Sponsored Content by W Atlanta - Midtown
Atlanta for the Untourist
While Atlanta is the capital of Georgia, it is also arguably the cultural capital of the South as well, due to its unique blend of art, food, music, and charm. And a stay at the W Atlanta - Midtown hotel puts you in the heart of all the action. Plus you’re never more than a few feet away from the city’s best hotspots such as the tension-relieving BLISS Spa or the sumptuous eats found at TRACE Restaurant. It’s all right at your fingertips.
These days, Midtown Atlanta is known as a bustling cultural center in a city that is as eclectic as it is metropolitan. From the 1970s to the present, local organizations such as the Midtown Alliance helped to shape it into the vibrant blend of businesses and hotspots that it is today. When visiting ATL, it’s important to note that traffic is heavy and many local attractions are swamped with tourists all year long. Skip the tourist traps with these five suggestions for a truly authentic experience in the Big Peach:
Skip: The Coca-Cola Museum
Instead: Spend an afternoon viewing over 15,000 works of art and exhibits that call the High Museum of Art home. Though the High has focused primarily on contemporary pieces, they have also amassed a collection of standout pieces from artists such as Monet, Ernst, and Chuck Close. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit on a Friday night when the museum opens its halls to a live jazz band, and patrons can enjoy the music while sipping on a glass of wine. After touring the High, stroll a few blocks east to Piedmont Park and explore the Atlanta Botanical Gardens or enjoy an eclectic meal at the Park Tavern.
Skip: The Local Waffle House
Instead: Get a taste of Atlanta’s mix of international flare and southern comfort with the tasty fare found at some of the city’s top restaurants. If you’re looking for a restaurant that encompasses Atlanta’s metropolitan spirit, look no further than South City Kitchen, which specializes in Southern comfort food with a kick. This spot is also a favorite among the Hollywood crowd, so it’s the perfect place if you’re up for some celeb spotting. Other excellent options in the area include Empire State South, a Manhattan-themed restaurant and Lure, an eatery that takes a modern twist on seafood alongside an assortment of curated house cocktails.
Skip: The Fox Theatre
Instead: Watch a breathtaking performance by the world-renowned Atlanta Symphony Orchestra at the Woodruff Arts Center. Much like the rest of Midtown Atlanta, the space has had a revival in recent years. After a fatal plane crash took the lives of many of Atlanta’s arts leaders in the 1960s, the Center has re-established itself as the heart of Atlanta’s art scene, with the Symphony as its musical anchor. In addition to an exceptional house orchestra, The Symphony also features year-round musical performances from some of the world’s best musicians, including Joshua Bella and Garrick Ohlsson. Drop by Twelve Eighty for a glass of wine and a locally-sourced, farm-to-table dinner before finding your seats at the show.
Skip: Centennial Park
Instead: Get outside and enjoy the sunshine that can be found at Piedmont Park. Instead of heading straight to the park, take your time to saunter down the BeltLine, Atlanta’s answer to New York’s Highline Park. The system of trails winds through many of the city’s most iconic neighborhoods while avoiding the traffic on the streets below. The Eastside trails are particularly active, with joggers, yoga classes, and store fronts intermittently lining the lush green spaces. Part of this trail ends at the botanical gardens in Piedmont Park, where you can continue your afternoon strolling among the myriad of plant and bird species that call the grounds home. If all that walking has worked up your appetite, then drop by the Park Tavern, one of the city’s most eclectic eateries and beloved outdoor bars.
Skip: Underground Atlanta
Instead: Amble through Ponce City Market for some of the best curated boutiques and epicurean experiences available in ATL. Situated in the historic Sears, Roebuck & Co. building, the market is one of Midtown’s largest adaptive reuse projects. The space is now a community hub full of offices, studios, and even a winery. In addition to housing the newest Google Fiber Space, Ponce City Market also offers a yoga studio, the Dancing Goats Coffee Bar, and a swath of high-end retail ventures from local entrepreneurs. The market’s newest attraction, Skyline Park, takes guests of all ages high above the hustle and bustle of Ponce de Leon Avenue for carnival-style fun. The rooftop features games and rides such as the skyline slide, mini golf and the Heege tower.
