What To Do And Eat In Atlanta Right Now

The rap lyric turned battle cry "F.I.L.A." or "Forever I Love Atlanta" unites anyone who's ever lived in the Empire City. The phrase's use is as far-reaching as the city's notorious suburban sprawl. It's an exclamation mark while marveling at the view from Jackson Street Bridge and the chef's kiss on a Buford Highway meal. It's the Band-Aid on a Falcon's loss and the faith that finally cracks a championship drought for the Braves. It's a love affair with just as much paradoxical flair as the city itself.

On the one hand, Atlanta is a business traveler's paradise. You can find a steak with more accolades than Tyler Perry's studio near the city's perimeter, and the city's high-end shopping scene rivals Rodeo Drive. Skyscrapers house innovation from the likes of Delta, Coca-Cola, and UPS, as Atlanta defines itself as the commercial powerhouse of the South. But turn the corner, and Atlanta's shine blurs into the grit and soul of a Southern city with a storied past and reenergized present that intersect like a dream.

Unlike its interstates, Atlanta's neighborhoods always continue moving. Each little pocket is hustling, working simultaneously as time capsules and trendsetters—nimble urban pathways and mega concrete highways thread together a tapestry of time-worn buildings and polished new construction invigorated by big ideas. Former factories turned food halls mingle with modern museums honoring a civil rights past. From Old Forth Ward to Roswell, filmmakers, artists, restaurateurs, and new residents keep pushing the boundaries on Atlanta's potential, rewriting the script as the characters and set continue to change. Here's are the best things to see, do, and eat on your next trip to Atlanta.

Where To Eat in Atlanta

Try Classic Southern Fare

Thanks to an array of talent and tastes in its increasingly global population, Atlanta's kitchens go beyond classic Southern cooking (though if you're looking for barbecue and traditional meat 'n' three, you've come to the right place). Take advantage of oysters and cocktails at local-favorite Kimball House in Decatur, Tiny Lou's salute to French-American fare in Poncey-Highland, or Kevin Gillespie's parade of dishes at Gunshow. At Mary Mac's Tea Room, open since 1945, a plate of macaroni and cheese, okra, and fried green tomatoes can easily meet your comfort food demands, while the slow-smoked brisket at Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q is legendary.

A trip to Atlanta would only be complete with a visit to a legendary steakhouse. Get your fill of great filets, ribeyes, strips, and more at classics like Bones and Kevin Rathbun Steak. Reserve a table at Ford Fry's Marcel for an impressive cut and a guaranteed good time.

Discover The Food Hall Scene

Shop the menus around Atlanta's booming food hall scene, where some of the city's top chefs share walls in reinvented spaces. The central food hall at Ponce City Market, once home to Sears, includes some of the city's best dishes. It may take several meals to make your rounds, but El Super Pan, Bellina Alimentari, H&F Burger, and Hop's Chicken justify more than one trip. Pancake Social around the corner is worth waking up for as well. For a taste of something new every month, head to the Punk Foodie stall, an incubator of sorts that showcases cuisines from different pop-up chefs every day of the week.

Head to Krog Street Market to keep the food hall flame burning. Ticonderoga Club offers a spectacular bar program and a pleasantly dim escape from the hustle and bustle of the busy market. Find spicy Szechuan dumplings and noodles at Gu's Dumplings or modern Middle Eastern dishes at Yalla. On your way out, stop by Little Tart Bakeshop, where baking magician Sarah O'Brien delights with irresistibly flaky pastries.

Taste International Cuisine

Buford Highway is home to some of the best international food in Atlanta. Take a trip to the Mediterranean at Nur Kitchen, where your table will be teeming with a medley of small plates and platters, or stop by Pho Dai Loi 2 for a bowl of pho. Further your culinary education of Southeast Asia with a visit to Mamak, which specializes in Malaysian food. Head a little further out to Masterpiece in Duluth to taste why James Beard Award nominee Rui Liu draws crowds across the region to a humble strip mall for world-class Sichuan cuisine.

What To Do in Atlanta

Get Outside

Atlanta's tree-lined streets are just the tip of the iceberg regarding green space in the city. In Midtown, Piedmont Park's walking trails, dog parks, and grassy fields hug the urban cityscape, making it the perfect spot for a pick-up game or picnic. Take advantage of the Dogwood Festival held in the park each spring when blooms are in full display. Less than a mile from downtown, Oakland Cemetery is a place of both beauty and tranquility where you can also pay your respects to icons like Margaret Mitchell and Bobby Jones.

Head from one neighborhood to the next on the ever-popular BeltLine. Pop on and off to explore restaurants, shops, and watering holes from Virginia-Highland to Inman Park and beyond. Get out of town to "shoot the hootch" on the Chattahoochee River. It's a popular spot for rafting, kayaking, and canoeing just outside the city; don't forget your cooler.

Discover The Art & Cultural Scene

A showcase of work awaits at the High Museum of Art, where exciting special exhibitions and a permanent collection of more than 18,000 pieces fill the Midtown space. The Fernbank Museum of Natural History is a hit for families, while the legendary Fox Theater always delivers a spectacular lineup of musicals, comedians, musicians, and more.

If you're spending the day downtown, visit some of the city's staples, like the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, and College Football Hall of Fame. You could spend all day at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, where the American Civil Rights Movement intertwines with today's efforts toward international human rights in a thought-provoking display of artifacts and interactive exhibits.

Where To Stay in Atlanta

Pick a neighborhood home base before booking your hotel. The Hotel Clermont is a funky local favorite with a fascinating backstory if you'd like to be near the BeltLine and Ponce City Market. Its Poncey-Highland location is conveniently located between Decatur and Midtown too.

For a Buckhead experience with all the bells and whistles, you can't go wrong splurging for The Whitley Hotel, but newcomers like Hotel Conlee and The Kimpton Sylvan Atlanta. If you're looking for a more personal experience, Stonehurst Place is an adults-only B&B on the edge of Piedmont Park, where guests can expect modern design in a space that retains its traditional charm. Downtown, stay in the historic Candler Hotel Atlanta. Renovated in 2019, this hotel contains all kinds of old treasures, from a stunning marble staircase to the rumored Coca-Cola formula hiding in its basement vault.