32 minute read
Attractions Roundup
EXPLORE THE ATTRACTIONS
Many of Atlanta’s attractions are open and eager to greet you in the safest way possible. Our attractions follow all COVID-19 safety precautions and, if you forgot your mask, no problem! Most places sell their own designs. Here’s the lowdown on what’s open. BY ATLANTA NOW EDITORIAL STAFF
ATLANTA BOTANICAL GARDEN
A 30-acre oasis in the heart of the city, the Atlanta Botanical Garden has reopened both its outdoor and indoor spaces for guests. “Alice’s Wonderland Re-imagined” lures guests with larger-than-life topiary-like sculptures depicting characters from the classic tale including a 16-foot Red Queen and 14-foot Alice rotating in the Howell Fountain pool. www.atlantabg.org
WORLD OF COCA-COLA
This attraction dedicated to the world’s most famous soft drink lets guests see the 8 DISCOVERATLANTA.COM Vault of the Secret Formula, the Pop Culture Gallery and the bottling process. The Coca-Cola Polar Bear knows all about social distancing and is ready to greet guests. Even the Taste It sampling experience will be available, although slightly altered to comply with FDA guidelines. www.worldofcoca-cola.com
FERNBANK MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
Head to Fernbank for science exploration, nature, the world’s largest dinosaurs and 75 acres of outdoor nature trails. Be sure to hit the Fantastic Forces STEM exhibit, “A Walk Through Time in Georgia” and the special exhibition “Amazing Animals: Built to Survive.” www.fernbankmuseum.org
CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF ATLANTA
Kids and families will love the 3,000-squarefoot facility with many play spaces available, focusing on ages 0-8. Climb through the layers of Earth, journey across the continents, deliver food from farm to table and then build or paint a masterpiece in the multilevel, hands-on learning center. www.childrensmuseumatlanta.org
Baby beluga whale Shila, at Georgia Aquarium
GEORGIA AQUARIUM
If you see a shadow pass over your head, look up and you’ll likely see one of the aquarium’s four whale sharks—the world’s largest fish species, located in Ocean Voyager gallery. Keep an eye out for Shila, the new baby beluga whale, manta rays, California sea lions, African penguins and numerous other species. A new shark gallery is coming soon, so be on the lookout for updates. www.georgiaaquarium.org
NATIONAL CENTER FOR CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS
Recently reopened, the Center connects the American civil rights movement to
today’s global human rights movements. The exhibition “Rolls Down Like Water: The American Civil Rights Movement” features a thorough history of Atlanta’s role in the movement. Another exhibition displays a rotating selection of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s personal papers, and a third exhibition focuses on the world’s human rights efforts. www.civilandhumanrights.org
HIGH MUSEUM OF ART
The High’s outdoor piazza hosts “Mumuration,” a foliage-filled mesh art installation hanging over the Piazza. Suspended pods and benches encourage guests to linger in the lush canopy. Inside the museum, “Picture the Dream: The Story of the Civil Rights Movement” is a children’s picture book exhibition with more than 80 artworks including paintings, prints, drawings and collages. This exhibition emphasizes children’s roles as activists and tells important stories about the movement’s icons. www.high.org
ZOO ATLANTA
Sneak a peek at nine-year-old Mumbles, the new Southern white rhino as he acclimates to his new habitat in the African Savanna complex. A one-way path takes visitors through the entire zoo, hitting all the hotspots such as the African Savanna, Scaly Slimy Spectacular reptile house, Complex Carnivore area and Giant Panda habitat. www.zooatlanta.org
CHICK-FIL-A COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME
At this shrine to college football, guests can unlock a unique experience with an interactive All-Access Pass, peruse more than 50 engaging exhibits and learn about the top teams, players and coaches. A new exhibit dedicated to Historically Black Colleges and Universities highlights the legendary players and history of the program. www.cfbhall.com
STONE MOUNTAIN PARK
Come for plenty of outdoor activities on 3,200 acres. Fishing and paddling are available in Stone Mountain Lake, and guests can hike the park’s many trails, hit the links on the two 18-hole golf courses, picnic and ascend the walk-up trail to the top of the mountain, not to mention camp overnight. Please visit the park’s website for info on the reopening of familyfriendly attractions. www.stonemountainpark.com
ATLANTA HISTORY CENTER
The center is mostly known for its museum but it also includes 33 acres of cultivated gardens and preserved woodlands connected by trails. Inside, the new exhibition “Atlanta ‘96: Shaping an Olympic and Paralympic City” explores the legacy of the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games through objects, photographs and stories. www.atlantahistorycenter.com
JIMMY CARTER PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
The library itself might be closed but it is surrounded by 35 acres of beautiful ponds and rolling hills which overlook downtown Atlanta and are free to roam. The easiest way Continued on page 10
VISIT
Get advance timed tickets and plan your visit at worldofcoca-cola.com
Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum to access the grounds are from the Atlanta BeltLine or Freedom Parkway Trail. Wander through, and take note that the Freedom Farmers Market operates in the parking lot every Saturday.
