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OFFICIAL VISITORS GUIDE OF ATLANTA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

DISCOVERATLANTA.COM

ATLANTA NOW WINTER 2026-27

SEASONAL SPLENDOR MAKE WINTER SPARKLE WITH FESTIVE HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS, INSPIRING MLK DAY EVENTS AND BOLD PERFORMANCES FROM COMPANIES LIKE ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER.

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

SEE PAGE 6

DATE NIGHTS

SEE PAGE 24

WINTER SPORTS SEE PAGE 32

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CONTENTS WINTER 2026-27

Holiday Happenings Guide

Discover holiday traditions and experiences.

Winter Wonders

Explore four top winter events and activities this season.

Winter Performances

Grab tickets for Atlanta’s must-see winter performances.

Events and Exhibitions at the Attractions

Discover what’s new at Atlanta’s attractions.

Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day Honor Dr. King through Atlanta’s inspiring history.

Legacy of Black-owned Businesses Explore Atlanta’s thriving Black-owned businesses and heritage.

HBCU Battle of the Bands

6 10 12 14 19 20

Find electrifying performances from HBCU marching bands.

En Español (Spanish) Citas de invierno en Atlanta

22 23

Qué hacer en Atlanta en Familia Next-Level Date Nights

Plan unforgettable date nights around the city.

Award-Winning Restaurants

Savor the city’s award-winning dining experiences.

2026 MICHELIN Guide

Find new restaurants to explore.

New Gear and Where to Wear It Shop stylish activewear and discover new workouts.

Winter Sports in Motion

Catch the action at Atlanta’s winter sporting events.

Atlanta Maps

Find your way wherever you go.

Y’all Come Back

Plan your next trip around our beloved festivals and annual events.

30 32 34 38

Above: Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at Atlanta Botanical Garden PHOTO: SCOTT WHITE

ON THE COVER: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performs annually at the Fox Theatre. PHOTO: © PAUL KOLNIK

DISCOVERATLANTA.COM

Discover Atlanta Now is the Official Visitors Guide of

233 Peachtree Street Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30303 404-521-6600 1-800-ATLANTA DiscoverAtlanta.com PUBLISHER Julie Minear

EDITOR’S PICKS

EDITOR Liesl Merkel ART DIRECTOR Scott White

BY BRIGITTE MERKEL

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Sheretha Bell

Miracle on Peachtree

MANAGING EDITOR Daniela Cintron

Come to Buckhead and celebrate the holidays with performances, twinkling lights and family fun, all along Peachtree Street.

December

Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Jan. 1, 2027

The Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, this year’s College Football Playoff quarterfinal game, is played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and includes opportunities such as FanFest and other special events.

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Discover Atlanta Editorial Team

with a commemorative service at Ebenezer Baptist Church, a day of service and special citywide events.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Feb. 17-21, 2027

Enter a world of modern dance, new works and crowd favorites at the Fox Theatre.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

ACCOUNT MANAGER Lisa Werneck

Jan. 18, 2027

Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Interested in Advertising? Contact jminear@discoveratlanta.com

LOOKING FOR MORE EVENTS HAPPENING THIS WINTER? DiscoverAtlanta.com/events

ATLANTA WELCOMES

Nov. 19-22

2026 Anime Weekend Atlanta

Feb. 10-17, 2027

CHEERSPORT National All Star Cheerleading Championship

SEC Football Championship 2026

Jan. 12-18, 2027

Feb. 22-25, 2027

Dec. 9-12

Market 2027

2026 Cricket Celebration Bowl

Jan. 1, 2027 ZOO ATLANTA

Jan. 7-10, 2027 & Sporting Expo

Dec. 5

Giant panda Ping Ping at Zoo Atlanta

BEN ROSE PHOTOGRAPHY

Miracle on Peachtree in the Buckhead Village District

2026 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl (Quarterfinal Game)

2027 DSC Convention

Winter Atlanta

Grainger Sales Meeting 2027

Feb. 25-27, 2027 Jan. 26-28, 2027 International

Production and

AASA National Conference on Education

Processing Expo (IPPE) 2027

WINTER 2026-27

Georgia Aquarium

Holiday traditions are the best, whether it’s caroling with neighbors, enjoying a meal or attending concerts or events. Recently named Best Cold Weather Winter Holiday Destination by WalletHub, Atlanta boasts a unique holiday spirit with iconic experiences found only in the city.

GEORGIA AQUARIUM

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS GUIDE A Stone Mountain Christmas

BY MARY WELCH AND LIESL MERKEL

Winter Fest

The Atlanta History Center hosts Winter Fest on Dec. 5 with family activities all day long. Explore the beautifully decorated historic homes on the property, shop for the perfect gift, make holiday crafts and enjoy story times. Santa will be ready for photos and the Goizueta Gardens will be decked out in winter splendor.

IllumiNights

When the sun goes down, Zoo Atlanta lights up with more than 100 hand-painted lanterns in the shapes of wildlife, brilliant flowers and other colorful creations from Nov. 19 to Jan. 17, 2027. Follow the milelong illuminated path while the animals snooze and warm up with cocktails, hot cocoa and s’mores to make your evening a tad cozier.

DISCOVERATLANTA.COM

Garden Lights, Holiday Nights

The Atlanta Botanical Garden delivers a dazzling show of light installations that shine so brightly that drivers can see them from nearby Piedmont Avenue. Midtown’s 30-acre garden oasis glows with illuminated tunnels, pathways and light synchronizations. Don’t miss the spectacular light curtain, choreographed to holiday music, then linger for s’mores, hot cocoa and seasonal cocktails for the grown-ups. “Garden Lights, Holiday Nights” shines from Nov. 14 to Jan. 10, 2027.

Winter Wonderland

Experience holiday traditions at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, where “Winter Wonderland” transforms the atrium into a festive compilation of cultures from around the world from Nov. 21 to Jan. 10, 2027. Decorated

STONE MOUNTAIN PARK

ATTRACTIONS LIGHT UP

trees and displays showcase holiday celebrations, events and traditions. New this year, “68 Voices” (Nov. 14Jan. 10, 2027), presented in conjunction with “Winter Wonderland,” explores the heritage and cultural traditions of an Indigenous Mexican community. Narrated in 68 Mexican indigenous languages, the artistic series reimagines traditional stories and culture through Mexican illustrators’ and authors’ work, along with tales passed down through oral tradition.

Celebrate with the Fishes

Each year, the Georgia Aquarium transforms into a shimmering winter wonderland filled with twinkling lights, festive music and ocean magic. This season, the aquarium launches a new holiday activation: WinterTide. Running through Jan. 2, 2027, WinterTide features festive food and beverages, cheerful music, special animal presentations and the whimsical wonder of Santa’s Village. Marvel at the 40-foot holiday trees and capture memories with Santa as you explore the galleries.

A Stone Mountain Christmas

A Stone Mountain Christmas features seasonal fun on weekends and select holidays from Nov. 7 through Jan. 3. Visitors can enjoy favorite experiences such as the Christmas Parade, the Tree Lighting Ceremony with Santa’s Big Flight and the Magical Christmas Drone & Light Show. Be dazzled by more than 2 million lights cascading through the trees and lawn as music fills the air. During Jurassic Christmas, the park’s dinosaurs are decked out for the season and the Dino Glow Experience adds nighttime fun.

SEASONAL SHOWSTOPPERS

100th Annual Spelman-Morehouse Christmas Carol Concert

Celebrating a century of community and music, the Spelman and Morehouse College Glee Clubs will return for this special holiday tradition, Dec. 4-6. Come for an evening of carols and choral arrangements as both choirs combine voices to celebrate tradition and community at Morehouse College (Dec. 4 and 6) and at Spelman College (Dec. 5).

to the actors beforehand—invades the performance each night.

Atlanta Ballet’s “The Nutcracker”

Step into the enchanting world of “The Nutcracker” as the Atlanta Ballet dances to Tchaikovsky’s beloved score, performed live by the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra. Audiences will be dazzled by the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Nutcracker Doll, the Mouse King and the Nutcracker Prince as they take the stage Dec. 5-26 at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.

HOLIDAY TREE AND MENORAH LIGHTINGS Nov. 21 Light the Station

Atlantic Station kicks off the season with Light the Station, featuring the lighting of a 50-foot Christmas tree and a parade.

Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus Holiday Concert

Nov. 22 Light up the Season

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

Nov. 28 The Battery Atlanta Tree Lighting

The Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus returns to the Cathedral of St. Philip for its 46th annual concert, Dec. 4-5, which will be more spectacular than ever with the addition of a live orchestra accompanying the chorus.

Each year, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra goes all out for the holiday season, inviting families to experience a concert together in celebration. “Elf in Concert” is up first Nov. 28-29, followed by “Family Concert: Winter Wonderland” on Dec. 6, featuring actors and dancers decking the halls and spreading holiday cheer with a special sing-along. “A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live on Stage!” follows on Dec. 9 as Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the whole Peanuts gang learn the real meaning of Christmas.

Piedmont Park shines bright with a tree, menorah and kinara lighting after the holiday lantern parade during Light Up the Season.

Celebrate the 10th annual tree lighting with live entertainment.

Dec. 6 Light up the Holidays

Rodney Cook, Sr. Park in historic Vine City welcomes the season with a tree lighting and family activities.

Continued on page 8

Not one, not two, but three productions of this beloved holiday classic welcome locals and visitors each year. Catch one of Atlanta’s most treasured holiday traditions, “A Christmas Carol,” at the Alliance Theatre (through Dec. 27), and experience a dazzling adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic with live music and stunning sets. At the Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse, “A Christmas Carol” runs Dec. 5–23, as a handful of performers tell this tale of redemption with song and plenty of holiday cheer. Dad’s Garage Theatre Co. presents “Invasion: Christmas Carol” on select dates Nov. 23-Dec. 30, when an unexpected character—unknown

ALLIANCE THEATRE

“A Christmas Carol”

“A Christmas Carol,” at the Alliance Theatre WINTER 2026-27

“Christmas with the ASO” fills the hall with carols, hymns and festive holiday songs Dec. 10-13. Featuring the voices of the Morehouse College Glee Club, the Spivey Hall Children’s Choir and the ASO Chorus, this concert creates lasting memories. Other holiday traditions include Handel’s “Messiah” on Dec. 17 and “Sounds of the Season” on Dec. 23.

Center for Puppetry Arts

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and his friend Hermey the Elf, two misfits on the run, set off on a heartwarming adventure of acceptance and self-discovery in the Center for Puppetry Arts’ production of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (through Dec. 27). Not even Bumble, the Abominable Snow Monster, can spoil their spirit.

“The Hip Hop Nutcracker”

“The Hip Hop Nutcracker” returns for another spectacular tour, with a Dec. 26 performance at the Fox Theatre. Directed and choreographed by Tony- and Olivier Award-nominee Jennifer Weber, this contemporary dance spectacle remixes and reimagines the classic—blending hip hop dance and Tchaikovsky’s timeless music into a heartwarming, inspirational holiday event. “The Hip Hop Nutcracker” boasts a powerhouse cast of a dozen all-star dancers, a DJ, a violinist and MC Kurtis Blow, one of hip hop’s founding fathers, who opens the show with a short set.

NEIGHBORHOOD CHEER Atlantic Station

Light the Station on Nov. 21 kicks off the holiday season at Atlantic Station with the Santa arrival parade and tree lighting. The shopping and entertainment destination also hosts a Screen on the Green movie night each third Thursday of the month on Nov. 19 and Dec. 17. Adopt a child in need at the Angel Tree and Santa’s House will be available for photos Nov. 22-Dec. 24, including a special session for furry family members.

