Best of Fall

CHECK OUT THE BEST METRO ATLANTA HAS TO OFFER THIS SEASON IN SOME OF OUR FAVORITE CITIES

By Amy Meadows

There is no better place to be this autumn than Atlanta. The air is crisp and cool, the leaves look like jewels and there’s a genuine warmth that no other locale can provide. Even better, the cities that comprise the metro area have their own special and unique ways to celebrate fall, giving you a cornucopia of options to get the most out of the final months of the year. Whether you’re looking for a great spot to catch the big SEC game, the most ideal setting to take in the fall foliage or a fantastic festival for some family fun, the following cities and towns know just where you go should go.

Braselton

Located 43 miles northeast of Atlanta at the convergence of Barrow, Gwinnett, Hall and Jackson counties, this North Georgia town welcomes thousands of visitors each year and has become one of the metro area’s most coveted residential locations. Braselton’s best of fall options include:

Best outdoor restaurant patio: Cotton Calf Kitchen

A contemporary yet classic American steakhouse, the Cotton

Calf Kitchen resides in a converted historic space with an outstanding patio overlooking the Town Green. cottoncalfkitchen.com

Best game day spot: Jack’s Public House

Enjoy access to huge televisions to watch the big game while you sip on craft beer and munch on wings, burgers and more. facebook.com/JacksPublicHouse

Best place to shop for a new fall wardrobe: Image Boutique

Friendly and inviting, you’ll find everything from cozy sweaters to the perfect outerwear to spruce up your autumn closet. shopimageboutique.com

Best place to get your pumpkin spice fix: Joy Company Market

A country store focused on Georgia-grown and made foods and products, Joy Company Market puts pumpkin center stage each fall. facebook.com/JoyCompanyMarket

Best spot to enjoy the changing leaves: Château Élan Winery & Resort

One of the area’s most well-known and beloved wineries, Château Élan offers a spectacular setting for watching the leaves change as you sip on a delicious glass of vino. chateauelan.com

Chamblee

One of the metro area’s most dynamic and sought-after cities, Chamblee is a multicultural mecca that boasts a truly diverse community with notable international flair and a unique quality of life. Chamblee’s best of fall options include:

Best hiking, biking or multipurpose trail: Chamblee Rail Trail

Known as the Keswick Park Extension Trail, this paved pathway through the downtown area offers an ideal way to get outside and enjoy metro Atlanta’s beautiful fall weather. chambleega.com

Best outdoor restaurant patio: BLUETOP Restaurant

Cotton Calf Kitchen

Offering creative American fare and local craft brews, there’s no better way to spend an autumn evening than on the patio of this beloved local spot. bluetopchamblee.com

Best place to pick up fall sweet treats: Lee’s Bakery

This popular Vietnamese eatery will allow you to try some delicious fall-inspired sweets with an international twist. leesbakeryatl.com

Best fall season festival: Taste of Chamblee

This highly anticipated DeKalb County festival will introduce you to the diverse cuisine of Chamblee, as well as live performances, college football games on big screens, a kids zone and more. tasteofchamblee.net

Best spot to enjoy the changing leaves: Dresden Park

A 25-acre park replete with beautiful trees, this is the place to spend an afternoon leaf gazing with the family while enjoying a picnic, a stroll along the paved walking trail or the playground. chambleega.com

Taste of Chamblee

Peachtree City

An acclaimed master-planned community, Peachtree City is located 30 miles south of Atlanta in Fayette County and is known for its laidback lifestyle and tranquil atmosphere. Peachtree City’s best of fall options include:

Best outdoor restaurant patio: The Georgia Shrimp Company

Soak up the fall weather on the patio of this delightful seafood restaurant, which features a fantastic bar selection and fresh fish specials with a Euro/South African flair. gashrimpco.com

Best of the Fall Conference Season

When the fall conference season is in full swing, there’s no better metro Atlanta locale than Peachtree City. Home to two spacious conference center properties, eight hotels, more than 100 restaurants and more, the city is an ideal spot for companies and organizations of all sizes to meet during the final months of the year. And with its location only 25 minutes from Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Peachtree City is as convenient as it is welcoming.

Best fall season festival: Magnolia Arts Festival

Held at Drake Field in Peachtree City, the festival includes a juried fine arts market, student art exhibit, demonstrations, live performances, great food and more. magnoliaartsfestival.org

CHATEAU ELAN WINERY AND RESORT

PLAN YOUR ESCAPE AT EXPLOREBRASELTON.COM

Sprawling Vineyards, Gourmet Delicacies & Romantic Chateaus

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If you’ve been dreaming of visiting the French countryside, save yourself the flight and explore a picturesque Georgia mountain town that has all the charm but is much closer to home. Say “oui” to Braselton, located in North Georgia, less than an hour from Atlanta.