MORNINGSIDE NATURE PRESERVE Northeast Atlanta
Located seven miles northeast of Downtown, this tucked-away retreat in the upscale Morningside neighborhood, with 30-acres of easy walking trails and babbling creeks, is a natural oasis in the city. The charm here is authentic Southern wildland captured in the heart of the city. SWEETWATER CREEK STATE PARK West of the city in Lithia Springs
Boasting the title of the closest state park to Atlanta, Sweetwater Creek has 15 miles of
CHATTAHOOCHEE NATURE CENTER
With 127 acres of trails, forests and wetlands along the Chattahoochee River, the Chattahoochee Nature Center delivers plenty of space for social distancing. Check out the wooded hiking trails, canoe trips, ziplines and Wildlife Walk aviary. www.chattnaturecenter.org SKYVIEW ATLANTA
SkyView Atlanta sits across from Centennial www.jimmycarterlibrary.gov
Olympic Park, surrounded by the downtown city lights. With 42 climate-controlled gondolas, you’ll glide in style, soaring high above the city. www.skyviewatlanta.com
LEGOLAND DISCOVERY CENTER ATLANTA
In the heart of Buckhead at Phipps Plaza, LEGOLAND Discovery Center will delight both kids and their companions. Rides, a 4-D movie experience, NINJAGO ninja training and a MINILAND created to reflect the Atlanta skyline are all part of what’s inside. www.atlanta.legolanddiscoverycenter.com
All attractions have posted their COVID-19 protocols online. Please visit their websites to find
EASY HIKING TRAILS IN THE ATLANTA METRO AREA Atlanta is sometimes called a city in a forest, and these trails make the most of that moniker. If you’re looking to get some fresh air and see a bit of our lush green spaces, use this list as your guide.
out the latest information including reservations, mask requirements and more. Blue Heron Nature Preserve
loop trails that follow the river banks through rolling hills and history. A popular and easyto-reach destination along the Red Trail is the ruins of Manchester Manufacturing Company textile mill that burned during the Civil War.
CASCADE SPRINGS NATURE PRESERVE Southwest Atlanta
Earthworks from a Civil War battle along Utoy Creek are still visible in Cascade Springs Nature Preserve. The 120-acre green space is Atlanta. A nearly two-mile loop trail is easy enough to navigate, following the creek through fern-dotted forests to a waterfall before gaining ground to an overlook.
ARABIA MOUNTAIN East of Atlanta in Lithonia
Arabia Mountain is just 21 miles east of downtown Atlanta, though you may feel you escaped to another planet. The summit of this granite monadnock is potted with dimples that fill with water after heavy rain and reflect the sun. Eight miles of trails meander around the mountain, part of
just seven miles from Downtown in Southwest
the 2,500-acre Davidson Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve. All the trails are easy, with the shortest clocking in at a half mile and many leading to the lake.
ATLANTA BELTLINE TRAILS Eastside and Westside
A developing trail network, the Atlanta BeltLine is already reshaping the city. The goal is a 22-mile loop following old railroad corridors that will connect 45 in-town neighborhoods.
The Eastside Trail runs three miles from Piedmont Park in Midtown to Memorial Drive in Reynoldstown. The Westside Trail is accessible from MARTA, starting at Washington Park on the north end and stretching to University Avenue near the West End MARTA station.
HARD LABOR CREEK STATE PARK East of Atlanta in Rutledge
Hard Labor Creek State Park has more than 24 miles of horseback, biking and hiking trails cutting through dense woodlands and around two lakes. Only two and a half miles of trails are dedicated for hikers, but the lengthy horseback trails are open to foot traffic on weekdays. Located in Rutledge about 50 miles east of downtown Atlanta, the 5,804-acre preserve abuts the Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir.
BLUE HERON NATURE PRESERVE Buckhead
Located in Buckhead, this 30-acre urban haven is sandwiched between an in-town neighborhood and busy Roswell Road. A three-mile trail network carries you over boardwalks, along Nancy Creek and winding past wildlife viewing areas, a reading nook, sandy creek beds and a turtle sanctuary.
Experience Island Ford in Sandy Springs, included in the national recreation area. Three miles of hiking trails reveal calming, picturesque views of the river, as well as heavily wooded path and more wildlife sightings than in other parts of the Chattahoochee National Recreation Area.
