14 Best Things to Do in Atlanta

Let’s start big picture here.
What started as an idea for a Georgia Tech graduate thesis has become one of Atlanta’s best-loved outdoor attractions. Atlanta was once called “Terminus” because of the railroads that converged in the city before the Civil War, and this project repurposes the historic 22-mile railway loop around the downtown area into a multi-use paved path lined with native plants and art installations. While only the Northside Trail, Westside Trail, Eastside Trail, and West End Trail are fully complete, the other sections are hike-able. When it’s finished (projected to be in 2030) it will reconnect 45 in-town neighborhoods, include 33 miles of multi-use trails and 2,000 acres of parks, becoming one of the largest, most wide-ranging urban redevelopment programs in the United States.

Any standout features or must-sees?
There are a number of art installations along the trail, erected as part of the Art on the BeltLine initiative. Some favorites include the "tiny doors," which only measure six inches tall (you have to be looking to find them), the eight-foot-tall phoenix made of railroad spikes on the Southwest Corridor at Allene Avenue and Catherine Street, and Atlanta’s “giant music box,” a kinetic sculpture by Allen Peterson that visitors can activate by turning a crank.

Is it easy to get around?
The BeltLine is a path, so it's easy to navigate. Just find an entry point (Ponce City Market, Piedmont Park, and the intersection at Memorial Drive are popular places to start) and walk, run, bike or rollerblade to your heart's content. On the Eastside Trail, you'll pass plenty of restaurants, bars, and shops, so it's easy to stop for refreshment or a longer break.

All said and done, what—and who—is this best for?
If you've got limited time, pick an entry point and a destination and make your own shorter loop. For instance, park at Ponce City Market and walk north to Piedmont Park before heading back, a trip that should take less than an hour at an easy pace. Most visitors are respectful of "trail rules" (e.g., slower traffic to the right), but it can get crowded on weekends with nice weather. If crowds bother you, it might not be your spot.