With its famous outdoor festivals, world-class museums, a thriving restaurant scene and slew of popular sports teams, Atlanta has cemented itself as a popular city break for Americans and – increasingly – international tourists. It would be easy for visitors to limit their stay to Downtown, where you’ll find the Coca Cola Museum, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, and the Atlanta Aquarium in a convenient triangle just metres apart, as well as Centennial Olympic Park a short walk across the street.
But to do so would be to miss the richness of Atlanta’s many diverse neighbourhoods where street art, quirky boutiques and food markets can be found among high-end galleries, fine dining, and peaceful green spaces. It’s the city where Martin Luther King Jr was born, where hip-hop legends were moulded, and where countless films have been shot. This is how to delve a little deeper and get under the skin of the unofficial capital of the South.
What to do
Stroll along the Beltline
The 22 miles of former railroad tracks that now comprise Atlanta’s Beltline have fast become the place to meet friends, run, walk, cycle, roller blade or simply sit at one of the bar or restaurant patios that line the way and watch city life go by. Whichever section you opt for, you’ll likely spot various art installations and sculptures and be tempted to stop off for coffee, ice cream or a pint. The stretch from Ponce City Market, which forms part of the Eastside Trail, is particularly pleasant – head north and in less than a mile you’ll reach Piedmont Park with the Atlanta Botanical Garden at its far end, while a wander south takes you past the Krog Street Market to the Krog Street Tunnel with its famous graffiti.
Explore by electric car
The ATL-Cruzers Electric Car Tour is a great introduction to the city. In the course of the 90-minute tour in the low-speed six-seater GEM cars, you’ll cover 12 miles and a surprising amount of history. As well as passing by the typical tourist hotspots like Centennial Olympic Park and Downtown Atlanta, you’ll also get taken to areas that you may not have heard of like the Margaret Mitchell House and Museum and the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church where Martin Luther King Jr was baptised. The real beauty of these tours is the local recommendations and information…
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