The Perfect Getaway: A long weekend in Atlanta
Visit the city’s stunning parks, trendy restaurants and captivating museums for an unforgettable trip.
By Alina Dizik | June 20, 2024
Alina Dizik
Alina Dizik is a veteran lifestyle journalist, covering travel, real estate, family, work trends and dining. She lives in Chicago and has spent time living in New York, Europe and the Middle East. She spends more than two months each year traveling internationally with her husband and two school-age children. She has visited more than 50 countries. Her work appears in The Wall Street Journal, BBC, The Cut, The Guardian and other top publications.
Planning a getaway to Atlanta? You won’t leave disappointed because the city is sure to turn on its Southern charm. As a major travel hub also known for lush green spaces and plenty of activities for sports fans, Atlanta has also emerged as a place that welcomes travelers looking for sophisticated food and top-notch events year around. Add that to the city’s mild weather and you’re in the ideal spot to explore, whether you're a kid-toting family, a solo-traveling history buff or a group of friends in search of food and culture.
Friday
Morning
Arrive in Atlanta and drop off your bags at The Candler Hotel Atlanta, Curio Collection by Hilton, your centrally located home away from home for the long weekend. Admire the facade of the city’s first steel skyscraper before entering the hotel’s restored beaux arts lobby with original marble columns and vintage-style elevators. Next, head to Bomb Biscuit Co. for one of the city’s most buzzworthy breakfasts. The food-stall-turned restaurant offers a signature Glori-Fried Chicken Biscuit featuring a buttermilk-marinated chicken thigh with honey butter.
Afternoon
Spend the afternoon exploring the Atlanta Botanical Garden in Piedmont Park. The 30-acre hideaway includes sweet-scented blossoms, towering trees and plenty of walking paths to explore. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast looking to get lost for the afternoon or go exploring with your family, check out the garden’s website for personalized itineraries before you begin. Don’t miss the Fuqua Orchid Center, with more than 2,000 orchid species and a variety of tropical plants.
Image credit: ACVB Marketing | Lily Leiva
Evening
At Nan Thai Fine Dining in Midtown, Chef Nan Niyomkul prepares her inventive cuisine for devoted locals and curious travelers. Seafood lovers are sure to enjoy the lobster pad thai or crispy whole red snapper served with the chef’s signature three-flavored chili sauce. But save room for some Thai tea creme brulee for dessert. For a night cap, swing by Park Bar, a popular downtown spot with a wide selection of bourbon and craft beer.
Saturday
Morning
Start the morning with an energizing stroll through nearby Centennial Olympic Park. Built as part of the 1996 summer Olympic games, the 22-acre complex offers plenty of entertainment. For the ultimate panorama, take a spin on SkyView Atlanta, a Ferris wheel towering 20-stories above downtown. The park also offers audio walking tours for visitors eager to learn more about its history. Then refuel at the Atlanta Breakfast Club, a local favorite known for its peach cobbler French toast.
Afternoon
Spend the afternoon exploring the historic Swan House and its perfectly manicured gardens. Located at the Atlanta History Center, this 1920s mansion has maintained its elegant charm and even served as the backdrop for some big box office hits. Afterward, enjoy lunch at Apt 4B, where the DJ will have you moving in your seat and the chef whips up Caribbean dishes with international flair. Don’t miss the oxtail hummus or snapper ceviche.
Evening
Dress to impress for an evening at By George. The Candler’s refined restaurant welcomes guests from all over for its Southern cuisine and stellar wine list. Try favorites including the shrimp and grits, lemon sole and tempura fried lobster tail. After, stick around to sample some of By George’s elegant cocktails at the lively bar area. For a crowd-pleasing option, try the Peachtree, which includes a mix of cognac, bourbon and sweet vermouth.
Sunday
Morning
Start the day at The Hive in Buckhead with what some call “the brunch of all brunches.” You’ll quickly understand its reputation when the mouthwatering red velvet chicken and waffle or the fried catfish and grits arrive at the table. After the meal, stroll through the nearby Buckhead Village District, with several blocks offering a mix of name brands and independent stores with plenty of seating areas to relax.
Afternoon
Delve into the nation's complex history at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. This downtown museum in Pemberton Park highlights the achievements of the human rights movement. Visitors of all ages can explore the legacy of human rights through exhibits showcasing global activists, the personal papers of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and even a simulation that allows visitors to experience a non-violent 1960s sit-in firsthand.
Image credit: ACVB Marketing | Melissa McAlpine
Evening
Head out for an evening at Zoo Atlanta. The zoo offers guided afterhours Twilight Treks from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on certain evenings. Participants use anything from trail cameras and night-vision scopes to infrared tech for a firsthand look at nocturnal animal behavior. Tours are geared toward schoolchildren but are sure to keep their accompanying adults entertained, too, making it a memorable activity for the entire family.
Image credit: ACVB Marketing | Melissa McAlpine
Monday
Morning
Spend the morning at Ponce City Market in the city’s Old Fourth Ward neighborhood. The former Sears, Roebuck & Co. warehouse was renovated while maintaining its 1920s old-world charm. It officially reopened in 2014 as Ponce City Market, drawing locals to its retailers and food hall. Food stalls include restaurants from James Beard award-winning chefs. For a morning meal choose between pastries from the Saint-Germain Bakery or the breakfast-all-day Pancake Social.
Image credit: ACVB Marketing | Silei Li
Afternoon
Head to Little Five Points, Atlanta’s hippest neighborhood, for an afternoon of shopping in record stores, vintage boutiques and other one-of-a-kind shops with handicrafts from local artists. Be sure to admire the plentiful street art, while live music and street performances often fill the area, too. For a fancier meal, grab a table at Wrecking Bar Brewpub, where you’ll find upscale pub food like confit duck or creamy mushroom risotto.
Image credit: ACVB Marketing
Evening
Before heading home, pick up a few treats — for yourself and friends — at the historical Municipal Market in Sweet Auburn, also known as the Curb Market. Originally founded as an open-air market in 1918, it now houses nearly three dozen local businesses, offering perfectly edible souvenirs. Between the fascinating museums, picturesque parks and delectable cuisine, Atlanta has plenty to offer for the perfect long weekend that will leave you wanting more.
Hero image credit: ACVB Marketing | Melissa McAlpine
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