Summer Fun in Atlanta
30 Great Places to Discover
By Jackson Reeves
Taste Atlanta’s Flavor
As summer comes into full swing, it’s time to get out and enjoy
the warm weather, have fun with the kids and explore your new city. We’ve put together our list of suggestions for 30 of Atlanta’s most unique places that every Atlantan should discover and experience. Whether you enjoy browsing for antiques, tasting some international cuisine or catching up on the local history, you’re sure to find plenty to do over the summer months.Atlanta Food Truck Park and Market
Looking for a little bit of everything? This spot hosts various food trucks from throughout the city on different days offering a range of items, including tacos at Yumbii, popsicles at the King of Pops and the eponymous fries at the Fry Guy. 1850 Howell Mill Road, atlantafoodtruckpark.com or facebook.com/atlantafoodtruckpark
Dining at Inman Park
After a serious construction project, central Inman Park has become a hotspot for restaurants. Check out BeetleCat for oysters, Barcelona Wine Bar for tapas, Sotto Sotto for Italian and Bartaco for Mexican. inmanpark.org
International Cuisine on Buford Highway
Explore this northeast corridor to sate your palette for all things outside the typical burg.ers-and-pizza definition of American cuisine, especially the cuisines of Asia. Try Vietnamese at Pho Dai Loi, Bangladeshi at Purnima, Japanese at Sushi Hayakawa or Chinese at Canton House—all just a short drive from one another. eatbufordhighway.com
Krog Street Market
An ideal spot for a solid dinner, hit up this destination just off the BeltLine for Tex-Mex cuisine at Superica, burgers and cheesteaks at Fred’s Meat & Bread, Middle Eastern dishes at Yalla or sake and sushi at Makimono. 99 Krog St., 770-434-2400, krogstreetmarket.com
Ponce City Market
This open market has everything an adventurous foodie could desire. Let your taste buds run wild with gourmet Italian market Bellina Alimentari, South African beef jerky at Biltong Bar, deep-fried chicken sliders at Hop’s Chicken and fresh oysters at W.H. Stiles Fish Camp. 675 Ponce De Leon Ave., 404-900-7900, poncecitymarket.com
Westside Provisions District
Top foodie draws at this walkable destination just west of Midtown include Bacchanalia, widely regarded as Atlanta’s best restaurant; Ormsby’s, a hit with the bar crowd; and JCT Kitchen and Bar, perfect for a family dinner. 1100-1210 Howell Mill Road, westsideprovisions.com
Shop ‘til You Drop
Chamblee’s Antique Row District
This entire stroll can set you back a pretty penny. One place not to miss: the 12,000- square-foot Broad Street Antique Mall, where you can find vintage jewelry, Civil War artifacts, Art Deco pieces and thousands of old postcards. 770-986-7460, antiquerow.com
Kudzu Antiques
Need to decorate your new home? Recent trips to this Decatur destination unearthed railroad lanterns, an English oak China hutch, a walnut credenza from the ’60s, a midcentury modern desk and an orb chandelier. 2928 E Ponce de Leon Ave., 404-373-6498, kudzuantiques.com
Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza
Located just across from one another, these two malls offer everything a shopper could desire. For more upscale stores, try Phipps for Gucci, Prada and Saks Fifth Avenue. For a wider variety, hit up Lenox for Armani Exchange, Banana Republic and your local Apple store. Lenox Square: 3393 Peachtree Road, 404-233-6767; Phipps Plaza: 3500 Peachtree Road, 404-261-7910; both: simon.com
Little Five Points
Known as Atlanta’s hipper, grungier neighborhood, Little Five probably has more thrift stores than any other neighborhood in the city. Swing by Rag-O-Rama, Psycho Sisters and the Clothing Warehouse. Then head to The Vortex or Cameli’s for dinner. littlefivepoints.net
The Midtown Mile
Stroll up and down the famed Midtown Mile, which stretches along Peachtree Street from the Fox Theatre up to the High Museum of Art. It’s filled with great shops, plus a variety of bars and restaurants, including The Lawrence and Oceanaire Seafood Room. midtownatl.com
Buckhead Village
After years of planning, Atlanta finally got its own high-end retail center that can rival those found in other cities. Some of the chicest international brands have opened up shop in Buckhead, including Dior, Hermes and Jimmy Choo. 3035 Peachtree Road, 404-939-9270, buckheadvillagedistrict.com
Music, Movies and More
Atlanta History Center
As a new resident to Atlanta, you owe it to yourself to brush up on your new home’s history. Thankfully, this Buckhead museum has you covered. View Southern folk art, learn about the city’s role in the Civil War and relive the 1996 Olympic Games through tons of memorabilia. 130 W. Paces Ferry Road, 404-814-4000, atlantahistorycenter.com
Alliance Theatre
In the past, this organization has held the world premieres of such plays as Alice Walker’s “The Color Purple,” Elton John’s “Aida” and Chad Beguelin’s “The Prom.” This summer, it will show a new production following this spring’s “Working: A Musical.” 1280 Peachtree St., 404-733-4650, alliancetheatre.org
