City Cheat Sheet: A Travel Guide for Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta Botanical Garden. 

WHY SHOULD ONE VISIT THE DYNAMIC, VIBRANT CITY of Atlanta, Georgia? The Scout Guide Atlanta editor Katie Newton can name a few reasons. First off, the abundance of outdoor spaces. “Visitors, particularly in the spring and fall, should go to Piedmont Park or the Botanical Gardens, especially when the flowers are blooming,” she says. “Biking the BeltLine to Ponce City Market for lunch or strolling through Oakland Cemetery, an enormous historic cemetery nearby, are also great outdoor activities.” While visiting Oakland Cemetery, you’ll have a chance to take in another thing Katie appreciates about her city: the architecture. The area surrounding the cemetery has lovely renovated Victorian homes that, according to the editor, are definitely worth checking out. Also worth putting on your itinerary is a drive through Buckhead to peruse the beautiful old Reed and Shutze-designed mansions built in the 1920s. Finally, there’s a variety of game watching opportunities, from enjoying an Atlanta United soccer match at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium to catching MLB’s Atlanta Braves in action. 

Ready to plan your visit (or staycation)? Here, Katie shares her favorite local finds and activities for taking in her city.

*Please note that due to COVID-19 some of these businesses might be closed or have specific guidelines in place. We recommend calling ahead and/or visiting their websites for the latest information on their status, offerings, etc. 


WHEN TO GO // The best time to visit Atlanta is in the spring. With its abundance of gardens, the city is absolutely beautiful, and it’s also not too hot yet, which makes walking around and exploring much more enjoyable.


WHERE TO STAY // St. Regis Hotel (88 West Paces Ferry Road Northwest). A five-star hotel in Atlanta’s stylish Buckhead District. From the sophisticated atmosphere to luxurious features like the renowned spa, you’ll fall in love with all the hotel has to offer.


WHAT TO DO // High Museum of Art (1280 Peachtree Street Northeast). Located in the heart of Midtown, the building itself is a modern architectural gem. Inside, the museum displays a mix of old and new work.

Miami Circle for Art and Antiques (Miami Circle). This street has an abundance of art galleries and shops that sell one-of-a-kind home decor pieces. Spending an afternoon walking around Miami Circle is an absolute must.

Porsche Experience Center (One Porsche Drive). This destination features a specially designed 1.6-mile circuit that allows for anyone to experience the thrill of test driving a Porsche.


WHERE TO SHOP // Buckhead Village District (3035 Peachtree Road). Be sure to budget a few hours for browsing at this upscale, outdoor shopping center that includes shops, restaurants, and galleries.

Powers Ferry Square (3728 Roswell Road). An area with lots of local boutiques that sell everything from clothes to antiques to home interior items.

Peachtree Battle Shopping Center (2333 Peachtree Road).  A fabulous shopping center with a wide variety of stores and restaurants. It has some of the highest retail traffic in the Atlanta area.


WHERE TO EAT & DRINK // Pancake Social (675 Ponce De Leon Avenue Northeast). An excellent spot for breakfast or brunch. The restaurant serves delicious sandwiches in addition to incredible pancakes.

Le Bilboquet (3027 Bolling Way Northeast). Located in the Buckhead Village District, this French eatery feels truly Parisian. Chances are you will want a glass of Champagne to go along with your memorable meal.

Eclipse di Luna (764 Miami Circle). Serving the best tapas in the city, this restaurant, with its live Latin music and dancing, is an absolute treat for dinner.

Atlas (22 West Paces Ferry Road). Ideal for a special occasion, Atlas provides upscale, innovative fine dining with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. Plus, the restaurant features an impressive collection of 20th-century artwork.

Umi (3050 Peachtree Road Northwest). A stylish haunt serving sushi and other sophisticated Japanese fare.

Dancing Goats (3167 Peachtree Road). A fabulous local coffee shop that can satisfy all your caffeine needs.

Le Colonial Atlanta (3035 Peachtree Road, Unit A201). A restaurant and lounge with cool décor and impressive crafted cocktails.

Scofflaw Brewing Co. (1738 MacArthur Boulevard Northwest). Similar to a German beer garden, this is a fun space with delicious brews.


LOCAL PRO-TIP // There’s always something going on in Atlanta, but Katie recommends planning a trip around these key events:

Scott’s Antique Show. Happening the second weekend of every month, the locals (and in-the-know visitors) know to scope out Scott’s for great finds, from antiques to jewelry, art, and clothes.

Chastain Concert Series. A summer-long music series in a neighborhood outdoor venue in Buckhead.

Botanical Gardens Summer Music Series. A series of outdoor concerts in the Botanical Gardens, right by Piedmont Park.

You can download this Atlanta cheat sheet by clicking here. Photography by Dreamstime. For additional recommendations for what to do, see, and experience in Atlanta, follow The Scout Guide Atlanta on Instagram.