Atlanta Summer Fun Guide June 2018

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SUMMERFUN SPECIAL SUMMER GUIDE

what’s inside 4 The City’s Favorite Frozen Treats 6 Free Outdoor Fitness Classes 8 The Hottest Neighborhoods

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12 Georgia Getaways Worth the Drive

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LOCAL FLAVOR

OVER THE RAINBOW

How did King of Pops become Atlanta’s most refreshing frozen treat?

Take a look under the umbrella.

Steven and Nick Carse

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n a summer day in Atlanta, from busy city street corners to the shady pathways of Piedmont Park, at a Braves game or a local farmers market, you can’t go too far without spotting a rainbow.

The multi-colored umbrellas above King of Pops pushcarts

have become ubiquitous at outdoor festivals and some of the city’s favorite attractions. Typically, a clapboard scribbled with chalk heralds what’s chilling inside the cooler, varities ranging from the classic Chocolate Sea Salt and Orange Cream to fruity concoctions like Blackberry Ginger Lime to seasonals like Pineapple Habanero or Sweet Tea ‘n Lemonade.

If you have a hankering for say, the Banana Pudding or Grapefruit Mint, best not delay. As the day goes on, the flavors are often crossed off one by one. Turns out, for about $4 a pop, you may be able to buy happiness after all.

Since launching in 2010, King of Pops (KOP) has expanded into seven cities in the Southeast and opened a poptails bar inside Ponce City Market. So, how did KOP become king? The

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evolving popularity of these popsicles has much more to do than with what’s in the cooler. “Our purpose is to make the world a better place by creating Unexpected Moments of Happiness,” reads the King of Pops website. This approach has led KOP to host one of the city’s largest, free outdoor yoga classes, to curate Pop Art shows and to launch Tree Elves, a Christmas tree delivery service during the “off-season.” For CEO Steven Carse, that purpose is simpler than it sounds. (There’s even an acronym: UMoH).

For the first couple years of the business, the smiling face behind a single cart was Carse’s. As the story goes, KOP started after Carse was laid off from a corporate job. Inspired by frozen treats he had tasted on a previous trip through Central America

Turns out, for about $4 a pop, you may be able to buy happiness after all.

with his brothers, he used the opening in his schedule to pur-

and bakeries, they keep their eyes peeled for new partnerships.

sue a pipedream.

Recently, the company purchased their own farm called King of

Within a few months, Steven’s brother Nick left his job as a lawyer to become the second employee. Today, there are quite a few more employees under the KOP umbrella— perhaps the brand’s most important ingredient.

“Our brand is really based around the people on the cart,” Carse said. “They’re empowered to make decisions on the fly to make people’s day, whether it’s giving someone a pop that is having a bad day or opening a car door, walking someone

Crops in nearby Winston in order to be more sustainable as well as to teach others about farming, too.

KOP is even passionate about the pieces of ingredients that don’t get used. Organic scraps are composted locally through their own operation, called—you guessed it—King of Compost.

What’s next on the horizon? More poptails bars, more flavors and more moments of happiness.

“We’re always looking for new ideas, whether it’s a place to

across the street, telling a joke or doing a magic trick. We’re

set up or if you’ve got an event going on or a flavor idea,” Carse

looking for happy people that want to be outside.”

said. “What’s really important to us is that our fans feel like we’re

That isn’t to say that KOP doesn’t take every ingredient that goes into each pop as seriously. Carse and his team work hard

a part of their community and they’re a part of our community.”

You can submit these online, or you may have the chance

to get fruit and dairy from the best local farms. If there is a fruit

to chat pop possibilities with Carse for yourself. On the

in season in the South, they likely have created a pop to feature

occassional sunny day, you may find him under the umbrella at

it. From Georgia’s own Pearson peaches to local coffee roasters

the same, original street corner where KOP was first crowned. w w w.wh e re t rave le r. com

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SUMMER IN THE CITY

Namaste, Y’all WITH DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME in

our favor and sunny days in our forecasts, gathering the motivation to move inside a gym or studio to sweat gets more difficult. Instead, take advantage of the great outdoors with the abundance of free fitness classes offered in some of metro Atlanta’s favorite spaces.

AvalOM

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Breathe in.

