Discover Atlanta Now | Winter 2022-2023

CONTENTS

WINTER 2022-23

Ultimate Guide to Winter in Atlanta

From light displays to ice skating and beloved holiday performances, there’s so much to see and do.

Top Things To Do This Winter at Atlanta’s Attractions

Check out these intriguing things to do this winter.

Two Days in Black-Owned Atlanta

If you only have 48 hours to spend in ATL, this guide will take you on a journey.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Celebrate with these Atlanta-only events. 18

It’s All About the Experience

Whether you’re looking for an out-of-theordinary holiday gift or just want to explore Atlanta’s unique experiential attractions and workshops, this list is for you.

Atlanta’s Most Iconic Restaurants

Discover these time-tested local favorites that helped cement the city’s reputation as a top culinary destination.

Gourmet Takeout Shops

Atlanta has many gourmet takeout shops with plenty of local flavor.

Cookies and Cocktails It’s so sweet to find these spots around town. 27

En Español Citas Románticas Por La Ciudad Planea una cita romántica en Atlanta.

En Español Chefs Latinos, Los Protagonistas De La Gastronomía En La Ciudad La comida en la ciudad de Atlanta es inigualable.

Winter Gift Guide: Wellness Edition

Give the gift of self-care, from the holiday season all the way into Valentine’s Day.

Winter Sports Guide

Atlanta’s sports scene does not hibernate during the winter.

Atlanta Maps Find your way wherever you go.

New in 2023 Big changes are coming to Atlanta.

Above: IllumiNights returns to Zoo Atlanta

ON THE COVER: Harry Potter: The Exhibition is at the 200 Peachtree building in Downtown Atlanta.

PHOTO: KEVIN ROSE, ATLANTAPHOTOS.COM ZOO ATLANTA

233 Peachtree Street Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30303

404-521-6600 1-800-ATLANTA DiscoverAtlanta.com

PUBLISHER

Julie Minear

EDITOR’S PICKS

Harry Potter: The Exhibition

Oct. 23 – early 2023

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Discover Atlanta Editorial Team

Demetrius Bell

Carol Carter

Daniela Cintron

Aubree Dumas

Colby Holiday Sarah Johnson Liesl Merkel

Joleen Pete Laura Scholtz Maria Smith

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Discover Atlanta Editorial Team

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Lisa Werneck

Interested in Advertising?

Contact jminear@discoveratlanta.com

Discover Atlanta Now makes every attempt to ensure the accuracy of its content. However, dates and times are subject to change. ©2022/Discover Atlanta Publishing

Travel through extravagantly created environments that capture famous moments and display favorite characters and creatures. Find this spellbinding experience at 200 Peachtree in downtown Atlanta. www.HarryPotterExhibition.com

Miracle on Peachtree

November – December

New and festive family-friendly events and activities will deck out the community of Buckhead in plenty of holiday cheer. The Christkindl Market, live performances, hot chocolate nights and twinkling lights are all part of the merriment. www.livablebuckhead.com/holiday

Hadestown

Jan. 10-15, 2023

The winner of eight 2019 Tony Awards follows two intertwining love stories as it takes audiences on an intriguing, hell-raising journey to the underworld and back, only at the Fox Theatre. www.foxtheatre.org

ULTIMATE GUIDE TO WINTER IN ATLANTA

Atlanta attractions light up in winter with festive exhibits and activities. From light displays to ice skating and beloved holiday performances, there’s so much to see and do.

BY JOLEEN PETE

Snow Much Fun in Atlanta

Yes, snow and ice can be found in Atlanta. Look for pop-up ice skating rinks like those at Atlantic Station, Park Tavern and Ponce City Market. Warm up with a bite to eat and a festive cocktail afterward. If you are looking to play in the snow, head to Snow Island at Margaritaville in Lake Lanier for a day of snow tubing, ice skating and carnival rides.

Discover Atlanta’s Outdoors

Mild winters mean it’s a great time to discover Atlanta’s outdoors. Bundle up for a walk or run on Atlanta BeltLine with easy stops for snacks, lunch or a hot drink to warm up. Take a self-guided tour of Atlanta’s 1,000+ murals or visit

and photograph as many Tiny Doors as you can. Take the kids to explore the 2.5 miles of Chattahoochee Nature Center trails or participate in a guided tour. For festive outdoor experiences, head to one of these Atlanta attractions.

Christkindl Market

The Christkindl Market is a festive outdoor event in Buckhead offering German-inspired shopping, authentic German fare and plenty of good cheer from Nov. 25 through Dec. 24 as part of Miracle on Peachtree. livablebuckhead.com

IllumiNights

IllumiNights returns to Zoo Atlanta with larger-than-life animal sculptures

GREG MOONEY

illuminated throughout the park from Nov. 21 through Jan. 5, 2023. www.zooatlanta.org

Garden Lights, Holiday Nights

Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at Atlanta Botanical Garden is a virtual fantasyland of lights spread throughout the gardens, Nov. 12 - Jan. 14, 2023. See lighted sculptures and displays accompanied by a Holiday Garden Shop for selecting the perfect holiday gift.

www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org

HOLIDAY GUIDE

A Christmas Carol

Atlanta is a city that loves to celebrate and it wouldn’t be the holiday season

STONE MOUNTAIN PARK

Stone Mountain Park

without eagerly anticipated holiday traditions. “A Christmas Carol” returns to the Alliance Theatre Nov. 12-Dec. 24. This annual production is a treat for the whole family with elaborate costumes, music and creative set designs. www.alliancetheatre.org

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” returns to Center for Puppetry Arts this holiday season on Nov. 9. The classic Christmas television special has been adapted for the puppet stage by Jon Ludwig to delight visitors young and old. Celebrate the holidays with this charming show and accompanying workshop. www.puppet.org

SCOTT WHITE

Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at Atlanta Botanical Garden

Alliance Theatre’s production of “A Christmas Carol”

Stone Mountain Christmas

Find your favorite holiday characters as well as Santa and Mrs. Claus during Stone Mountain Christmas. Enjoy the attractions, dazzling lights, holiday shows, music, shopping and more on select days from Nov. 12 through Jan. 1, 2023. www.stonemountainpark.com

Holiday in the Park

Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Over Georgia returns with more than one million lights, decorated Christmas trees, holiday entertainment and special seasonal food and drink to help visitors of all ages ring in the season, select days from Nov. 19 through Jan. 1, 2023. www.sixflags.com/overgeorgia

Winter Wonderland

Find two floors of decorated holiday trees and displays to reflect a variety of world cultures and celebrations as part of Winter Wonderland at Fernbank.

