Where to Stay, Play and Invest in Atlanta
The Atlanta Skyline. Photo by Shutterstock.com
Sophisticated and historic while still being fresh and exciting, Atlanta is packed with interesting businesses, hotels, restaurants and attractions. Worth is breaking down the sites you should consider visiting on your next trip.
Business
ATLANTA BELTLINE INC.
This organization oversees the execution and planning of the Atlanta BeltLine. ABI works in collaboration with the nonprofit Atlanta BeltLine Partnership to serve the community and engage residents in the decision-making process of the project. 100 Peachtree St. NW, Suite 2300, 404.477.3003, beltline.org
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INVEST ATLANTA
As Atlanta’s economic development authority, this government body offers abundant assistance to startups and incoming businesses, providing such services as financing and loans, and guidance for navigating the city’s property tax structure. 133 Peachtree St. NE, Suite 2900, 404.880.4100, investatlanta.com
SWITCHYARDS DOWNTOWN CLUB
Switchyards is a members-only coworking space connecting consumer- and design-focused startup talent. While technically not an incubator, it limits the availability of membership to startups and hosts diverse programming that includes some mentorship and pitch opportunities. 151 Ted Turner Drive NW, hey@switchyards.com, switchyards.com
FOOD WELL ALLIANCE
An incubator for food entrepreneurs, this organization offers grants to small food businesses to strengthen the Atlanta metro community’s support of the region’s foodways. 970 Jefferson St. NW, info@foodwellalliance.org, 404.419.1740, foodwellalliance.org
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GEORGIA ORGANIC
This nonprofit supports Georgia farmers by promoting sustainable eating with a variety of initiatives such as farm-to-school programs. 200-A Ottley Drive NE, Alice Rolls, president and CEO, alice@georgiaorganics.org, 404.481.5001, georgiaorganics.org
GEORGIA RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION
This political action committee advocates for Georgia restaurants at the local government level. 260 Peachtree St. NW, Suite 1901, Karen Bremer, CEO, karen@garestaurants.org, 404.467.9000, garestaurants.org
Hotels
THE GEORGIAN TERRACE
Dating to 1911, this hotel stands as one of Atlanta’s most famous landmarks and is a quick drive to the city’s financial and cultural districts. Livingston, the hotel restaurant, offers an excellent Sunday brunch. 659 Peachtree St. NE, 800.651.2316, thegeorgianterrace.com
GLENN HOTEL
This landmarked boutique property is close to Centennial Olympic Park and Philips Arena, making it a good base when visiting downtown for business or sports events. It is most famous for its rooftop bar, the SkyLounge, which overlooks the entirety of Atlanta’s downtown skyline. 110 Marietta St. NW, 404.521.2250, glennhotel.com
THE ST. REGIS ATLANTA
Set in the fashionable Buckhead district, this 151-room property is the most elegant hotel in the city. The impressive pool piazza is a unique luxury for an intown hotel, creating an atmosphere of ancient Rome in an urban setting. 88 W. Paces Ferry Road, 404.563.7900, marriott.com/hotels/travel/atlxr-the-st-regis-atlanta
FOUR SEASONS HOTEL ATLANTA
Just steps away from Piedmont Park, this is the premier luxury property in Midtown near the business, shopping and cultural attractions. The hotel’s Bar Margot is a lovely nightspot for small-batch cocktails. 75 14th St. NE, 404.881.9898, fourseasons.com/atlanta
LOEWS ATLANTA
The Midtown hotel just underwent a multimillion-dollar refresh. Expect stunning views, complimentary car service and signature spa treatments. 1065 Peachtree St. NE, 404.745.5000, loewshotels.com/atlanta-hotel
ARTMORE HOTEL
Located in the Cultural Arts District, this boutique hotel has an old-world charm, due in part to the fact that the building harkens back to 1924. Drop by the cocktail garden to enjoy a drink immersed in a beautiful surrounding. 1302 W. Peachtree St., reservations@artmorehotel.com, 404.876.6100, artmorehotel.com