Colony Square

Breathe out. Yoga in the Park (formerly known as Yoga on the Patio), has relocated to Heart of Roswell Park for 2018 due to last year’s high attendance. The free 60-minute classes starts at 10 am on the second Sunday of each month from April through November.

Each class is led by a different talented local instructor from a variety of studios such as Lift Yoga Studio, Soulful Yoga and Plum Tree Yoga, among others.

The classes welcome all levels and all bodies. Each participant receives a ticket for a complimentary mimosa at Osteria Mattone.

Your post-class bliss may lead to staying for brunch, or taking a stroll along charming Canton Street lined with plenty of boutique shoping and quaint cafes for a bite. www.osteriamattone.com Located in nearby Alpharetta, pick your spot on the The Plaza at Avalon’s AvalOM for a free wellness class on Wednesday evenings from 6-7 pm between April and October. The lineup ranges from yoga to Pilates to barreinspired classes with expert instructors from Club Pilates, Athleta, Flywheel Sports and lululemon, so be sure to check both the weather and the AvalOM schedule online to see what’s on the docket each week. www.experienceavalon.com Meanwhile, lululemon has also teamed up with Ponce City Market to bring back the Shed Sweat Series. Hosted by some of Atlanta’s most elite trainers, these High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) class are complimentary and held Thursday evening at 6:30 pm. www.poncecitymarket.com/events

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Grab

your mat and head to Colony Square every Wednesday from 6-7 pm between April and September at the revamped mixed-use community in Midtown. Yoga on the Square’s wellness classes are led by local instructors from leading studios including exhale Spa, CorePower Yoga and Dancing Dogs Yoga Atlanta. Also returning this year is Yoga on The Square’s loyalty program, which rewards repeat participants with the chance to win free giveaways for every four classes attended, as well as the opportunity to gain new perspective with an exclusive yoga class on the helipad 320 feet in the air. In the case of poor weather conditions, participating studios may offer complimentary class drop-ins depending on availability. www.colonysquaremidtown.com

Shed Sweat Series

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King of Pops Yoga

Every

Sunday from 7-8 pm between April and October, you can experience one of Atlanta’s largest gatherings of yogis. Hosted by King of Pops and led by Tough Love Yoga’s Rachelle Knowles, the popular free series (also known as KOP Yoga) draws hundreds of people to the field by the Historic Fourth Ward Skatepark and encourages unexpected moments of happiness. Located along the Altanta BeltLine’s Eastside Trail, all ages can participate in this fun, all-levels class—even first-timers in jeans without a mat.

It’s pure fun to see the Atlanta skyline upside down while in downward facing dog. Bonus: The King of Pops window is just around the corner in Inman Park if you want to cool down with a refreshing popsicle afterwards. You earned it. www.facebook.com/kingofpops w w w.wh e re t rave le r. com

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NEIGHBORHOODS

Little Five Points

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NEIGHBORHOODS

Hot ‘Hoods

The Swan House

Atlanta is made up of many charming neighborhoods. These popular areas are packed with attractions, shops and restaurants that make the city’s summers even brighter.

BUCKHEAD

EAST ATLANTA & LITTLE FIVE POINTS Just south of Moreland Avenue

and Interstate 20, East Atlanta Village sits at the intersection of Glenwood and Flat Shoals avenues. The area is packed with quirky eateries and clubs like Argosy, Mary’s and Emerald City Bagels, and live music venues The Earl and 529. At the intersection

of Moreland, Euclid and McLendon avenues marks Little Five Points— the city’s alcove of the eclectic and funky. The street is lined with essential Atlanta institutions, from Criminal Records to Variety Playhouse and restaurants like Wrecking Bar and The Porter.

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Luxury, couture and gourmet reign supreme in Buckhead, located just north of Midtown. Phipps Plaza, Lenox Square Mall and Shops Around Lenox sit across from each other amid some of the city’s most high-end hotels including the recently revamped Whitley Hotel and remarkable dining at St. Cecilia. Just down Peachtree Street, The Shops Buckhead Atlanta combines six blocks of walkable streets à la Paris with the haute couture stores of Rodeo Drive— Hermès, Dior, Etro, Tom

Ford and the list goes on. Buckhead is also home to the Atlanta History Center, where exhibits cover everything Southern, from the American Civil War and the 1996 Olympic Games to folk art, barbecue and Atlantan golf legend Bobby Jones. Onsite, the grandiose Swan House was built for heirs to a cotton brokerage fortune, and offers a glimpse into the life of Atlanta’s elite in the 1930s.