While Christmas and Hanukkah are represented, so are regional arts and crafts like traditional Mexican wood carvings, Peruvian retablos and handmade straw ornaments. www.fernbankmuseum.org

Atlanta History Center

The Center reveals a new 50-foot Christmas tree in Veteran’s Park this season, beckoning the Buckhead community to visit the Museum and three historic homes. The beloved Pink Pigs, an only-in-Atlanta holiday tradition since 1953, will be on display in the lobby. www.atlantahistorycenter.com

Miracle on Peachtree

Returning to Buckhead for its third year, Miracle on Peachtree offers ample opportunity to shop, stroll and enjoy a myriad of holiday attractions including cocoa stations, caroling, ballet, Christmas tree decorating and so much more, Nov. 25-Dec. 31. Cozy up beside complimentary firepits next to The Veranda all season long. livablebuckhead.com

Callanwolde Winter House

The Callanwolde Winter House offers 10 days of art-making workshops, an artisan’s market for holiday shopping, festive musical performances, wine and beer garden, historical tours, holiday decor, Santa visits and much more. Winter House festivities at this historic Atlanta mansion will happen Nov. 25-27, Dec. 1-4 and Dec. 8-10. www.callanwolde.org

Georgia Festival of Trees

Visit Georgia World Congress Center for the annual Georgia Festival of Trees celebration, Dec. 19-27. Fun for all ages, this Atlanta tradition includes a forest of fully decorated Christmas trees, children’s activities, live entertainment, boutique gift shops, sugar cookie decorating, a Christmas gingerbread competition and more. www.gafestivaloftrees.org

The Hip Hop Nutcracker

“The Hip Hop Nutcracker” comes to the Fox Theatre one night on Dec. 13 as a joyful holiday mashup for the whole family. www.atlantaballet.com www.foxtheatre.org

WINTERLAND: A Magical Holiday Experience

Illuminarium’s interactive experience of light and sound reveals an enchanted winter paradise with interactive elements such as the magnificent Northern Lights and whimsical forest creatures, Nov. 26Jan. 2, 2023. Winter wonders continue with another immersive experience after WINTERLAND closes.

www.illuminarium.com/atlanta

World of Coca-Cola

The World of Coca-Cola is a fizzy, festive refresher to the holiday season. See the Vault of the Secret Formula and the Pop Culture Gallery, then visit the Tasting Room where guests can sample more than 100 Coca-Cola beverages from around the world.

www.worldofcoca-cola.com

FERNBANK MUSEUM OF NATURAL

HISTORY

JAMESTOWN

Winter Wonderland at Fernbank Museum of Natural History

Atlanta Ballet dancers

Christkindl Market

JAMESTOWN

Cirque du Soleil’s “KURIOS: Cabinet of Curiosities”

TOP THINGS TO DO THIS WINTER AT ATLANTA’S ATTRACTIONS

Winter in Atlanta is spectacular, whether you’re enjoying our mild weather outdoors or meandering through museums and attractions that call Atlanta home. Check out these intriguing things to do in Atlanta this winter.

BY MARIA SMITH

Cirque du Soleil

Come to Atlantic Station to be enthralled and enchanted by the mystical beauty and energy of “KURIOS: Cabinet of Curiosities.” Jaw-dropping feats, quirky characters and miraculous stunts will be found in every performance, available through Dec. 24. www.cirquedusoleil.com

High Museum of Art Don’t miss “Rodin in the United States: Confronting the Modern,” featuring 60 works including his most famous compositions like “The Thinker,” on display through Jan. 15, 2023. Another exhibition features work by Deana Lawson, who uses her work to investigate

conventional representations of Black identities while using various styles. www.high.org

Children’s Museum of Atlanta

Children’s Museum of Atlanta’s latest exhibit, “Paw Patrol: Adventure Play,” brings the beloved animated children’s show to the museum through Jan. 8, 2023. Kids can join loved characters as they explore their unique abilities and overcome challenges.

www.childrensmuseumatlanta.org

Museum of Design Atlanta

This Midtown Atlanta museum’s exhibition “Close to the Edge: The

© MARTIN GIRARD SHOOTSTUDIO.CA

YOU’LL FORGET YOUR PHONE AND NOT EVEN CARE.

There’s a place you can plug back into what matters. A place where real experiences connect friends and family to the world’s most remarkable animals. Where even the phone in your pocket is quickly forgotten as a sea of amazement washes over you. Come see how good it feels at the one place you must visit while you’re in Atlanta. Get tickets today at georgiaaquarium.org and CONNECT WITH REAL.

Birth of Hip-Hop Architecture,” on view through Jan. 29, 2023, showcases this design movement as its creators translate the spirit of hip-hop into the spaces, buildings and environments they produce.

www.museumofdesign.org

Georgia Aquarium

Plunge into the excitement of Georgia Aquarium with hundreds of species of aquatic life. The aquarium offers group fitness classes in the magnificent Oceans Ballroom with incredible views of manta rays and whale sharks. On Nov. 14, there will be family-friendly yoga and on Dec. 12, a chance to learn salsa and merengue dances.

www.georgiaaquarium.org

Fernbank Museum of Natural History

In celebration of its 30th anniversary, Fernbank announces a new, immersive limited-time engagement converging nature and technology in “WildWoods: AGLOW.” Debuting in late fall 2022 and running through early spring 2023, the experience is a nighttime, all-ages experience using illumination, projection and sound. www.fernbankmuseum.org

Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame

Have a ball at the Hall of Fame with the newest specialty display featuring portraits and exhibits from the 2022 College Football Hall of Fame class.

Photos, clockwise from top, left: “Paw Patrol: Adventure Play” at Children’s Museum of Atlanta; Georgia Aquarium holds the distinction for being the only aquarium in North America where you can view manta rays; interactive displays entertain visitors at Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame; “WildWoods: AGLOW” coming late fall 2022 to Fernbank Museum of Natural History.

ADDISON HILL

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF ATLANTA

FERNBANK MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

CHICK-FIL-A COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME

NOW OPEN ATLANTA

Harry Potter™: The Exhibition celebrates all things Harry Potter™ by bringing to life some of your favorite moments, characters, locations, and beasts from the film series, as well as the expanded Wizarding World. Interact with authentic props and costumes, practice your Quidditch™ skills, pot a Mandrake, and more in this unforgettable experience.

HarryPotterExhibition.com

“The Colors of Peace: President Carter’s Vision through the Art of Children” exhibit at Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum

from page 12

Learn about the 18 players and three coaches who will receive the impressive honor of being enshrined this year, available through Jan. 10, 2023. www.cfbhall.com

National Center for Civil and Human Rights

National Center for Civil and Human Rights does not just house history, it inspires people to make history of their own. While there, visit the newest

exhibit “Out Down South: Voices and Portraits of Atlanta LGBTQ+” featuring pictures and stories of changemakers in Atlanta’s LGBTQ+ community. www.civilandhumanrights.org

Michael C. Carlos Museum

Located on the campus of Emory University, the Carlos Museum boasts the most extensive ancient art collection in the Southeast. The special exhibition “Fellini and Fantasy” includes original scripts, press clippings, correspondence

and related manuscript material of Federico Fellini. On the first Sunday of the month, enjoy free admission, special events and hands-on programming. www.carlos.emory.edu

Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum

Jimmy Carter Presidential Library’s newest exhibit, “The Colors of Peace: President Carter’s Vision through the Art of Children” will bring together 270+ artworks created by children. It is a celebration of the work of International Paint Pals, founded by the Carter Center, on view through Jan. 31, 2023. www.jimmycarterlibrary.gov

The Breman Museum

The Breman seeks to connect people to Jewish history, culture and arts. The exhibition “Culture Shock” focuses on creative work by Jewish photographer John Gutman who fled Germany as the Nazis gained power in the 1930s. His photographs reflect a refugee’s view of America in flux as only an outsider could see it. www.thebreman.org

Advance Ticket Purchase Required

275

HOGWARTS OR HAWKINS?

This season, some of Atlanta’s immersive experiences take on otherworldly notions. Here are two to definitely put on your list.

