This business hub is also a happening vacation spot. Here’s how to navigate the sprawling city. —By Mike Jordan
LessWHERE TO GO | Take a day to tour the Martin Luther King Jr., National Historical Park, which encompasses several buildings around Auburn Avenue in the Old Fourth Ward. Don’t miss Ebenezer Baptist Church (where Dr. King preached Sunday sermons); the King Center, which displays some of his writings; and the eternal flame near Coretta and Martin’s tombs at the King Center.
WHERE TO EAT | While Atlanta has no shortage of winning breakfast restaurants, Erika Council’s Bomb Biscuits are among the best in this highly competitive biscuit-baking town, particularly when crafted as “Glori-Fried” chicken sandwiches.
WHERE TO DRINK | Ticonderoga Club, at the Krog Street Market, is a cozy, eccentrically furnished cocktail den that offers well-priced wines, various ways to enjoy Sherry (glass, bottle or flight) and first-rate cocktails like the Hootchy Cider Punch.
THE ESSENTIAL STOP | Among the most significant city landmarks to open in the last decade is Ponce City Market, housed in a 2.1-million-square-foot building that once served as a Sears, Roebuck and Co. retail and distribution center. Whether you’re looking for a flower shop, bookstore, women’s or men’s apparel, toys or furniture, there’s plenty to purchase, plus a wide-ranging food hall downstairs, a carnival-inspired rooftop area and always a steady flow of visitors.
WHERE TO STAY | Embracing its somewhat seedy history as part of its beguiling appeal, the 1920s Hotel Clermont energetically reopened in 2018, with 94 restored rooms and public areas (including a panoramic-view rooftop and a French-American restaurant) and quotes from Atlanta hip-hop group OutKast etched on room safes. The building’s basement is still home to Atlanta’s oldest strip club, Clermont Lounge.
WHERE TO GO | Full of history and meticulously maintained, the 54-acre Decatur Cemetery encompasses winding walkable paths and a pond that hosts swans, ducks, fish and turtles. It’s also the final resting place to more than 20,000 people, with the earliest graves dating back to 1827. Take a self-guided walking tour that points out some of the more notable occupants.
WHERE TO EAT | Atlanta native Ron Hsu and Aaron Phillip honed their chef skills together at New York City’s Le Bernardin before opening the exceptional-yet-deceptively-casual Lazy Betty. On offer: arguably the city’s most impressive tasting menu.
WHERE TO DRINK | Among the first Black-owned brick-and-mortar breweries in Georgia, Hippin Hops began with a lounge in the always hopping East Atlanta Village neighborhood. There's now another location, in the East Lake neighborhood, which distills its own spirits. Stop in at either spot for a Beer Mosa pitcher (peach, mango and pineapple juices topped with sour beer), or a flight of several fresh-rewed beers.
THE ESSENTIAL STOP | Lively Decatur Square is lined with shops. Check out Sq/Ft for eclectic gifts, Squash Blossom for earthy women’s fashion and a well-curated selection of books at Little Shop of Stories.
WHERE TO STAY | Set in a bamboo forest in the middle of East Atlanta is a small farm for rescued llamas and alpacas. That’s also where you’ll find the Atlanta Alpaca Treehouse, a vacation rental built for two and furnished with antiques. If you’d rather not spend the night, you can also follow in the footsteps of singer Billie Eilish and take a one-hour tour of the alpaca farm.
WHERE TO GO | Named for the Atlanta-born golfing great, this public, reversible 9-hole course lies near Buckhead’s southwestern edge, adjacent to the Atlanta Beltline’s walkable mile-long Northside Trail. At the Murray Golf House, you’ll find the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame, a pro shop for anything you forgot to bring, and Boone’s restaurant, overlooking the course. Boone’s is a good spot to lunch or take in the setting sun while enjoying pimento cheese fritters and neat pours of whiskey.
WHERE TO DRINK | The Garden Room, a posh greenhouse with cocktails, tends to be booked a month in advance. The small-plate menu includes snackable indulgences such as Chilean sea bass, but you’re mainly here to sip mixed drinks such as the Talk Tiki To Me, local craft ciders and beers or wine from its mile-long list.
WHERE TO EAT | For a cheeseburger with cheffy finesse, book a table in the courtyard or sunlit dining room at the Chastain, overseen by chef Christopher Grossman, whose resume includes top tables like Napa Valley’s the French Laundry.
THE ESSENTIAL STOP | Tucked into the side streets of Buckhead Village are luxury stores from Hermès to Dior, Todd Patrick to Christian Louboutin. To browse contemporary works by regional artists, among others, stop by Buckhead Art & Company.
WHERE TO GO | Opened to the public last year, Westside Park is now the city’s largest public greenspace. You’ll find a playground, a dog park, 2.5 miles of bicycle and walking paths, and a scenic central reservoir. A boring machine named for Westside native Killer Mike, the “Run the Jewels” rapper, helped fill the reservoir with 2.4 billion gallons of water.
WHERE TO EAT | Mujō—which started as a carryout omakase pop-up born of the pandemic—is now one of Atlanta’s toughest-to-book and priciest restaurants. Overseen by chef J. Trent Harris, alum of Michelin-starred restaurants in New York and Tokyo, Mujō offers just 15 seats.
THE ESSENTIAL STOP | New fall sports coats, cashmere sweaters and twill trousers have hit the racks at Atlanta’s standard-bearing menswear shop, Sid Mashburn. Adjoining women’s apparel shop Ann Mashburn trades in silk dresses, leather boots and more.
WHERE TO STAY | At the 16-story Epicurean hotel, in West Midtown, the numerous eating options begin at the open kitchen of Reverence restaurant in the lobby, and run all the way up to 9th-floor Aerial Kitchen & Bar. Check the event calendar for blind wine tastings, cooking classes and other events in the theater.
WHERE TO GO | In southwest Atlanta, the 120-acre Cascade Springs Nature Preserve, the site of a Civil War battle, is at a quiet remove from downtown’s hustle and bustle. Spend a few hours wandering the trails, taking in the flowing springs, songbirds and deer.
WHERE TO EAT | A 20-minute southbound drive from downtown, in neighboring Jonesboro, Taqueria La Oaxaqueña serves standout Oaxacan fare including velvety chicken mole, breaded Milanesa steak and barbacoa goat.
WHERE TO DRINK | The Lee + White complex, 3 miles southwest of downtown, houses three breweries, as well as expertly curated beer shop Hop City, which offers rotating selections of their retail beers on draft. For spikier sips, go for a neat bourbon tasting or an icy whiskey slush at ASW Whiskey Exchange.
THE ESSENTIAL STOP | Regularly booked as a filming location for music videos and movies like 2006’s “ATL,” and private parties (including Beyoncé’s 21st birthday), Cascade Skating draws roller-skaters of various ages and skill. But if you’d rather not risk wiping out in front of a younger, more coordinated crowd, plan to swing by one of the “adult nights” and break for Champagne and bourbon-glazed salmon in the upstairs Marquis Lounge.
WHERE TO STAY | Occupying a 1906 building commissioned by Coca-Cola magnate Asa Candler, the Candler Hotel is one of Downtown’s most distinctive and elegant hotels, with its opulent marble façade and lobby. Room décor is sharp and modern. The higher floors offer impressive city views.
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