TL;DR: To tour Atlanta like a local, mix neighborhood restaurants, intimate music venues, street art, and outdoor stops such as the Beltline. Check current event calendars, ticket prices, park access, and travel times before planning your route, especially for outings beyond the city.
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.
Which Quirky Atlanta Attractions Do Locals Recommend?
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 “Original Practice,” which draws on Elizabethan performance techniques and direct engagement with the audience.
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.
DeKalb-Peachtree 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. PDK serves general aviation, including private and charter aircraft.
Related: The Ultimate Atlanta Neighborhood Guide
Where Can You Hear Live Music in Atlanta?
Tabernacle Presented by iTHINK Financial: A former church, the building became a concert venue for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and initially operated as a House of Blues. Today, it hosts live music and other performances; check the current event calendar before planning a visit.
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: Creative Loafing named Eddie’s Attic its “Best Acoustic Music Venue” in 2018. 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.
Where Do Atlanta Locals Like to Eat?
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: Aviva serves Mediterranean food in Buckhead, 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. AAA includes Nan Thai Fine Dining in its 2026 Four Diamond restaurant list.
Ladybird Grove and Mess Hall: Only Ladybird’s menu can match its ambiance in the Old Fourth Ward. Enjoy food and cocktails overlooking the Beltline, and check Ladybird’s outdoor dog policy before bringing your pup.
To quench your thirst after a nice meal, we compiled a list of the best breweries in Atlanta.
Where Can You Spend Time Outdoors in Atlanta?
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’s planned 33-mile trail network includes 22 miles in the main corridor and 11 miles of connector trails, linking Atlanta’s Intown neighborhoods. Check the official map for open routes. 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 Historic Fourth Ward Park, it centers on a two-acre stormwater detention pond designed to reduce flooding. 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. They play at Gwinnett Field in Lawrenceville. Check current single-game tickets and promotions before booking, and allow travel time for traffic.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets are Atlanta’s college home team. Wear white and Tech Gold, 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 ideas for metro Atlanta outings; travel time depends on your starting point, route, and traffic.
Stone Mountain Park: Anyone who knows about Atlanta, knows about Stone Mountain. The walk-up trail, Summit Skyride, seasonal Drone & Light Shows, and other paid attractions get a lot of attention, but locals know 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 a climb to the summit. You can hike or use the park shuttle; Mountain Road is closed to private vehicles. Check current shuttle and access information before visiting. 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 shared-use paths and numerous golf cart stores and rentals. Check local golf cart rental options, and confirm minimum rental periods and driver requirements before booking.
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.
* The original version of this article was first published on June 3, 2019.
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This article was AI-generated by AptAmigo.