HARRY POTTER: THE EXHIBITION

Harry Potter: The Exhibition is open at 200 Peachtree in downtown Atlanta. The exhibition lets visitors travel through innovative, spellbinding environments that capture famous moments and display favorite characters and creatures. Original costumes and props are included in this neverbefore-experienced touring exhibition. www.HarryPotterExhibition.com

STRANGER THINGS: THE EXPERIENCE

Fans of the hit Netflix series can enter the Upside Down and immerse themselves into the world of Hawkins, Ind. The exhibit, in Pullman Yards, charms guests with supernatural mystery and plenty of ‘80s vibes. Start your journey with a new storyline developed by the Duffer Brothers and then visit Scoops Ahoy, get close with Vecna and try a unique cocktail at the Stranger Thingsthemed bar. www.strangerthings-experience.com/atlanta -LM

PRESENTED BY

NOV 12–DEC 24

One of Atlanta’s most treasured holiday traditions.

By CHARLES DICKENS

Adapted by DAVID H. BELL

Directed by LEORA MORRIS

DEC 7–23

Acclaimed musician Adam L. McKnight opens his heart and soul on a musical journey with uplifting original songs, R&B classics, and holiday favorites.

Starring ADAM L. M c KNIGHT

Directed by PATDRO HARRIS

TOP PHOTO: S. RAMONES; BOTTOM

PHOTO: NETFLIX

TWO DAYS IN BLACK-OWNED ATLANTA

There is a reason Atlanta is heralded as an epicenter of Black excellence. It is the place that has produced legends, pioneered movements and has become a burgeoning city brimming with opportunities for Black entrepreneurs and creatives.

BY COLBY HOLIDAY

If you only have 48 hours to spend in ATL, this guide will take you on a journey through Black-owned Atlanta, bridging old Atlanta, its history and legacy to new Atlanta, bustling and booming, giving you a taste of both worlds.

DAY ONE

Gilly Brew Bar

Kick-start your day with a cup of brew from Gilly Brew Bar on Peters Street. Find sensational seasonal drinks and forever staples such as the Chaider, a masala chai infused with apple cider, or crafted lattes infused with fresh herbs. www.gillybrewbar.com

Le Petit Marche

Head to the historic Kirkwood neighborhood and pop into Le Petit Marche, known for its all-day brunch fare and can’t-miss sandwiches. The cute, quaint space will draw you in, but it’s the impeccable food sprinkled with a dash of Southern charm that creates a recipe of palatable perfection.

www.lepetit-marche.com

National Center For Civil and Human Rights

Though not technically Black-owned, the enthralling experience will live with you long after your time in Atlanta. From the moment you step through the corridor beneath the “colored” or “whites” signs

indicative of the Jim Crow era, you will soon realize this is not just a museum of objects and writings on the wall, it is an immersive experience transporting you to bygone days of a harried past with hopes for a better future.

www.civilandhumanrights.org

Historic West End

The historic West End neighborhood has several must-hit spots. Learn about the city’s first Black millionaire at Herndon Home and gaze at art from visual artists of African descent at Hammonds House Museum. The Atlanta University Center is the oldest and largest contiguous consortium of African-American higher education institutions in the United States and includes Clark Atlanta University, Spelman College, Morehouse College and Morehouse School of Medicine. Linger in the intriguing 44th & 3rd Bookseller and rest your feet at the James Beard Award-winning Busy Bee Cafe, a no-frills eatery that satiates the soul.

CHRIS WATKINS

Check Out the Street Art Scene

Make your way over to Krog Street Tunnel and Cabbagetown for some fun photo ops with artwork by Black artists such as Choze or incredible muralists such as Ashley Dopson who completed Atlanta’s 1,000th mural, “Fish Are Jumpin’ and The Cotton is High.” The eclectic neighborhood of Little Five Points beckons for you to strike a pose in front of ATLiens and hip-hop legends, OutKast.

Tom, Dick and Hank

Rest up before the last stop of the evening at Tom, Dick and Hank where you can get some of the best smoked wings in the city. Wood-paneled walls and rustic interiors lead the way to a laid-back vibe where you can enjoy a few brews and finger lickin’ good barbecue. www.tomdickandhank.com

DAY TWO Breakfast at Barney’s

From the 24 Karat Gold Pancakes with 24K edible gold flakes and bourbon apple cider syrup to the Emperors Breakfast, not to mention the Yard Bird with three fried chicken wings and a sage waffle, this eatery serves decadent comfort food to a deserving crowd. www.breakfastatbarneys.com

Shop Black-Owned

The Village Retail at Ponce City Market is all about spotlighting local, Blackowned small businesses that specialize in merchandise such as conscious apparel, all-natural products, home goods and beauty products. If you want to support small Black-owned businesses in Atlanta, this is a one-stop-shop for just that. www.thevillagemarket.com

Slutty Vegan

If you’ve never had a Ménage à Trois or Hollywood Hooker, you’ve got to try

one in Atlanta. Don’t worry, this saucy rendezvous is not what you think; these are menu items at the wildly popular vegan restaurants around the city known as Slutty Vegan. You can get these plantbased patties loaded with cheese, bacon and, of course, the signature Slut sauce. www.sluttyveganatl.com

Pin & Proper

Try your hand at Pinfall, where cornhole meets bowling meets football. The object of the game is to knock down all your bowling pins with a football before your opponent does.

@pinproperatl

Suite Food Lounge

This swanky two-story restaurant and lounge is one of Atlanta’s largest Black-owned restaurants. Get a taste of American cuisine with a Southern twist of menu options such as fried lobster tail with mac and cheese, the Suite Surf ‘N Turf, the Suite Heat fried chicken dinner and an array of other flavorful fares. www.suiteatl.com

Cafe Circa Restaurant & Bar

Add the perfect punctuation to your time in Atlanta with a nightcap at Cafe Circa, tucked away on Edgewood Avenue. On the first level, low-lighting and jazz music sets a sophisticated ambience and upstairs, you’ll find a livelier scene. Two different vibes in one building is an exceptional way to end the night in Atlanta.

www.circaatlanta.com

CHRIS

WATKINS

CHRIS WATKINS

Tom, Dick and Hank

Atlanta mural by Faatimah Stevens

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed on the third Monday of January each year, celebrating the achievements of African Americans throughout history as an important part of American history.

From a day of service to lectures, exhibits, concerts and art, there are a number

of ways to observe MLK Day in Atlanta.

Begin with honoring Dr. King’s legacy by visiting historic landmarks and celebrating the lives and efforts of civil rights icons.

As the heart of the civil rights movement, Atlanta’s history, heritage and role in the movement give visitors

and Atlantans a number of places to celebrate the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

King Holiday Observance

Each year, The King Center observes Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a 10-day celebration of the life and accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. Events range from performance art to lectures and charitable workshops.

Martin Luther King Jr. Annual Commemorative Service

The church service is held on the federal holiday at Ebenezer Baptist Church located near The King Center. On this day The King Center encourages the world to engage in volunteer service in tribute to the work and life of Dr. King and other local Atlanta civil rights activists.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

Hands On Atlanta mobilizes more than 3,000 volunteers in service to local communities, schools and nonprofits as part of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.

