One Week in Atlanta

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Advisor - Shanna Paynter
Curated By

Shanna Paynter

  • Atlanta

  • Active Travel

  • City Travel

  • Food & Wine

  • Local’s Guide

  • Foodie

  • Entertainment

  • Sightseeing

Advisor - One Week in Atlanta
Curator’s statement

"Welcome to Atlanta where the players play." - Jermaine Dupris

I am proud to say I was born and raised in Atlanta. I love it when I hear people speak well of my hometown. In this post, I will tell you (from a local perspective) the wonderful, fun things to do and see in this peach of a city, as well as where to stay, where to eat and more.

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Where to stay in Atlanta, Georgia

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Things to do in Atlanta, Georgia

Cultural visits

  • Georgia Aquarium

  • Zoo Atlanta

  • Fernbank Museum of Natural History

  • College Football Hall of Fame

  • National Center for Civil and Human Rights

  • Atlanta Botanical Gardens

  • Atlanta History Center

  • Centennial Olympic Park

  • High Museum of Art

  • Stone Mountain Park

Outdoor adventures

  • Chattahoochee Trails

  • The Atlanta Beltline and Silver Comet Trail

  • Events and festivals

Music scene

  • Large concert venues like Mercedes Benz, Truist Park and more!

  • Smaller concert venues like The Earl, Terminal West, Smith’s Olde Bar and many more!

Nightlife

  • East Atlanta

  • Midtown

  • Ponce City Market

  • Virginia Highland

Entertainment

  • The Alliance Theatre

  • Woodruff Arts Center

  • The Fox Theatre

Sports

  • The Atlanta Braves

  • The Atlanta Falcons

  • Atlanta United FC

  • College football

Shopping

  • The Shops Buckhead Atlanta: Located in the upscale Buckhead neighborhood, The Shops Buckhead Atlanta is a luxury shopping and dining destination. You will find a curated selection of designer boutiques, including Hermès, Dior and Tom Ford. The outdoor shopping complex also features stylish restaurants, cafes and bars.

  • Atlantic Station: Atlantic Station is a mixed-use development located in Midtown Atlanta, featuring a variety of shops, restaurants and entertainment options. The open-air shopping center offers a mix of national retailers, specialty boutiques and unique dining experiences, as well as a movie theater and outdoor events space.

  • Westside Provisions District: Westside Provisions District is a trendy shopping and dining destination located in the West Midtown area. The district features a mix of upscale boutiques, home decor stores, and artisanal shops, as well as popular restaurants and cafes serving locally sourced cuisine.

  • Little Five Points: Little Five Points is a bohemian neighborhood known for its eclectic shops, vintage boutiques and independent retailers. Visitors can explore unique stores selling clothing, accessories, vinyl records and quirky gifts, as well as enjoy live music, street art and vibrant street life.

Day trips

  • Chattanooga, Tennessee: Approximately a two-hour drive northwest of Atlanta, Chattanooga is a charming city known for its outdoor recreation, historic sites and scenic beauty. Highlights include Lookout Mountain, Ruby Falls, the Tennessee Aquarium and the historic Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel.

  • Athens, Georgia: Home to the University of Georgia, Athens is a vibrant college town located about an hour and a half east of Atlanta. Visitors can explore the city's historic downtown area, tour the UGA campus and visit attractions like the State Botanical Garden of Georgia and the Georgia Museum of Art.

  • Blue Ridge Mountains: For outdoor enthusiasts, the Blue Ridge Mountains offer a picturesque escape from the city, with opportunities for hiking, mountain biking and scenic drives. The mountain town of Helen, Georgia, known for its Bavarian-style architecture and Oktoberfest celebrations, is about two hours northeast of Atlanta.

  • Callaway Gardens: Located about an hour and a half southwest of Atlanta, Callaway Gardens is a resort and nature preserve. It is known for its botanical gardens, outdoor recreational activities and family-friendly attractions. Visitors can enjoy hiking, biking, golfing and zip-lining, as well as exploring the gardens and butterfly conservatory.

Places to eat & drink in Atlanta, Georgia

  • Staplehouse: Located in the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood, Staplehouse is a critically acclaimed restaurant known for its innovative tasting menus and creative, seasonal dishes. The restaurant also operates as a non-profit organization. A portion of its proceeds support The Giving Kitchen, a charity that assists restaurant workers in need.

  • Bacchanalia: Bacchanalia is a celebrated fine-dining restaurant located in Westside Provisions District. Helmed by James Beard Award-winning chef Anne Quatrano, Bacchanalia offers an elegant dining experience with a focus on locally sourced, seasonal ingredients and meticulously crafted dishes.

  • The Optimist: Located in the West Midtown area, The Optimist is a seafood-focused restaurant known for its fresh, sustainably sourced seafood and coastal-inspired cuisine. The restaurant's stylish, nautical-themed interior and lively atmosphere make it a popular destination for both locals and visitors alike.

  • Ponce City Market: Housed in a historic building on the BeltLine, Ponce City Market is another popular food hall and dining destination in Atlanta. The market features a diverse array of eateries, ranging from casual counter-service spots to upscale restaurants, offering a wide range of cuisines and flavors to explore.

  • Buford Highway: Buford Highway is a multicultural dining destination known for its diverse array of international restaurants, markets and food trucks. Visitors can explore cuisines from around the world, including Vietnamese pho, Korean barbecue, Mexican tacos and more, all along this vibrant and eclectic stretch of road.

Advisor - Shanna Paynter

Travel Advisor

Shanna Paynter

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For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Atlanta page.