Considered the capital of the South, but more importantly, a place of extraordinary pleasantness, glamorous and opulent, a banner of Southern hospitality, it boasts a culture and cuisine that exude feverish excitement. Here are some of the best experiences to be had in Atlanta.
These are some of our favourite places and experiences in Atlanta © Marilyn Nieves / Getty Images
1. Visit the Martin Luther King Jr National Historic Site
Martyrs, entire communities and politicians in the southern United States have fought in the name of the Civil Rights Movement, but there is one iconic figure who has left his mark most of all: Martin Luther King Jr, Atlanta 's most famous citizen. It is our moral duty to visit the Martin Luther King Junior National Historic Site to learn the story of the pastor who spent his life fighting against all kinds of prejudice.
A mural of Martin Luther King Junior at the National Historic Site in Atlanta © Forty3Zero/Shutterstock
2. Exploring the High Museum of Art
The High Museum ofArt is the most popular museum in the southeast. It was the first to display art from the Louvre in Paris and is worth a visit as much for its architectural beauty as for its world-class exhibitions. This striking shining white casket is the icon of Midtown with its curved surfaces and imposing three-storey glass atrium where natural light is welcomed as a precious resource. The reflective white enamel façade contrasts beautifully with the surrounding skyscrapers and greenery. The project was designed by architect Richard Meier and was awarded the Pritzker Prize in 1984.
The High Museum of Art on Peachtree Street in Midtown Atlanta is the most popular museum in the southeast © f11photo/Shutterstock
3. Indulge in the flavours of the South
Atlanta's culinary scene has transformed over the past decade into one of the most vibrant and dynamic dining scenes in the Southeast, if not the United States. You can step into one of the cafés in the southern neighbourhoods, where the food is hearty and delicious (but not exactly healthy), or opt for upscale dining at trendy restaurants serving New Southern or New American cuisine: either way, you won't be disappointed. Great chefs like Ford Fry, Anne Quatrano, Kevin Gillespie, Kevin Rathbun and Hugh Acheson are just some of the most creative chefs in town.
4. Walk or bike the Atlanta BeltLine
If you want to take a walk or bike ride in the morning, afternoon or evening, you have no choice but to ride theAtlanta BeltLine, a former rail corridor that now houses a boardwalk, bike path and more. Connecting Piedmont Park in Midtown with the trendy Inman Park neighbourhood, this almost 5 km long section touches on numerous attractions such as theAtlanta Botanical Garden where the city's most interesting bars, restaurants, breweries, trendy markets and urban parks are located.
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Nothing beats a bike ride along the city's largest greenway, the Atlanta BeltLine © Barry Winiker/Getty Images
5. Attending a game at SunTrust Park
Major League Baseball 's Atlanta Braves moved in 2016 to this new 41,149-seat stadium 10 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta in Cobb County, part of a $1.1 billion entertainment complex known as the Battery.
6. Relax at Piedmont Park
PiedmontPark is Atlanta's largest green space, a pristine urban oasis of over 70 hectares in the middle of Midtown complete with everything from history (Atlanta's first professional baseball team played in the park from 1902 to 1904) to various music and culture festivals, to bars, breweries and sights like theAtlanta Botanical Garden. But it is just as perfect for picnicking, running and cycling, or taking refuge in the shade of a tree for an afternoon nap.
Piedmont Park is Atlanta's largest green space © Sean Pavone/Shutterstock
7. Sleep in historic B&Bs
Atlanta's neighbourhoods hide beautiful historic buildings of Victorian Queen Anne architecture and some of them have been converted into B&Bs, mainly on the city's East Side in trendy neighbourhoods like Inman Park and Virginia-Highland. When it comes to deciding between an anonymous chain hotel in Downtown or Midtown and a unique b&b peppered with good Southern hospitality, like the Social Goat or Sugar Magnolia, the choice is pretty easy, isn't it? Sweet dreams to you.