President

Vision through the Art of Children

On Display thru Jan. 30

Carter’s

SHUTTERSTOCK

Ebenezer Baptist Church

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE

Whether you’re looking for an out-of-the-ordinary holiday gift or just want to jump in and explore Atlanta’s unique experiential attractions and workshops, this list is for you. Try your hand at duckpin bowling, fire up an afternoon of glassblowing or find a rooftop boardwalk with carnival-style games. Wherever you go, your experience will be far from ordinary.

BY LIESL MERKEL

Beat the Bomb

This Westside immersive gaming company will be a blast with several missions and rooms that deploy different games designed to be solved by a team. Teams advance to higher levels and ultimately disarm the world’s largest paint bomb. It’s messy, elevated fun as players put on hazmat suits and venture through five high-tech rooms with touch screens, motion cameras, RFID readers, projectors and lasers. beatthebomb.com/atlanta

Fowling Warehouse

In the mood to toss a football at a rack of bowling pins? What started as a tailgate game as a mash-up of football and bowling became a hit. Twenty Fowling lanes are available with a full bar, plus an outside courtyard with games and two more Fowling lanes. A rotating draft menu spotlighting local craft breweries beckons for ultimate play.

www.fowlingwarehouse.com/atlanta

ANTHONY CUNANAN

FOWLING WAREHOUSE

Fowling Warehouse

Porsche Experience Center Atlanta

Take a high-speed thrill ride you will never forget at Porsche Experience Center Atlanta, near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Book an exhilarating 90 mph test drive around the track and take a spin in your dream car. These can’t-miss memorable experiences are available in a two- or four-hour program that gives you the opportunity to experience the Porsche 911 and 718 on 1.6 miles of skill-focused, purposebuilt track. www.porschedriving.com/atlanta

The ROOF at Ponce City Market

You’ll be on top of the world at The ROOF at Ponce City Market. Skyline

Park’s vintage carnival-style atmosphere makes for an unforgettable afternoon or evening. Play all day with the Heege Tower, the three-story slide and minigolf, and be sure to experience the Coney Island-style boardwalk with games such as skee ball and horse derby race. www.poncecityroof.com

Puttshack

This indoor playground on the Westside takes miniature golf to a whole new level through technology. Scoring is done in fun, unexpected ways as guests play through nine holes to win the most points at this upscale venue. Add in some globally inspired appetizers and flatbreads plus craft cocktails and you’ll have a hole-in-one experience. www.puttshack.com

Janke Glassblowing Studio

Atlanta’s first complete glassblowing center is located in the Studioplex complex in the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood. Book the Glassblower for a day or the All Things Glassblowing session where you can try your hand at using a 2,000-year-old glassblowing art form and create stunning, sparkling pieces to take home. Three-hour time blocks allow for plenty of instruction. www.jankestudios.com

Bowlero Atlantic Station

Your evening will glow – literally – with black light lanes, sleek lounge seating and HD video walls. A laser tag arena and a deluxe arcade are also offered to get the game on in this retro-cool space

Janke Glassblowing Studio

Porsche Experience Center Atlanta

The ROOF atop Ponce City Market PORSCHE

GLO JANKE

in Atlantic Station. Dig into a menu of wings, pizza, beer and even the six-pound Behemoth Burger. www.bowlero.com

Painted Duck

Depart from the norm with duckpin bowling, a cool substitute for traditional 10-pin bowling. Sixteen full-service lanes are offered along with Belgian feather bowling (a cheese wheel is involved, of course), knuckleball, table shuffleboard, horseshoe pits, snookball, toad-in-thehole and many more games. To refresh, the Painted Duck offers backyard bar fare of small plates, sliders and skewered wood-fired meats called Quills, prepared on a custom grill. www.thepaintedduckatl.com

Painted Pin

This upscale bowling lounge ensures that your evening will throw a strike, and in bowling terms, that’s a good thing. Try out the indoor gaming courtyard or add on skee ball, indoor bocce, Ping-Pong, shuffleboard tables or Giant Jenga. Elevated snacks like pretzel bites, waffle dogs, tacos and

wood-fired pizzas are available, as well as cocktails. www.thepaintedpin.com

Sloomoo Institute

Take a reprieve from the digital world with handcrafted, artisanal slime. This brand new Buckhead destination features many interactive experiences including a DIY bar to make more than four million different slime creations. Guests can check out Sloomoo Falls, where visitors can stand under a waterfall of slime; Lake Sloomoo, 350 gallons of slime to walk on; a Yayoi Kusama Obliteration Room-inspired Slime Wall and much more. www.sloomooinstitute.com

Lot 23 Chandler Co.

Create a spark with private candle making at Lot 23 Chandler Co. in Castleberry Hill. Candle making experts guide guests through the process of creating a custom-made candle to take home. Fun, signature classes include learning the fundamentals of candle making, Trivia Night and Scents x Pop Culture. www.lot23chandlerco.com

The World’s Craziest Team Game is in Atlanta!

Sloomoo Institute

Lot 23 Chandler Co.

SLOOMOO

ATLANTA’S MOST ICONIC RESTAURANTS

Whether you’re looking for Southern favorites, international cuisine or even vegan fare, Atlanta’s celebrated restaurants offer cuisine as diverse as the city’s population. Here are some time-tested favorites that helped cement the city’s reputation as a top culinary destination.

BY LAURA SCHOLZ

Anis Cafe & Bistro

One of the city’s most romantic restaurants, Anis serves French fare ranging from small plates like salade niçoise and moules marinière (French mussels in wine sauce) to generous entrées like steak frites. Weather permitting, grab a seat on the gardenlike outdoor patio and save room for decadent desserts. www.anisbistro.com

Aria

For fine dining without the fuss, head to chef Gerry Klaskala’s renowned Buckhead spot, known for its New American fare. Reservations are not required for the bar, which offers the same menu favorites – slow braised pork, jumbo crab cakes and panseared scallops – as the elegant dining room and heated, covered patio. The restaurant also has one of the city’s most extensive wine lists. www.aria-atl.com

Busy Bee Cafe

Named one of “America’s Classics” by the James Beard Foundation, this Vine City institution has fueled notable Atlantans ranging from Martin Luther King Jr. to OutKast with soul food staples since 1947. Get the fried chicken – marinated for 12 hours, then handbreaded before frying – and sides like collard greens, mac and cheese and candied yams. www.thebusybeecafe.com

Canoe

Tucked away on the banks of the scenic Chattahoochee River, Canoe is one of the city’s most picturesque spots. Arrive early to grab a drink from the River Bar while strolling the manicured gardens, then settle into a table for house favorites like the smoked salmon appetizer, served on top of a crispy potato cake and layered with creamy goat cheese and

JAMES CAMP

HEIDI HARRIS GELDHAUSER

South City Kitchen

Canoe offers scenic views along the Chattahoochee River

oven-roasted halibut with parsnip risotto. Don’t miss the popular Sunday brunch with items ranging from brioche French toast to smoked salmon eggs Benedict. www.canoeatl.com

Hsu’s Gourmet Chinese Restaurant

This family-run spot has been dishing up Szechuan and Cantonese-style cuisine to hungry Downtown workers and visitors for nearly 40 years. Hsu’s is open for both lunch and dinner. The menu is extensive, but you can’t go wrong with classics like vegetable spring rolls, Mongolian beef and General Tso’s chicken, all served on white tablecloths with friendly and fast service. www.hsus.com

