Summer weekend in Atlanta
How locals do summer in Atlanta — patios, beaches, festivals and the long-evening rituals that only happen in July and August.
Top spots in Atlanta
Stone Mountain
FamilyDeKalb County
Granite dome with hiking trails and summer laser shows.
Atlanta BeltLine
OutdoorsInman Park / Old Fourth Ward
22-mile loop of trails, public art and breweries on an old rail corridor.
Piedmont Park
OutdoorsMidtown
Skyline-backed lawns, dog parks and weekend farmers market.
Edgewood Avenue
NightlifeOld Fourth Ward
Live-music strip with dive bars, hip-hop venues and late-night kitchens.
Ponce City Market
Food & DrinkOld Fourth Ward
Sears warehouse turned food hall, roof rides and shops.
Where to eat
Antico Pizza
$$Pizza · Westside
Naples-style pies at communal tables — order at the kitchen pass.
Bacchanalia
$$$$Contemporary American · West Midtown
Atlanta's longest-running tasting menu, garden-driven.
Busy Bee Café
$$Soul food · Vine City
Fried chicken and collards since 1947 — bring cash.
Heirloom Market BBQ
$$Korean BBQ · Cumberland
Texas brisket meets gochujang — a strip-mall cult favorite.
Staplehouse
$$$$New American tasting · Old Fourth Ward
Beard-winning chef's counter, ever-changing menu.
Live & on stage
Music Midtown
Piedmont Park · Sep 19–20 · Festival
ONE MusicFest
Piedmont Park · Oct 24–25 · Hip-hop / R&B
Shaky Knees
Central Park · May 1–3 · Indie / Rock
Frequently asked
- Standouts right now: Atlanta BeltLine, Piedmont Park, Ponce City Market. The shortlist is curated by people who live in Atlanta and refreshed regularly so it reflects what's actually open and worth your time.