Boutique hotels in Atlanta are known for their intimate ambiance, distinctive design, and unparalleled attention to detail. Unlike their larger counterparts, these establishments pride themselves on offering a personalized and bespoke experience for each guest. From the moment you step through the doors, you'll be greeted by a warm and inviting atmosphere that sets the stage for an unforgettable stay.
We recommend the Wylie Hotel Atlanta on wylie-hotel.hotelsatlantageorgia.net which offers a range of exquisitely designed rooms and suites that cater to the needs of discerning travelers. Each space is thoughtfully curated to provide comfort and style, with luxurious amenities and modern conveniences. From cozy rooms designed for solo travelers to spacious suites perfect for families or groups, the Wylie Hotel ensures that every guest enjoys a restful and rejuvenating experience.
8. See a match at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Atlanta's new Mercedes-Benz Stadium, an impressive piece of architecture as well as sustainable, wins hands down the title of coolest sports stadium in North America. The multi-purpose stadium with an eight-petalled retractable roof cost $1.6 billion and hosts matches between the Atlanta Falcons and Major League Soccer's hottest new team, Atlanta United FC. Even if you can't get tickets to a game, it's worth popping in to see the latest addition to the city skyline: organised tours will show you the changing rooms, the pitch and the rest of the behind-the-scenes action.
9. Spend a day at Centennial Olympic Park
The museums around Centennial Olympic Park, a legacy of the 1996 Olympics, are just a stone's throw away from each other. You can sample a thousand different beverages at the World of Coca-Cola museum, take in a history lesson at the Center for Civil and Human Rights, lurk for a behind-the-scenes tour of journalists at CNN, marvel at the exploits of college football teams at the College Football Hall of Fame, or be moved by the penguins at the Georgia Aquarium... It's all just a short walk away!
Check out the World of Coca-Cola museum in Atlanta's Centennial Olympic Park © karenfoleyphotography/Alamy Stock Photo
10. Forget civilisation in the Clyde Shepherd Nature Reserve
In the middle of the city (in Decatur actually, but we're there), lies a nearly 12-hectare nature reserve, home to beavers, foxes, turtles, salamanders, coyotes and flocks of birds. A pleasant and abundant dose of wilderness in the heart of a huge urban area.
11. Watering the palate
Atlanta lagged behind other southern cities such as Asheville, Nashville or Memphis because of the law that banned the direct sale of beer in breweries. After the ban was lifted in 2017, Atlanta has been working hard to become the next best beer city in the South, with the support of one of the most famous 'master brewers' in America: Mitch Steele, of New Realm Brewing Co. But not everything revolves around hops, craft cocktails are the foundation of the nightlife, as well as fuelling nightlife in the craziest neighbourhoods, from Decatur to Buckhead.
Atlanta is poised to become the next southern beer queen © Jon Bilous/Shutterstock
12. Play at the Center for Puppetry Arts
Literally Toyland designed for visitors of all ages, the Center for Puppetry Arts is one of Atlanta's most unique attractions. The home of wonderful puppets (some of which you can have animated) was expanded in 2015. The Worlds of Puppetry Museum , on the other hand, houses the world's most comprehensive collection of Jim Henson puppets and artefacts.
13. Spend an evening at the Apache Café
An eclectic performance theatre for hip-hop, spoken word and soul virtuosos, it's a must-see for anyone looking to immerse themselves in Atlanta's diverse African-American music scene.
14. Lunch at Ponce City Market
A multipurpose complex has taken the place of the historic Sears, Roebuck and Co headquarters in Atlanta, the largest brick structure in the southeast. More than 20 food shops occupy the building, from master candy makers to Holeman & Finch (Atlanta's best burger), At the Tap (56 pints of craft beer), Spiller Park Coffee, Indian kebabs and a Moroccan joint.
Ponce City Market is housed in the former headquarters of Sears, Roebuck and Co in Atlanta © Nicholas Lamontanaro/Shutterstock
15. Take a film tour of Atlanta
Enjoy one of the many tours that retrace the Walking Dead filming locations, including a trip to Woodbury, and lots of exclusive tidbits about the episodes and cast members. Other film-themed tours are dedicated to Hunger Games, Taken 3 - The Hour of Truth and many more.