Another well-protected slice of nature in
the heart of Atlanta, the Lionel HamptonBeecher Hills Park is part of a roughly 100-acre nature preserve that is more developed than Cascade Springs and Morningside. Nearly half of the four miles of trails here are paved, with paths following Utoy Creek where Civil War remains of Union fortifications are still visible. -Atlanta Now Editorial Staff
Julia Coleman President Jimmy Carter’s Teacher
www.jimmycarterlibrary.gov
GONE VIRTUAL? HERE’S OUR GO-TO GUIDE
If you’re not ready to venture out yet, no problem. Atlanta has you covered with a full roster of online activities. From art and film festivals to magic shows and more, this fall list of virtual experiences offers something for everyone. BY WENDY BOWMAN
ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL + CREATIVE CONFERENCE
The format of this popular annual film festival has shifted to drive-in and digital screenings of films and selected works. Set to run Sept. 17-27, the 44th edition of the Atlanta Film Festival + Creative Conference will allow audiences to enjoy a mix of narrative and documentary feature length and short films from about 150 filmmakers. Expect a wealth of digital programming including about 20 events showcasing top professionals in the entertainment industry, as well as drivein screenings at The Plaza Theatre, Dad’s Garage and additional venues. www.atlantafilmfestival.com
ATLANTA FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL
This year’s event happening Sept. 10-19 will feature 13 digital seminars as well as 11 dinners, two lunches and one brunch, all with limited, socially distanced seating. The seminars will have something for every taste, 12 DISCOVERATLANTA.COM from a pie masterclass with Pie Bar’s Lauren Bolden to a seafood couvillion with crab fat rice from Isaac Toups and curry in a hurry from Miami culinary sensation Timon Balloo. One-of-a-kind dining experiences include a special collaboration dinner with chefs Jeb Aldrich, Matt Weinstein and Claudia Martinez at Tiny Lou’s, An Evening in Provence dinner with AIX’s Nick Leahy and The Pasta & Vinyl Experience presented by Chef Craig Richards at Lyla Lilah. www.atlfoodandwinefestival.com
ATLANTA PRIDE 50TH ANNIVERSARY
The 50th annual Atlanta Pride Festival will go on with virtual events scheduled throughout the month of October. Festivities on the roster for the largest Pride celebration in the Southeast include an interactive virtual marketplace; streamed entertainment including the festival’s two signature cabaret shows; a virtual run and walk 5K; scavenger hunt; wellness programs and more. The best part? LGBTQ+ people can still experience the joy and togetherness of the 50th Annual Pride Festival, with new folks welcome to take part wherever they are. www.atlantapride.org
ELEVATE: WEST END
This year’s ELEVATE public art festival goes virtual Oct. 4-10. Because 2020 has introduced a pandemic, racial unrest, an economic recession and more adversity, organizers have asked that artists, thought leaders and the public to examine issues of inequity and injustice with the goal of inspiring community building, activism and hope. The focus will be on Atlanta’s historic West End neighborhood with free virtual offerings including the unveiling of two new murals (one honoring civil rights leader the Rev. James Orange and the other honoring Black women activists); a conversation with authors Pearl Cleage and Tayari Jones; the opening of the Hammonds House Museum exhibition, “The Art of Protest;” a screening of the award-winning documentary “Agents of Change;” and musical performances. www.elevateatlart.com
SUNDAY IN THE PARK
This beloved fall festival returns for its 43rd year Sept. 21-27 with a celebration of all things Oakland Cemetery held via a hybrid virtual/in-person format. Among the most anticipated activities are an online Tarot workshop, online costume contest and Oakland trivia sessions, while on-site activities at Atlanta’s oldest park encompass pop-up acoustic music performances and picnics. www.oaklandcemetery.com
YELLOW DAISY MARKETPLACE
Stone Mountain Park’s Yellow Daisy Festival will launch online Sept 8-13, giving fans an opportunity to connect with some of their favorite vendors through a virtual marketplace. The annual festival usually features more than 400 of the nation’s finest artists with a variety of homemade creations. www.stonemountainpark.com
ATLANTA MAGIC THEATER
Peter Morrison quit his corporate day blend of wit, charm and clean humor. job 20 years ago and never looked back. “Before COVID hit, the whole concept Since then, the longtime magician (he of virtual magic shows was not something started at age 5!) has performed some I could even imagine working well, but it 5,000 magic shows throughout California does,” says Morrison, who regularly holds and now Atlanta, where he operates the online shows for family gatherings, company intimate, 40-seat Atlanta Magic Theater at functions and seminars. the Embassy Suites at Centennial Olympic Coming up: Look for Morrison’s first Park. With the advent of the pandemic, public virtual magic show to take place however, Morrison has had to take to Oct. 3 with more to come throughout the Zoom to present his highly interactive rest of the year. Morrison is also available magic shows featuring jaw-dropping now for virtual private and corporate illusions, sleight-of-hand and baffling feats functions. of mentalism — all with his own personal www.atlantamagictheater.com
TOURS AROUND TOWN
The best way to see as much of Atlanta as possible is through a guided tour. These tour companies have a great lineup to present the most enjoyable spin around Atlanta, either virtually or in-person.