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Part of the elaborate Woodruff Arts Center, which also houses the High and the Alliance, our city’s orchestra highlights music from both the classic and current repertoire. This summer, you can come here to hear the works of Mahler and Queen plus the film scores of “Forrest Gump” and “The Godfather.” 1280 Peachtree St., 404-733-4900, atlantasymphony.org
The Fabulous Fox Theatre
Launched in the 1920s, this historic landmark is famous for its soaring domes, gold-leaf details and trompe l’oeil art, which rightly earned its stature as “movie palace” back in the day. It’s now the best place in Atlanta to see Broadway shows on tour, including “Hamilton” starting in August, plus comedy shows such as Bill Maher and concerts like Boz Scaggs. 660 Peachtree St., 404-881-2100, foxtheatre.org
High Museum of Art
Atlanta’s premier art museum, the High’s permanent collection includes such French impressionists as Monet and Pissarro, and in late June it will open an exhibit celebrating the works of Calder and Picasso. 1280 Peachtree St., 404- 733-4400, high.org
The Plaza Theatre
The city’s oldest operating and only independent cinema has been around since 1939. Planning to see the new “Top Gun” sequel this July? Go local and see it here. 1049 Ponce De Leon Ave., 470-410-1939, plazaatlanta.com
Fun in the Sun
The Atlanta Beltline
Once completed, the BeltLine will connect public parks and neighborhoods along a 22-mile rail corridor around the city proper. While uncompleted, various trails have already opened, including the Eastside Trail, which goes from Piedmont Park to Old Fourth Ward and is lined with public art. beltline.org
Atlanta Botanical Garden
Enjoy the serene effects of immersing yourself in orchids and walking through a Japanese garden. Check out the destination’s new exhibit, SUPERnatural: Aerial Art in Motion, which includes a “skynet” sculpture of streamers in the air. 1345 Piedmont Ave., 404-876-5859, atlantabg.org
Cadence Bank Amphitheatre
Atlanta’s premier outdoor concert venue, Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park is surrounded by plush greenery and twilight. This summer you can catch acts such as Barenaked Ladies, Alicia Keys and John Legend. 4469 Stella Drive, 404-733-5012, chastainseries.com
Centennial Olympic Park
A vestige of the city’s 1996 hosting of the Olympics, this Downtown park is central to both the World of Coca-Cola and the Georgia Aquarium. Relax, and don’t be afraid to get a little wet. 265 Park Avenue West, 404-223-4000, centennialpark.com
Dine Alfresco at Piedmont Park
Enjoy a summer afternoon on the green with the family, a blanket and a hearty lunch amidst a park designed by the same man who created
New York’s famed Central Park. 404-875-7275, piedmontpark.org
Lake Lanier
Located 50 miles northeast of Atlanta, Lake Lanier offers a cool, family-friendly spot on a hot day for swimming, boating, fishing, walking or just lazing on the beach with a cocktail, plus overnight accommodations. 770-945-8787, lanierislands.com
For the Kid Inside
Center For Puppetry Arts
Sign up your child for a Create-a-Puppet Workshop, and watch as their imaginations take flight. Afterwards, browse the museum to see original pieces from Jim Henson. This summer the center will host performances of The Ugly Duckling starting in June and Mother Goose beginning in August. 1404 Spring St., 404-873-3391, puppet.org
Children’s Museum Of Atlanta
The museum features everything necessary to start your child down a path toward deeper learning, including activities about robotics, language and agriculture. This year it will host two new exhibits: Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab and Rube Goldberg: The World of Hilarious Invention. 275 Centennial Olympic Park Drive, 404-659-5437, childrensmuseumatlanta.org
Fernbank Museum Of Natural History
No child can resist the allure of dinosaurs, and the museum’s central plaza features a family of bronze dinosaurs ready to greet visitors upon arrival. Other exhibits include the new Games in the Gallery and Crocs: Ancient Predator in a Modern World. 767 Clifton Road, 404-929-6300, fernbankmuseum.org
Georgia Aquarium
Deemed the largest aquarium in the western hemisphere, this destination offers glimpses of dolphins, penguins and sea otters—all in their natural habitats. You can even pet the stingrays. Divided into seven sections, the aquarium offers behind-the-scenes tours plus shows and presentations. Be sure to check out the beluga whales and whale sharks. 225 Baker St., 404-581-4000, georgiaaquarium.org
Legoland Discovery Center Atlanta
Located on the top floor of Phipps, this spot boasts plenty for Lego enthusiasts to enjoy, including the Great Lego Race VR Experience, Miniland, Lego 4D Cinema and Kingdom Quest. This summer will bring a new event, Pirates Ahoy! 3500 Peachtree Road, 404-848-9252, legolanddiscoverycenter.com
Zoo Atlanta
Of all the myriad species on display at our zoo in Grant Park—including leopards, ostriches and orangutans—the giant pandas never fail to delight. Observe Lun Lun and Yang Yang and also check out the new Savanna Hall. 800 Cherokee Ave., 404-624-5600, zooatlanta.org
