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: MIDTOWN: : The Sweet Auburn Bakery : Eclectic shopping at the Curb Market and dining TOUR OUR FRIENDLY Neighborhoods For all its big-city feel, performances to world-class attractions Back Bay and your thoughts should really is a group of small such as the Woodruff Arts Center and immediately turn to Atlanta’s . The , this cultural hub is communities. Here’s a brief unique in its offerings for residents and SWEET AUBURn introduction to some of those visitors alike. The Sweet Auburn District was the you may be interested in visiting. hub of African-American culture from Station 1890s to the 1950s. Many of Atlanta’s DOWNTOWN This 138-acre, mixed-use development black leaders, entrepreneurs and artists The heartbeat of the city, downtown consists of 1 million square feet of open- congregated in the Sweet Auburn district. Atlanta is becoming a 24-hour neighbor- air retail and entertainment, including six Recent preservation and restoration hood where you can see the world’s mixed-use retail buildings with entertain- efforts at attractions such as Ebenezer largest fish at the world’s largest ment, dining and shopping —including the Baptist Church have brought a rebirth to aquarium, Aquarium, taste first IKEA store in the Southeast. “Movies the area. The Historic Sweet Auburn Curb Coca-Cola products from around the in ” kicks off each May, with Market, Sweet Auburn SpringFest and world at the World of Coca-Cola and blockbuster favorites each Thursday night Sweet Auburn Heritage Festival are not to journey into the heart of CNN Worldwide and special offers from area restaurants be missed. to get an up-close look at global news from 6-9 p.m. The Station also features in the making. In addition to Atlanta’s holiday activities; Food Truck Fridays; Little Five Points top attractions, leading sports and outdoor artists’ markets; special exhibits Right at the middle of Moreland, Euclid entertainment venues and premier and events; and the Millennium Gate, a and McLendon avenues in downtown convention facilities also are anchored 101-foot-tall classically styled monumen- Atlanta, this bohemian hangout is home around Centennial Olympic Park, home to tal arch that houses a 12,000-square-foot to a rich mix of art, theater and shopping. the 1996 Summer Games and adjacent to museum that tells Georgia’s story through With food, books, novelty shops and the future site of the National Center for interactive technology, film and exhibits. lifestyle spots, L5P (as it’s called by locals) Civil & Human Rights. Add to that modern has it — from coffee to hip and funky bar- boutique hotels; a thriving nightlife scene; Buckhead gain apparel to crystals, books and vinyl the captivating Downtown Dining District; This Atlanta community consistently records — and almost all of these shops and renowned architecture; and it’s no offers the world’s most inviting luxurious are pet-friendly. wonder that has gained experience, and will continue to attract a reputation as a world-class destination. savvy consumers who are seeking Virginia-Highland something special — from upscale This popular area centered around Midtown shopping at and Phipps the intersection of Virginia and Highland Developed in the 1870s as a streetcar Plaza, to the Classic Chastain summer avenues is renowned for its shopping, suburb of downtown Atlanta, this concert series at Amphithe- dining and nightlife. Locals and tour- cosmopolitan area today boasts vibrant atre, to the site of one of the Southeast’s ists alike can enjoy brunch at charming residential communities, thriving largest history museums at the Atlanta sidewalk cafes and cocktails at lively night entertainment scene, abundant shopping History Center, to the magnificent homes spots; world- famous musicians perform- and an unparalleled dining selection. lining Habersham and Tuxedo roads. ing at a tiny nightclub; art galleries; coffee- Arts and culture are at the forefront, Picture ’s Upper East Side, houses; and diverse and unique shopping with the largest concentration of cultural ’s Gold Coast, San Francisco’s offering everything from trendsetting venues in the region. From live theatrical Pacific Heights, Boston’s Beacon Hill/ apparel to classic to kitschy antiques.

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TM 2012_what to do.indd 32 10/14/11 1:06:36 PM LITTLE FIVE POINTS: Eclectic shopping BUCKHEAD: The Swan House at the GRANT PARK: Historic Oakland Cemetery EAST POINT: The Dick Lane Velodrome : Historic loft district and dining

Druid Hills West End line, this community houses more than This historic neighborhood boasts Home to the world’s largest consortium 200 boutiques, restaurants and galleries. beautiful linear parks and wooded of black colleges — the Atlanta University Eddie’s Attic is a must-see for live, local lots designed at the turn of the century Center — which includes several musicians. Year-round festivals include by Frederick Law Olmsted. One of institutions that have educated numerous the Arts Festival in May, the Beach Party Atlanta’s first suburbs, some of Atlanta’s African-American political, community in June and the Book Festival on Labor wealthiest citizens moved here in the and business leaders is a historic Atlanta Day weekend. early 20th century and built beautiful landmark. , Morehouse homes with the help of distinguished School of Medicine, Spelman College and Chamblee/Doraville architects. Clark Atlanta University make up the list of The widely diverse international popula- great institutions. tion has given rise to a great restaurant Grant Park scene. While Chamblee boasts Antique Grant Park is one of Atlanta’s oldest Castleberry Hill Row, a street of shops full of collectibles, neighborhoods and home to Historic Adjacent to downtown, this is one of the area’s main thoroughfare, Buford Oakland Cemetery. This neighborhood, Atlanta’s up-and-coming neighborhoods, Highway, features different nationalities on the National Register of Historic but is also the eighth Landmark District living side-by side and working side-by- Places, also is one of Atlanta’s most for the City of Atlanta. Early 20th-century side in family-owned restaurants. In this successful revitalization stories. The commercial and industrial structures give Corridor of Cuisines you’ll find Korean public park is surrounded by the Atlanta the area a distinctive urban look, and an barbecue, Vietnamese bakeries, pho Cyclorama and , home to the ever-growing conglomeration of art gal- shops, dim sum, arepas from Venezuela, popular Giant Pandas. leries, hip new restaurants, boutiques and Salvadorian pupusas, Mexican breakfast, loft housing are making Castleberry Hill taquerias, farmer’s markets and more. a popular neighborhood. The 2nd Friday Originally settled in the early 1800s, ArtStroll is a local favorite, as is the annual Airport Area this historic neighborhood is the Castleberry Hill Loft Tour each fall that Only eight miles from downtown birthplace of civil rights leader Dr. Martin draws thousands to view lofts and stroll Atlanta, the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Luther King, Jr. Today, the Old Fourth the galleries, shops and restaurants of the International Airport area is ideal for both Ward houses the Martin Luther King, Jr. neighborhood. business and pleasure with upscale National Historic Site and Sweet hotels and various activities nearby. Auburn Historic District, a National Village Historic Landmark known for its role in One of the best-kept secrets in Atlanta, East Point African-American history. Since the this diverse, friendly neighborhood is Accessibility is one of the many advan- 1980s, the Historic District Development packed with quality shops, services and tages that this city offers. Its easy access Corporation has worked to preserve restaurants within walking distance. A hot to public transportation, major highways, and revitalize the area, with visitors now spot for nightlife, this urban nook is eclec- thoroughfares and Hartsfield make East experiencing restored shotgun houses, tic and family-friendly at the same time. Point a great place to live, play, work and Victorian homes and Craftsman conduct business. Also adding to the bungalows, as well as new lofts and Decatur city’s attractiveness are its quaint neigh- condos and retail development. The This charming, quirky neighborhood borhoods, Main Street and the Dick Lane nearby Freedom Park also offers is found just six miles east of downtown. Velodrome, a special concrete track with outdoor recreation. Friendly, walkable and right on the MARTA steep banked turns just for track cyclists.

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