Kevin Rathbun Steak

Get steak with a view at chef Kevin Rathbun’s namesake restaurant, located in a converted warehouse along Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail in Old Fourth Ward. Grab a seat on the patio to feast on prime steaks like New York strip and filet mignon along with seafood dishes and classic sides. Rathbun also owns the Italian-inspired Peachtree Hills steak house KR SteakBar. www.kevinrathbunsteak.com

Max Lager’s Wood-Fired Grill & Brewery

Sip on hoppy, fruit-forward IPAs and rich coffee porters at Atlanta’s oldest operating independent brewery restaurant, located Downtown. The extensive menu includes everything

from beer-friendly starters like chicken wings and spinach and artichoke dip to salads, steaks, burgers and brick-oven pizzas. Head down the street to sister restaurant White Oak Kitchen & Cocktails for an impressive collection of whiskies and bourbons along with seasonal, Southern fare. www.maxlagers.com

Ruth’s Chris Steak House

Enjoy a classic steak dinner at this Downtown institution inside the lobby of the Embassy Suites at Centennial Park. The expansive patio offers stunning views of Centennial Olympic Park, and the menu includes prime cuts of steaks along with Southern sides like sweet potato casserole, roasted Brussels sprouts and creamy garlic mashed potatoes. www.ruthschris.com

South City Kitchen

Elevated takes on comfort food like fried chicken and shrimp and grits have anchored the menu at the iconic Midtown restaurant for almost 30 years. Dine on the restaurant’s signature dishes for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch at the original Crescent Avenue location – one of the city’s most romantic spots – or outposts in Avalon, Buckhead and Vinings. www.southcitykitchen.com

Slutty Vegan

Owner and CEO Aisha “Pinky” Cole started slinging her popular meat-free burgers as part of a food delivery service

in 2017 and quickly parlayed that success into four local brick-and-mortar Atlantaarea restaurants and more throughout Georgia and New York. Plan to wait in line for her provocatively named plantbased patties like the “One Night Stand” and “Heaux Boy.” Dine on pub fare like vegan Philly cheesesteaks and tots while sipping creative sodas and cocktails at Bar Vegan, Cole’s Ponce City Market fullservice restaurant. www.sluttyveganatl.com

The Optimist

One of restaurateur and chef Ford Fry’s many Atlanta establishments, this upscale fish house will immediately transport you to the coast with dishes like raw oysters, lobster rolls and hickory-roasted fish. Don’t miss other Fry restaurants like the sophisticated steak house Marcel in Westside Provisions District, Buckhead coastal Italian spot St. Cecilia and Tex-Mex favorite Superica, with locations throughout the city. www.theoptimistrestaurant.com

Ted’s Montana Grill

Co-founded by media titan, bison rancher and former Atlantan Ted Turner, this contemporary chain has locations all over the city. Steak selections like its namesake bison filet are aged and handcut in the on-site butcher shop, while the rest of the menu – dinner-sized salads, generously sized sandwiches and gluten free dishes – has enough options to please any group.

www.tedsmontanagrill.com

RUTH’S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE

MADELYNNE BOYKIN

Slutty Vegan

Ruth’s Chris Steak House

GOURMET TAKEOUT SHOPS FOR LOCAL MEALS

Whether you need to pick up a meal for friends or a lavish holiday spread, Atlanta has many gourmet takeout shops primed to assist with plenty of local flavor.

BY LIESL MERKEL

The Buttery ATL

Brought to you in part by Atlanta restaurateurs Gina and chef Linton Hopkins, The Buttery offers comforting Southern favorites, freshly baked bread and pastries. Find made-toorder classics like chicken pot pie, mac & cheese and ham biscuits, and be sure to add on a bag of bacon caramel popcorn. www.butteryatl.com

JenChans and MikChans

These two family - and women-owned - businesses in Cabbagetown and East Atlanta Village offer a variety of prepared food, casseroles, soups and more. Offerings change but have been known to include lasagna, Market Pot Pie (a Taste of Atlanta Must Eat item), ricotta meatballs or Chinese boiled peanut chicken. Gluten free, vegetarian and pescetarian options are all available. www.jenchans.com

Alon’s Bakery and Market

This Morningside stop has a variety of specialty items and prepared gourmet food. You’ll find pepper-crusted seared tuna, Moroccan chicken skewers, chicken salad and much more. Order cakes such as the legendary Midnight Cake – three layers of chocolate buttermilk cake filled with

white chocolate mousse. The Hanukkah goodies are so popular that it’s best to preorder a platter of potato latkes or sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts). Other locations are in Dunwoody and Buckhead. www.alons.com

Floral Park Market

Find locally sourced organic produce, prepared meals from local chefs and caterers, and beautiful flowers. Try out a pizza pie with truffle oil, sumptuous macaroni and cheese, and delicious quiches. This Westside market also offers its loyal customers domestic and imported flowers. www.floralparkmarket.com

Star Provisions Market & Cafe

Chef Anne Quatrano is an integral part of the Atlanta culinary scene and her Star Provisions in the Westside offers the same locally sourced ingredients found at her restaurants. For your special feast, order a free range turkey and cranberry orange relish, sage and apple dressing and fluffy rolls. Grab holiday treats such as iced cookies, gingerbread and pies. www.starprovisions.com

Lucy’s Market

This Buckhead gem features local produce, baked goods and prepared foods. For family gatherings, choose from poppyseed chicken, turkey meatballs in marinara, Mojo pulled pork, spaghetti carbonara and Parmesan chicken. Special holiday meals are also available. Lucy’s also offers customized gift baskets and an extensive wine selection. www.lucysmarket.com

SCOTT

WHITE

Alon’s Bakery and Market

Lucy’s Market

BRIAN WOODCOCK

LUCY’S MARKET

Star Provisions Market & Cafe

COOKIES AND COCKTAILS

Blind Pig Parlour Bar

Embark on a Prohibition-inspired journey while stopping at this Buckhead speakeasy, Blind Pig Parlour Bar. Decked with Victorian-era decor and ambience, the cocktails only add to this one-of-a-kind experience. Celebrate the holidays starting in November with the holiday pop up “The Blind Elf.” Embrace all things love with the Valentine’s Day pop-up, “The Blind Cupid,” in late January. www.theblindpigparlourbar.com

Sugar Shane’s

Imagine a delicious cookie that oozes even more flavor from the inside. Sugar Shane’s in Midtown has perfected the cookie that just keeps on giving. Enjoy handcrafted artisan gourmet cookies made fresh-to-order and stuffed with different fillings. These simple classic cookies are perfect for dipping. Cozy up with a signature s’mores cookie or celebrate the holidays with the seasonal peppermint chip. Thick and gooey on the inside, one cookie is never enough. www.sugarshanes.com

Yebo Ski Haus

Can’t make it to the slopes this year? Atlanta brings ski lodge vibes to you with a neighborhood favorite, Yebo Ski Haus. Usually known as Yebo Beach Haus, this chic restaurant and bar transforms into the ultimate winter hangout from December to February. Sit fireside with blankets, winter-themed drinks and a unique menu crafted for the season. You can’t beat South African-inspired comfort food and craft cocktails to match the experience. www.yebobeachhaus.com

Munster Cravings

It’s time to elevate your cookie expectations. With an abundance of flavors served in gourmet fashion, Munster Cravings will be sure to make you go cookie crazy. You’ll want to leave with some of the popular choices including PB&J, s’mores, glazed doughnut, vegan chocolate chip and so many additional seasonal flavors that will be sure to keep you warm. www.munstercravingsatl.com

HEIDI HARRIS GELDHAUSER

@EATONSOCIAL

YEBO BEACH HAUS

SUGAR

SHANE’S

CITAS ROMÁNTICAS POR LA CIUDAD DE ATLANTA

Planea una cita romántica en Atlanta. Ya sea que busques algo fuera de lo cotidiano, una aventura o una tarde relajante, aquí te damos algunas ideas para una cita perfecta fuera de lo común.