Home for the Holidays Designer Showhouse

In its 13th year, the Home for the Holidays Designer Showhouse features an elegant home each year, showcasing decorated rooms by Atlanta’s finest designers. This year, the 2026 showhouse is a 10,000-square-foot Buckhead mansion, featuring the work of 17 local designers in five bedrooms and nine bathrooms. Tours, festive events and demonstrations will highlight the 15-day fundraiser benefiting Earn2Give, in partnership with Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles.

Midtown Bright

Midtown—the epicenter of Atlanta’s arts district—glows as bright as Broadway during Midtown Bright. More than 250,000 LED lights adorn 100-plus trees on Peachtree Street, creating an atmosphere of holiday cheer along one of the city’s most famous streets.

“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” at Center for Puppetry Arts

Miracle on Peachtree

Miracle on Peachtree turns every corner of Buckhead into a place for laughter, lingering and making holiday memories. The season’s lineup includes toy drives for charity, a hot chocolate crawl, a treelighting ceremony, wreath decorating and appearances by Santa on the Buc. Miracle on Peachtree takes place at various locations, including Buckhead Village District, Lenox Square, Peachtree Place and along Peachtree Street. Several of Buckhead’s restaurants will also offer special holiday events and menus.

CONNECTING THROUGH KWANZAA

Celebrate Kwanzaa on Dec. 27 at the African Diasporic Art Museum of Atlanta with an afternoon of art, culture and community connections, honoring the second day of Kwanzaa (self determination). Children’s Museum of Atlanta presents The Missing Candle: A Kwanzaa Mystery, an interactive musical and family show on Dec. 19.

Atlanta Ballet’s “The Nutcracker”

SHOCPHOTO LLC

HOLIDAY POP-UP BARS

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CLAY WALKER

Continued from page 7

Poised to become another holiday tradition, the Tipsy Santa Christmas PopUp Bar at American Dive (Nov. 27–Dec. 25) brings creative cocktails, live music and a touch of holiday mischief to downtown Atlanta. Other holiday pop-up bars include The Blind Elf at Tin Lizzy’s in Midtown, Westside Sleigh Ride at Westside Motor Lounge and Jingle Bar at Chattahoochee Food Works.

26 | 27 SEASON PRESENTED BY

December 5–26, 2026 Cobb energy centre

Live with the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra

Get your seats before they’re gone! Recommended for ages 4 and up.

February 13–21, 2027 Cobb Energy Centre

Glamor. Desire. Tragedy. The must-see event of the season! Underwritten by Nancy Field & Michael Schulder. Recommended for ages 10 and up. Atlanta Ballet dancers Rachel Olivia Zinman & Guilherme Maciel. Photo by Rachel Neville. Background art by Monica Lind.

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

ATL ANTABALLET.COM

Supported by

Costume sketches by Sandra Woodall

The Carlos Family in honor of Thalia N. Carlos presents

Embrace the season with Atlanta’s coolest winter experiences. From dazzling light displays to ice skating, immersive exhibitions and festive pop-ups, the city knows how to make winter anything but boring. Whether you’re entertaining out-of-town guests or looking for ways to enjoy the season yourself, here are four top experiences that will add some sparkle to your itinerary.

Skate the Station at Atlantic Station

ICE SKATING

Hit the ice at one of many places to skate, perfect for family outings, dates or just a place to show off your best—or most questionable—skating moves. Some rinks even add to the fun with themed events like disco or onesie nights. Intown, Skate the Sky returns to The Roof at Ponce City Market on Nov. 27, paired with festive food, themed cocktails, holiday pop-up bars and private igloos, plus year-round favorites like mini golf and boardwalk games. Skate the Station at Atlantic Station and Park Tavern offer even more opportunities to glide through the season in the heart of Midtown. Beyond the city, check out High Street Skate in Dunwoody, Skate City Springs in Sandy Springs and the rink at Avalon in Alpharetta.

“Toy Factory” at Pullman Yards

PULLMAN YARDS

WINTER WONDERS

GENE PHILLIPS | ATLANTAPHOTOS.COM

BY LIESL MERKEL

PULLMAN YARDS

Play, create and imagine at Pullman Yards, where there’s always something new to explore. “Toy Factory,” running through Dec. 29, invites people of all ages into a secret toymaking world filled with games, immersive environments, colorful characters and the chance to build a toy of your own. Art enthusiasts can step into the realm of street art with “The Art of Banksy: ‘Without Limits,’” (through Jan. 10, 2027). The limited-run exhibition features more than 200 original certified artworks from the anonymous street artist Banksy that include prints, installations, murals and sculptures.

COSM ATLANTA

Atlanta Jewish Film Festival

BILL HATHERLEY

A brand-new experience in the city, Cosm Atlanta in Centennial Yards opened this past June. The three-level, 70,000-squarefoot shared reality venue will feature “George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker” this holiday season, making visitors feel like as if they are onstage with the New York City Ballet’s dancers and performers. Guests will be immersed in the enchanting Snow Scene and a 41-foot Christmas tree while sampling themed food and beverages.

Rounding out the season and (hopefully) rolling the credits on winter, the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival returns Feb. 17-March 14, 2027 with a star-studded lineup of stories, cinematic experiences and community. Catch films on the big screen at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center, Plaza Theatre, Tara Theatre and Springs Cinema and Taphouse, featuring special guests and panels.

10 DISCOVERATLANTA.COM

Cosm Atlanta

STK MEDIA

ATLANTA JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL

WINTER PERFORMANCES

SECTION

PAUL KOLNIK

Wintertime in Atlanta comes alive onstage, with theaters and performance venues presenting beloved holiday classics, Broadway hits, contemporary works and unforgettable dance, music and comedy.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

BY MARY WELCH

Alliance Theatre

MATTHEW MURPHY

“BOOP! The Musical”

Cirque du Soleil’s “‘Twas the Night Before…”

The Alliance Theatre fills the winter season with an eclectic lineup for audiences of all ages. At the Selig Family Black Box Theatre, “Knock, Knock” will delight audiences Nov. 14 to Dec. 23. Heading into 2027, “Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile: The Musical” runs Jan. 23 to Feb. 25 at the Goizueta Stage for Youth & Families, while “The Birthday of the World” takes the Selig stage Jan. 23 to Feb. 14. On the Hertz Stage, “Miseducated” runs Jan. 27-Feb. 21, followed by “Alice in Neverland” on the Coca-Cola Stage Feb. 20April 4.

KYLE FLUBACKER

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

“Water for Elephants”

Atlanta Ballet

MATTHEW MURPHY

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The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater returns to the Fox Theatre (Feb. 17-21) to wow audiences with stunning new works and perennial favorites. Under the artistic direction of Alicia Graf Mack, the company will perform works that have moved fans for years, including Alvin Ailey’s “Revelations,” the ultimate anthem to resilience and joy.

The Atlanta Ballet leaps into the roaring ‘20s with its premiere of choreographer Septime Webre’s lavish production of “The Great Gatsby” (Feb. 13-21). Inspired by F. Scott Fitzgerald’s iconic novel, the production brings the glamour, romance and intrigue of the Jazz Age to life through dance.

Atlanta Opera

The Atlanta Opera will perform one of the world’s best-known operas, “Carmen” (Jan. 30Feb. 7). George Bizet’s story of desire and defiance centers on the independent Carmen as she catches the attention of Don José. Familiar melodies and electrifying characters make this production a must-see at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra goes all out this season, welcoming Broadway stars Kristin Chenoweth (Dec. 16) and Leslie Odom Jr. (Dec. 21-22). The lineup also includes music from “Carmen” and “Romeo and Juliet” (Dec. 3-5); Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox (Dec. 18); “Brahms Revealed: Fourth Symphony” (Jan. 14-16); “Chopin Piano Concerto No. 1” (Jan. 2830); The Black Jacket Symphony featuring Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” (Feb. 7); and “SpiderMan: No Way Home in Concert” (Feb. 11-13).

Dad’s Garage Theatre Company

For a dose of comedy, Dad’s Garage offers its signature zany improv throughout the theater season. “Theatersports” takes the stage on Saturdays, alongside a variety of other productions with different tones and something for all ages. “Black Nerd” (Feb. 26-March 27) explores life’s challenges through a story centered on self-acceptance and embracing what makes each of us unique.

daring hoop diving and highenergy dancing. Other Broadway in Atlanta productions this season include “Death Becomes Her” (Nov. 17-22), “Mrs. Doubtfire” (Dec. 15-20), “BOOP! The Musical” (Jan. 12-17) and “Water for Elephants” (Feb. 2-7).

“Liza Christmas with a Z”

Out Front Theatre

SYDNEY LEE

Out Front Theatre, which produces plays that center LGBTQIA+ voices, presents “Liza’s Christmas with a Z: A Gay Fantasia on Holiday Themes” (Dec. 3-19), followed by “Lipstick” (Jan. 28-Feb. 13).

Fox Theatre

The Fox Theatre celebrates 97 years of magical productions, and the historic venue makes every performance an occasion. Take in a show beneath its exotic Moroccan-style architecture and ornate Moorish- and Egyptian-inspired

decor, where the setting feels almost as spectacular as the performance. The Broadway in Atlanta series highlights Cirque du Soleil, returning with its celebrated holiday theatrical “‘Twas the Night Before…” (Dec. 2-13), featuring a mesmerizing aerial straps duo,

Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse

Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse puts a playful spin on the Bard with “Shakespeare out of a Hat” (Jan. 8-10), featuring outrageous comedy and plenty of improv. Next comes “Much Ado About Nothing” (Jan. 16-31), followed

by romance repertory in February with the 23rd anniversary production of “Romeo and Juliet” (Feb. 6, 12, 14, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28) and additional performances of “Much Ado About Nothing” (Feb. 7, 11, 13, 14, 18, 19). Come early to enjoy a drink and a bite from the tavern kitchen before the show.

Theatrical Outfit

Theatrical Outfit in downtown Atlanta presents “All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914” (Dec. 2-27), based on the true story of enemy soldiers on the Western Front who laid down their arms in a brief moment of peace. In February, the company returns Feb. 24-28 with “What the Constitution Means to Me,” premiering in Atlanta. * For even more holidaythemed performances, please see page 6 .

WINTER 2026-27

BY LIESL MERKEL

FIND YOUR FUN

These ATL classics have something for all ages, including live creature features at each one. Midtown’s Atlanta Botanical Garden offers a tranquil destination at any time of year, starting in the winter season with Garden Lights and Holiday Nights (Nov. 14-Jan. 10). Then, Orchid Daze (Feb. 13-April 11) will feature a dazzling, colorful compilation of beautiful orchids alongside East Asian-themed murals and paintings by Atlanta artist Brandon Sadler. Stroll through Storza Woods, wander through the Japanese Garden and warm up at the

14 DISCOVERATLANTA.COM

“The Secret World of Elephants” at Fernbank Museum of Natural History

Fuqua Conservatory while viewing colorful but deadly poison dart frogs and quail hidden in the brush. At Fernbank Museum of Natural History, the new Orkin Discovery Zone features live Madagascar hissing cockroaches, tarantulas and frogs, while the world’s largest dinosaurs stand ready to welcome guests in the atrium. “The Secret World of Elephants” (through Jan. 3, 2027) examines the biology, intelligence and ecological importance of Earth’s largest land animals. Venture outside to Fernbank Forest and explore the country’s largest old-growth urban Piedmont forest.

