Exploring Atlanta: A Relaxing Long Weekend Adventure

Aug 31

As a former Southerner from North Carolina, yall, I have a deep love for the South. Any chance to visit friends and reconnect with my roots? I’m all in! With that in mind, I recently decided to buy a plane ticket to Atlanta to spend Labor Day weekend catching up with some old college friends I haven’t seen in... well, let’s just say it’s been a while!

Atlanta is just like I remembered—maybe even better! For one, the weather is definitely hotter and more humid than in Los Angeles. Right now (late August), temperatures are hitting the 90s, with nighttime lows around 72°F and humidity at 80%. Just thinking about being outside makes me sweat! Traveling here in late August is a bit of a scorcher, but waiting until October or November would mean higher ticket prices. So, I decided to embrace the summertime madness, buying plane tickets when they were low! So summertime madness here we come!

Did you know about Atlanta?

Let’s do some brief facts about Atlanta as their socio and economic landscape has been defined by their past and is actively shaping where they’re going:

Atlanta has the WORLD’s busiest airport! Yes, you read that right, not the domestic USA, the world’s busiest (as measured by passenger traffic). It’s not Dubai, London or Tokyo. It’s right here in the humble South: Atlanta! This is to say, a lot of things pass through Atlanta. And it makes it a desirable place to place your headquarters.

A few brands that have headquarters and/or large hubs in Atlanta include:
- Coca Cola
- UPS
- Equipfax
- Home Depot
Atlanta is also a growing and flourishing tech hub with a significant presence by Google, Microsoft, MailChimp and Calendly! They even coined a term for it, “Silicon Peach”; that must mean it’s real!

Known as “Transaction Alley”: Due to being a business hub, it’s estimated that 70% of all global finance transactions go through companies based in Atlanta. UM, who knew!

Being from Los Angeles, I am well aware that Georgia has been spending a pretty penny attracting Hollywood filmmakers. I’ve heard their tax incentives mean you can film in Georgia and get up to 30% in transferrable tax credits! Keep in mind that the cost of living is significantly lower in Georgia [than California], so when you add up the production crew costs, union fees, etc., it is truly a saving to move your film location from an expensive state to Georgia!
Atlanta truly stands out in the South, the USA, and even the world. The more I learn about this city, the more it fascinates me. I’m beginning to think it might just be my next home away from home. If you’re considering a visit, hopefully, its rich history and vibrant influence are reason enough to check it out.

From Parks to Bike Paths: Navigating the Atlanta BeltLine

*Stopping at one of the many parks along the Beltline*

Even on a hot summer day, my favorite thing to do is explore the BeltLine and the nearby parks, restaurants, and attractions—though it’s best to go in the morning or evening to beat the heat. I love wandering, taking photos; just here for the vibes!

What is the Atlanta Beltline?

The Atlanta BeltLine is a huge urban redevelopment project budgeted over $2.8 billion, that transformed a 22-mile loop of defunct railroad tracks circling Atlanta, into a multi-use paved trail, with a light rail transit line, public art, and significantly grew the city’s park space by an incredible 40%!

This redevelopment has sparked retail and residential growth along the loop, making it incredibly rewarding to walk, bike or roll your way along the paved BeltLine to discover a new park, find a new place to eat, and explore the commercial shopping hubs.

*My trusted e-bike ride throughout Atlanta adventures (love this Specialized bike)*

What to do along the Beltline?

I explored the Southeast Corner, biking north to Piedmont Park (loved the lakes, fountains, and old stone structures), Georgia Tech campus (very pristine, clean, and energetic vibes), before backtracking South to grab Jeni’s Ice Cream dessert and an Eggplant Parmesan Sandwich dinner in the Krog District.

We biked (a lot) through meadering trails, and just to feel the wind on our faces. I suspect we biked over 10 miles on our e-bikes as we were gone from 11:30 AM until ~2 PM. While we didn’t stop much, we saw so many restaurants, breweries, parks, cafes, outdoor patios! The things-to-do and inspiration to meander were all there! So you can easily spend an entire day wandering different areas, districts, and eating out.

