I’ve been itching to go to Atlanta for years. Ever because the metropolis hosted the 1996 Olympics, I’ve been fascinated by the town. The town has been on the forefront for a couple of of the 20th century’s most necessary cultural actions—starting from the civil rights motion to hip-hop, and naturally the headquarters for the world’s hottest soda.
SPONSORED — Atlanta is a little bit of a bubble within the south, however on the identical time it’s additionally typically known as the “Capital of the South.” It’s Southern, with all its southern cuteness & hospitality, but additionally very cosmopolitan.
With a thriving tradition over the previous decade due to the town’s affordability and job market (together with a rising movie business), there’s an more and more numerous group of individuals calling Atlanta residence.
Use this information to find among the coolest spots in Atlanta right this moment.
7 of the Coolest Issues to Do in Atlanta
SHOP
BeltLine & the Ponce Metropolis Market
The BeltLine is a path that runs by means of the Outdated Fourth Ward alongside an previous railway observe, however right this moment it’s an incredible place for a Sunday stroll. You’ll discover a lot of beer gardens, avenue artwork, cool outlets, and nice people-watching alongside the route, together with the Ponce Metropolis Market purchasing middle and meals corridor.
Most of the buildings alongside the path route are nonetheless underneath growth, however the eating places and bars you’ll discover alongside the best way right this moment can get crowded on weekends. Hold an eye fixed out for the road artwork alongside the route. And if or when it will get too sizzling, simply pop into the massive Ponce Metropolis Market. The constructing was a former Sears, Roebuck & Co warehouse and showroom, and an amusement park earlier than that.
Within the basement of the Ponce Metropolis Market, you’ll discover a big meals corridor with nice funds eating choices. Whereas the outlets inside vary from the normal to the funky, however the actual spotlight of the place is the rooftop the place you’ll discover a big leisure area and nice views over Atlanta’s Outdated Fourth Ward. The rooftop area additionally hosts common particular occasions and festivals, particularly across the holidays.
DRINK
Sister Louisa’s Church of the Residing Room and Ping Pong Emporium
One of the vital distinctive bars in Atlanta, Sister Louisa’s is a cool area with queer Atlanta vibes. Very a lot a hipster dive, the second ground of the bar has a ping pong desk the place weekly tournaments are hosted.
At first look within the bar, what stands out probably the most is the wacky and enjoyable décor. Framed portraits, weird indicators, and different bric-a-brac hold from the ceiling and line each area of wall. Any wall area that’s not lined up with some distinctive (and peculiar) artwork, is painted with poetry and graffiti.
Many of the artwork is predictably church-related, and there’s even a Wednesday night time church organ karaoke. Drinks on the bar are low-cost, the crowds are enjoyable and pleasant, and the vibe is one-of-a-kind.
DISTILLERY
Outdated Fourth Distillery & The Locker Membership
Positioned on Edgewood Avenue within the Outdated Fourth Ward, Atlanta’s native Outdated Fourth Distillery was the town’s first distillery to open in almost 100 years. Began by two brothers, they use a hyper-local strategy to make their vodka, gin, and whiskey.
The distillery affords excursions through the day, however on weekends (Thursday to Saturday), the distillery opens up as a speakeasy cocktail membership, referred to as The Locker Membership. Within the early 1900s, through the time of Prohibition, Locker golf equipment had been non-public golf equipment the place alcohol was stored locked away and solely served to membership members—a singular Atlanta expertise.
Drinks on the cocktail bar are top quality, imaginative, and in addition use native substances, holding with the corporate ethos.
TOUR
Atlanta Film Excursions
Atlanta’s popular culture renaissance has been brought on by quite a few causes, however the metropolis’s location in hundreds of movies & TV collection (whether or not clearly or not) has definitely helped to construct up the town’s worldwide status.
Because the Nineteen Seventies, Georgia has actively looked for movie & TV exhibits to be produced within the state, and the town recurrently options prominently in these. To not point out the celebrities that flock to the town for work! Atlanta Film Excursions affords a singular method to expertise Atlanta by means of a cinematic lens. Their excursions (they usually have many!) take guests to behind-the-scenes spots within the better Atlanta area, plus embrace private tales from the guides about life within the movie business.
Among the highlights of the tour embrace spots from films & exhibits: Ant-Man, Driving Miss Daisy, Captain America: Civil Battle, The Vampire Diaries, The Starvation Video games: Catching Hearth, Sully, The Starvation Video games: Mockingjay components 1 & 2, and The Strolling Lifeless.
SIGHTSEEING
Cocktails at Atlanta Botanical Backyard
Positioned in Atlanta’s Piedmont Park, the Atlanta Botanical Backyard contains 30 acres of curated plant exhibitions and collections. Open because the Nineteen Seventies, the sprawling vacation spot affords a romantic and pleasurable method to expertise nature within the metropolis.
By means of the summer time, each Thursday the Atlanta Botanical Backyard stays open late for “Cocktails within the Backyard”—an evening of dwell music performances and cocktail bars all through the grounds. It’s an particularly romantic method to benefit from the gardens through the early night. A present exhibition that includes big topiary-like plant sculptures impressed by Alice in Wonderland is each stunning and spectacular.
EAT & DRINK
Dealer Vic’s
Downtown Atlanta is the place most vacationer websites are situated, and since it’s additionally the enterprise district, evenings could appear quiet within the space. However present as much as Dealer Vic’s on a Thursday night time and also you’ll be met with a bustling crowd.
The spacious bar and restaurant is situated within the basement of the Hilton Atlanta property. With loads of area for guests and a big bar space (with a wood-fire range!), Dealer Vic’s is a enjoyable and vigorous location for buddies to satisfy up.
The small chain restaurant & bar claims its fame from being the house of the unique Mai Tai drink. Working as a worldwide restaurant because the Thirties, the bar menu contains quite a few rum tiki-style drinks, every in their very own distinctive glasses.
In Atlanta, the restaurant seems to be and seems like a Pacific island. A palm-thatched ceiling, picket pillars, and wicker chairs add to the ambiance—as does the enormous wood-fire oven within the middle of the bar space. Dishes on the restaurant are all worldwide, impressed by the Pacific islands from which Dealer Vic’s takes its fashion.
STAY
The American Lodge
This historic lodge in Atlanta’s Downtown is a enjoyable & funky place to remain, that’s each handy and cool. The American Lodge was Atlanta’s first trendy lodge and the primary within the downtown Atlanta to desegregate through the civil rights motion. As such an necessary location, the lodge has hosted necessary guests all through historical past.
Lately renovated, the lodge is designed with a mid-century trendy aesthetic. Within the quiet yard of the lodge there’s an Airstream trailer (open on weekends) subsequent to the swimming pool. And inside, Nineteen Sixties artifacts and furnishings make up the foyer and customary areas. Black-and-white images and letters from native civil rights leaders are scattered alongside the foyer partitions.
Staying at The American Lodge is a bit like going again in time. It feels just like the mid-century, however the facilities of the lodge are all very trendy. Rooms are spacious, and people looking on the pool have balconies—good for absorbing the solar!
Be aware: My journey to Atlanta was sponsored and supported by Hiltons of Atlanta. All opinions right here, as at all times, are my very own.