While I don’t think I’d ever move there, I really enjoyed the time I spent in Atlanta this year, both times visiting my friend Katie. I also wouldn’t claim to be an expert on what to do in Atlanta, since I didn’t even visit some of the “must-do” experiences in the city like the World of Coca-Cola and the Georgia Aquarium.
The older I get, the more I realize you don’t have to always tick off all of the “top attractions” in a place to get a good idea of its character. The most special part of traveling is sharing the places you go with people, making memories together. And eating a LOT of different foods, of course.
The Civil Rights Museum
This is one of the top attractions in Atlanta that I did go to and I think everyone should visit if they find themselves in the city. It’s an unbelievably powerful museum that will evoke all sorts of emotions as it takes you on a journey through the history of civil rights in the American South, as well as in places around the world. It’s very heavy – some of the darkest parts of humanity are showcased in the museum exhibits. It’s vital content that we all need to be reminded of – to learn from our past to prevent atrocities from happening again in the future.
Shaky Knees Music Festival
I hadn’t been to a multi-day music festival since Bonnaroo and Electric Forest in 2015, so needless to say I was excited for three days of drinking in the sun, listening to live music, and dressing in festival outfits. Shaky Knees is a great urban music festival – it was easy for us to Uber in and out each day, it was easy to navigate and the crowds were manageable. My favorite musical act of the festival was definitely Cage the Elephant – I had never seen them live before and the performance was amazing.
Hiking + Forest Walks
With lots of state parks and forest walks, hiking is a fantastic activity to enjoy in Atlanta. The lush, green expanse of woods all over the city has contributed to its nickname of “The Emerald City.” Hike along the Chattahoochee and enjoy walking trails or go for a float down the river. Spending time outdoors and getting some exercise is a great way to get your body moving after consuming lots of heavy, southern food too.
DeKalb Farmer’s Market
The DeKalb Farmer’s Market is a unique experience to have while in Atlanta, especially if you’re visiting friends or staying in an Airbnb where you have access to a kitchen to cook a few meals. This giant indoor farmers market is run solely by refugees from all over the world and has a huge variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, seafood and bakery items, as well as a food court serving up prepared foods.
Nightlife in Atlanta – Church
Want a night out on the town in Atlanta? I’m sure there are dozens of fantastic bars and clubs to visit, but I have to make a mention of Sister Louisa’s Church of the Living Room & Ping Pong, or just “Church” to locals. This bar was so much fun, albeit offensive, to start the night in. The decor is hilarious, and it’s fun to look at all the intricate details on each floor of the establishment. The patio also was lively and full of friendly folks.
Many of these photos were taken by my friend Grace, who is awesome and let me use them in this post.
Have you ever been to Atlanta? What was your favorite thing you did?
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