Other markets and commercial districts along the Beltline include Lee + White, The Beacon with over 110k square feet of shops and eateries, and Ponce City Market (which has a lot of name brands like Anthropologie, Casper mattresses, and J. Crew.

*At Piedmont Park, off the BeltLine in Atlanta*

Getting around the Beltline

We borrowed powerful e-bikes from my friend’s former neighbor, which allowed us to explore far and wide, even when the humidity took its toll on me. Given how humid summer can get here, I highly recommend using electric bikes or scooters to get around—you definitely don’t want to risk overheating in this weather!

I should have taken better care of myself, but I found myself feeling lightheaded and exhausted several times from the heat and humidity. Since I’m not used to this kind of weather, it’s a good reminder for everyone to pace themselves when doing physical activities in a new climate. At one point, when I felt breathless and dizzy, I turned my e-bike to the highest setting to reduce my effort, and it made a world of difference!

Note: There are definitely small hills around Atlanta, which are totally bikable. However, when you add in the heat and humidity, please stay humble and take care of yourself - that’s all I’ll say!

I am very glad I used an e-bike. From Krog District to Georgia Tech, it’s only 3 miles one way; however, the weather really made it feel more strenuous! We were out there at 11 AM and finished up approximately 2 PM - so the height of the heat.

Helpful Beltline Links:

PedalGo, rentable e-bikes in Atlanta (never used but has high reviews)
Map of the Beltline

Casual Eating in East Atlanta Village

*Decadently gorgeous dining room of the Argosy*

My good friends are based in East Atlanta Village. Their go-to neighborhood bar and restaurant both with kids (and without kids) is The Argosy, which has an ancient ship and sailor theme with gorgeous murals of owls, sea creatures, and oceans. There were several dive bars and restaurants lining Flat Shoals Ave SE; and I was enthralled and want to return to try every one of them!

I was truly impressed by the Argosy’s interiors, which feature several spacious rooms, each with its own unique vibe and plenty to explore. The dim, enigmatic atmosphere alone makes it worth a visit!

We tried The Marge pizza, their version of a Margherita, and I thoroughly enjoyed it—no regrets there! Their beer selection is also extensive, offering a great variety to choose from. I ordered a beer that has refreshing raspberry flavors (but wasn’t too sweet). And also tried the Allagash Two Lights Beer, which is fermented with champagne yeast. Had to try it since I love wine; but I opted for the more fruit-forward drink ;)

*The Argosy* *bar and restaurant in East Atlanta Village*

*The pinball and skeeball machines in the backroom of The Argosy*

Other Things To Do in Atlanta

If you have more time in Atlanta, here are a few other ideas.

Visit Georgia Tech, or One of the Many Local Colleges

*EcoCommons Gardens* *outside the Kendeda Building at Georgia Tech*

I’m shocked to list a few of the world-class universities and colleges that call Atlanta home. They are definitely worth a visit:

On our e-bike adventures, we biked thru Georgia Tech, stopping multiple times to ask the college kids for directions. They were very friendly and welcoming to us students! A few of the brick pathways through campus have designated bike and pedestrian walkways, so it’s worth cutting through campus to see how pretty, pristine it is, and get a feel for the academic culture!

Float, Paddle or Raft Down the Chattahoochee River

While I didn’t get to do this myself, this is something I am putting on the list for my future Atlanta visits! I definitely need to float or raft down the Chattahoochee River! It’s only a 30-40 minute drive north from Atlanta, and you can experience a local tradition - enjoying water activities!

My friend, who did a USA road trip, said this to-do was on her list - so I am definitely adding this cannot miss event to my to-dos. Next time I’m here in the midst of summer, I will grab a swimsuit and float down the river in a leisurely manner, pretending I am once again a true Southerner! More ideas to explore the Chattahoochee River.