ATLANTA FOOD WALKS
Atlanta’s rich dining history is revealed with two tours. • The Unexpected Virtual Tours let you explore Atlanta from the comfort of your home with very interactive virtual experiences that include local treats and hands-on activities shipped directly to you. • The Grant Park Past & Future Food Walk explores how Atlanta was a city built on food. This entertaining in-person food tour will have digital brochures and includes delicious food eaten on patios.
Bicycle Tours of Atlanta • As a special bonus, a third tour, the King Historic District Tour lets you walk in the footsteps of Dr. King and discover locations critical to the American civil rights movement.
For COVID precautions, all in-person tours are limited to eight people, include touchless digital brochures and are held outside with masks required. www.atlantafoodwalks.com
BICYCLE TOURS OF ATLANTA
Enjoy the great outdoors while discovering the history, art and culture of Atlanta’s coolest off-the-beaten-path gems of the city. The Fall in Love with Atlanta Tour is a great 2.5 hour, 8 mile journey, traveling through lush green trees and historic in-town neighborhoods. You will hit the Atlanta BeltLine, Inman Park, Little Five Points, Krog Street Tunnel, Jackson Street Bridge, Cabbagetown, Old Fourth Ward, Oakland Cemetery and the King Historic District.
Bikes and helmets are disinfected and masks are provided to guests if needed and stops are carefully selected to minimize contact with others. www.biketoursatl.com
DTOURS
From art to film locations, architecture and more, you’ll find a tour suited for your interests.
Choose from titles such as Atlanta’s Art on the Streets, Rising from the Ashes - Atlanta Architecture, From Civil War to Civil Rights, Walking Dead in the City, The Upside Down Stranger Things Film Locations, Hollywood of the South - Atlanta Film Locations, Historic Atlanta Homes and
Atlanta Food Walks tours the King Historic District
many more. Or, choose a Plan Your Own Adventure tour where you get a custom tour based on your interests.
All of the DTours tours are offered with capacity set at four people to allow for proper social distancing. www.dtour.me
ATL-CRUZERS
This electric car and Segway tour company has several tours including the Eastside Atlanta Segway Tour that gives a glimpse into the history of Atlanta’s historic neighborhoods, and the Atlanta Electric Car Tour which gives a truly Atlanta experience in 90 minutes. The Peachtree Trolley Tour hits many popular city sites including Sweet Auburn Avenue, Fox Theatre and Centennial Olympic Park, all on a historic, climate-controlled trolley. On the car tours, all doors have been removed for an open-air experience and Segway guides will manage guest interactions while riding and at designated stops. www.atlcruzers.com SEP-OCT 2020 13
HALLOWEEN IN ATLANTA
Halloween might look different this year but there are plenty of scares to unearth in Atlanta. Not-so-frightening family fun mingles with fearsome spectacles as the sun goes down, giving everyone somewhere to haunt.