World of Coca-Cola

SCOTT WHITE

Winter in Atlanta is anything but dreary. Step inside some of the city’s most iconic attractions and discover something new. Even if it’s not your first visit, Atlanta’s top destinations offer fresh experiences worth exploring.

EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS AT THE ATTRACTIONS

ZOO ATLANTA

IllumiNights at Zoo Atlanta

Visit Zoo Atlanta during the winter months and discover many new exciting additions. Two new giant pandas—Ping Ping and Fu Shuang—arrived at Zoo Atlanta through a partnership with the China Wildlife Conservation Association. They will reside in the Arthur M. Blank Panda Grove, thanks to a $6 million renovation to the giant panda habitat. Check out the newly renovated African lion habitat and visit Scaly Slimy Spectacular, which showcases the zoo’s reptile residents in an inviting, serene setting. At night, IllumiNights (Nov. 19-Jan. 17) reflects the grounds in a whole new light. Continued on page 16

Continued from page 14

National Center for Civil and Human Rights connects Atlanta’s civil rights legacy with today’s global human rights issues. Highlights include a mesmerizing 30-foot mural depicting 20th-century protests and human rights movements, galleries spanning the Reconstruction era and Civil Rights Movement and writings from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. New additions include the Change Agent Adventure for children 12 and under and a new cafe. “The People’s Game: Soccer and Human Rights” (through June 2027) explores soccer’s role in social change.

“More Perfect Union: The American Civil War Era” at Atlanta History Center

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ATLANTA HISTORY CENTER

At the Children’s Museum of Atlanta, children ages 8 and under can learn and explore through play. “Doc McStuffins: The Exhibit” (through Jan. 10, 2027) introduces young visitors to health and wellness through imaginative play experiences.

Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum

On the other end of Centennial Olympic Park is the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame, where sports fans can view a wall featuring more than 760 college football helmets, a 45-yard indoor football field and more than 50 interactive exhibits. “Keith Duncan: Battle of the Bands,” an exhibition celebrating the artistry and cultural impact of HBCU marching bands.

CHEERS TO 100 YEARS

Two of Atlanta’s legendary attractions commemorate centennial anniversaries in 2026 with new offerings in a timeless setting. The landmark High Museum of Art celebrates 100 years with 200 new-to-themuseum works, many on view for the first time. Highlights include quilts by African American artists housed in the recently reinstalled African Art galleries; Nigerian modernism by artists Ben Enwonwu, Rufus Ogundele and Bruce Onobrakpeya; a large-scale mural by Fritz Wilhelm Winold Reiss; a rare Jacob Lawrence painting; and contemporary furniture by Isamu Noguchi. Beyond the museum walls, the celebration continues. A partnership with MARTA Artbound, Midtown Alliance and Dash Studio has transformed the Arts Center Station with a bold mural by artists Kristen Consuegra and Matthew Evans. Colorful wayfinding designs by Branden Collins of XR R adio lead visitors from the station to the museum entrance.

High Museum of Art

SCOTT WHITE

The 20-acre Pemberton Place houses three Atlanta must-sees. Dive into the underwater world at Georgia Aquarium, home to belugas, whale sharks, sea lions, African penguins and more than 100,000 marine animals. Meet new binturong friends Tutti Frutti and Popcorn, explore the reimagined River Scout gallery and get a closer look at whale sharks in the Ocean Voyager gallery. At World of Coca-Cola, discover the history and global reach of the world’s most popular soft drink. Explore interactive exhibits, catch a film in the 4D theater and sample more than 100 Coca-Cola beverages.

SCOTT WHITE

Atlanta’s downtown centerpiece greenspace is surrounded by familyfriendly attractions that celebrate the city’s love of sports, history, culture and fun.

National Center for Civil and Human Rights

JUSTIN CHAN PHOTOGRAPHY

CIRCLING CENTENNIAL OLYMPIC PARK

Meanwhile, Atlanta History Center celebrates 100 years with exhibitions and programs exploring the people, places and stories that shaped the city. “Atlanta in 100 Objects” displays 100 items representing the city’s distinct character, including General Sherman’s 1864 siege map, 1950s couture gowns and the disco ball from Backstreet, the fabled 24-hour nightclub. The Museum’s new $16 million Civil War exhibition overhaul, “More Perfect Union: The American Civil War Era,”examines the conflict’s origins, impact and legacy. This winter, the second phase of this exhibition opens with “The Hard Hand of War: Soldiers, Weapons, and Mass Production.” The new Atlanta Student Movement exhibition inside “Gatheround: Stories of Atlanta” showcases the pivotal role of Atlanta’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities students in the Civil Rights Movement.

HISTORY AND HOMES

Atlanta’s museums and historic homes bring the city’s remarkable stories to life, from presidential history and Jewish heritage to African American art and architecture. Georgia-born President Jimmy Carter has a special place in Atlanta history. At the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum, learn about Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter’s lives and legacy through historic pieces and interactive exhibits, then explore their global humanitarian efforts through The Carter Center. Continued on page 18

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Celebrating its 30th anniversary, The Breman Museum honors Jewish culture, history and resilience. “Treasures and Tchotchkes” presents stories through objects preserved across generations, while “Absence of Humanity: The Holocaust Years” shares personal stories and mementos of Atlanta-area holocaust survivors. At Hammonds House Museum, discover the cultural work and legacy of artists of African descent. Housed in a Victorian residence once belonging to Dr. Otis Thrash Hammonds, an Atlanta physician and arts patron, the museum presents “NU AFRICANS” (through Dec. 13), exploring the evolution and experiences of Africans of the Diaspora. The Herndon Home Museum, a National Historic Landmark, offers a glimpse into Atlanta’s past through its 15-room Beaux Arts Classical mansion through guided tours. The mansion was built by Alonzo Herndon, who was born into slavery and later became Atlanta’s first Black millionaire.

COLLEGE MUSEUMS

Some of Atlanta’s most intriguing museums are tucked onto college campuses, offering everything from ancient artifacts to contemporary art and fashion. Clark Atlanta University Art Museum, open by appointment, houses contemporary works by acclaimed artists with ties to Atlanta, including Benny Andrews, Radcliffe Bailey, Sheila Pree Bright, Kojo Griffin and Larry Walker. At Spelman College Museum of Fine Art, “Between Here and Infinity: Celebrating 30 Years of the Spelman College Museum” features more than 80 works by Black women artists, including Elizabeth Catlett, Faith Ringgold and Carrie Mae Weems. At Emory University, the intimate Michael C. Carlos Museum displays ancient art from around the world across three levels, featuring earthenware, antiquities and a fascinating display of Egyptian mummies. Oglethorpe University Museum of Art in Brookhaven displays “Realism Revisited” (through Feb. 28), covering realist movements and featuring artists such as

HAMMONDS HOUSE MUSEUM

Continued from page 16

“NU AFRICANS” at Hammonds House Museum

Raphael Soyer, Minna Wright Citron, Henri Matisse and Henry-Bonaventure Monnier. Fashion takes center stage at SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film, where “C.Z. Guest: Portrait of an American Style Icon” (through Feb. 21) explores the fashion trailblazer and “Emily in Paris: Fashion Without Rules — Costumes by Marylin Fitoussi” can be seen until March 14. For more in-depth holiday information, please see our Holiday Traditions and Winter Wonders articles.

Teach Them To Dream Big

Step Into the Oval Office at the Jimmy Carter Library

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CELEBRATE MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY

SCOTT WHITE SHUTTERSTOCK

OTHER CIVIL RIGHTS DESTINATIONS TO VISIT FOR MLK DAY:

Eternal Flame at Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park

Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church

SCOTT WHITE

BY DISCOVER ATLANTA NOW EDITORIAL TEAM

“Behold” Monument

SCOTT WHITE

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed on the third Monday of January (Jan. 18, 2027). From a day of service to lectures, exhibits, concerts and art, there are a number of ways to observe MLK Day in Atlanta. Honor Dr. King in his birthplace of Atlanta by visiting historic landmarks and celebrating the lives and efforts of civil rights icons.

Fire Station No. 6

The Sweet Auburn District houses Auburn Avenue, known in the early 20th century as the “richest Negro street in the world.” Visit attractions and historic sites including:

• Prince Hall Masonic Lodge and Temple — MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK

Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park is a perfect place to explore the life and legacy of Dr. King. The family-friendly and free park is composed of landmarks, monuments and exhibits.

• Visit historic Fire Station No. 6, one of the

South’s first desegregated firehouses, and the temporary home of the National Park Service Visitor Center while the visitor center undergoes renovations.

• See the International World Peace Rose

Garden and view the “Behold” Monument.

• Tour the home where Dr. King was born. • Listen to the sermons and speeches of

Dr. King at Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church. Browse exhibits about the history of the church and explore the sanctuary.

• Visit The King Center, which continues

the headquarters of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (until 2007).

• The APEX Museum (African American

Panoramic Experience) tells stories of early African American pioneers who helped transform Atlanta.

• Madame C.J. Walker Museum is housed

in one of Walker’s preserved, franchised “beauty shoppes” and celebrates the legacy of America’s first self-made female millionaire.

• Auburn Avenue Research Library houses a dedicated Martin Luther King Jr. collection, mostly focused on the aftermath of his 1968 assassination.

Also visit:

• The National Center for Civil and Human Rights connects the American Civil Rights Movement to today’s global human rights movements.

• If you are traveling by air, tour the exhibits

to spread nonviolent ministry through educational and inspirational materials including audio, video and the writings of Dr. King. Pay your respects at Dr. and Mrs. King’s tombs and view the Eternal Flame.

at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Find “Good Trouble: A Tribute to Congressman John Lewis” in the Domestic Terminal atrium and “Legacy of a Dream,” a display about Martin Luther King Jr., on Concourse E.

• Each year, The King Center observes

• Many of Atlanta’s attractions, including the

Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a multi-day celebration of the life and accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. Events range from the Beloved Community Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church to performance art and charitable workshops.

Atlanta History Center and the Children’s Museum of Atlanta, host Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemorations at their venues.

• The Royal Peacock Lounge, has been open

since 1937 as a legendary hub for Black music and still operates today.

WINTER 2026-27

THE LEGACY OF BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES IN ATLANTA Atlanta has been a hub for the Black community throughout history. With its accomplishments in the Civil Rights Movement and its reputation as “Black Hollywood,” the city is not shy about Black excellence. Atlanta leads the nation in Black-owned businesses in 2026, according to a LendingTree report, and it’s hard to imagine the city without the many Black businesses that shaped it and contribute to its growth. From technology and innovation to food and hospitality, the legacy of Black businesses makes this city rich in history and culture.

Magazine in 1956. As Sweet Auburn’s “unofficial mayor,” John Wesley Dobbs contributed greatly to making the district a bustling and cultural hub.

The Busy Bee

Citizens Trust Bank

Dating back to 1947, this soul food spot has long been intertwined with Black history, particularly during key political and cultural movements. At its original location, it hosted regulars like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., John Lewis, Andrew Young and Aretha Franklin. What started as a small luncheonette run by brothers James and Robert Paschal expanded into a popular establishment known for its famous fried chicken—which guests can still order today.