BY DANIELA CINTRON AND JOLEEN PETE

Degustación de Vinos

Realiza una excursión romántica a tan solo una hora de distancia del centro de la ciudad en el Château Élan Winery & Resort. Este es el lugar perfecto para degustar vinos locales, relajarte entre los viñedos, y hasta consentirte en el spa.

Paseo por el Jardín

El Atlanta Botanical Garden ofrece el escenario perfecto para una cita romántica ya sea de día o de noche. Las plantas carnívoras, un jardín comestible, una enorme variedad de orquídeas y un impresionante paisaje, son tan sólo

algunos de los puntos más destacados del lugar. El jardín también ofrece un sinfín de eventos, clases y actividades, haciéndolo un lugar ideal para aprender algo nuevo con alguien especial.

Una Película Bajo las Estrellas

La nostalgia es palpable en el Starlight Drive-In Theatre. Toma las cobijas, empaca algunas botanas y sal a disfrutar de una noche unica de película en el autocine. En esta cita bajo las estrellas, hasta las pijamas son una opción de vestimenta.

Patinaje Sobre Hielo

Desde el Día de Acción de Gracias hasta el Día de San Valentín, puedes encontrar varias pistas de patinaje sobre hielo en diferentes puntos de la ciudad de Atlanta. Esta es la oportunidad perfecta para que en tu cita romántica puedas deslizarte junto a tu pareja de la mano.

Cita a Alta Velocidad Añade adrenalina a tu cita al inscribirte en la escuela de manejo en el Porsche

Experience Center. Recibirás un programa personalizado y aprenderás todo sobre el auto Porsche. Durante esta cita, experimentarás la emoción de manejar un Porsche alrededor de la pista. Podrás culminar tu cita con un café en el Carrera Café o disfrutar de una comida de la granja a la mesa en el Restaurante 365.

Música en Vivo

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra tiene algo para todos. Se presenta en una variedad de lugares (en interiores y exteriores), lo que hace que las opciones de citas sean divertidas. Desde un concierto inspirado en una película como “Star Wars” o “Prince” hasta una sinfonía bajo las estrellas, siente la emoción triunfante de la música clásica en impresionantes actuaciones durante todo el año.

En Atlanta encontrarás un sinfín de cosas divertidas y memorables para planear la cita perfecta. Visita www. discoveratlanta.com/es y encuentra más ideas.

CHEFS LATINOS, LOS PROTAGONISTAS DE LA GASTRONOMÍA EN LA CIUDAD DE ATLANTA

La comida en la ciudad de Atlanta es inigualable. Se puede degustar desde la típica cocina sureña así como algunos de los mejores manjares del mundo. Muchos de los creadores de estos variados menús son chefs Latinos. Conoce a algunos de los chefs Latinos que actualmente ocupan un lugar importante en la gastronomía en Atlanta.

POR DANIELA CINTRON

CHEF CLAUDIA V. MARTÍNEZ

CHEF SANTIAGO GÓMEZ

Originario de la Ciudad de México, el chef Santiago Gómez ha tomado por sorpresa a la industria gastronómica de la ciudad de Atlanta con su nuevo restaurante Palo Santo.

El chef, que ha tenido éxito a lo largo de su carrera en restaurantes en todo el mundo, domina el arte de crear platos exquisitos e intrépidos, incorporando elementos mexicanos.

Los sabores que son más populares en México utilizando productos importados y agregando productos representantes de las tierras de Georgia donde han sido cultivados.

El chef Gómez adquirió una sólida formación gastronómica en una de las mejores escuelas culinarias de la Ciudad de México, el Centro Culinario Ambrosía, así como en la reconocida Escola d’Hosteleria Hofmann de Barcelona.

Disfruta y descubre los sabores de la cocina a la leña en el área de Westside en el nuevo restaurante Palo Santo.

De raíces venezolanas, la chef Claudia Martínez creció pasando el tiempo en la cocina con su familia. A lo largo de los años se ha convertido en amante de la gastronomía y es actualmente una reconocida y galardonada chef en la ciudad de Atlanta con una gran trayectoria como repostera. Creando postres exclusivos y refinados, la chef Martínez ha colaborado con diversos restaurantes de gran prestigio en Atlanta. Actualmente, trabaja como chef de pastelería en Miller Union, un restaurante rústico pero a la vez moderno que encarna con un enfoque auténtico la cocina inspirada en elementos de la granja. La artista culinaria ha sido galardonada con prestigiosos reconocimientos y también es reconocida como una leal defensora de la comunidad así como miembro de organizaciones de justicia social.

CHEF JOSUE PEÑA

A los 15 años el chef Josue Peña inició su trayectoria en los restaurantes cómo cocinero. En el año 2020 logró cumplir uno de sus mayores sueños al ser nombrado chef ejecutivo, antes de cumplir los 30 años de edad. Originario de San Juan Puerto Rico y criado en Miami, el chef Peña, es actualmente el líder culinario del restaurante Español Iberian Pig situado en el área de Buckhead en Atlanta.

Dentro de la comida Española él ha descubierto influencias gastronómicas de África que así mismo también forman parte de la comida Puertorriqueña con la que el chef se crió. El amor hacia esta profesión se originó con su abuelo quien fue el que le inculcó la disciplina, el respeto y amor por la cocina.

Hoy, el chef Peña explora sabores e ingredientes a través de su arte, en el restaurante Iberian Pig del área de Buckhead. Sus platillos hablan por sí solos, siempre sobrepasando los límites de la creatividad y personificando una profunda conexión entre lo que lo representa así mismo y lo que le apasiona.

Visita www.discoveratlanta.com/es y conoce otros chefs Latinos que están transformando la gastronomía de la ciudad de Atlanta.

Atlanta le da la bienvenida a Chef Santiago Gómez

Chef Josue Peña comparte su sazon con Atlanta

De raizes Venezolanas, la chef Claudia Martínez le da sabor a Atlanta

COURTESY OF GREY FOX PR

ATLANTA WINTER GIFT GUIDE WELLNESS EDITION

Give the gift of self-care, from the holiday season all the way into Valentine’s Day, with these wellness-inspired gift ideas for everyone on your list. Whether you are looking for an experiential gift or you prefer to wrap up a tangible one, Atlanta has you covered.

BY SARAH JOHNSON

PONCE CITY MARKET

With holiday pop-ups and more than 30 national name brand and local stores, there are plenty of gift ideas awaiting you at Ponce City Market.