HALLOWFEST
Find Halloween thrills by day and scary chills by night. During the day, find five familyfriendly Fair Zones with jovial characters practicing physical distancing, packaged candy, no-touch magic shows, stories and scenic railroad rides. After 6 p.m., Chills by Night takes a creepy turn with scarier creatures roaming about, five terrifying Scare Zones and world class roller coasters. Sept. 19-Nov. 1 Six Flags Over Georgia www.sixflags.com/hallowfest
NETHERWORLD HAUNTED HOUSE
Netherworld presents a retro-style experience this year with classic Halloween harvest and horror themes. The haunt’s incredible over-the-top special effects, ghastly makeup, elaborate costumes 14 DISCOVERATLANTA.COM and skilled stunt actors make this an annual favorite. September-October Check website for dates Netherworld Haunted House www.fearworld.com
PUMPKIN FESTIVAL: PLAY BY DAY, GLOW BY NIGHT
Enjoy family friendly entertainment during the day with favorite storybook characters. Then, glow by night with not-so-spooky fun after the sun sets then glow by night with the new Dino Glow Experience after the sun sets. Sept. 19 – Nov. 1 Stone Mountain Park www.stonemountainpark.com
WOODLAND SPIRITS
Encounter ghostly visitors in the shadows, up in the trees, deep in the vistas and waiting in plain sight as you explore WildWoods and Fernbank Forest. Drawing inspiration from literature’s countless dark forests, this Halloween-inspired, outdoor exhibit features a variety of ghostly figures imagined by Fernbank and transformed by Atlanta artist, Laura Lewis. Sept. 19 – Nov. 8 Fernbank Museum of Natural History www.fernbankmuseum.org
Pumpkin Festival at Stone Mountain Park
AWESOME AUTUMN
Scarecrows in the Garden is back during October, where scarecrows decorated by business and nonprofit organizations line the garden paths. Fest-of-Ale allows visitors to view the scarecrows on Tuesdays-Sundays from 5-9 p.m. This beer fest also features specialty ales and live music. On Oct. 25, kids are invited for Goblins in the Garden. October Atlanta Botanical Garden www.atlantabg.org
HALLOWEEN FUN FEST
From creepy to kooky, mysterious and spooky—there’s something for everyone at Halloween Fun Fest. It will be so much fun, it’s scary! Oct. 1–31 Fernbank Museum of Natural History www.fernbankmuseum.org
GHOST TRAIN
Find the annual Ghost Train in the nearby town of Villa Rica, Wednesday-Saturday. Also, visit the gold museum and go gem panning, all by reservation only. Oct. 1-31 Pine Mountain Gold Museum www.facebook.com/ PineMountainGoldMuseum
CAPTURING THE SPIRIT OF OAKLAND
These popular nighttime tours of the historic cemetery will feature costumed docents leading tours through the beautifully lit Victorian gardens. Oct. 17-27 Oakland Cemetery www.oaklandcemetery.com
BOO AT THE ZOO
Join the animals for Halloween activities throughout the zoo, decorations and much more to celebrate the season. Oct. 17-18; 24-25; 31 Zoo Atlanta www.zooatlanta.org
HALLOWEEN AT THE MUSEUM
Come for spooky science experiments at the Science Bar, fall-tastic crafts in Creativity Cafe and a special Halloween Storytime and dance party. You’ll find dry ice at the Science Bar on Oct. 31 and Pumpkin Slime on the 29th for Messy Thursday. Costumes are welcome. Oct. 24-31 Children’s Museum of Atlanta www.childrensmuseumatlanta.org
TONS OF FUN INSIDE & OUT 75 Acres Outside, 3 Floors Inside A WORLD OF WOW
INSPIRED BY THEIR FOOTSTEPS
Gather inspiration from three Atlanta civil rights heroes who have passed away in 2020. Then, in their memory, visit our list of civil rights sculptures, murals and art installations around the city. BY LIESL MERKEL
Atlanta was a cultural center for the American civil rights movement, thanks in part to the Sweet Auburn district where activists gathered to generate ideas and to, as civil rights leader and Congressman John Lewis said, “get in good trouble.”
In 2020, Atlanta lost three heroes of the movement. Rev. Joseph Lowery passed away in March, then Rev. C.T. Vivian and Congressman John Lewis both passed on July 17, 2020.
WHO WERE THESE HEROES?
Rev. Joseph Lowery helped found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) with Martin Luther King Jr. and others, serving as its president (1977- 1997). Rev. Lowery also created the Black Leadership Forum and was called the “Dean of the Civil Rights Movement” for his presence in many of the major movement activities including the Selma to Montgomery march of 1965 and the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
Rev. C.T. Vivian helped found the Nashville Christian Leadership Conference, organized the first sit-ins in Nashville, and participated in the Freedom Rides. He 16 DISCOVERATLANTA.COM worked beside Martin Luther King Jr. as the national director of affiliates for the SCLC and also conceived and directed civil rights organizations including Vision, which awarded scholarships to 702 Alabama students, and the National Anti-Klan Network, which later became the Center for Democratic Renewal.
Congressman John Lewis served as the chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (1963-1966) and helped organize the 1963 March on Washington. He led the first march from Selma, Ala., to Montgomery in what became known as Bloody Sunday where Lewis and the marchers were attacked by police. The incident ultimately led to the 1965 Voting Rights Act. His leadership continued as he served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1987 until his death, representing the 5th congressional district of Georgia which includes most of Atlanta.
As we remember these revolutionaries, we also look to where we can celebrate their legacy and carry on their mission of equality, freedom and hope. Take a quiet moment to visit these installations. View, learn, and plan for the future.
John Wesley Dobbs “Through His Eyes” Far left: Martin Luther King Jr. Statue stands outside the Georgia State Capitol
“HERO”
IN THEIR MEMORY AND HONOR “HERO” Corner of Auburn Avenue and Jesse Hill Jr. Drive Artist: Sean Schwab
This tribute to Congressman John Lewis features a quote from Lewis’ speech at The March on Washington.