Restaurants
KAISER’S CHOPHOUSE
This modern-yet-cozy spot by longtime local chef Peter Kaiser has won much critical acclaim since opening in May 2017. While the menu offers standard steakhouse fare, the high-quality meats and convivial atmosphere make it a go-to power dining spot. 5975 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs, 404.549.2882, kaiserschophouse.com
LADYBIRD GROVE & MESS HALL
This camping-themed Southern restaurant presents favorites such as shrimp-n-grits alongside rural eats, like the backyard barbecue board of pulled pork, ribs and wings. The screened-in patio facing the BeltLine is ideal for an intown brunch. 684 John Wesley Dobbs Ave., info@ladybirdatlanta.com, 404.458.6838, ladybirdatlanta.com
RATHBUN’S RESTAURANT
Chef Kevin Rathbun was the first Georgia chef to defeat Iron Chef Bobby Flay, and his menu reveals why: inventive dishes such as elk chop with cabbage carbonara, spinach and smoked bacon. 112 Krog St., info@rathbunsrestaurant.com, 404.524.8280, rathbunsrestaurant.com
ATLAS
Elegant but not stuffy, this restaurant located in the St. Regis hotel in Buckhead showcases a light, fresh New American menu and a wine list so impressive, Atlas was named one of the country’s best wine spots by Wine Enthusiast. 88 W. Paces Ferry Road NW, 404.600.6471, atlasrestaurant.com
KIMBALL HOUSE
Named after a historic Atlanta hotel, this destination restaurant in an old railroad depot just outside the city has received national accolades for its seasonal craft cocktail program, oysters and farm-to-table menu. 303 E. Howard Ave., Decatur, 404.378.3502, kimball-house.com
UMI
Longtime Atlanta chef Fuyuhiko Ito created the city’s hottest modern Japanese restaurant. Umi offers inventive sushi, an omakase menu and, surprisingly delicious desserts such as green tea soufflé and yuzu cake. 3050 Peachtree Road NW, info@umiatlanta.com, 404.841.0040, umiatlanta.com
Experiences
ATLANTA BOTANICAL GARDEN
Adjacent to Piedmont Park and a quick stroll from the BeltLine, these dazzling 30 acres of nature paths and landscapes offer respite from the concrete jungle of midtown. Of note is its canopy walk, a suspended path that lets visitors experience a forest from 40 feet above the ground. 1345 Piedmont Ave., info@atlantabg.org, 404.876.5859, atlantabg.org
GEORGIA AQUARIUM
Known for jaw-dropping exhibits of whale sharks and beluga whales, this 13-acre aquarium is the world’s second largest. It puts you face-to-face with some of the most difficult-to-see animals and marine habitats on earth. 225 Baker St. NW, 404.581.4000, georgiaaquarium.org
THE CENTER FOR CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS
Conceived by civil rights activist Evelyn Lowery in 2007, this museum opened downtown in 2014 with thought-provoking exhibits that focus on Atlanta’s central role in the American civil rights movement. 100 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd., 678.999.8990, civilandhumanrights.org
THE ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOMATO FESTIVAL
This is the eleventh year that chef Ford Fry has organized this tomato-centric food and music festival, scheduled at Westside Provisions District on July 14, to draw support for local farmers. 1198 Howell Mill Rd., killertomatofest.com
CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF ATLANTA
This institution’s program-ming focuses on learning via interactive play, and its Fundamentally Food exhibit lets kids take on various roles in the food industry, from farmer to grocery purveyor. 275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr. NW, 404.659.5437, childrensmuseumatlanta.org
PIEDMONT PARK ARTS FESTIVAL
Atlanta’s largest park hosts this annual two-day showcase for local emerging artists and artisans, from painters and sculptors to jewelers and metal-workers. The event on August 17 and 18 also offers live music and plenty of food. 1215 Piedmont Ave., Randall Fox, randall@affps.com, 404.873.1222, piedmontparkartsfestival.com
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