Skip the Starbucks gift card and instead, gift a bag of Shroomie Brew from Eleven TLC. This caffeine-free, adaptogenic blend will boost energy levels while creating a state of calm all day, thanks to the synergistic combination of medicinal mushrooms, stress-relieving herbs and superfoods. The shop also offers adaptogenic teas, lattes, tinctures and vegan ice cream.

www.eleventlc.com

Why gift flowers when significant others can build their own bouquet this

Valentine’s Day? At JJ’s Flower Shop, a variety of unique flowers are priced by the stem, making it fun to create a modern and whimsical bouquet. The shop also offers unique add-ons like naturally healing and hydrating bath bomb bars that are organic, ethically sourced and family-owned. www.jjsflowershop.com

Take an easy bike ride down Atlanta BeltLine and grab a gift card at Just Add Honey for your favorite tea lover. The recipient can choose from 40 different blends of loose-leaf teas that are made with natural, pure ingredients and help stimulate and soothe the body and mind. www.justaddhoney.net

WESTSIDE PROVISIONS

DISTRICT

L’Artisan Muse specializes in custom fragrance, luxury spa experiences and offers a curated collection of luxury wellness essentials and products. www.maisonchemin.com

The Faced the Facial Studio is built with busy consumers in mind, offering visitors the opportunity to work facials into their travel schedule. A gift card for a 30-minute custom facial will provide a quick glow and can be easily scheduled into a day of shopping and exploring.

www.facedfacialstudio.com

Find a gorgeous piece of pottery along with an array of special kitchen and tabletop items at East Fork. For an experiential gift idea, check out one of the shop events like wreath making or tablescaping. www.eastfork.com

PHIPPS PLAZA

Relax and unwind at the new Nobu Hotel Atlanta (slated to open in November) located in the heart of the prestigious Buckhead neighborhood at Phipps Plaza. The posh hotel features a variety of luxurious spa services that make for the perfect experiential gift. The Nobu Spa offers two private

Above: Carafe from etúHOME; below: Murphy & Daughters Bath Salts from Lucy’s Market

treatment rooms. In-room services are available upon request. atlanta.nobuhotels.com

LENOX SQUARE

Find the best pampering gifts at The Body Shop, including the Lather & Slather Avocado Big Gift Case. This dreamy set is made with handcrafted Community Fair Trade shea butter from Ghana that helps provide financial independence to more than 600 women. www.thebodyshop.com

At Kiehl’s, find the perfect stocking stuffer or Valentine’s treat with the shop’s variety of innovative, paraben-free skin

care products. A favorite since the 1980s, the Kiehl’s Crème de Corps is a nongreasy body lotion that replenishes dry winter skin. www.kiehls.com

SHOPS AROUND LENOX

Stylishly meet those daily water goals with a multi-functional carafe from etúHOME. An ideal hostess gift, the gorgeous carafe can be used to serve infused water by day and wine by night for all of those festive holiday gatherings. www.etuhome.com

ANDREWS SQUARE

There’s something for everyone on

MORE SHOPPING

The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta is a go-to shopping destination just 30 minutes north of the city

A new shop packed with items for the outdoorsy person in your life is Fieldstone, offering an extensive line of high-quality Southern-themed T-shirts, hats and accessories. Another new addition is Simply Southern. The shop’s assortment of cute and colorful hats, wallets, headbands, bags, totes and watchbands would make great stocking stuffers. Find all the healthy cooking tools at Le Creuset and wow your Valentine with a home-cooked meal that looks as good as it is sure to taste. Spend your holiday gift money and hit those New Year’s resolutions in style with athletic wear from Columbia Factory Store, Puma Outlet or Mountain High Outfitters. www.theoutletshoppesatatlanta.com

your gift list at Lucy’s Market, including customized gift baskets, bath essentials and an extensive wine collection. Offer the gift of Zen with therapeutic M&D Bath Salts. The stylish Rialto Coupe Glasses are perfect for gifting a holiday host/hostess and for toasting the New Year in style. www.lucysmarket.com

At Weezie, design a customized towel at the embroidery bar or pick up the Weezie Gym Towels, designed with the shop’s signature terry and a trendy companion to a post-holiday sweat sesh. www.weezietowels.com

Nobu Hotel Atlanta

Simply Southern at The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta

Long robe from Weezie at Andrews Square

NOBU WEEZIE

WINTER SPORTS GUIDE

From regular season football and basketball to annual postseason bowl games, Atlanta’s sports scene does not hibernate during the winter.

BY DEMETRIUS BELL

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons continue to tackle and run with the best the NFL has to offer as Cordarrelle Patterson, Grady Jarrett and Kyle Pitts look to lead Atlanta into the final stretch of the regular season.The biggest home season yet comes to a close with three home games in the latter stages of the season – including the regular season finale on Jan. 8 against Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. If you can’t get to the world-renowned Mercedes-Benz Stadium on game day or you still want to watch along with fellow football fans, then the Bud Light Tailgate Series, taking place in various bars across the city, is the option for you. The Falcons Bar Program will

also be having Away Game Celebrations at a rotation of four bars in Atlanta. www.atlantafalcons.com

Atlanta Hawks

Trae Young, Dejounte Murray and John Collins are all back in action as they grind to bring an NBA Championship to State Farm Arena in downtown Atlanta, and there are plenty of promotional nights on the schedule. Educator Appreciation Night will take place on Dec.19 against the Orlando Magic. The Hawks face the Detroit Pistons for their Holiday Game on Dec. 23. The Miami Heat will come to town for the annual MLK Day Game on Jan.16, and the Hawks host the fourth annual Pride Night on Feb. 9 against the Phoenix Suns. HBCU Night will follow on Feb. 24 against the Cleveland Cavaliers and then the team will cap off February on the 28th with Marvel Super Hero Night featuring Black Panther. Between the basketball action and the promotions on display, you can’t go wrong with taking in a Hawks game. www.nba.com/hawks

Georgia Tech

Both the women’s and men’s teams will face their ACC rivals all winter at the intimate McAmish Pavilion on Georgia Tech’s campus. The men’s team in particular will take on the rival Georgia Bulldogs at the pavilion on Dec. 6 in a matchup that will surely be heated. Women’s basketball season tickets start at just $65 with courtside seats going for $150, while season tickets for the men’s squad are available starting at $290. www.ramblinwreck.com

Georgia State University

Georgia State University has continued efforts to expand its footprint in downtown Atlanta with the opening of the brand-new Georgia State University Convocation Center. As usual, the home game for both teams circled on the calendar every year is when Georgia Southern comes to town. State vs. Southern will take place at the Convocation Center on Feb. 2 for the men and Feb. 24 for

SCOTT CUNNINGHAM

Atlanta Hawks

the women. Season tickets to watch Ja’Heim Hudson and Collin Moore face off with their Sun Belt rivals start at $150, while season tickets to watch the women’s squad start at a very affordable $25. www.georgiastatesports.com

SEC Championship

Dec. 2 marks the date that every college football fan in the South eagerly awaits: the annual SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The action starts with the Regions Bank Coaches Show on Dec. 2 at 5 p.m. at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, then the weekend continues at the Legends Celebration at Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame on Friday at 6 p.m. Fans can check out the annual Dr. Pepper SEC Football FanFare at Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) Dec. 2-3 and the T-Mobile Concert, also at GWCC on Dec. 3. The long-awaited kickoff will be at 4 p.m., showcasing the best of the SEC. www.secsports.com