Martin Luther King Jr. Statue Georgia State Capitol Artist: Martin Dawe
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is an icon of the American civil rights movement and an alumnus of both Atlanta’s Booker T. Washington High School and Morehouse College.
Andrew Young Statue Corner of Andrew Young International Boulevard and Spring Street Artist: John Paul Harris
A civil rights activist and protégé of Dr. King, Andrew Young became mayor of Atlanta and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations under President Jimmy Carter.
“Atlanta and the Civil Rights Movement, 1944-1968” Atlanta BeltLine Curated by: Karcheik Sims-Alvarado, Ph.D.
These photographs are presented across four miles of the Eastside and Westside Trails of the BeltLine. It is the longest outdoor exhibition on civil and human rights in the United States.
Charles Lincoln Harper Statue Ashby Garden Park at Ashby Circle NW and Mayson Turner Road Artist: Ed Dwight
Charles Lincoln Harper was the first principal of Atlanta’s Booker T. Washington High School, the city’s first post-6th grade public school for African Americans.
“Expelled Because of Their Color” Georgia State Capitol Artist: John Thomas Riddle Jr.
This monument pays tribute to AfricanAmerican legislators in Georgia who were expelled from the Georgia General Assembly during Reconstruction because they were Black.
ATLANTA HAS MORE THAN 1,000 MURALS!
CHECK OUT OUR STREET ART
If you’re looking for more outdoor activities, immerse yourself in Atlanta’s huge collection of murals, created by local artists. A campaign called ATL1000 will honor these mural artists in many ways and here’s how you can check out the art. • The Downtown Arts & Entertainment District Digital Exhibition will happen Sept. 1-Oct. 31 with these featured artists:
Muhammad Yungai - Peachtree Center at 235 Peachtree St.
Gilbert Young - The Reverb Hotel at 89 Centennial Olympic Park Drive
Ashley Dopson - Above the Westin Hotel Motor Lobby on Carnegie Way
Angie Jerez - 101 Marietta St. • The Cabbagetown Initiative 501c3 will install a new mural at the entrance to the Krog Street Tunnel. This location is significant as the intersection of a famous graffiti tunnel and a renowned mural wall. • Power Haus Creative presents “The Goddess Glow Project,” an installation of “Lifting The Veil of Ignorance” Booker T. Washington High School Artist: Charles Keck
This statue portrays Washington lifting the veil of ignorance from his people, symbolized by a terrified slave. The slave holds a book representing education and crouches on a plow and anvil, representing tools of agriculture and industry.
Benjamin Mays Statue Morehouse College Artist: Ed Dwight
A mentor to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Benjamin Mays was president of Morehouse College from 1940 to 1967. As the first African American president of the Atlanta Board of Education, he presided over desegregation of Atlanta Public Schools.
“Homage to King” Intersection of Ponce de Leon Avenue and Freedom Parkway Artist: Xavier Campaney Medina
This steel sculpture welcomes visitors to the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park.
Mural along Path 400 by Angie Jerez
multiple murals in which all imagery and content will be created by Black women for Black women and girls to see authentic reflections of themselves in street art. • The Forward Warrior Mural Project is an outdoor gallery, painted annually in September. Tune in online for live painting video feeds at instagram.com/ forwardwarrior. • Self-Guided Walking Tours: Take a street art walking tour of one of the following Atlanta neighborhoods: Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail, Cabbagetown, Downtown, East Atlanta, Edgewood Avenue, Little Five Points, and Pittsburgh.
“Behold” Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park Artist: Patrick Morelli
The statue depicts an African-American man performing an ancient African ritual of holding his newborn up toward the heavens.
John Wesley Dobbs “Through His Eyes” Auburn Avenue at Fort Street Artist: Ralph Helmick
John Wesley Dobbs was a civic and political force in Atlanta and was known as the unofficial mayor of the city’s famed Auburn Avenue.
Midtown mural by Greg Mike
www.streetartmap.org/street-art-muralwalking-tours
For a mural map and more information about ATL1000, visit www.streetartmap. org/atl1000.
CHECK OUT THAT VIEW!
Social distancing is a breeze with Atlanta’s many restaurants that lure diners with dazzling rooftops and patio views. Grab a seat and enjoy the fall weather at one of these open-air spots. BY KAREN LOPEZ
DOS BOCAS With beautiful views of Downtown and overlooking Centennial Olympic
Park, Dos Bocas brings together authentic Tex-Mex and Cajun flavors.
