A Getaway to Atlanta

Atlanta, GA

Nashvillians are no strangers to the ATL. We've long been making the trek down I-24 to I-75 for shopping. But did you know that midtown Atlanta is undergoing a renaissance and that Buckhead is getting a total facelift? Today you'll find even more pedestrian-friendly attractions, shopping, and culture to explore.


Getting there
It's about three and a half to four hours on I-24 East to I-75 South, depending on traffic.

Where to stay
In Buckhead, the brand-new Hyatt Atlanta Midtown is convenient to exploring any direction in Atlanta. Or, there's the Loews Atlanta hotel in Midtown, which opened in 2010.

Morning

Brunch is a fine art, and Empire State South in midtown has mastered it. Start with their monkey bread, made of Earl Grey brioche, followed by the hangar steak served with broccoli. For a quicker bite, the Flying Biscuit is known for its eponymous biscuit breakfast. When it's time to walk it off, enjoy the fresh air on a docent-led tour of the Atlanta BeltLine trail. Bring your comfy shoes because it is one of the nation's largest re-development projects, connecting popular in-town neighborhoods via the old railroad tracks. Admire the urban-chic art installations and check out Paris on Ponce, a bohemian flea market full of eclectic antiques and curiosities.

Afternoon

For lunch, hit up Fritti for authentic Neapolitan pizza (get the fried mushrooms) before making your way to Howell Mill Road, a once-industrial neighborhood that's now filled with stylish boutiques and interior design retailers. Start at Westside Provisions District and wander down to Room & Board followed by Redefined Home Boutique; you're sure to find something for your nest along the way. In Buckhead, a new outdoor mall will open later this spring featuring flagship stores from both Hermès and Spanx. No trip is complete without a jaunt through the recently renovated Lenox Square, home to Bloomingdale's and Neiman Marcus. Check out Sprinkles Cupcakes and its cupcake 'ATM.”

evening

Atlanta is home to some dynamite dining options, but the chophouse Abattoir is a playground for carnivores. Chef Anne Quatrano specializes in local meats and seasonal produce. Start with a brandied pear cocktail and move on to the asado de tira, paired with frites and local beets. Also not to miss is celeb chef Kevin Rathbun's modern cuisine at Rathbun's Restaurant. Try the blue corn muffins and charred creamed corn along with the scallops and country ham grits. Looking for a nightcap? Swing by 4th & Swift, where bartenders can guide you through the extensive listperhaps toward the heady, mezcal-based High Plains Drifter.

Looking for more? Getaway to Memphis!