The Municipal Market

Also known as the Sweet Auburn Curb Market, the Municipal Market is a living legacy. During segregation, Black patrons were allowed to shop inside but could only vend outside on the curb, located on Auburn Avenue—“the richest Negro Street in the World,” according to Fortune

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This iconic soul food landmark has been serving the Atlanta community since 1947. The restaurant was established by self-taught cook Lucy Jackson during the segregation era. It was later bought by Milton Gates in 1983 and has been led by his daughter, Tracy Gates, since 1987. By preserving family recipes and prioritizing keeping Lucy’s legacy, Busy Bee continues to expand with two new locations set to open at Atlantic Station and Centennial Yards.

Bronner Bros. International Beauty Show

The family-owned and -operated Bronner Bros. Enterprise has transformed the beauty industry. The Bronner Bros. International Beauty Show, once held annually in February, influences beauticians, salon owners, industry professionals, stylists and spectators worldwide as the largest multicultural beauty show in the nation. From hair competitions to fashion shows, this international show offers endless talent and education.

Founded in 1921 by five Black businessmen known as the “Fervent Five,” Citizens Trust Bank was created to help Black Atlantans who were denied access to mainstream financial services. It became the first Black-owned bank to join the FDIC and still operates today.

Atlanta Daily World

Founded in 1928 by William Alexander Scott II, the Atlanta Daily World gave Black readers a voice and reported on civil rights, business, politics and other important issues. It remains one of the nation’s oldest continuously published Black newspapers. The original Atlanta Daily World building still stands on Auburn Avenue.

H. J. Russell & Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs

Herman J. Russell was an Atlanta native who became a well-known businessman after taking over his father’s plastering business. He won contracts for major buildings, including the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation and Community

CHRIS WATKINS

Paschal’s

Atlanta Life Insurance Company

Founded by Alonzo Herndon in 1905, the story of Atlanta Life Insurance Company is the inspiring tale of someone born into slavery realizing his ancestors’ wildest dreams. After purchasing a small mutual aid and burial association, Herndon transformed it into one of the most successful Black-owned businesses in the country, which still remains headquartered in Atlanta today. The historic Herndon Home mansion, designed by Alonzo’s wife, Adrienne, is open for tours in the city’s Westside.

BY AUBREE DUMAS

Paschal’s

Center, and became a partner in building MARTA train stations and HartsfieldJackson Atlanta International Airport parking decks. While many of the products of his hard work still live on today, so does the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE), which brings Russell’s vision—“to foster a national entrepreneurial spirit”—to life.

Historic Herndon Home Museum

HBCU BATTLE OF THE BANDS

BY BEN LOPEZ

Before college football games even begin, the whole stadium can already feel like the stage. Historically Black Colleges and Universities’ marching bands combine athleticism, choreography, pride, tradition and music to electrify the field and its fans. For bands competing for the Red Lobster Band of the Year title, those game-day performances are more than a Saturday afternoon spectacle. Each one counts toward the season-long competition, which culminates in the national championship on Dec. 11. As a center of HBCU culture and a hub for Black music, Atlanta is a worthy host city for this year’s championship and the competition leading up to it this fall. Set to take over Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the Band of the Year national championship brings together top-performing college and university marching bands, blending the energy of college football, the pride of HBCU culture and the spectacle of Black pageantry on the field.

HISTORY OF PAGEANTRY/HBCU MARCHING BANDS

HBCU marching bands weren’t always the elaborate productions we associate them with today. Many Black universities founded their own marching bands in the late 19th century, drawing on military band traditions and religious music. Military precision, the call-and-response and synchronicity of “show style” performances trace back to broader Black American culture that has evolved into an impressive collegiate legacy. Tuskegee University and Florida A&M University are just a couple of universities recognized for helping set the marching band standard.

Explosive drumlines, step routines and group formations are key elements that make these shows the spectacle they are. Many HBCU bands consist of bass-heavy instrumentals, technical dance squads and curated uniforms that work together to create something both theatrical to watch and powerful to hear. In Atlanta in particular, schools like Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta University have long been a major part of the city’s musical and cultural landscape. Beyond the music, school pride among students and alumni fuels the spirit and energy that make these events so special. Pageantry and pride show that HBCU band performances are more than a show—they’re a celebration of tradition and school spirit.

RED LOBSTER BAND OF THE YEAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Rather than sharing the field with football, the Red Lobster Band of the Year competition puts the spotlight squarely on the marching bands. As a competition that celebrates a season’s worth of effort and execution from each participating HBCU band, Mercedes-Benz Stadium becomes the largest stage for them to showcase their excellence and for students, alumni and fans to represent their schools. Instead of letting a team’s single performance decide the national champion, bands will compete throughout the season, with their performances evaluated across five major categories: musicality, drill/design, percussion, drum majors and auxiliaries, with general effect/showmanship considered on championship day. The top two finalists from divisions I and II, plus two metro

Atlanta high schools, will compete to crown each division’s national champion. Whether you’re watching from the stands or streaming from home, the championship offers a chance to tune in to the action and experience the captivating energy and pageantry of HBCU marching bands firsthand. The competition begins at 7 p.m. on Dec. 11 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with tickets available for those attending in person and a live stream available on ESPN+.

KEITH DUNCAN’S COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME BATTLE OF THE BANDS ART EXHIBITION

While most of the excitement happens on the field, HBCU marching bands aren’t just part of the football experience—they are a cultural experience of their own. From now until May 2027, you can experience that excitement in a new form. Highlighting the vibrancy, movement and tradition of HBCU band pageantry, New Orleans-based artist Keith Duncan’s work is on exhibition at the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame. Displaying his 44 works, Duncan’s art highlights the significance of these bands in Black college football culture. His collection of large-scale fabric paintings captures the movement, uniforms and formations that make these performances recognizable. This exhibit offers visitors a chance to see the artistry behind band pageantry from a completely different perspective. Duncan captured the visual identity of 15 Southern HBCUs, including Atlanta’s own Morehouse College. From the field to the gallery, these featured pieces show why marching band performances have become such an important part of HBCU culture and translate that energy into a different medium. Whether you’re a fan of football, music or art, Keith Duncan’s Battle of the Bands: The HBCU Marching Bands Series offers another way to experience the culture surrounding HBCU marching bands all season long. From the heart of the city’s HBCU campuses to the field of Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the galleries of Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame, Atlanta has HBCU marching bands on full display. It’s a unique chance to experience the sounds, movements and traditions that have made these impressive bands a keystone of HBCU culture. WINTER 2026-27

EN ESPAÑOL

CITAS DE INVIERNO EN ATLANTA

El invierno en Atlanta invita a salir y disfrutar de la noche. Imagina cenas romaticas, excelentes vinos, museos abiertos hasta tarde, música en vivo, jardines iluminados y muchas excusas para arreglarte y salir. Invita a esa persona especial y prepárate para disfrutar de una velada inolvidable. POR ALISON RAMÍREZ

Cena, buenos tragos y un toque de romance

Comienza con una cena en algún lugar nuevo. En Virginia-Highland, So. Fox ofrece cocina de temporada, cócteles con ingredientes locales y una excelente selección de vinos en un ambiente relajado. En Old Fourth Ward, Sargent combina clásicos estadounidenses y franceses con una destacada carta de vinos. Después, visita Il Premio para disfrutar de jazz en vivo los viernes y sábados. Si buscas algo más elegante, Botánico Cocina & Social Club, en Midtown, combina cocina latina al fuego, platillos para compartir y cócteles de agave en un espacio inspirado en un jardín. El Fox Theatre está a menos de una milla, perfecto para terminar la velada con un espectáculo.

Recorre el Beltline a tu propio ritmo

¿Por qué elegir un solo destino cuando puedes explorar todo el vecindario? Haz del Atlanta Beltline tu itinerario: comparte algunos platillos, disfruta de una bebida y sigue recorriendo la ciudad. El Eastside Trail conecta Krog Street Market, Old Fourth Ward, Ponce City Market e Inman Park, con restaurantes, bares, tiendas y parques a lo largo del recorrido. Haz una parada para tomar una copa en Casi Cielo, 3 Parks Wine o Finca to Filter. Después, disfruta del aire fresco en Historic Fourth Ward Park y termina en Ponce City Market con compras, postre o diversión en la azotea.

Una competencia amistosa

Los juegos son una excelente manera de romper el hielo. Painted Park combina comida, bebidas y juegos cerca del Beltline, ideal para una primera cita o una salida con amigos. Para algo más emocionante, Beat The Bomb convierte la noche en un desafío por equipos.

Museos de noche y luces de invierno

Jazz los viernes por la noche en el High Museum of Art

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Cambia la típica cena por una noche cultural. Fernbank After Dark ofrece exhibiciones, música en vivo, bebidas y actividades científicas para adultos. Los viernes, el High Museum of Art organiza noches con DJ, cócteles, jazz y acceso a sus galerías fuera del horario habitual. Para una experiencia mágica, abrígate bien y visita Garden Lights, Holiday Nights en Atlanta Botanical Garden o IllumiNights en Zoo Atlanta. Recorre jardines iluminados y senderos de faroles antes de terminar la noche con una cena acogedora.

QUÉ HACER EN ATLANTA EN FAMILIA

¡Es hora de disfrutar de una salida en familia! ¿Qué les gustaría hacer a los niños? ¿Y a los adultos? No hay problema. Muchas de las principales atracciones de Atlanta ofrecen actividades para todas las edades. Estas son algunas ideas para crear recuerdos en familia. POR DANIELA CINTRON

Diversión y aprendizaje

Si viajas con niños pequeños, el Children’s Museum of Atlanta es un excelente punto de partida. Diseñado para niños de 0 a 8 años, este museo es un lugar mágico donde los pequeños aprenden a través del juego. Sus exhibiciones exploran temas como las artes, la ciencia, la ingeniería y la geografía. En LEGO Discovery Center, los niños pueden construir sus propias creaciones, explorar mundos de LEGO, disfrutar de una película en 4D y

EN ESPAÑOL

Explora la naturaleza

Georgia Aquarium es una experiencia imperdible para todas las generaciones. Recorre túneles de cristal rodeados de peces, observa de cerca desde medusas hasta tiburones ballena y descubre las fascinantes criaturas marinas que habitan en sus enormes acuarios. También puedes reservar encuentros especiales con animales. Para disfrutar del aire libre, visita Zoo Atlanta, donde encontrarás animales de todo el mundo, áreas de juego, un zoológico interactivo y la oportunidad de alimentar jirafas y cabras. Por su parte, Atlanta Botanical Garden ofrece un hermoso oasis en Midtown, con jardines, una casa del árbol y una zona de juegos acuáticos para los pequeños.

Historia, cultura y creatividad

Las familias también pueden aprender mientras se divierten. El Atlanta History Center cuenta con exhibiciones galardonadas, casas históricas, jardines y experiencias interactivas. Los niños pueden explorar la historia de la ciudad mediante juegos y actividades prácticas en Goizueta Children’s Experience.

Para una experiencia educativa más profunda, visita el National Center for Civil and Human Rights y Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park. Ambos permiten conocer a las personas y los movimientos que marcaron la historia de Estados Unidos y siguen inspirando a nuevas generaciones.

Experiencias para compartir entre generaciones

Desde conciertos familiares de Atlanta Symphony Orchestra hasta espectáculos del Alliance Theatre, Atlanta ofrece numerosas oportunidades para disfrutar de las artes escénicas. Si prefieren una aventura al aire libre, Stone Mountain Park cuenta con senderos para caminar, minigolf, actividades de aventura y festivales durante todo el año. Y, por supuesto, ninguna visita familiar estaría completa sin conocer World of Coca-Cola, donde grandes y chicos pueden descubrir la historia de esta icónica bebida y probar sabores de diferentes países en la experiencia Taste It!.

Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park WINTER 2026-27

embarcarse en aventuras interactivas. Otra excelente opción es el Center for Puppetry Arts, donde los espectáculos de títeres y el Worlds of Puppetry Museum entretienen tanto a niños como a adultos.

LEGO DISCOVERY CENTER

Children’s Museum of Atlanta

DUSTIN PATRICK SMITH

LEGO Discovery Center

SECTION

NEXT-LEVEL DATE NIGHTS Winter in Atlanta is made for staying out late. Think candlelit tables and excellent wine, museums after dark, live music, glowing gardens, competitive games and plenty of excuses to dress up. Grab your favorite person and make it a memorable evening.

DINNER, DRINKS AND A LITTLE ROMANCE

BY ALLISON RAMIREZ

JENNIFER BOXLEY

Fox Theatre

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Start with dinner somewhere new. In Virginia-Highland, So. Fox is laid-back but extra special, with seasonal cooking, cocktails made with hyper-local ingredients and a wine-focused approach. It’s equally suited for catching up with a friend or lingering over a bottle of bubbles with a date. Make a reservation or grab a spot at the standing bar, then stroll through the neighborhood and maybe end with a dive-bar nightcap. In Old Fourth Ward, Sargent is another wine lovers’ paradise, pairing American and French classics with an excellent list. Go all in with a whole roast chicken or prime rib for two, or keep it casual with a burger at the bar. Then head over to Il Premio for live jazz on Fridays and Saturdays. For a more dressed-up evening, Botánico Cocina & Social Club in Midtown brings live-fire Latin cooking, shareable dishes and agave-forward cocktails to a lush, garden-inspired space. Make it dinner and a show — the Fox Theatre is less than a mile away.

FERNBANK MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

Fernbank After Dark

BOP AROUND THE BELTLINE

Why commit to one destination when the whole point is to be out? Make the Atlanta Beltline your itinerary: Pick a place to start, share a few plates, grab a drink and keep moving. The Eastside Trail makes it particularly easy, connecting Krog Street Market, Old Fourth Ward, Ponce City Market and Inman Park with restaurants, bars, shops and parks along the way. Stop for a glass at Casi Cielo, 3 Parks Wine or Finca to Filter or head toward Krog Street for a bite before heading north. Historic Fourth Ward Park is a nice place to pause and breathe in the crisp air. Finish at Ponce City Market for some shopping, dessert or fun on the rooftop.

OR TAKE THE SCENIC ROUTE

Maybe skip the Beltline altogether and take MARTA. Take a museum crawl around Midtown with The Breman, Center for Puppetry Arts or Museum of Design Atlanta, then hop on the train and head to another neighborhood for lunch. Head east to Edgewood for sandwiches at Bona Fide Deluxe and wine tasting at Vin ATL,

5CHURCH BUCKHEAD

SECTION

5Church Buckhead

or head north to Buckhead via MARTA for a completely different kind of experience. In Buckhead, start with dinner at 5Church Buckhead or St. Cecilia, or share mezze at Zakia Lebanese Cuisine with stunning decor and floor-to-ceiling windows. Finish with a drink at Spaceman rooftop bar overlooking the community.

FRIENDLY COMPETITION

Spending time with someone new? Games make for great conversation starters. Painted Park combines food, drinks and games in a Beltline-adjacent space, making it an easy choice for a first date, double date or birthday. For something more high-energy, Beat The Bomb turns a night out into a team challenge. For those itching to belt out favorite tunes, FAMFAM Karaoke Suites in downtown Atlanta offers BYOB private rooms, with spaces suited for small groups and larger parties. If you’re heading north, MICS Karaoke is another fun option with private suites, cocktails and small plates.

Pasta-making lesson at Bellina Alimentari

TAKE A COOKING CLASS TOGETHER

Skip the dinner reservation and make a meal together. Sign up for a cooking class or demonstration at Vino Venue, browse Atlanta Botanical Garden’s Outdoor Kitchen classes or head to Bellina Alimentari at Ponce City Market for a hands-on pasta-making lesson. It’s part date, part dinner, and you might learn something useful along the way.

MUSEUMS AFTER DARK & WINTER LIGHTS

OLIVIA RESTAURANT GROUP

Sargent

SARGENT

ANTHONY CUNANAN

Beat The Bomb

Trade the usual dinner-and-drinks routine for a night at the museum. Once a month, Fernbank After Dark turns the museum into an adults-only evening with exhibits, live music, drinks and science programming, while the High Museum of Art’s Friday nights feature DJs, cocktails, jazz and after-hours gallery time. Both are ideal for an art-loving date or a group of friends. For the most magical winter night, bundle up and head to Garden Lights,

Holiday Nights at Atlanta Botanical Garden, or IllumiNights at Zoo Atlanta. Wander through illuminated gardens or a glowing lantern trail, then follow it with a cozy dinner or late-night drink.

MAKE IT A DAY DATE

For those who like to adventure outdoors, head south to Serenbe for a trail ride through the countryside. Serenbe Trail Riding offers guided horseback rides along the community’s scenic trails. Follow it with lunch or a stroll around Serenbe. Atlanta’s coffee scene is giving daytime dates a little more personality, with pop-ups, residencies and cafés that make grabbing coffee feel like an actual outing, no matter what time of day. Check out Storyteller Goods inside Home grown GA, Cometa Coffee at La Semilla, Enid Coffee at Comunidad or the new Midtown spot Amistad Coffee Co. For a coffee date that stretches into the evening, Little Tart After Dark transforms the bakery into a nighttime hang on weekends. WINTER 2026-27

SECTION DINING Bacchanalia

BRANDI INMAN

AWARD-WINNING RESTAURANTS BY LIA PICARD

Aria

Set in a former home on a quiet stretch of Buckhead, Aria feels not unlike a dinner party at someone’s house. Much of that is thanks to Andrés Loaiza, the general manager-turned-owner who is always on hand to make guests feel welcome — he’s also the wine director. It’s no wonder that Wine Spectator awarded it a Best of Award of Excellence in 2026. The other part is the food coming out of the kitchen, which has recently taken a modern turn under executive chef Austin Goetzman. A Lazy Betty alum, Goetzman brings a knack for turning seasonal ingredients into artful dishes.

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Atlas

Hidden on the ground floor of the St. Regis Atlanta, Atlas blends old-school elegance with plush green banquettes and a stunning art collection featuring works by Chagall, Picasso and other notable artists. Chef Freddy Money’s menu similarly takes an artful approach to highlighting premium ingredients. No meal is complete without a visit from the cheese cart, offering carefully selected options from Capella Cheese. Atlas holds one MICHELIN Star, a Five-Star rating from Forbes Travel Guide and a Best of Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator.

Aria

Bacchanalia

BRANDON AMATO

Atlanta’s restaurants have plenty of hardware to show for their work. MICHELIN Stars, James Beard awards, Forbes Travel Guide ratings and Wine Spectator awards are just some of the accolades that have recognized the city’s dining scene. Winning isn’t everything, but together, these honors offer a snapshot of just how great Atlanta’s restaurants can be. From neighborhood institutions to celebrationworthy stalwarts, these restaurants are raising the bar in Atlanta.

Open since 1993, Bacchanalia is one of Atlanta’s original farm-to-table institutions. The restaurant, located in a modern farmhouse-style building in West Midtown, showcases seasonal produce — much of it sourced from chef-owner Annie Quatrano’s farm, Summerland. Though much of the tasting menu changes often, there are a couple of beloved staples, like the crab fritter and house-baked bread. It holds one MICHELIN Star and earned a Four-Star rating from the Forbes Travel Guide.

ANDREW THOMAS LEE

VISIT DECATUR

SECTION DINING

The Deer and the Dove

Lazy Betty

The Busy Bee

The Deer and the Dove

In 2023, chef-owner Terry Koval of the Deer and the Dove earned the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southeast. It doesn’t take more than a couple of bites at this Decatur restaurant to understand why. Koval carries on Atlanta’s tradition of prioritizing farm-to-table ingredients and centers his kitchen around live-fire cooking. Expect dishes like crudités served with “wasted” pesto hummus (pesto made with veggie scraps) and cocktails made with locally foraged serviceberries. The menu also includes a thoughtful mix of handmade pastas and protein-forward dishes like wood-fired rabbit.

Lazy Betty

The name “Lazy Betty” pays homage to co-owner Ron Hsu’s mother, Betty Hsu, who was anything but lazy. A longtime restaurateur who passed away in 2019,

GRAFTABLE

An Atlanta institution since 1947, the Busy Bee earned a James Beard America’s Classics Award in 2022. Lucy Jackson opened its original downtown location and quickly made it a hotspot for excellent fried chicken. Beyond its famous 12-hour marinated fried chicken, the restaurant also became a hub during the Civil Rights Movement, when leaders like the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., John Lewis and Hosea Williams made it their gathering spot. Other celebrities, including former President Barack Obama and Oprah, have visited since. The restaurant is also expanding, with new locations planned for Atlantic Station and Centennial Yards. The Busy Bee

Betty inspired her son to work tirelessly to reach new culinary heights at Lazy Betty, which resides in a Midtown office building. The high-end restaurant is known for careful attention to detail and a beautifully presented tasting menu. At the bar, guests can stop in for a drink and a four-course menu. There’s also a dessert tasting menu offered exclusively at the bar. Lazy Betty holds one MICHELIN Star and a Best of Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator.

Mujō

Entering Mujō’s dining room in West Midtown feels like stepping into a liminal space. There are no windows, so it feels cut off from time, and instead it’s just you, a handful of other guests and a sleek omakase bar. There’s also a lively

playlist with hip-hop tunes, because it’s still Atlanta, after all. The specialty here is Edomae-style sushi, in which fish is cured to enhance its flavor and texture. Mujō has one MICHELIN Star.

O by Brush

A restaurant within a restaurant, O by Brush resides inside Buckhead’s Brush Sushi and holds one MICHELIN Star. Though it is a high-end affair with a 20-course omakase tasting experience, the vibe is convivial and warm. The evening includes a mixture of prepared dishes and Edomae-style sushi, including dry-aged fish. What really stands out here are the details, whether they are the vintage glassware or beautifully plated desserts by pastry chef ChingYao Wang. WINTER 2026-27

DINING

MICHELIN GUIDE ATLANTA 2026 AWARDS

ZACH HILTY/BFA.COM

Atlanta has a story to tell – a culinary one, indeed. In its fourth year, and second as part of the American South selection, the MICHELIN Guide Atlanta recognized 64 restaurants you must try, including six great additions from the previous year. BY DANIELA CINTRON

MICHELIN MINDFUL VOICES Chef Ryan Smith, Uberto Restaurant (Contemporary)

ONE-STAR RECIPIENTS • Atlas (American), • O by Brush Freddy Money

• Bacchanalia

(Contemporary American), Anne Quatrano, Clifford Harrison and Kai Nalampoon

• Hayakawa (Japanese), Atsushi Hayakawa

• Lazy Betty

(Contemporary American), Ron Hsu and Aaron Phillips

• Mujō (Japanese Sushi), J. Trent Harris

• The Alden (Contemporary

American), Jared Hucks Temporarily closed following a fire; check before visiting.