Tantalize taste buds with a Dos Bocas margarita before delving into menu favorites of cast-iron chicken, jambalaya or fajitas with char-grilled steak or chicken. Dos Bocas provides socially distanced seating inside and on the patio and follows all health precautions to ensure the safety of guests. www.dosbocasatl.com 5Church Atlanta’s chic and sexy rooftop draws guests for amazing cuisine, cocktails and spectacular views overlooking Peachtree Street. To give guests a socially distanced outdoor dining experience, the restaurant now serves its full dinner menu on the rooftop with favorites such as the lamb burger, Maine sea scallops and new Canadian halibut over gnocchi. Cocktail favorites include The Viper with tequila and fresh cucumber and Holy Water with vodka and fresh fruits. A NanaWall operable glass wall system allows for year-round rooftop gatherings, and games such as Jenga and foosball add to the experience. Guests will notice 5Church’s commitment to guest safety during COVID-19 including servers wearing masks, contactless menus, limited capacity and spaced-out tables. www.fivechurchatlanta.com RUTH’S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE With stunning views of Centennial Olympic Park from the patio, Ruth’s Chris is famous for its steaks and chops such as the tender filet, 22-ounce cowboy ribeye or lamb chops. Among the mouthwatering seafood
9 MILE STATION 9 MILE STATION
Atop Ponce City Market, 9 Mile Station affords sweeping views of Atlanta’s skyline from Downtown to Buckhead. Topping the menu is a chef’s selection of assorted meats and cheeses with pickled vegetables, mixed nuts, quince jam and violet mustard and the 9 Mile patty melt made with grassfed beef. Add a cocktail such as The Vaccine with vodka, lemon, Luxardo aperitivo, passionfruit, prosecco and orange. Fall events will include the luau dinner and Halloween on The Roof, a daytime trick-or-treating event for kids and evening party for 21 and up. guidelines with limited capacity, and reservations are encouraged. www.9milestation.com
5CHURCH ATLANTA
9 Mile Station adheres to CDC specialties are Chilean sea bass with citrus coconut butter and sizzling crab cakes. Vintage and classic cocktails include the Gambler’s Old Fashioned and the Dirty Goose martini. COVID-19 safety protocols consist of spreading out tables to ensure social distancing and enhanced sanitation. www.ruthschris.com
SIX FEET UNDER
With two locations, in Grant Park overlooking Historic Oakland Cemetery and also West Midtown, Six Feet Under has been named among Travel + Leisure’s Top 30 American Outdoor Bars. The menu boasts raw bar selections, steamed shellfish, seafood platters and baskets with catfish, shrimp and more as well as blackened shrimp tacos. Add a spirited cocktail such as the Killer margarita or Pushin’ Up Daisies, made with Deep Eddy Ruby Red vodka, simple syrup, fresh basil, club soda and lime over “cubecumbers.” www.sixfeetunder.net
WHITE OAK KITCHEN & COCKTAILS
For lunch and dinner, White Oak Kitchen & Cocktails offers socially distanced seating for up to 40 guests on its outdoor patio overlooking downtown Atlanta. Settle into this garden-like setting for seasonal menu items of watermelon and Georgia peach salad for lunch or Georgia shrimp with dirty farro, sautéed baby kale and sorghumseeded mustard glaze for dinner. Seasonal cocktails include Rose 75 mixing Aperol, brandy, strawberry, sparkling rose, cinnamon and lemon and the Smokey Gimlet with mezcal, gin, fresh lime, agave and cayenne. www.whiteoakkitchen.com
ANIS CAFE & BISTRO
For a taste of Provence in the heart of Buckhead, unwind on the patio at Anis Cafe & Bistro for lunch, dinner or Sunday brunch. This charming restaurant has transported guests to the south of France since 1994 with menu favorites such as moules marinieres, croque monsieur, truite meuniere and steak frites. Thursday evenings are especially lively with music from Desmond Meyers. Anis has removed tables to allow for social distancing on its spacious patio and built a patio extension to add more seating outside. A side balcony offers secluded open-air seating for those wanting more distance from other guests. www.anisbistro.com
DER BIERGARTEN
DER BIERGARTEN
Toss back a liter or two at this Germanstyle beer garden located in the Centennial Olympic Park District in downtown Atlanta. Der Biergarten serves up socially distanced seating and authentic German fare such as the wurtplatten platter (choice of bratwurst and/or knackwurst, served with potato salad and sauerkraut) and Jägerschnitzel (lightly breaded pork with a mushroom, bacon and onion sauce). More than a dozen German draft beers are served by the liter and half liter along with bottled beers and wine. Der Biergarten is a popular destination for watching MLS and Europa games, and be sure to check the website for the Oktoberfest virtual race and socially distanced celebration. www.derbiergarten.com
LE COLONIAL
This luxurious oasis at Buckhead Village District offers an open-air veranda with louvered shutters and soft seating vignettes overlooking the high-end shopping district along with a new street-level patio. The restaurant’s menu captures the flavors of 1920s’ French Colonial Southeast Asia with dishes such as ca song (spicy yellowfin tuna tartare) and bo luc lac (shaking beef with caramelized filet mignon and Valverde Farm greens). Complete the meal with a lychee martini containing Grey Goose, Soho Lychee liqueur, lychee and fresh lime. Le Colonial takes extra care and COVID safety precautions including cash-free transactions, spacing tables six feet apart and using disposable menus. www.lecolonialatlanta.com
“As a Black lesbian who cooks with passion in the kitchen, it was an absolute honor to be included in the story of Atlanta’s culinary history from past to present. Each day I pray, work and fight to overcome obstacles to become greater at my craft and Fearless Innovation gave me the chance to show the world that Carlashalinda Fears is talented, innovative, relentless and passionate about creating a culinary experience to change the world.”
