
By Morgan Baila, Kelley
Gaddis and Amanda Robinson
Atlanta: A city of 5 million
people. Some have come to know and love this town as their own for their entire
lives. Equally fortunate, however, are the new Atlantans—those, like yourself—who
are coming to this city for the first time from destinations across the country
and the world.
Everyone is different. Everyone has their preferences and their lifestyle choices
that define them. And every person who comes to Atlanta, either for a visit
or to relocate, will experience this place differently. But there is, as they
say, something for everyone in the Peach City.
And so, the crew here at KNOWAtlanta (an eclectic bunch in our own right) sat
down and compiled a set of itineraries for four discerning types of new residents.
If you find a little bit of yourself in the following pages, consider these
itineraries a suggestion—for a full, fun day out on the town. After all,
getting settled involves more than unpacking and assembling bookshelves from
IKEA—it’s about getting to know and love your new town.
The Art Aficionado
Wake up: Begin your day in the quaint community of Virginia Highlands. Enjoy
a big brunch from Murphy’s before your all-day adventure to museums and
theatres. Enjoy their frittatas, egg specialties and bakery goods.
High Times: Next, go to one of the biggest artistic landmarks in Atlanta—the
High Museum of Art. Buy a ticket at the door, or even a season pass to make
sure you don’t miss out on any of the legendary exhibits that come through
here. Artists that have had their work grace the halls of the museum range from
Manet to Warhol. The latest exhibit will feature art from the Museum of Modern
Art in New York. The permanent collections at the High add up to over 12,000
pieces, spanning multiple continents’ art and even photography.
A Late Lunch: After soaking up all the legendary pieces of art at the High,
fill up your stomach with delicious sandwiches, desserts and coffee at CaféIntermezzo just down on Peachtree Street. This European inspired café
spoils its guests with countless drink options (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic)
and decadent desserts large enough to share.
The Fabulous Fox: As the sun sets over the Atlanta skyline, head over to the
Fox Theatre and enjoy a traveling Broadway production or concert at the Fabulous
Fox! After seeing one show, you will fall in love with the atmosphere of the
theatre and its nearby accommodations so consider purchasing season tickets
so you never miss out on any shows.
Dinner: If your show runs late, fear not—there’s still one late-night
eatery that’ll still be open—and it’s right across the street.
Featuring a low-key diner vibe and a truly multinational menu, the BroadwayDiner harkens to the post-show aesthetic of the many hole-in-the-walls that
pepper the Great White Way.
Turning In: Conveniently located adjacent to the Fox Theatre, Hotel Indigo offers
a unique hotel experience complete with bar specials and an unbeatable location.
The name comes from its blue-inspired decorations and light-hearted artistic
atmosphere. Enjoy drinks and unique appetizers at the cocktail lounge, The Golden
Bean. If you’re still hungry, Peachtree Street is full of award-winning
restaurants with menus to please any appetite.
The Family
Wake up: Start bright and early by rustling the kids out of bed at the HyattRegency Atlanta. The hotel offers packages with the Georgia Aquarium and also
provides plenty of activities to keep your family busy. Before starting your
day, you can grab breakfast inside the hotel at Kafe Kobenhavn, which offers
a classic breakfast as well as signature dishes like the ham and white cheddar
Panini.
Make a Splash: Head out on foot. Three blocks away is the world-famous GeorgiaAquarium, the largest aquarium on Earth. Your family will love the exhilarating
glimpse into an aquatic world filled with fantastical creatures. Plus, with
the new AT&T Dolphin Tales exhibit, visitors can go to the Dolphin Tales
Theater to view a performance showcasing the dolphins’ natural agility
and acrobatics. The show also involves live human actors, remarkable costuming
and special effects.
The Real Thing: Interested in knowing where one of the world’s most popular
beverages started? Take a look at the fascinating World of Coca-Cola. Visitors
can learn about the invention of Coca-Cola, view how it has become a pop culture
icon and sample over 60 different beverages from around the world. There are
also many other activities you can enjoy such as the Perfect Pauses Theater,
where viewers can enjoy the best of Coca-Cola television advertising throughout
the years.
Bellissima: Grab lunch a few minutes away at Noni’s Bar & Deli. Noni’s
is considered one of the best downtown Atlanta restaurants and is known for
having scrumptious Italian cuisine at inexpensive prices. If you’re a
salami fan, order the noni sandwich—it’s legendary.
Imagine: If you have children aged 8 years old or younger, consider the ImagineIt! Children’s Museum of Atlanta. Its exhibits are specially designed
to boost your child’s knowledge and understanding in a fun way. For example,
at the TEAM UP Exhibit, children can dabble in basketball, football, baseball
and many other sports while learning how science plays an important part of
each activity. This particular exhibit is available for viewing through September
11.