• Avize (Alpine European), Karl Gorline

• Banshee (New American), Nolan Wynn

• Best BBQ

(Cantonese Barbecue and Dim Sum)

• BoccaLupo (Italian American), Bruce Logue

• Chai Pani

(Indian Street Food), Meherwan Irani and Sahar Siddiqi

• THE CHASTAIN

(New American), Christopher Grossman

• The Deer & The Dove

(Contemporary American), Terry Koval

• Delbar (Middle Eastern), Fares Kargar

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(Japanese Omakase), Jason Liang

• Omakase Table

(Japanese Sushi), Leonard Yu

BIB GOURMAND RECIPIENTS • Fred’s Meat & Bread

• Antico Pizza Napoletana (Neapolitan Pizza), Giovanni Di Palma • Arepa Mia

(Venezuelan), Lis Hernandez

• Bomb Biscuit Co. (Southern), Erika Council

• So. Fox (Contemporary

• The Busy Bee

• Spring (Contemporary

• Estrellita (Filipino),

• Uberto (Farm-to-Table

• Fishmonger

American), Myles Moody and Rachael Pack – NEW American), Brian So

Tasting Menu), Ryan Smith – NEW

(Southern Soul Food), Tracy Gates Walter Cortado

(Seafood), Bradford Forsblom

MICHELIN-RECOMMENDED RESTAURANTS • Fawn (Seafood), Terry Koval • Lucky Star (Taiwanese), Jason Liang • Food Terminal (Malaysian), Lyla Lila (Southern European), Amy Wong • Craig Richards • The General Muir • Madeira Park (Jewish Deli), Todd Ginsberg

• Georgia Boy

(Contemporary American), Joey Ward

• Han Il Kwan (Korean) • Hen Mother Cookhouse

(American Breakfast and Brunch), Soraya Khoury

• Home Grown (Southern), Kevin Clark

• Kamayan ATL (Filipino), Mia Oriño

• Kimball House

(Contemporary American), Ollie Honderd

• Miller Union

(Seasonal Southern), Steven Satterfield

• Nam Phuong (Vietnamese) • Pho House (Vietnamese) • Pink Lotus (Thai),

Niki Pattharakositkul – NEW

• Poor Hendrix (Contemporary American), Aaron Russell

• Ryokou (Japanese), Paul Gutting

(American and Seafood), Arturo Justo

• Snackboxe Bistro

Hand-Pulled Noodles)

• Southern Belle

• Lanzhou Ramen (Chinese • Little Sparrow (French), Bob Ryan

(Lao Street Food), Thip Athakhanh (Contemporary Southern), Joey Ward

(Sandwiches), Todd Ginsberg

• Heirloom Market BBQ

(Korean and Southern Barbecue), Cody Taylor and Jiyeon Lee

• Little Bear (Contemporary), Jarrett Stieber

• Summerland

(Contemporary American), Anne Quatrano – NEW

• Tipsy Thaiger (Thai),

Birdie Niyomkun, Phudith Pattharakositkul and Candi Lee – NEW

• Whoopsie’s (American), Hudson Rouse

• Spring 2nd Branch (Korean), Brian So – NEW

• Staplehouse (American), Ryan Smith

• Storico Fresco Alimentari (Italian)

• Superica (Tex-Mex), Ford Fry • Table & Main (Southern), Woolery “Woody” Back

• Talat Market (Thai), Parnass Savang and Rod Lassiter • Ticonderoga Club

(Contemporary American), David Bies

• Tomo (Japanese), Tomohiro Naito

• Twisted Soul Cookhouse and Pours (Southern Soul Food), Deborah VanTrece

• Woo Nam Jeong (Korean) • Xi’an Gourmet House (Shaanxi Chinese)

Now AT L A N TA’ S N E W D E S T I N AT I O N F O R E X T R AO R D I N A RY D I N I N G P R I M E ST E A KS F R E S H S E A FO O D S I G N AT U R E S US H I L I V E E N T E RTA I N M E N T AWA R D -W I N N I N G W I N E S

190 MARIETTA ST. NW, STE 200 | ATLANTA, GA 30303 | MASTROS.COM

SECTION SHOPPING High Country Outfitters

BY LIESL MERKEL AND AUBREE DUMAS

GET THE GEAR

Big Peach Running Co.

Whether you are a marathoner or just looking for a more comfortable walk around town, Big Peach Running Co. helps you put your best foot forward. With 14 metro Atlanta locations, including one in Midtown, this locally owned business offers a free, awardwinning shoe-fitting experience to find your best footwear. Beyond shoes, the store carries performance apparel, accessories and a calendar of upcoming races to help you tackle your next challenge.

30 DISCOVERATLANTA.COM

High Country Outfitters

Atlanta’s outdoor crowd has been styling its adventures at High Country Outfitters since 1975. This locally owned favorite has eight metro Atlanta locations, including Midtown’s Ansley Mall and Buckhead, stocked with everything from trail-ready footwear and daypacks to hammocks and outdoor apparel. Expect adventure-ready brands such as Vuori, On Running, Barbour, YETI, Owala and Smartwool—perfect for a mountain weekend, a backyard gathering or a casual coffee run.

Rocky Mountain Ski & Board

Rocky Mountain Ski & Board has you covered, whether you’re planning a ski vacation or just need a new outdoor coat. This family-operated shop in Sandy Springs has served the Atlanta area, as well as adventurers from neighboring states, since 1973. Find ski and snowboarding apparel and accessories for all ages with guidance from the expert staff. Beyond their deep knowledge of high-performance gear, the team provides custom ski boot fittings and insider recommendations on the best places to ski —all included with the price of your gear.

Big Peach Running Co.

Performance Style

BIG PEACH RUNNING CO.

Atlanta makes it easy to find stylish activewear and keep the workouts interesting. Discover where to find the latest gear from local boutiques and retail destinations, then explore unique, out-of-the-box ways to work up a sweat across the city.

HIGH COUNTRY OUTFITTERS

NEW GEAR AND WHERE TO WEAR IT

Level up your activewear game with national favorites in some of Atlanta’s top shopping destinations. At Buckhead Village, Vuori brings a fresh take to performance apparel, blending fitness and everyday style with polished, versatile pieces. Head to Lenox Square for Fabletics, Adidas, Lululemon, Alo Yoga, Nike Atlanta and Athleta, or browse FP Movement by Free People at Phipps Plaza. Ponce City Market is home to additional locations of Lululemon and Alo Yoga.

SHOPPING

With your gear in hand, it is time to hit the trails or explore the city’s unique fitness spots. An Atlanta fitness journey does not have to follow a conventional path. Redefine your fitness routine with some of these out-of-the-box ideas.

Poses with Paws and Hoofs

Atlanta’s cutest yoga classes come with furry distractions. Every Saturday and Sunday, Puppy Yoga Atlanta pairs your downward dog with furry pals during the ultimate self-care experience. Or head to GGA Dwarf Goat Yoga in Tucker for an open-air class where tiny goats climb and scamper right across your back while you stretch. Bring your own mat or borrow one, strike a few poses and be ready for photo ops or even a dance break with your new furry friends.

Hiking the Trails

Escape the hustle of the city on some of Atlanta’s best hiking trails. Nothing beats a scenic workout with unique views, whether you’re climbing to the top of Stone Mountain, discovering folk art along the Doll’s Head Trail at Constitution Lakes Park or jogging along the Atlanta Beltline Eastside Trail.

The Overlook Boulder + Fitness

Test your upper body strength at The Overlook Boulder + Fitness, an indoor bouldering gym fit for both first timers and experience climbers. It doesn’t matter if you’re into rock climbing or unique fitness classes, The Overlook has something for all levels. OUTLET SHOPPES AT ATLANTA

OUT-OF-THE-BOX FITNESS IDEAS IN ATLANTA

Painted Pickle

Known as America’s fastest-growing sport, pickleball has taken Atlanta by storm. At Painted Pickle, this “compeatery” venue allows you to play pickleball along with other gaming options while enjoying a great dining experience.

Sky Barre

Have you ever tried working out while floating? Aerial silks at Sky Barre is a suspension-based fitness class that builds strength, flexibility and mobility. With several different class styles, you can easily find a session that works for your skill level.

Xcel Studios

Whether you’re a trained dancer or have no experience at all, there’s nothing like breaking a good sweat while moving your body. Test your dance skills with a class at Xcel Studios and choose from various genres like ballet, jazz, contemporary and hip-hop.

THE OUTLET SHOPPES AT ATLANTA

The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta features more than 100 brandname stores, including Coach, Kate Spade, Vineyard Vines and Tommy Hilfiger. Located in Woodstock, just a short drive from downtown Atlanta, The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta also offers a variety of dining options, including new food hall eateries.

JOLEEN PETE

Dwarf Goat Yoga

AUBREE DUMAS

LIESL MERKEL

Hiking trail at Stone Mountain Park

Painted Pickle WINTER 2026-27

SECTION SPORTS

WINTER SPORTS IN MOTION After a spectacular WNBA Finals run by Atlanta Dream, Atlanta’s winter sports scene officially heats up as anticipation builds for an unforgettable season. BY DEMETRIUS BELL

Atlanta Falcons

Bijan Robinson and the Atlanta Falcons look to finish strong as the regular NFL season winds down. Three Falcons games remain at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and two will be key NFC South matchups. The Detroit Lions will roar into town for Week 13 on Dec. 6 at 1 p.m., and then the Falcons will host two straight home games. The Falcons will face divisional rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and then circle back on Jan. 3, 2027, at 1 p.m. That’s when the New Orleans Saints make their annual visit for a game that always brings a lively, exciting atmosphere.

Atlanta Hawks

32 DISCOVERATLANTA.COM

ADAM HAGY

Atlanta Hawks

The NBA is back in the ATL as Jalen Johnson and the Atlanta Hawks kick off another exciting season at State Farm Arena in downtown Atlanta. Fans have three chances to grab a Hawks-themed

soccer jersey—Dec. 3 against the Indiana Pacers, Dec. 20 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, and Dec. 29 against the Chicago Bulls. On Dec. 23, the team will celebrate the holiday against the Detroit Pistons, then host a SpongeBob-themed night on New Year’s Eve when the Milwaukee Bucks visit. The viral “Single AF” Night will be on Jan. 7 against the Pacers. The Hawks will have their annual MLK Day game on Jan. 18 against LeBron James and the Philadelphia 76ers, followed by Black Excellence Night on Feb. 1 against Trae Young and the Washington Wizards. The promotional schedule rounds out with the Kids Game on Feb. 7 against the Denver Nuggets, and HBCU Night on Feb. 12 against the Phoenix Suns.

SEC Championship

As usual, the road to the College Football Playoff runs through Atlanta, where the

JACK JEFFERY

Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Sradium

SPORTS annual SEC Championship will likely pit two of the nation’s best teams against each other, with plenty at stake. Set for Dec. 5 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, tickets to this marquee matchup routinely sell out quickly, so grab your seats now.

Celebration Bowl

The SEC Championship Game is only the beginning of what will be a busy football stretch at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Atlanta hosts the annual Cricket Celebration Bowl, which pits the SWAC champions against the MEAC champions for the right to claim the HBCU National Championship. Played in the national spotlight, the game has built a reputation as one of the most exciting matchups of the bowl season. Scheduled for Dec. 12, it remains a must-watch for college football fans.

Peach Bowl

The exciting college football action at Mercedes-Benz Stadium will culminate on New Year’s Day, as the annual Chickfil-A Peach Bowl is back on Jan. 1, 2027. Last season, it served as a semifinal game in the College Football Playoff, won by the eventual national champion Indiana Hoosiers. While this season’s game will be a quarterfinal matchup, the road to the national championship could once again run through Atlanta. This gives fans a chance to see a new championshipwinning team on its path to glory while enjoying high-level college football.