- Chef Carla Fears
BUY THIS BOOK
Atlanta’s food story has been told by many people over the years but none with the focus and passion that chef Taria Camerino has brought to this project. This is not a typical cookbook. Yes, it has 49 recipes covering a wide spectrum of cuisines, including cocktails, but this book will be more at home on your coffee table than in your kitchen with more than 280 pages filled with beautiful photography celebrating Atlanta’s food scene.
COCKTAILS AL FRESCO
Need more rooftops and patios? Grab a spot and unwind with a cocktail at these places with amazing views and sensational skylines.
SkyLounge: Sip on a Glenntini and take in the Downtown skyline at this sophisticated rooftop lounge at the Glenn Hotel. A classic and elegant concoction, the Glenntini pours infused vodka into a cold martini glass and tops it with a paper-thin slice of cucumber. SkyLounge has been voted one of the Top 23 Best Rooftop Lounges in the World by ABC.com. www.glennsskylounge.com
Hotel Clermont: Located on top of the legendary Hotel Clermont on Ponce de Leon Avenue in Midtown, The Rooftop is a oneof-a-kind gathering spot for cocktails and breathtaking views. www.hotelclermont.com
Estrella Rooftop: Take in the fall sunsets at Estrella, located atop Bazati on the Eastside Trail. This Atlanta BeltLine rooftop oasis features a menu inspired by the flavors of the Yucatan Peninsula. Find lively Latin music and cocktails such as the Estrella and Fruta margaritas made with fresh-squeezed lime and red and white sangria. Estrella is currently open with limited capacity on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only. www.estrellarooftop.com Iberian Pig: Settle into the Iberian Pig in Buckhead for cocktails on the windowlined corner patio overlooking Roswell Road. Popular libations include Amigo the Devil, the Iberian Old Fashioned, Botanical Dimensions and Meet Me in Oaxaca. Weekdays from 5-7 p.m. take advantage of Jamon Happy Hour with discounted cheese and charcuterie boards and $5 drinks. www.theiberianpigatl.com
Ecco: Boasting a 50-seat sunken patio with both covered and open-air areas and an outdoor fireplace for chilly nights, this neighborhood gem offers European cuisine along with an award-winning wine list and cocktails. Must-try drinks include the fragrant Gin Tonic No. 2 with gin, elderflower, lavender and mint and the Compleat Gard’ner mixing Bare Bones vodka with Dubonnet Rouge, passion fruit and cucumber. www.buckhead.ecco-atlanta.com
Lure: Drop anchor at this stylish bungalow in Midtown. Serving coastal-inspired cuisine, Lure has a 60-seat greenery-filled outdoor space overlooking Crescent Avenue. A perfect complement to a dozen oysters on the half shell, the eatery’s communal Shaolin punch bowl with vodka, lychee liqueur and grapefruit, lemon and lime juices comes in two sizes with a ladle for serving two to four or five to eight people. www.lure-atlanta.com -KL
New cookbook alert! “FEARLESS INNOVATION: Atlanta’s Food Story” tells exactly that in this new, nontraditional cookbook.
Designed to make you yearn to explore Atlanta’s dining scene, this cookbook not only shares recipes from Atlanta’s top chefs but reveals the history of the city’s culinary origins. Inside, you’ll also read about the city’s up-and-coming creative people who work alongside these local chefs.
Lure
SkyLounge
TAKE HOME ATLANTA’S FOOD STORY
Hotel Clermont
Chef Taria Camerino curates this compilation of Atlanta’s food story, touching on race relations, the city’s role in the American civil rights movement and their impact on the dining culture.
Pick up this book, worthy of your coffee table or any other place of honor, and, after reading, we hope you’ll be hungry for even more of the Atlanta food scene.
Purchase “FEARLESS INNOVATION: Atlanta’s Food Story.” on Amazon.com and BookBaby.com. -LM
