2023-11-16 07:57:51
Georgia’s capital city offers a wealth of activities, from world-class arts and major-league sports to top-notch shopping and inventive dining. Even with all the big-city amenities, the state’s largest metropolis also manages to exude down-to-earth charm, thanks in large part to its many neighborhoods. The first MICHELIN Guide Atlanta gives food enthusiasts a lot more to explore in Georgia’s capital city. In this inaugural year, five restaurants earned one MICHELIN Star, two earned MICHELIN Green Stars, 10 earned a Bib Gourmand rating and 30 are Recommended eateries. SCAN HERE for the full list of awards. Eat Immerse yourself in Atlanta’s international dining scene along Buford Highway: Try Vietnamese pho at Lee’s Bakery, Szechuan dumplings at Gu’s Kitchen and Mexican seafood at Mariscos El Veneno. Or taste an eclectic mix of cuisines at Colony Square’s elegant Politan Row food hall, complete with a hidden cocktail lounge and curated tasting experience that raises the bar of communal dining—think ponzu tuna bowls, chutney-topped pizzas and oxtail street tacos. Make dinner plans at chef Deborah VanTrece’s globally inspired fusion-soul-food restaurant, Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours, a consistent standout in Atlanta’s robust foodie scene. Try the flash-fried chicken wings with coconut gravy, sweet-tea baby-back ribs and peach-cobbler parfait to satisfy chic comfort-food cravings. Sleep Rest up at Hotel Clermont, the restored 1924 boutique hotel with a popular rooftop lounge, or The Candler Hotel Atlanta, an art deco wonder built in 1906 by Coca-Cola founder Asa Candler. GEORGIA AQUARIUM As the first-ever aquarium to be designated as autism certified, Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta goes above and beyond for guests with disabilities. It offers Sensory Hours each morning that consist of lower guest capacity, reduced audio, sensory aids and quiet spaces. Sensory bags can be checked out anytime and contain noise-canceling headsets, fidget devices and “I need/I feel” cards to help nonverbal visitors communicate. Whether admiring the animals of the ocean or watching one of the shows, everyone can have an enjoyable visit at this aquarium. — shalese Heard & Cory Lee Do A stroll or bike ride on the Atlanta BeltLine, the 22-mile redeveloped path of former rail tracks circling in-town Atlanta, will take you through some of the most storied communities. Explore Old Fourth Ward, home to the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park. Don’t miss Ponce City Market, either, for hip shopping and towering views of Buckhead, Midtown and downtown all from the rooftop Skyline Park. Follow the BeltLine’s Eastside Trail north to Virginia- Highland, known for its quaint boutiques and lively restaurant and pub scene. Take the West End Trail to discover some of the city’s oldest neighborhoods, including West End and Westview, where you’ll find the historic Morehouse and Spelman colleges. Then motor downtown to experience world-class attractions like the World of Coca-Cola where you can sip beverages from around the world, guess the ingredients by their scents and see the hypnotic bottling process. Experience for yourself what it was like to participate in a lunch-counter sit-in, where demonstrators sat at segregated lunch counters, via a thought-provoking simulation at The National Center for Civil and Human Rights. Or see all manner of sea creatures in vast underwater exhibits—from penguins and beluga whales to manta rays and seahorses— at Georgia Aquarium. Then get out in nature only miles from downtown Atlanta at Sweetwater Creek State Park in Lithia Springs. Trek a forest-rimmed trail to Civil War-era ruins, then climb the bluffs for views of white-capped river rapids below.
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