Southern Fare: By now, you’ve built up quite an appetite from all the
excitement. So before heading back to the hotel, drive east on Ponce de Leon
Avenue to Mary Mac’s Tea Room, one of Atlanta’s oldest and most
well-established Southern eateries. This restaurant caters to business people,
families and celebrities (you never know who you’ll find at Mary Mac’s!)
from across the globe.
The Nature Lover
Sun Up: The daystar rises early in the ATL, so once you step out of your midtown
hotel (we recommend the Four Seasons on 14th Street), get your blood pumping
with a morning jog along one of Piedmont Park’s four trails. Piedmont
is the centerpiece of Atlanta and was actually drafted by the same fella who
designed Central Park in New York. Explore Piedmont Park via a loop that runs
around Lake Clara Meer, or take a path through meadows and tree-lined avenues.
Morning Buzz: Once the adrenaline is flowing, head over to the 12th Street entrance
gate to grab coffee and a bite to eat. You can even peruse the locally grown
produce, farm fresh meats and artisan cheeses at Green Market, Piedmont Park’s
open-air local farmers market open Saturdays from 9 a.m.- 1 p.m.
Two Wheels: After warming up, saddle up your bike and drive to the Silver CometTrail. This 60-mile-long converted railroad track begins in Smyrna, Ga. and
winds its way through the North Georgia countryside, over rivers and between
rock cliffs, ending at the Alabama border. Of course, don’t feel obligated
to do all 60 miles. Unless you’re really, really hard-core.
Locally Yummy: Sit down for a late lunch at Urban PL8 near Berkeley Park, where
the seasonal, local ingredients and sustainable preparation practices are sure
to feed your appetite for healthy cuisine. Be sure to check out the bison burger
if you’re a fan of a good sandwich
Pick This…: At this point you’ve got a choice to make. One: you
can head north and rent a kayak at the Chattahoochee River and Nature Center
and spend the rest of the day leisurely exploring the flat water the river is
known for (although the occasional rapid does exist). Be sure to keep an eye
out for wildlife along the river’s shore.
…Or This: Head east to Stone Mountain, with its 15 miles of wooded nature
trails, is the perfect place to end a day of outdoor activities. Hike up the
1.3–mile long trail to the top of Stone Mountain. The summit will put
you 1,683 feet above sea level with spectacular views of downtown Atlanta and
the surrounding mountains. Pack a picnic dinner with ingredients from The Marketplace
at Stone Mountain and settle down to watch the park’s “Lasershow
Spectacular in Mountainvision.”
The Sports Buff
Wake Up: Start your day waking up at the Westin Peachtree Plaza, one of the
crown jewels of Atlanta’s skyline. This cylindrical, 73-story tower is
the second-tallest hotel in the western hemisphere and offers a view of the
city that is unparralelled—especially from the revolving Sun Dial Restaurant
and Bar (the perfect place for a nightcap at the end of your day).
Pick Me Up: Before you get started on your day, hop over to West Egg Café.
Frequently voted the best breakfast in Atlanta (which they serve all day), West
Egg serves up traditional fry-foods, along with some of the best homemade biscuits
ever. And Atlanta knows biscuits.
The Games: The Olympic Games can be viewed as the ultimate event for any sports
fan, so starting off your day in Atlanta’s Centennial Olympic Park, created
as the central gathering place for the 1996 Games, seems only logical. Stop
by the park’s visitor center to pick up maps, informational brochures
and a headset that will guide you on a walking tour about Centennial Park and
the legacy of the 1996 Olympic Games. The Fountain of Rings—the park’s
centerpiece that plays four shows a day—is a must-see.
What’ll Ya Have!: Grab a bite to eat at The Varsity, the world’s
largest drive-in restaurant. The Varsity has been serving up hamburgers, hotdogs,
chili and French fries with an old-school sports flair in Atlanta since 1928.
And business is good: each day, the Varsity doles out over 2 miles of hot dogs.
Batter Up!: Atlanta is home to a number of professional sports teams that are
bound to satisfy the sports buff in you. Check out the Ivan Allen Jr. Braves
Museum and Hall of Fame to learn about the history of Atlanta’s professional
baseball team as part of a guided tour of Turner Field, one of Atlanta’s
many landmarks. Tours include a look at the Braves clubhouse, dugout and press
box among other locations. No reservations are necessary. Or heck—just
catch a Braves game at Turner Field. Unless you’re a Mets fan.
In the Club: Grab a reprieve from popcorn and corn dogs and get a bite to eat
at the 755 Club at Turner Field while you take in the last few innings. The
club offers panoramic views of the field as well as the Atlanta skyline, and
patio seating for those who wish to immerse themselves fully in the sights and
sounds of one of America’s favorite pastimes.