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NEIGHBORHOODS

The city began in what is now known as Downtown Atlanta and the Old Fourth Ward (O4W). As railroads merged, a rough-and-tumble town emerged, transforming into the gateway to the South.

Today, Downtown offers a diverse mix of attractions, restaurants and massive venues, like the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Woodruff Park and Philips Arena—within walking distance of each other. Get your day started with a visit to any of the must-see

stops surrounding Centennial Olympic Park, including Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola, the College Football Hall of Fame and the Center for Civil and Human Rights. Just a mile away sits one of Atlanta’s oldest neighborhoods, Old Fourth Ward. Rich with Civil War, Civil Rights and political history, O4W is home to the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site and Sweet Auburn Curb Market. When the sun goes down, the area is a nightlife hot spot, especially at Ponce City Market and along eclectic Edgewood Avenue.

Downtown’s Woodruff Park

INMAN PARK Once characterized by its curved, tree-lined streets filled with restored circa 1800s Victorian houses and open green spaces, the area now brims with restored homes, new lofts and condos along the Atlanta BeltLine’s Eastside Trail, as well as the hip food hall Krog Street Market, a

Chattahoochee River

Summer Show Schedule: As You Like It May 17 - June 10 King John June 14 - July 1 A Midsummer Night’s Dream July 7 - 29 The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) August 4 - 19 Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales August 25 - September 9 ShakespeareTavern.com 10 W H E R E AT L A N TA I 2018 S U M M E R F U N G U I D E

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DOWNTOWN & OLD FOURTH WARD

NEIGHBORHOODS

The Fox Theatre

bevvy of popular restaurants like Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall, Victory Sandwich Bar and Parish, plus trendy boutiques to boot.

MIDTOWN & WESTSIDE Metropolitan Midtown gleams with skyscrapers, museums and nightlife. Visit the world-class High Museum of Art— part of the Woodruff Arts Center campus, which includes the Tony Award-winning Alliance Theatre.

Enjoy a Broadway show at the stunning Fox Theatre. Walk through Piedmont Park, and visit the on-site Atlanta Botanical Garden.

At the top of the Midtown dining list are mainstays like South City Kitchen, Empire State South, and Ecco—just to name a few. A former industrial district, the Westside has retained its artistic sensibility and brick-and-mortar charm while booming with places like Monday Night Brewery and Urban Tree Cidery. On Howell Mill

Road Westside Provisions District and Westside Ironworks curate a mix of eateries, boutiques and creative institutions.

Foodies flock to Miller Union, O-Ku and JCT. Kitchen, while discerning shoppers adore Mashburn and Brick+Mortar.

The Westside stays buzzing late at Little Trouble, Northside Tavern and The Painted Duck.

SANDY SPRINGS & DUNWOODY Sitting just north of Atlanta, these affluent areas are home to the Anne Frank in the World exhibit, shopping and dining at Perimeter Mall, leading medical and business centers and breathtaking beauty at the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. In this natural oasis, visitors can take a scenic trip down the “Hooch” by kayak, stand-up paddleboard or canoe. Nantahala Outdoor Center and High Country Outfitters offer rentals for a serene experience.

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ACTIVITIES

Make a Fast Break Looking to getaway from the city’s hustle and bustle? Located a short drive outside Atlanta, arrive at one of these new, or newly revamped, resorts for that much-neeeded R&R.

Barnsley Resort

ACTIVITIES

WHERE MAG SUMMER FUN GUIDE

Barnsley Resort

Barnsley Resort © 2018 Sandy Springs Hospitality and Tourism. All Rights Reserved.

High Country Outfitters Paddle Shack at Morgan Falls Overlook Park

Come play in the sun! Sandy Springs is home to 2 out�itters offering rentals, guides and demos to explore metro Atlanta’s lazy river. It’s the place to play on the Chattahoochee.

VisitSandySprings.org

You’ll feel it as soon as you pull down the long, tree-lined driveway: this place is something special. The storybook site of an 1840s love story, the former estate blends the best of past and present. Situated just 60 miles northwest of Atlanta, history, outdoor adventure and Southern comfort converge at this resort-meets-playground, including a Jim Fazio-designed golf course, horseback riding, biking, local cuisine and a boutique spa.

