stunning views of the city.
Places to Eat:
Prepare to leave Atlanta at least 10 pounds heavier than when you came. It’s a city full of southern cooking as well as some great contemporary spots.
While at Ponce City Market, consider going to the rooftop to 9 Mile Station, a higher end beer garden with amazing views of the city. We had dinner and drinks here right as the sun went down over the city. Just down the Beltline you’ll find Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall, a cool indoor/outdoor venue with good brunches and great cocktails.
Speaking of brunch, consider heading to Home Grown for amazing, authentic greasy spoon eats. This no-frills restaurant also has a cool thrift shop in the back selling local goods and cool finds. Go to Sublime Doughnuts for some quirky but delicious doughnuts. Their A-Town cream and Reese’s Cup were my favorites.
Atlanta also has some great patio spots where you can enjoy the sunny weather. We had a great seafood dinner on the rooftop patio of Six Feet Under which is known for its fried seafood platters and shareable apps. We also enjoyed dinner at The Midway Pub where we played games and had beers off their extensive draft list.
Places to Drink
Atlanta has some amazing breweries and a great night scene. We’ve certainly tried to drink our way around the city, so check out the below spots for a good time.
For a wild night, head up to Buckhead where you’ll find plenty of dive bars serving cheap drinks. We went to Five Paces Inn and Red Door Tavern and had a wild night. Red Door Tavern also featured a backyard space with free live music. Really can’t beat that.
Another fun neighborhood to go out in the ATL is Edgewood. There’s a strip of unique, quirky bars filled with plenty of millennials out for a good time. MOTHER is a good bar with cheap drinks, a small backyard patio, and board games. After a few drinks here, head to Sister Louisa’s Church of the Living Room and Ping Pong Emporium. Beware before heading here, this is not a bar for the uber-religious. It’s quite a sacrilegious bar with tons of funny paraphernalia poking fun at the church. Here you’ll find strong drinks, ping pong, and dancing upstairs.
If you’re looking for a more laid back scene, head back over to Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall and grab a drink on their patio. The top of the 1950’s inspired Hotel Clermont has an amazing view of the city and great cocktails to sip on. If you’re a big beer drinker, head to Second Self Brewery and go back to the Beltline to New Realm Brewing for amazing city views, great beer and good apps to share. And if you REALLY like beer, consider doing the Atlanta Beer Bus, where you can hop on and off while visiting amazing local breweries for just $10-15.
Now what are you waiting for? As the Delta headquarters, there are TONS of cheap flights to Atlanta daily. Hope this helps you on your trip down to the ATL. As always, feel free to reach out with any questions! 🙂
