You can take a tour of Atlanta, or you can tour Atlanta like a Local.
Tourists enjoy all of Atlanta’s top-notch attractions like World of Coke or the Georgia Aquarium.
Locals know how to avoid the crowds and find Atlanta’s one-of-a-kind character.
Tourists can hardly choose between all the restaurants nearby.
Locals know how and where to find the Best Eats.
Tourists bring their heavy coats and plan indoor activities for the winter.
Locals get ready to BBQ in December.
Quirky Hidden Gems
Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse: Don’t worry if you failed high school English. This combo cafe/playhouse will still charm you. They present a unique dinner theater experience based on the “Original Practice” approach, meaning the play is unrehearsed.
Krog Street Tunnel: Functionally, the tunnel connects the Intown neighborhoods of Cabbagetown, Reynoldstown, and Inman Park. Artistically, the Krog St. Tunnel serves as the city’s mecca of wall murals and street art. It’s a visual riot of colors and styles, paying homage to the free spirits of Atlanta. If you have enough time, you can do the entire walking tour of street art, murals, and graffiti in Cabbagetown.
Peachtree Dekalb Airport: Aviation buffs, this one’s for you. PDK is small, but busy, with service companies, flight schools, and helicopter operations. Adults and children can watch the planes take off and land from the oh-so-close-to-the-action observation and playground area. Skip the security lines at Hartsfield-Jackson with Ultimate Air Shuttle’s daily flights to and from PDK.
Related: The Ultimate Atlanta Neighborhood Guide
Live Music and Theaters
The Tabernacle: You know you can’t go wrong with one of Billboard’s “25 Most Popular Music Clubs in the U.S.” As its name suggests, The Tabernacle was originally a church. In 1996, the city converted the then-empty building into a House of Blues club. It still operates as a music venue today with a varied line-up of musicians and singers.
The Fox Theatre: This classic Atlanta landmark hosts performances of all types from Broadway shows to the Atlanta Ballet to pop music concerts or even vintage films.
Eddie’s Attic: Best of Atlanta 2018 awarded Eddie’s Attic the “Best Acoustic Music Venue” for the sound system in its “listening room.” This venue helps launch the careers of aspiring singers and songwriters. A partial list of celebrities who have appeared on this stage includes Sheryl Crow, John Mayer, India Arie, Sara Bareilles, and Justin Bieber.
The Best Eats
It would take you months to eat through all of Atlanta’s incredible restaurants. Here are some top picks to get you started:
Chai Pani: This place serves outstanding Indian food in Decatur. Check out their signature matchstick okra fries.
Aviva by Kameel: The #1 rated Atlanta lunch restaurant and maybe the healthiest, too, Aviva serves Middle Eastern food in Midtown and Downtown.
Ticonderoga Club: They dish up great seafood and poultry with even better cocktails in Inman Park.
Nan Thai Fine Dining: Eat Thai food served in a grand style in Midtown. They received the prestigious Four Diamond Award for sixteen years and counting.
Ladybird Grove and Mess Hall: Only Ladybird’s menu can match its ambiance in the Old Fourth Ward. Bring your pets, too, and enjoy food and cocktails overlooking the Beltline.
To quench your thirst after a nice meal, we compiled a list of the top 5 breweries in Atlanta.
The Great Outdoors
One of the best perks of living in Atlanta is that you can enjoy the outdoors all year long. The city’s revitalization includes plenty of green spaces and promotes an active lifestyle. Skip that fourth cup of coffee and head outside during your lunch break. You’ll come back so refreshed your co-workers will beg to know your secret sauce.
The Beltline: One of Atlanta’s favorite places, the Beltline will ultimately cover over 33 miles with multi-use trails when complete, connecting Atlanta’s Intown neighborhoods. With so many access points all around town, it couldn’t be easier to get out into the fresh air. Bring your sneakers, or rent one of the many bikes or scooters along the trail.
Clear Creek Basin: The unexpected beauty of this one will take your breath away. Part of the Historic Old Fourth Ward Park, it encompasses a reservoir-turned-oasis. You’ll find terraced landscaping, a stone water cascade, fish, and waterfowl. It’s not unusual to see wedding parties taking pictures near the pond.
Related: Old Fourth Ward Restaurants to Try
Sports
Everyone knows about the Falcons, the Braves, and the Hawks. Here’s what locals know about more Atlanta sports fun.
The Gwinnett Stripers are the Atlanta Braves’ triple-A affiliate. Tickets are only $10, plus, they offer all sorts of deals and promotions. Coolray Park, their home field, has convenient parking and is less than 30 minutes from Atlanta.
GA Tech Yellowjackets are Atlanta’s college home team. Paint yourself yellow and black, and come out to root for the football, basketball, or baseball teams.
Weekend Activities
If you need a break from city life, you don’t need to travel far. Here are some great ideas for weekend trips within a half hour of Downtown Atlanta.
Stone Mountain Park: Anyone who knows about Atlanta, knows about Stone Mountain. The walk-up trail, Summit Skyride, Lasershow, and other paid attractions get a lot of attention, but locals know that the park for its beautiful, peaceful trails for hiking or jogging. You’re just a few minutes from the touristy action, but you feel like you discovered a little secret.
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park: Locals love this national park for its beautiful hiking trails, a distinctive double-hump shape, and an easy walk to the summit. You can drive or take the Park Shuttle up, too, depending on the day. The view at the top is spectacular, but be forewarned – there are no restrooms up there! If you like history, you’ll want to spend time reading the markers, or watching the explanatory film on the Battle of Kennesaw.
Peachtree City: In this upscale master-planned community south of Downtown Atlanta, the preferred mode of travel is the golf cart. The city contains over 100 miles of golf cart trails and numerous golf cart stores and rentals. You can rent a golf cart by the hour to explore the neighborhood.
Become an Atlanta Local
Now that you know how to tour Atlanta like a local, it’s time to become a local yourself! Call AptAmigo – we’ll point you in the direction of a neighborhood that best suits your lifestyle and will guide you through inquiries, tours, and sealing the deal on your new home in Atlanta.
