If you are a new visitor to Atlanta Georgia, Welcome! You may be curious about a few Hidden Gems embedded within the city and the metro areas. Us locals keep these hidden gems close to our hearts. Here are a few Gems for you to explore.
Atlanta Beltline
To be fair, this would only be a “Hidden Gem” if you are not familiar with the amazing city of Atlanta in Georgia. The Beltline is very much a lovable attraction for people living in and around the area.
What is the Beltline?
The Atlanta Beltline is a 22-mile loop that stretches 11 different trails throughout the metro areas. In addition, this is more than just trails, it is a combination of parks, extraordinary artwork throughout the area, amazing fields of greenspace where you might catch the latest soccer game and kite flying, sometimes visitors playing musically instruments on the sidewalks, and restaurants on certain trails.
The cultural expression on The Beltline is unlike anything you will ever experience anywhere else in the country. Another reason to visit is that the Beltline highlights the vibrant life of Atlanta, Georgia. If you want to really “know” Atlanta, you will get to see it first hand on the Beltline.
If this is your first time coming to Atlanta, I would greatly recommend visiting The Beltline before you leave here. Trust me, you will be hooked by the unique Atlanta Georgia energy.
Parking: So there are several points as to where the Beltline trails start. The most popular entry point of the Beltline, in my opinion, is in the Edgewood area near downtown Atlanta. You can find parallel parking just about anywhere on several streets in Edgewood. Then you can take a short walk to the Beltline.
What we have done for parking: We have parked at the Edgewood-Candler Marta Station and walked to the Beltline. But this is a bit of a long walk to get to the Beltline. The cool thing about parking at this station and walking to the Beltline is walking through the historic neighborhood. Observing the historic homes and history on your way to the Beltline is pretty fun. What we primarily do is park at a Publix located in Madison Yards in the underground parking deck for free. From the Publix, we can easily get to the Beltline in a shorter time.
Decatur Square or “The Square”
Located in….you guessed it downtown Decatur, GA. This area in my opinion is one of the coolest areas of the metro area. The diversity, the festivals, restaurants, artsy areas all over the place, and the creative stores are all here. The Square is a 15-block walkable area where you will discover the old historic county Courthouse along beautiful landscaping. It is just an absolutely stunning place to see and explore in the Atlanta Georgia vicinity. This place is so gorgeous that we had our wedding pictures taken here.
Parking: The early mornings on a Saturday and Sunday are when the parking will be the easiest to find on the street, such as parallel parking. There are parking decks located in the square that will make parking much easier. In my opinion, the parking decks are not painfully far from The Square. There are at least two parking decks that are actually in The Square. So, walking to explore while not being super duper far from your car, should not give you too much trouble. Public transportation is also available.
Little Shop of Stories
Little Shop of Stories is a children’s book store that is without a doubt a “Hidden Gem.” You can easily find the store in “The Square.” This is a fun bookstore that kids big and small will absolutely enjoy. If you are trying to find a place that will motivate kids to READ READ READ, this is where you will want to take a fun day trip with them. Enjoy the creativity floating throughout this store from the floor to the ceiling. Especially if you find yourself exploring Atlanta, Georgia with your family, this store is a must-see.
If you need to quick grow-up treat, you will be happy to know that a cafe is attached to the the bookstore. The cafe (Bellwood Coffee) was once a Starbucks (I know this because I worked at the Starbucks many years ago).
After you pick out a fun book, you can walk to a restaurant adjacent to the bookstore for lunch. My favorite restaurant in The Square was “Sweet Melissas.” Sadly, it closed a few years back when the owners retired. You will, however, have a sea of restaurants to choose from such as: Raging Burrito (the biggest burritos you will ever see in your life), from Leon’s, to no.246 who is well known for their authentic Italian dishes, or Chipotle if you just want to keep it simple.
After lunch take a stroll around the square for a scenic view. If you are a first timer here, you will fall in love at first sight at The Square.
Dekalb Farmers Market
“As Seen On TV”
This Farmers Market is unlike anything you will ever see in your life and is indeed a “Hidden Gem.” As Anthony Bourdain once quoted “Food is everything we are. It is an extension of nationalist feeling, ethnic feeling, your personal history, your province, your region, your tribe, your grandma.” This quote alone sums up what this Market is in a nutshell.
Dekalb Farmers Market is the most culturally diverse Market in the State, in my opinion, and has appeared on the television. The biggest variety of produce and cheese from other countries, that I did not know existed, can be found here. You will understand why so many people from Atlanta Georgia love coming here for their shopping.
Recycling Area at Dekalb Farmers Market
One of my favorite things I love about this place is their recycling area. Anyone can come here to drop off recyclables if you do not know where to take them. You can simply bring your recyclables even if you are not doing any in-store shopping. This is a great resource in Atlanta and the whole Georgia region.
Kudza Antiques
Located just down the street from Dekalb Farmers Market, you will find the most insane stuff in this Antique shop. By the way, this is a pretty big shop. From various Disney salt shakers, to a beautiful variety of spiritual crystal stones, to antique garden figures big and small, this place is just down right cool. I would recommend checking out their furniture section. It is a little pricey but worth it because they look like “one of a kind pieces” to me, if you love searching for antiques in Atlanta Georgia.
Check out my Cat coat hanger I purchased from there for 5 bucks a couple of years ago— another quirky treasure found near Atlanta, Georgia’s creative communities.
The Garden Room
This will be perhaps the most beautiful restaurant you will lay your eyes on. The name speaks for itself. Walking into this restaurant feels like walking into a giant garden. You would have see it to get the full experience. This is a very posh eatery and you just might see a celebrity or two. I talk more about The Garden Room on another post I published last year here.
My personal post of the restaurant includes a few more photos that I took while visiting one year for my birthday. This is a testament to dining elegantly in Atlanta, Georgia.
Six Feet Under Pub and Fish (My Favorite Restaurant in Downtown Atlanta)
Look! We could talk about restaurants all day in Atlanta. There are so many great spots in eat here it would take 100 pages to write about it. Six Feet Under however, is hand down an exception. This is without doubt the best restaurant I have dined in so far.
The name Six Feet Under is quite appropriate due to the restaurant being located across the street from the Historic Oakland Cemetery. The seafood here is better than some seafood restaurants I have attended, some in coastal cities such as Charleston, South Carolina, or Savannah, Georgia. My favorite item on their menu is their fried oysters (oysters basket).
The Buffalo Shrimp and Cajun Clams are absolutely superb. I have yet have taste anything from this restaurant that I have not loved.
If you are visiting Atlanta, Georgia and are looking for a spot to dine where the food is just down right DELICIOUS, this is the restaurant you have to try.
The Municipal Market (Downtown Area of Atlanta)
This Market is located right in the heart of the downtown area of Atlanta. I think this is a really cute small little market that has a bit of everything. Fresh produce, butchered meat, tea shop, retail and small personally owned restaurants you will find it all here.
If you are visiting Atlanta and get a hotel downtown you can probably walk to this market. I have walked here many times when I worked downtown to get fresh produce and lunch. I think this is a great Market to visit if you are exploring Downtown.