The Atlanta Skyline
Skyline of Atlanta, Georgia

“There’s much more to the CITY OF ATLANTA than Coca-Cola and CNN.”

Have you ever traveled to a city for a fun weekend getaway, but it ended up not meeting your expectations because you had no idea what to do? Atlanta is one of those cities you will want to take advantage of. Hot-lanta is home to 5.6 million people and thousands of large businesses. It is a city that is full of music, sports, incredible food, and shopping. In Atlanta, you will find the perfect balance of southern hospitality and entertainment. Without planning or knowledge, you may not hit all the right spots. Most people tend to visit all the popular sites such as the Coca-cola factory, aquarium, and CNN building. However, there is so much more to the wonderful city. Below are top things one should do to make the most of a weekend in Hot-lanta. We included everything from fabulous eats to some of the most instagramable spots.

Ponce City Market

Exterior of Ponce City Market

Ponce City Market is becoming one of the most popular spots in Atlanta. It is a massive building with an industrial look. One will want to spend a good part of the day at this location. It holds some of the more diverse restaurant choices, as well as popular high end shops. The interior includes an elevator that travels to the roof of the building where there are panoramic views, an 18-hole mini golf course, boardwalk-style games, and craft cocktails. This is a prime spot to watch the sunset.

Ponce City Market also offers incredible restaurants on the main two levels. Some of the most popular eats are Hop’s Chicken, Botiwalla, Batter Cookie Dough Counter, and Five Daughters Bakery. They also have an incredible coffee shop, Dancing Goats Coffee Bar, located on the outer edge. Not only will you find plenty to eat, but there are so many unique shops. Make sure to stop by Citizen Supply. https://citizensupply.com/ This store is a “new concept for local and international makers to showcase artisan goods.” You will not leave empty handed. Another popular shop is Coco+Mischa, which recently opened. It offers beautiful vintage clothing and handmade jewelry. Some other shops in the market that may be more familiar are Madewell, Anthropologie, Lululemon, and West Elm. Whether you want a fancy night out or a causal dessert stop, Ponce City Market has it all, and you will not want to skip it.

Picnic in the Park?

Piedmont Park

Looking ride bikes or take a long walk? Piedmont park is the ideal place for this. The park is one of the focal points of Atlanta’s community. Is is a perfect area to rent a bike or Bird ride through parts of the city. Some people enjoy this area to paint or have a picnic. It is also the ideal place for pictures, because of its serene lake, beautiful meadows, and views of the downtown skyline. If you come at the right time, you might catch one of Piedmont park’s many events. The park is home to annual celebrations and events, including the Dogwood Festival, Ice Cream Festival, Music Midtown, Atlanta Black Pride and more. Additionally, a summer series of classic films are aired in the park for the community. This park is located in a prime spot, just two miles from Krog Street Market. You won’t regret adding the stop during you weekend in hot-lant

The Beltline

All throughout the year, the beltline welcomes runners, walkers, bikers, skaters, spectators, etc. It is full of walls that scream creativity and meaning. Long ago this 22 miles of parks and trails were railroad corridors that sat unused for many years. Now the beltline trails circle throughout neighborhoods, bringing life and action to the city. The main features of the trail are the colorful wall murals that appear at various spots. The main area you will find artwork is throughout 2.5 miles of the Eastside Trail. It showcases tons of local and national artists, performers, and musicians.

Paris on Ponce is another must see feature along the beltline. It is a 46,000 square feet building full of thousands of antique furniture, furnishings, and art. Room after room display an abundance of unique items. There are not many places like this. Visit https://beltline.org/ for more information regarding the trails. Again, you must not miss talking a stroll on the beltline during you weekend in Hot-lanta.

Coffeeholic?

Coffee shops are rocking it in Atlanta. There are so many good options when it come to coffee in the city, however, there are some shops that coffee lovers should not skip over. Located on 501 Edgewood Ave, Atlanta 30312 is Chrome Yellow Trading Co., a very well known spot for coffee. They serve incredible coffee and danishes, while the interior is also very aesthetically pleasing and will look great on the Instagram feed. Here is their Instagram if you want to see what they are about. https://www.instagram.com/chromeyellowtradingco/

Another popular coffee shop to check out while on your weekend in Hot-lanta is Brash. Their “single purpose is to produce the best coffee they know how.” This is a true statement, because this is some of the best coffee you will get. They do not miss a step. They meticulously procure, roast, and prepare their coffee at the finest. Since they are so good, they currently have three locations. One in Buckhead, Midtown, and West Midtown. https://brashcoffee.com/

Last but not least, you will need to stop at Muchacho before you leave Atlanta. This place is one of a kind. They offer incredible food, as well as unique coffee options. Some favorites off the menu are the poke bowls, avocado toast, and the Muchacho style breakfast taco. Here is a link to their menu. https://www.muchachoatl.com/menu The items are also all decently priced. Another positive, is that there are a variety of seating options, both indoor and outdoor. Muchacho is located on 904 Memorial Drive SE, Atlanta, GA.

The City at Night

The last stop during your weekend in Hot-lanta must be the Skyview. If you are looking for a place to see the city at night time, this is the place to do it. The Skyview is a ferris wheel located 168 Luckie Street NW, Atlanta, GA. The wheel is right across from the Tabernacle, so you could plan the perfect night at a concert and finish it with a relaxing ferris wheel ride. This is a recent addition to the city, opening in 2013 to the public and has been a popular attraction. There are different packages you can buy online in order to best experience the city. They offer general admission, VIP, elevated date night, or even group tickets. Here is a link that will take you directly to additional ticket information. http://www.skyviewatlanta.com/tickets