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STAY

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• Inn at Barnsley Earlier this year, the property debuted the brand-new Georgian Hall as well as the Inn at Barnsley Resort, bringing the total number of guest rooms and suites to 150. Inspired by Italianate and Gothic revival style and English country homes from the turn of the 20th century, the new builds are a complement to the existing

setting. Kick up those feet. You’ll want to stay awhile.

PLAY • SpringBank Sporting Club Whether you’re a sharp shooter or a novice, the SpringBank Sporting Club—one of the top sporting clay facilities in the Southeast—has you covered. Test your aim at the 28-station clays course (or covered five-stand). Start by scheduling your shotgun fitting and private instruction with Caesar Guerini Wings & Clay School.

Rather channel your inner angler? Through a partnership with the local Cohutta Fishing Company, try fly casting lessons and fullor half-day guided fly fishing trips. Or, simply paddle out with one of the resort’s available canoes.

SAVOR • Beautiful Ruins What remains of the original manor built by Godfrey Barnsley for his wife, Julia, towers over the resort’s legendary gardens and pulls at the heartstrings.

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ACTIVITIES Great Wolf Lodge North America’s largest collection of indoor waterpark resorts has

just debuted its latest destination in LaGrange. The wide variety of activities will keep little ones entertained for hours.

STAY • The Suite Life Great Wolf Lodge Georgia boasts

457 guest suites and nearly 500,000 square feet of entertainment space and lodging amenities to enjoy. Choose between more than a dozen options, from

a Kid Cabin to Wolf Den to the Grizzly Bear, so you can pick the right suite for your family’s size and budget.

PLAY • Swim, Splash, Slide The centerpiece of the resort will be the nearly 100,000-square-foot indoor water park.

The resort will also feature a massive outdoor resort pool with additional water attractions for families to enjoy together.

Spilt time between splashing, tackling a ropes course or scaling a multi-story rock wall before playing MagiQuest, a liveaction game where

guests embark on a magical adventure across the resort.

That’s all before dinner at Barnwood, the farm-to-fork, on-site dining spot. Don’t forget to check out the events calendar, too.

SAVOR • Genuine Smiles Get ready for ear-toear grins when they see Fort Mackenzie for the first time. The multi-level interactive water treehouse has a big tipping bucket, high-thrill slides, a relaxing lazy river and a huge wave pool. Bonus: parents can find an oasis made with them in mind at the exclusive, adult-only outdoor pool.

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Great Wolf Lodge

The best part? It’s all under one roof, rain or shine.

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ACTIVITIES Château Élan Winery & Resort

Nestled in the foothills of the North Georgia mountains about 40 minutes from Atlanta, the 16th century-styled château and fullservice winery announced new ownership this year.

Together with the estate’s European spa mansion, 63 holes of championship golf, tennis center, and seven distinctive dining outlets, they are ushering in the next era for the landmark resort.

STAY • The Spa Experience With AAA Four Diamond distinction, the Inn certainly provides all the necessary comforts. Still, if you’re seeking added luxury, opt for a suite in the 35,000 square-foot, adults-only, Spa Mansion.

PLAY • The Winery After making wine in North Georgia for three decades, the past three years have marked a turning point: Château Élan has become the most awarded winery on the East Coast.

Executive Winemaker Simone Bergese is, in large part, to thank.

Château Élan Winery & Resort

With more than 250 awards won since his first harvests in 2013, including multiple best-of-class, double gold and gold medals, Bergese’s results are a testament to the fresh energy that is reinvigorating the property. Taste it

for yourself with a pre-selected flight, or reserve a table at the newly renovated marc for a divine meal paired with your pour.

• The Golf Club Short on time? Play a Château Short Course with three ways to

work on your swing in about 2 hours. Play the Loop, Signature 6 or the Original 9. Need a refresher? Qualified golfing professionals offer hourly golf instruction. No matter your level, any golfer can reap the benefits of a certified PGA pro

to assess and improve your abilities.

SAVOR • Vineyard Sunsets Choose your favorite bottle of wine and enjoy a picnic at the vineyard as the summer sun sets over Château Elan.

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