Atlanta, the Soulful City

Atlanta, the capital and largest city of Georgia, is known for its pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement and as the home of major business hubs like Coca-Cola. Beyond its rich history and industry, Atlanta is celebrated for its vibrant Black culture, strong LGBTQ+ community and progressive atmosphere. I visited Atlanta in the summer of 2025 for a summer course at Emory University and used my free time to explore the city. Here is a guide to what Atlanta has to offer.

City centre

Let’s start with a small surprise: Atlanta doesn’t feel like a traditional city centre in the way you might expect. Instead of a dense, walkable downtown packed with shops and cafés, the city feels more like a series of spread-out neighbourhoods and suburban zones. It’s definitely a city where having a car makes a big difference.  

Downtown and Midtown are two of the Atlanta’s main hubs. Downtown is where you will find many of the city's big-name attractions, like the Georgia Aquarium, Centennial Olympic Park and the World of Coca-Cola Museum. It tends to be busier during the day and has a more touristy feel. For example, the aquarium offers a $10 discount on tickets after 4 p.m., making it a great activity for the late afternoon.

Midtown feels a bit more local. Peachtree Street serves as the central artery, lined with restaurants and bars. One well-known feature here is the Pride crosswalk, a colourful symbol of the city’s LGBTQ+ inclusivity. Just next to Midtown lies Piedmont Park, a large urban green space that’s perfect for walking, jogging, or simply relaxing with a view of the Atlanta skyline in the background. The park connects to the BeltLine, a former railway corridor turned trail, making it a great starting point for exploring more of the city on foot or by bike. I had heard many good things about the High Museum of Art, also located in Midtown, but unfortunately I did not have time to visit it myself.

Surroundings

Virginia-Highland is a neighbourhood close to Midtown and Piedmont Park, known for its bungalow-lined streets. But honestly, I enjoyed walking through almost every neighbourhood near the city centre as the all have their own charming bungalows. My personal favourite was Old Fourth Ward. This is where you will find Ponce City Market, housed in beautifully restored industrial buildings and home to a variety of shops and food stalls. It connects directly to the BeltLine Eastside Trail, which is always bustling with people walking, cycling and enjoying the lively, urban atmosphere. It feels like the perfect blend of nature and city. From the BeltLine to Historic Fourth Ward Park, the area feels seamlessly connected by greenery and tree-lined paths.

Just outside of Old Fourth Ward, and easily walkable, are Little Five Points and Plaza Theatre. Little Five Points is known for its vintage shops, alternative vibe and creative street art. The Plaza Theatre, Atlanta’s oldest independent cinema, is a true local gem. They screen around four to five films a day, ranging from cult classics to indie favourites. The retro interior alone makes it worth a visit, with an atmosphere that takes you back in time. I went to Weird Science, a film I wasn’t sure what to expect from, but it turned out to be a great watch. The area around the theatre also has a few small shops and restaurants, making it a nice place to spend an evening a little off the usual tourist path.

If you are into sports or just want to experience something uniquely American, consider catching a baseball game at Truist Park, home of the Atlanta Braves. The stadium is part of an entertainment complex called The Battery, filled with restaurants and bars. On game day, fans show up in team jerseys, grab a beer and a snack, and settle in to enjoy the game. It’s a relaxed and enjoyable experience, worth checking out if your trip falls during the season. Tickets are available on platforms such as SeatGeek. If you plan to go, make sure to check the policy in advance (large bags aren’t allowed unless they’re transparent).

Another spot I would recommend, especially if you’re interested in science or public health, is the CDC Museum, which is free to visit. I might be a little biased, as I studied Infectious and Tropical diseases, but even with a solid understanding of global health threats, I found it genuinely eye-opening. Seeing the scale of outbreaks and the coordinated responses laid out visually in one place left a lasting and inspiring impression.

Hikes

To escape the city, Atlanta offers several hikes within a 30-minute drive. One local favourite is the East Palisades Trail, located along the Chattahoochee River. This trail winds through shaded forest paths, with scenic viewpoints over the river and even a hidden bamboo forest tucked away in the woods. It’s especially popular among locals for walking their dogs. Another classic summer activity is tubing down the Chattahoochee River, often with a floating cooler alongside. To reach the East Palisades trailhead, you will likely drive through one of the upscale residential neighbourhoods in Atlanta’s northwestern suburbs.

For something completely different, head to Arabia Mountain, a National Heritage Site known for its unique, almost lunar landscape. It used to be a granite quarry, but now the area features smooth rock expanses with wild vegetation. The most convenient starting point is at Stonecrest Library, where you will find clear signage from the car park. The first part of the walk follows a paved path that runs parallel to the road through forest and past an iconic old farmhouse. From there, you can choose from several routes. I followed the Mile Rock Trail and then joined the Forest Trail, which runs over the granite rock formations (just follow the cairns) and past Arabia Lake. Here a link to the map: https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/sites/default/files/2013_davidson_arabia_mountain_nature_preserve_map.pdf .

Public transport

I stayed near Emory University, which is slightly outside the centre. Still, everything I mentioned is reachable with public transport (MARTA). A two-hour ride only costs $2.50, making it an affordable option. You can pay in several ways: use the Breeze Mobile 2.0 app to load money, pay cash directly on the bus, or buy a ticket at any MARTA train station. I usually relied on Google Maps to figure out my route and it worked well. However, one downside is that MARTA doesn’t run very frequently, so using public transport does require some planning. Delays or cancellations can happen, and a car ride that would normally take 30 minutes might take around two hours by public transport. For more flexibility, Lyft and Uber are also widely available in Atlanta. I also spotted Lime and Bird e-scooters and bikes throughout the city which could bridge small distances.

Food Options

Something I didn’t know beforehand, but quickly learned, is that there’s a common saying: the food in Atlanta is great. I have to say, I was not disappointed. Water is usually free in every restaurant. Depending on where you go, you will either be brought a glass and a carafe of water to your table or given a plastic cup and directed to a self-service water station. Because I didn’t stay in the city centre, the restaurants I visited were a bit more spread out:

Decatur:

• Taichi Bubble Tea - Great for ramen, poke bowls, or a sushi burrito.

• LEON’s Full Service - Delicious American-style burger.  

  
  

North Decatur:

• Tenya Japanese Eatery - I really liked the Gingeryaki Rice Bowl.

• Tea Leaf and Creamery - Perfect for something sweet.

  
  

North Druid Hills:

• Chopt Creative Salad Co - The name says it all; fresh, made-to-order salads.

Chamblee:

• Frosty Gaboose - For a sweet treat after dinner. An old-school ice cream stand set in a retro train car, right along the railroad tracks.

Emory Campus:

• The Depot by Kaldi’s Coffee - A good stop for breakfast or lunch.

Near Piedmont Park:

• Sean’s Harvest Market - A charming spot for breakfast or lunch with outdoor seating.

Between Atlanta city and East Palisades Trailhead:

• The Daily Café (Buckhead) - A stylish place to grab breakfast or lunch with a nice outdoor place.

West End:

• Slutty Vegan - A wildly popular vegan burger joint. Seating is limited, so consider take-out and walk to the nearby Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Fountain, where there are benches to enjoy your food.

If you’re looking for a quick meal or prefer to cook for yourself, check out Publix or Kroger, two popular supermarket chains with ready-to-eat options and groceries.