Published: February, 2018
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Atlanta – Katie Kelly

The Waffle House - Ask for your hash browns smothered, covered, diced, and chopped.
— Katie Kelly
  • More about your oliver guide:
  • Trip type: Adult, City
  • Activity level: moderate
  • Ideal length of trip: Four Days

to & from

Fly into Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson airport. Atlanta is Delta’s hub.

  • Recommend renting a car since everything is spread out in Atlanta.
  • MARTA is an easy way to get around, but I don't advise taking it at night.

Where to Stay

  • Four Seasons (14th & Midtown)
  • St Regis in Buckhead by the new Streets of Buckhead - great restaurants & shopping.
  • AirBNB in Virginia Highlands - eclectic, younger, hip shopping area with great restaurants

Where to Eat and Drink

  • Miller Union (the West Side): great farm to table dinner, amazing service & experience (Chef Steven Satterfield!)
  • The Optimist (the West Side): incredible seafood and fun vibe - yummy cocktails, outdoor putting green area, amazing food - favorite dish is the shrimp appetizers and oysters shucked on the half shell.
  • BoccaLupo (Old Fourth Ward): Unbelievable homemade pastas.
  • Fox Bros Bar-B-Q (East Side): You've got to try this BBQ spot - a really southern piece of meat and choose a couple of side - good lunch spot.
  • Ria's Bluebird: Breakfast/Brunch - traditional southern breakfast, funky vibe and close to the Oakland cemetery
  • Heirloom BBQ: One of the best lunch spots in Atlanta - Korean BBQ....BBQ with an asian twist. A little bit of a drive, but worth it.
  • Bones: Classic steakhouse - it's where our family goes for special occasions - really nice steak. Impeccable service.
  • Ladybird: Brunch on the beltline (see below under "Do")
  • Parish: Fun coffee bar below that's really casual or you can be upstairs - great Sunday brunch.
  • Waffle House: Ask for your hash browns smothered, covered, diced, and chopped. Plan to go to Waffle House late night after the bars.

What to Do

Krog Street Market & Belt Line: Entire big building that’s been separated into amazing shops and restaurants. Recommend riding a bike down the beltline. There’s a bike share program at Piedmont Park right by the tavern. Get on a bike, ride on the belt line until the end – stop along the way at Ladybird for brunch. Beltline is still continuing to grow and add sections.

  • Piedmont Park: Beautiful old downtown city park. Concerts, public swimming pool, screen on the green (summers), where the infamous Peachtree Roadrace ends.
  • Virginia Highlands: Great place to walk around, great bar scene, fun shops
  • Ponce City Market: Shopping and amazing restaurants. Global eatery with a mix of low key restaurants and really nice.
  • Walk along the Chathoochee: the river that runs thru Atlanta
  • Eddie's Attic: Fun for late night music
  • Chastain- tiny outdoor music venue, great for the summer - some concerts you can bring in your own food and drinks
  • Favorite Shops in Buckhead - Pollen, B.D. Jeffries, Peridot, Boxwoods, Erika Reade
  • High Museum: Fine Art

inside scoop

  • Spring and Fall are the best times to visit. Summers are hot and humid - if you are planning on spending time outside - be prepared.
  • Things are more spread out in Atlanta, so plan where you are going.

skip it

  • Avoid the malls at all costs
  • The Varsity - Southern fast food, save your calories for other great spots.

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Bringing your kids to HOTlanta? Check out local and bag designer, Cinda B’s guide!

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