Marcilina Grayer will bring the Panthers to new heights as they run the court all winter. Those won’t be the only two schools taking the hardwood this season. The Morehouse Maroon Tigers and the Clark Atlanta Panthers will compete in Division II’s SIAC conference. Morehouse’s first conference home game will be at Forbes Arena on Nov. 19 against in-state rival Albany State, while the Panthers will kick off their SIAC season on the same date at L.S. Epps Gymnasium against Miles College. The two AUC rivals will then meet on Jan. 16 at Forbes Arena for what’s been dubbed the “Big Cat Hardwood Classic.

SEC Football Championship Game: 35 Years of Football Tradition

For more than three decades, the SEC Football Championship Game has been a pivotal moment in college football, bringing together the Southeastern Conference’s

top teams for a game that captures the spirited rivalries of the South. Celebrating its 35th year on Dec. 5, the championship marks its 33rd year in Atlanta. The championship debuted in 1992 at Birmingham’s Legion Field, where Alabama defeated Florida, 28-21. In 1994, the game moved to Atlanta’s Georgia Dome, which hosted 23 consecutive championships. Since 2017, MercedesBenz Stadium has welcomed the annual event, often drawing sold-out crowds. The game has featured some of the SEC’s most memorable matchups and helped launch 14 conference teams to national championships. As the sport enters a new era with an expanded 24-team College Football Playoff, the 2026 game will be the final edition of the SEC Championship Game. Its legacy remains an important part of Atlanta’s identity as a premier destination for major sporting events.

SEC Championship

College Basketball

Plenty of college basketball is on offer across Atlanta. The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets will send their men’s and women’s teams to battle in hopes of making the NCAA Division I Tournament. The women’s team will play its first ACC home game Dec. 13 against the Pitt Panthers, while the men’s squad opens its home ACC schedule on Dec. 30 against the Duke Blue Devils. All home games will be played at McCamish Pavilion on Georgia Tech’s campus. Best of luck to head coaches Scott Cross and Karen Blair as they look to guide their respective teams to glory once spring rolls around. Just down the road, the Georgia State Panthers men’s team will kick off its home Sun Belt Conference schedule on New Year’s Eve against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles, while the women start their conference slate Dec. 19 against the Troy Trojans. Head coaches Jon Cremins and WINTER 2026-27

MUSEUM OF PAPERMAKING

14th St. NW

●

COUCH PARK

Dr. NW

●

Ferst Dr.

●

16th St. NW

North Ave. NE

GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Ferst Dr.

10th St. NW

● ROBERT C. WILLIAMS

ATLANTA CONTEMPORARY

No rth sid e

W t. N hS 18t

MILLENNIUM GATE ●

●

ATLANTIC STATION

●

BOBBY DODD STADIUM

●

McCAMISH PAVILION

17th

W St. N

●

15th St.

44 42

MARGARET MITCHELL HOUSE & MUSEUM

●

FOX 54 THEATRE

●

MIDTOWN

4th St. NE

7th St. NE

North Ave. NE

Ponce De Leon Ave. NE

3rd St. NE

12th St. NE

13th St. NE

14th St. NE

11th St.

Linden Ave. NE EMORY UNIVERSITY ● HOSPITAL ● SHAKESPEARE TAVERN PLAYHOUSE

NORTH AVENUE

WINN PARK

●

8th St. NE

9th St. NE

10th St. NE

PIEDMONT PARK

●

ATLANTA BOTANICAL GARDEN

●

ANSLEY GOLF CLUB

ANSLEY PARK

●

CENTRAL PARK

●

60 STONE MOUNTAIN PARK ●

PONCE CITY MARKET ●

FERNBANK MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY ●

EUBANKS PARK

● ● ● HIGH MUSEUM OF ART ● ALLIANCE THEATRE COMPANY ● ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

MUSEUM OF DESIGN (MODA)

t. hS 17t

Beverly Rd. NE

FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF ATLANTA

ARTS CENTER

62 53

THE BREMAN

RHODES ● HALL

CENTER FOR PUPPETRY ARTS ●

Techwood Dr. NW

State St. NW

SCAD FASH MUSEUM

PEACHTREE ST. NE

Deering Rd. NW

Juniper St. NE

Piedmont Ave. NE

Luckie St. NW

Spring St. NW

Spring St. NW pring St. NW

Myrtle St. NE

Argonne Ave. NE NE

Pie d m on tA ve. NE Durant Pl. NE

side Dr. NW

W. Peachtree St. NW

St.

ST.

Charles Allen Dr. NE rkway Dr. NE

W .N wy Pk h c Te

rd NE

Grid

Ellis Hotel Atlanta, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel....... B-5

Courtyard by Marriott Atlanta Downtown........... B-5

Courtland Grand Hotel................................................. B-5

Club Wyndham/Margaritaville.................................. B-5

Clarion Inn and Suites Atlanta Downtown............ A-6

Barclay Hotel Atlanta Downtown............................. B-5

Cumberland Rd. NE

Atlanta Marriott Marquis.............................................. B-5

Aloft Atlanta Downtown............................................... B-4

AC Hotel Atlanta Downtown...................................... B-5

27 Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park.................. B-5

26 Moxy Atlanta Downtown............................................. A-5

25 JW Marriott Atlanta Downtown................................ B-4

24 Inn at the Peachtrees, Ascend Hotel Collection.............................................. B-4

23 Hyatt Regency Atlanta.................................................. B-5

22 Hyatt Place Atlanta / Centennial Park..................... A-4

21 Hyatt Place Atlanta / Downtown............................... B-4

20 Hyatt House AtlantaVirg / Downtown ............................ A-4 inia Ave. NE

19 Hotel Phoenix.................................................................... A-5

18 Hotel Indigo Atlanta Downtown............................... B-5

17 Home2 Suites by Hilton Atlanta Downtown........ B-5

16 Holiday Inn Express & Suites Atlanta Downtown.......................................................................... B-5

15 Hilton Garden Inn Atlanta Downtown.................... A-5

14 Hilton Atlanta.................................................................... B-5

Amsterdam Ave. NE 13 Hampton Inn & Suites Atlanta-Downtown ........... B-5

12 Hampton Inn Atlanta - Georgia Tech Downtown.......................................................................... A-4

11 Glenn Hotel, Autograph Collection........................ B-5

10 Embassy Suites by Hilton Atlanta at Centennial Olympic Park............................................. B-5

DOWNTOWN

E. Morni ngsi de D r. N E

ATLANTA DOWNTOWN & MIDTOWN HOTELS Piedmon t Ave. NE

Monroe Dr. NE

34 DISCOVERATLANTA.COM

W e. N ll Av phi m e H

Ponce De Leon Pl. NE

E T. N ES TRE H C PEA

28 Origin Hotel....................................................................... St. CharlesB-6 Ave. NE

ill McG

. NE 37 Westin Peachtree Plaza Atlanta................................ B-5 Blvd

●

PARK Atlanta.............................................. B-5 36 The Ritz-Carlton,

HISTORIC 35 The Connally Hotel Downtown Atlanta................. B-5 FOURTH WARD

34 The Candler Hotel Atlanta........................................... B-5

North Ave. NE

33 The American Hotel Atlanta Downtown............... B-5

32 SpringHill Suites by Marriott Atlanta Downtown.......................................................................... B-4

31 Signia by Hilton................................................................ A-5

Ponce De Leon Ave. NE

30 REVERB by Hard Rock Hotel....................................... A-5

29 Residence Inn by Marriott Atlanta Downtown.......................................................................... B-5

Bonaventure Ave.

R EE TR CH PEA

Monro e Dr. N E

E r. N eD nro o M

E .N Dr ide s ng rni Mo N. Barnett St. NE

AREA MAPS

tta St. Marie

WINTER 2026-27

M.L.K. Jr. Dr. SW

VINE CITY

Map: Scott White

Northside Dr. NW

n St. Nelso

●

● 11

M. L.K . Jr .D r. S W

Glenn St. SW

Fulton St. SW

GARNETT

●

Trin 28 ity Ave . SW

Memorial Dr. SW

8 9 36

PEACHTREE

GEORGIA STATE

Pollard Blvd. SW Fulton St. SE

STATE CAPITOL

● GEORGIA

CENTER PARC CREDIT UNION STADIUM

●

PARK

GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY De cat ur St. SE

PARK

7 Ellis St. NE

Georgia Ave. SE

Highland Ave. SE

●

Memorial Dr. SW

KING MEMORIAL

GRANT PARK

ZOO ATLANTA ●

●

OAKLAND CEMETERY

●

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK EBENEZER ● ● THE KING BAPTIST CHURCH CENTER

St. SE Decatur

M.L.K. Jr. Dr. SW

MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

● GRADY

●

Boulev

JIMMY CARTER PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM ●

Ralph McGill Blvd. NE

Central Park Pl.

MUNICIPAL MARKET AT SWEET AUBURN

Edgewood Ave. SE

Auburn Ave. NE

PEACHTREE CENTER John Wesley Dobbs Ave.

● WOODRUFF HURT

16 4 29 34

ATLANTA CITY HALL

●

Baker St.

Piedmont Ave. N

John Portman Blvd. NW ● ATLANTA CONVENTION 18 CENTER AT AMERICASMART Andrew Young Int’l Blvd.

FULTON COUNTY COURTHOUSE

FIVE POINTS

(SPORTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND CONVENTION)

SEC DISTRICT

ARENA

● STATE FARM

TABERNACLE

SKYVIEW ATLANTA ●

THE CTR

●

OLYMPIC 10 PARK

Ralph David Abernathy Blvd. SW

ROSA L. BURNEY PARK

. SW l St hal e t i Wh

●

ATLANTA UNIVERSITY CENTER

MERCEDES-BENZ STADIUM

●

GEORGIA AQUARIUM

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF ATLANTA

WORLD OF ● 22 COCA-COLA 26 15 CENTENNIAL

CHICK-FIL-A COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME

●

GEORGIA WORLD CONGRESS CENTER

Blvd. NW Ivan Allen Jr.

THE HOME DEPOT ● GEORGIA ● BACKYARD INTERNATIONAL PLAZA

Joseph E. Boone Blvd.

Ted T urn er D r. N W

Nort

Nor t h sid eD r. S W

Walk e r St. SW Pe t e r sS t. S W

Cen t r al A ve. SW

Pry or S t.

Pryor St. SW

Ce n t M e agnu nni m St. al O lympic P ark Dr. N W

Windsor St. SW

Centennial Olympic Park Dr. NW

W. P each tre Wa shi n g ton St. SW

Capitol Ave. SW Hank Aaron Dr. SW

For syt hS t. N W PE AC H TR EE ST.

Pulliam St.

Juniper St. NE Courtland St.