Peachtree City’s cart paths Best holiday spot or event: WWII Heritage Days

Hosted at the Commemorative Air Force Airbase Georgia Warbird Museum at Atlanta Regional Airport-Falcon Field, this unique event celebrates the 1940s and salutes the Greatest Generation. airbasegeorgia.org/ wwii-heritage-days

Best place to enjoy the changing leaves: Peachtree City’s cart paths

Locals and visitors alike can traverse the community with ease and whimsy along more than 100 miles of paved golf cart paths, which are lined with trees that boast the most beautiful fall season colors. peachtree-city.org

Best place to get your pumpkin spice fix: Blume Organics Boutique & Café

Shopping while sipping a pumpkin spice latte has never been easier thanks to this delightful café, which features fresh and organic food and beverages. shopblumeorganics.com

Powder Springs

One of Cobb County’s most coveted locales, Powder Springs is a burgeoning city located 25 miles northwest of Atlanta that is known for its excellent residential opportunities and outdoor recreation. Powder Springs’ best of fall options include:

Best outdoor restaurant patio: Suga’s Cheese Shoppe & Café

What’s better than gourmet pimento cheese on a beautiful fall day? Eating that delicacy outside on the patio of Suga’s Cheese Shoppe & Café. sugascheeseshoppe.com

Best hiking, biking or multipurpose trail: Silver Comet Trail

Take in fall along this famed 61.5-mile-long

Outdoor TOP 5 REASONS

TO CHAMBLEE

Multi-Cultural Shopping

Chamblee is a vibrant, inclusive, multi-cultural city located just outside of Atlanta. With easy access to all that Atlanta has to offer, including unique dining experiences, seasonal event, outdoor attractions, and convenient accommodations.

Dining Lodging

trail for bikers, joggers and walkers, which traverses Cobb, Paulding and Polk counties to the Georgia-Alabama State line. silvercometga.com

Best fall season festival: Fall Festival Trunk-or-Treat and Spooktacular Chase

The place to be this Halloween is at Thurman Springs Park, which is home to this fantastic family fun run and costumed trick-or-treat event. cityofpowdersprings.com

Powder Spring’s Fall Festival Trunk-or-Treat Silver Comet Trail

Best place to shop for a new fall wardrobe: Hand-Me-Up’s

This can’t-miss consignment shop located in historic downtown Powder Springs is the perfect place to boost your fall attire without breaking the bank. hand-me-ups.com

Best place to pick up fall sweet treats: Sweet Southern

A charming coffee and dessert shop, Sweet Southern offers up delightful fall-inspired cakes, baked goods, ice cream and more. facebook.com/sweetsouthernicecream

Smyrna

Known as the Jonquil City, Smyrna is one of metro Atlanta’s fastest-growing cities, located just 16 miles from downtown Atlanta and

Market Village Rev Coffee Roasters

home to Truist Park, the Cumberland District and more. Smyrna’s best of fall options include:

Best game day spot: Market Village

The City of Smyrna hosts College Football Saturday in Market Village each fall, which

There’s always something worth stepping out for.

Brown Bag Concert Series

Fence Art Gallery in Thurman Springs Park

Spooktacular Chase 5k/10k

Fall Festival Trunk-or-Treat

Christmas Parade, Tree Lighting, and more includes a huge outdoor screen and plenty of tailgate activities. smyrnaga.gov

Best hiking, biking or multipurpose trail: Concord Road Linear Trail

Located at Concord Road Linear Park, this multi-use trail features paved sidewalks, open spaces, benches and a public art installation—a great combination for a beautiful fall day. smyrnaga.gov

Best holiday spot or event: Coming Home for the Holidays

Featuring an annual tree lighting and plenty of seasonal activities, this beloved event takes place around City Hall and into Market Village; this year’s event takes place on November 29. smyrnaga.gov

Best place to shop for a new fall wardrobe: Heart & Sole Boutique

Dress yourself in fall favorites from head to toe at this women’s clothing and shoe shop, located in a charming converted house in the heart of Smyrna. Facebook.com/HeartSole

Best place to get your pumpkin spice fix: Rev Coffee Roasters

This funky coffeehouse, which is housed in a converted garage, is a small-batch coffee roaster and one of the best places to grab your favorite pumpkin-inspired fall beverage. revcoffee.com n