Holiday Hoopsgiving

Holiday Hoopsgiving College Edition has historically been ranked as one of the top college basketball programs in the country and showcases men’s basketball. This year, head to State Farm Arena on two days - Dec. 10 and 18 - to witness college teams in multiple matchups. On Dec. 10, watch Clemson vs. Loyola University; University of Memphis vs. Auburn; Wake Forest vs. LSU; and Tulane vs. University at Buffalo. On Dec. 18, come to see home favorite University of Georgia vs. Notre Dame in what will surely be an exciting game. Tickets are now on sale.

www.holidayhoopsgiving.com

Cricket Celebration Bowl

Mercedes-Benz Stadium will be busy during college football’s postseason as the venue will also host the seventh edition of the Cricket Celebration Bowl on Dec. 17. Following team arrivals on the preceding Wednesday, the Champions Circle event at Chick-fil-A

College Football Hall of Fame on Thursday and team press conferences on Friday, game day on Saturday includes the Coca-Cola Fan Experience at Georgia World Congress Center. Once that event ends at 11:30 a.m., kickoff for the HBCU National Championship contest starts at noon. www.thecelebrationbowl.com

Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl

This season’s edition of Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on New Year’s Eve will serve as a prestigious College Football Playoff Semifinal. Georgia World Congress Center will once again play host to a huge pregame event, as the FanFest will take place from 2 - 6 p.m. on Dec. 30. This includes two pep rallies for fans of each school playing in the huge contest. Bands, mascots and cheerleaders from both schools will be involved, and that should be enough to bring the hype ahead of the game taking place on the following evening.

www.chick-fil-apeachbowl.com

Mercedes-Benz Stadium

NEW IN 2023: BIG CHANGES COMING TO ATLANTA

Big changes are coming to Atlanta in the form of new developments. Likewise, the city’s professional and college sports teams and the city’s only-in-Atlanta attractions, its arts organizations and its reputation as a shopping mecca continue to mark the Georgia state capital as a city on the move.

BY CAROL CARTER

• Coming to Midtown in 2023, the 12th & Everything project will bring excitement to a popular area near Piedmont Park. The reuse of two buildings at 12th Street and Piedmont Avenue will include a restaurant, coffee shop and new digs for a longstanding retailer of skates and skateboards.

• On the Eastside, Junction Krog District, a six-story development at the corner of Irwin Street and Auburn Avenue, will bring office space, restaurants and outdoor balconies overlooking Atlanta BeltLine.

• South Downtown is changing, too, with Newport RE US investing more than $100 million in the purchase of historic buildings and development sites across eight blocks along Peachtree, Mitchell and Broad streets, as well as Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

• On the more distant horizon, two major developments are the $5 billion Centennial Yards project that will revitalize 12 blocks Downtown and a project called The Stitch that will create a series of elevated, interconnected parks, plazas and walking trails.

• There’s a new museum coming to Atlantic Station: The Museum of Illusions. The 11,000-square-foot space will boggle the mind with optical illusions, 3D holograms, brain-puzzling exhibits and interactive illusion rooms.

• Changes are on the horizon for National Center for Civil and Human Rights thanks to a $17-million grant from Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. The funds will expand the center’s footprint and transform programming.

• Popular festivals returning in 2023 include the SweetWater 420 Festival (April 28 – 30 in Centennial Olympic Park); Shaky Knees Festival (May 5–7 in Central Park); Atlanta Dogwood Festival (April 14 –16 in Piedmont Park) and the Atlanta Jazz Festival, which traditionally tunes up in Piedmont Park over Memorial Day weekend.

The Museum of Illusions is coming to Atlantic Station

• Atlanta is known as the capital of college football, with the presence here of Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame, the year’s end Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, the Labor Day Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game and MEAC/SWAC Challenge plus the December Celebration Bowl and SEC Championship.

• LEGOLAND Discovery Center at Phipps Plaza shopping mall closed for renovations late this year and plans to reopen in the spring of 2023. The all-new LEGO Discovery Center Atlanta adds new experiences plus a new look and design.

• Atlanta’s already packed retail scene welcomes more new stores and restaurants in 2023. New names coming to Buckhead Village are: Planta, a plantbased restaurant; LeLabo Fragrances; Carmel, a restaurant inspired by the culture and cuisine of the coast; Yeppa & Co. Italian restaurant; and Brown & Co. Jewelers.

• New retailers coming to Lenox Square in Buckhead late this year and early next year include Tiffany & Co. (jewelry), Balenciaga (fashion), Savage X Fenty (lounge, lingerie and sleepwear); Moose Knuckles (outerwear); Gap (clothing); Dr. Martens (footwear); and PacSun (clothing).

• Also in Buckhead, Phipps Plaza looks forward to 14 luxury brands coming to Phipps within the next two years. Phipps is evolving into a mixed-use development and entertainment center according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

• Scheduled for 2023 are the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game pitting Louisville against Georgia Tech in the ACC Opener Sept. 2, 2023 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the 2023 MEAC/SWAC Challenge pitting Jackson State University against South Carolina State University at Center Parc Stadium. The SEC Football Championship game in 2023 is scheduled for Dec. 2 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Celebration Bowl returns to MercedesBenz Stadium Dec. 16, 2023.

Among notable exhibits and performances coming to Atlanta’s arts organizations in 2023 are:

• “Monir Farmanfarmaian: A Mirror Garden,” at the High Museum of Art, Nov. 18 – April 9, 2023. This is the first

posthumous exhibition at an American museum for Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian, one of Iran’s most celebrated and revered visual artists.

• A few notables coming to The Rialto Center for the Performing Arts in the new year are seven-time Grammy winners, co-founders and former members of The Fifth Dimension, Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. performing Jan. 21, 2023, and six-time Grammy winner and Blues and Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer Mavis Staples who takes the stage Feb. 11, 2023.

• “For Peace I Rise” is a new musical depicting the love story of American Civil Rights Movement activists, Dr. C.T. Vivian and Octavia Geans Vivian. Rialto Center for the Performing Arts will host the important story of these Atlanta justice giants June 8-18.

• Fox Theatre is Atlanta’s home for Broadway plays. Just a few coming in 2023 are ”Hadestown,” Jan. 10 –15; “Riverdance,” Jan 27 – 29; “Tina Turner: The Musical,” Feb. 21 – 26; “A Soldier’s Play,” March 28 – April 2; ”Moulin Rouge: The Musical,” April 19 – 30; and “Hairspray,” May 30 – June 4.

• Atlanta’s Tony Award-winning Alliance Theatre presents “Hot Wing King,” winner of the 2021 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Feb. 10 – March 5, 2023, and “Water for Elephants,” based on the best-selling novel, June 4 –July 9, 2023.

• In addition to private investment, ballot measures approved by voters this year will enable investments in Atlanta’s infrastructure and economy. Since rising from the ashes of the Civil War, Atlanta has always continued to grow and change and it isn’t stopping now.

DISCOVER ATLANTA NOW

For more events and things to do, visit DiscoverAtlanta.com

Atlanta Jazz Festival

“Monir Farmanfarmaian: A Mirror Garden,” at the High Museum of Art

MONIR SHAHROUDY FARMANFARMAIAN (IRANIAN, 1924–2019), HEARTACHE NO. 10 1998-2000, MIXED MEDIA. PHOTO COURTESY THE ESTATE OF THE ARTIST AND HAINES GALLERY. © MONIR SHAHROUDY FARMANFARMAIAN