Pie Je sse dm H o n i ll J tA r. D ve .S r. S E E

Williams St. NW

CIVIC CENTER

Hill St. SE

Jackson St. NE

NATIONAL CENTER FOR CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS

Hill St. SE

Cherokee Ave. SE Cherokee Ave. SE

Ralp

JIMMY CARTER PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY ● AND MUSEUM

e Av

MARTA Green Line Atlanta Streetcar

Atlanta Beltline

MARTA Blue Line

MARTA Gold Line

MARTA Red Line

MARTA Station

Visitor Information Center

Point of Interest

Convention Centers

Hotels

LEGEND

63 The Starling Atlanta Midtown, Curio Collection............................................................... C-2

62 The Kimpton Shane........................................................●B-2

GLENWOOD 61 The Georgian Terrace Hotel....................................... B-3 PARK

60 Scout Living powered by Placemakr (Eastside)............................................................................. C-3

59 Residence Inn Atlanta Midtown/ Peachtree at 17................................................................. B-1

Memorial Dr. SE 58 Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel....................... B-3

57 Moxy Atlanta Midtown.................................................. B-2

56 Loews Atlanta Hotel....................................................... B-2

55 Hyatt Centric Atlanta Midtown.................................. B-3

54 Hotel Indigo Atlanta Midtown................................... B-3

53 Hotel Granada Midtown Atlanta.............................. B-2

52 Home2 Suites by Hilton Atlanta Midtown............ B-3

51 Hilton Garden Inn Atlanta - Midtown...................... B-3

50 Hampton Inn & Suites Atlanta Midtown................ B-2

NE 49 Georgia Tech Hotel andDeK Conference Center....... B-3 alb Ave.

48 Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta......................................... B-2 Edgewood Ave. NE

47 FORTH Atlanta Hotel (Eastside)................................ C-4

od 46 Epicurean Hotel Atlanta, wo ge Autograph Collection.................................................... B-2 Ed

v eA

45 Embassy Suites by HiltonLakAtlanta Midtown.......... A-2

44 Element Atlanta Midtown............................................ B-4 NE e.

43 Peachtree Hotel Atlanta Midtown (CLOSED until fall 2027)................................................ B-4

42 Courtyard Atlanta Midtown........................................ B-4

41 Canopy by Hilton Atlanta Midtown......................... B-1

om – 40 Bellyard, Tribute PortfolioFrHotel eed s ewi L n West Midtown (Westside) ........................................... A-2 Joh

y Pkw

39 BCA Furnished Apartments........................................ B-1 . NE

38 Atlanta Marriott Suites Midtown.............................. B-2

MIDTOWN Glen Iris Dr. NE

Randolph St. NE

Boulevard SE

t. rS t. pla Po nS lto Wa W t. N aS ett i r Ma

Boulevard SE

St. ie ck Lu Krog St. NE

AREA MAPS

Old Ivy Rd. NE

E .N Rd

● ● PHIPPS

Le no xR d. NE

LENOX SQUARE

13 11

E .N Rd

LEGEND Hotels

Point of Interest

BUCKHEAD VILLAGE DISTRICT

FRANKIE ALLEN PARK

●

E d. N ls R Hil ruid N. D

Pharr Rd. NE 9

MARTA Station

MARTA Red Line

●

. NE Rd

Bu for dH wy .

East Paces Ferry 15 Rd. N E

LENOX

. NE t Rd mon Pied

NE D. ER RE T H AC PE

ATLANTA ● HISTORY CENTER/ CYCLORAMA

Lenox Rd. NE

oro xb Ro

ndrews Dr. E. A

●

2 5

N. Dr uid Hil ls

. ll Rd Roswe

10 BUCKHEAD

x Park Blvd. N no E Le

E .N Rd

NE Rd. ox Len

NE RD. REE T H C PEA

PLAZA

nt Rd . NE

BROOKHAVEN/ OGLETHORPE

oro xb Ro

o dm Pie

Hab ers ha mR d

W .N

. NE N. Druid Hills Rd

16 LEGO DISCOVERY CENTER ATLANTA

Peachtree Dunwoody Rd.

400

Old Ivy

. Rd ry er

Ro sw ell Rd. NE

Pow ers F

NE Rd. ca eu Wi

PE AC HT RE ER D. NE

MARTA Gold Line SUNNYBROOK PARK

E. Wesley Rd. NE

●

PARKSIDE DRIVE PARK

●

Lindbergh Dr. NE

Piedmont Rd. NE

ALEXANDER PARK

SHADY VALLEY PARK

●

GARDEN HILLS PARK

Rd. nox Le

E. Wesley Rd. NE

400

●

SHOPS OF MIAMI CIRCLE

●

PATH400 Greenway Trail

Sidney Marcus Blvd. NE

. NE Hwy ford Bu

LINDBERGH CENTER

●

Sheridan Rd. NE

Map Illustration: Scott White

BUCKHEAD HOTELS No. Name

Grid

AC Hotel Atlanta Buckhead at Phipps Plaza..................................... C-1

Element by Westin Atlanta Buckhead..................................................A-2

2 4 5 6 7 8 9

Courtyard Atlanta Buckhead....................................................................B-2 Embassy Suites by Hilton Atlanta Buckhead....................................B-2

No. Name

Grid

14 JW Marriott Atlanta Buckhead................................................................C-2

15 The Kimpton Sylvan Hotel..........................................................................A-3 16 Nobu Hotel Atlanta........................................................................................ C-1

17 Residence Inn Atlanta Buckhead............................................................B-3

Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead...........................................................B-2

18 Residence Inn Atlanta Buckhead / Lenox Park................................D-2

Hilton Garden Inn Atlanta Buckhead Hotel.......................................B-2

20 The Burgess Hotel..........................................................................................A-1

Homewood Suites by Hilton Atlanta Buckhead / Pharr Road..........................................................................................................B-3

22 The Tess, Autograph Collection..............................................................B-3

Hampton Inn & Suites Atlanta Buckhead Place..............................B-2 Homewood Suites by Hilton Atlanta Buckhead..............................A-2

19 SpringHill Suites Atlanta Buckhead......................................................B-2

21 The St. Regis Atlanta.....................................................................................A-3

23 TownePlace Suites Atlanta Buckhead..................................................C-4

10 Hotel Colee, Autograph Collection......................................................B-2

24 Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead........................................................B-2

12 Hyatt Place Atlanta / Buckhead...............................................................B-2

26 The Whitley Hotel...........................................................................................B-2

11 Hyatt Centric Buckhead Atlanta.............................................................B-2

13 InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta......................................................B-2

36 DISCOVERATLANTA.COM

25 The Westin Buckhead Atlanta..................................................................B-2 27 Wyndham Atlanta Buckhead & Conference Center.....................C-2

AREA MAPS

ROSWELL AT COBB

CHATEAU ELAN ● WINERY & RESORT

CHATTAHOOCHEE ● NATURE CENTER

400

●

MARIETTA ●

JOHNS CREEK ●

●

● TOWN CENTER

KENNESAW MOUNTAIN

LAKE LANIER ● ISLAND RESORT

FULTON

●

ALPHARETTA

SIX FLAGS ● WHITE WATER

GWINNETT

DULUTH ●

MEDIEVAL TIMES DINNER & TOURNAMENT ● INFINITE ● ENERGY CENTER

DUNWOODY ●

NORCROSS ●

PERIMETER

SANDY SPRINGS ●

● MALL

CADENCE BANK AMPHITHEATRE AT CHASTAIN PARK

PEAC

Atlanta Downtown/ Midtown Hotels Map (Page 34-35)

●

ATLANTIC STATION ●

ATLANTA CONVENTION CENTER AT AMERICASMART

GEORGIA WORLD CONGRESS CENTER AUTHORITY

● SIX FLAGS

OVER GEORGIA

DOWNTOWN

HAMMONDS HOUSE MUSEUM ●

DOUGLAS

●

THE WREN’S NEST WEST END

285

●

LILBURN

CHAMBLEE

●

DEKALB-PEACHTREE ● AIRPORT

●

BROOKHAVEN 85 ● PHIPPS PLAZA LENOX SQUARE ● E N D. Buckhead Hotels Map BUCKHEAD (Page 36)

MABLETON

DORAVILLE

●

HT PE AC

●

HTRE ER

●

VININGS

400

TUCKER ●

CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION DAVID J. SENCER CDC MUSEUM

FERNBANK MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY MIDTOWN ● ● ILLUMINARIUM

●

● AVONDALE

ESTATES

AT LAKEWOOD

●

STONECREST THE RITZ-CARLTON REYNOLDS, ● LAKE OCONEE

●

HAPEVILLE ● PORSCHE ● DELTA FLIGHT ● EXPERIENCE CENTER ATLANTA MUSEUM

● PARK

285

Hotels

675

INN AT SERENBE

Convention Centers Point of Interest

MORROW

UNION CITY

●

City

RIVERDALE ●

Atlanta Beltline

●

CITY

ALL MOVIE HOTEL

●

FAYETTE TRILITH GUESTHOUSE

ARABIA MOUNTAIN ●

LEGEND

FOREST

● PEACHTREE

LITHONIA ● FAIRFIELD INN AND SUITES STONECREST/LITHONIA ●

COLLEGE PARK

GEORGIA INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTER

FAIRBURN

●

REDAN

●

DEKALB 285

EAST POINT

●

DECATUR

JIMMY CARTER PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

● ATLANTA

STONE MOUNTAIN

CENTER PARC CREDIT UNION STADIUM ● ● ZOO ATLANTA 75 EAST ATLANTA

154 166

FULTON

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PINE LAKE

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85 ● CELLARIS AMPHITHEATRE

GATEWAY CENTER ARENA AT COLLEGE PARK

STONE MOUNTAIN PARK

● CLARKSTON

MICHAEL C. CARLOS MUSEUM ● (EMORY UNIVERSITY)

PIEDMONT PARK

P E A C H T R EE S T .

COBB

RE EB LV D.

285 TRUIST PARK AND THE BATTERY ATLANTA ● SMYRNA ● COBB GALLERIA ●● COBB ENERGY PERFORMING CENTRE ARTS CENTRE

CLAYTON JONESBORO ●

HENRY 75

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Map Illustration: Scott White

METRO ATLANTA WINTER 2026-27

Y’ALL

SPRING

COME All year long, neighborhoods come alive with festivals filled with music, food, culture and plenty of Southern spirit. Plan your next trip around some of these beloved annual festivals and events.

Atlanta Dogwood Festival in Piedmont Park

BY DISCOVER ATLANTA EDITORIAL TEAM

SCOTT WHITE

BACK

Admire local and national artists at the Atlanta Dogwood Festival, catch creative energy on 404 Day, discover new films at the Atlanta Film Festival, and experience the quirky Inman Park Festival. Hear live music on multiple stages at SweetWater 420 Fest, enjoy Caribbean culture during Atlanta Caribbean Carnival or groove to worldclass performers at the Atlanta Jazz Festival.

Dragon Con

Beat the heat with art, music and plenty of fun. Virginia-Highland Summerfest, the Atlanta Ice Cream Festival, Atlanta Underground Film Festival, BronzeLens Film Festival and Grant Park Summer Shade Festival offer something for every interest.

Atlanta Ice Cream Festival

WINTER

Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl

DRAGON CON

Winter brings big traditions, including the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration and Atlanta Jewish Film Festival. Please check official event and venue websites to confirm event dates.

FALL

38 DISCOVERATLANTA.COM

DISCOVER ATLANTA NOW

Fall is festival season in full swing. Geek out at Dragon Con, shop the Yellow Daisy Festival, savor Southern flavors at Atlanta Food & Wine Festival, rock out at Shaky Knees, and celebrate community at Atlanta Pride, Candler Park Fall Fest, Little 5 Points Halloween Festival and Cabbagetown Chomp & Stomp.

ATLANTA ICE CREAM FESTIVAL

SUMMER

Visit DiscoverAtlanta.com to find out more and plan your next trip.

VIEW ONLINE

YOUR DOWNTOWN DESTINATION Explore available office opportunities at Peachtree Center. With restaurants, retail, services, public spaces, and convenient access to everything Downtown Atlanta has to offer, Peachtree Center makes it easy to work, meet, dine, and explore—all in one place.

PEACHTREECENTER.COM | 404-654-1296

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