Atlanta Attractions & Restaurants

Atlanta Attractions

Atlanta has many attractions and events year-round. Listed below are some of the most popular places to visit.

For an up-to-date listing of events in Atlanta, visit: www.accessatlanta.com/events

Atlanta Botanical Garden - www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org

The Garden features 15 acres of outdoor display gardens, the Upper Woodland showcasing five acres of shade-loving ornamentals from around the world and the 10-acre Storza Woods with natural undergrowth and walking trails. In addition, the Conservatory green-house contains rare and endangered plants from the tropics to the deserts.

The Atlanta History Center - www.atlhist.org
Learn about the rich history of the city of Atlanta from pre-civil war to today. Tour the 1928 Swan House mansion, explore the lush gardens, and visit an 1840’s southern farmhouse to understand how southern farmers worked.

Atlantic Station - http://atlanticstation.com/
Located near campus, it provides many attractions such as restaurants, movie theater, shopping and often times live entertainment. It is also home to Dialogue in the Dark and the Bodies Exhibition. Grocery shops such as Target and Publix is located here and IKEA (where you can find all sorts of furniture and appliances) is located just a short walk from here.

The Carter Presidential Center - www.cartercenter.org
The Carter Presidential Center, located on 30 acres of land, features a museum detailing Jimmy Carter’s life and presidency through films, videos, and displays. A restaurant and Japanese garden with a view of the Atlanta skyline are other features of the center.

Chattahoochee Nature Center - www.chattnaturecenter.com
A community center for the understanding and enjoyment of nature, the center offers forest and marsh trails, wildlife exhibits on and around the Chattahoochee River, educational programs, and the Nature Store.

Cyclorama - http://www.atlantacyclorama.org/
The Cyclorama is a 20-foot high cylindrical painting depicting the 1864 Battle of Atlanta during the American Civil War. The painting was completed in 1866 and has now become the centerpiece of an interactive museum describing the Civil War in Atlanta. It is a good idea to combine the Cyclorama with a visit to the Atlanta Zoo since they are right next to each other.

Fernbank Museum of Natural History and Science Center - www.fernbank.edu
Home to a world of dinosaurs, artifacts, science interactives, shells, wildlife, IMAX® films and more. Unique permanent exhibitions, such as “A Walk Through Time in Georgia, Sensing Nature and Giants of the Mesozoic,” combine with distinctive special exhibitions and special educational programming and unique travel opportunities to teach visitors about the earth's history, the physical universe, the environment, and human culture.

Fox Theatre - http://www.foxtheatre.org/
The historic Fox Theatre is one of Atlanta’s premiere venues for live entertainment. The Fox’s 4,678 seat theatre is booked more than 300 performances a year ranging from Broadway to rock to comedy to movies.

Georgia Aquarium - www.georgiaaquarium.org
The World’s Largest Aquarium, housing more than 100,000 animals representing 500 species from around the globe, including two whale sharks – the largest fish on the planet. Also located at the aquarium is the popular 4-D theater, café and gift shop.

High Museum of Art - www.high.org
The High Museum of Art is a leading art museum in the Southeastern United States. The High Museum holds more than 11,000 works of art in its permanent collection. Included in this collection are 19th and 20th century American art, European art, decorative arts, African American art, modern and contemporary art, photography, and African art.

Lake Lanier Islands - www.lakelanierislands.com
Four islands on the southern shore of Lake Lanier, one of the most popular lakes in the country, offers water sports and many other outdoor activities. The main attraction is the Lake Lanier Islands Beach and Water Park. A great day-trip for a hot summer summer’s day!

Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site - www.nps.gov/malu
This national historic site is a memorial to America's most revered civil rights leader and the place where Dr. King was born, lived, worshipped, and is now buried. National Park Service rangers provide guided tours of Dr. King's birth home.

Stone Mountain Park - www.stonemountainpark.com
Home to the world's largest relief carving on the world's largest mass of exposed granite. Visited by over 4 million visitors annually, it is one of the most popular attractions in the country. Visitors can explore 3,200 acres of beautiful scenery, pristine lakes, forestland, spectacular flora, & miles of nature trails. In addition, it offers a great variety of recreational & entertainment activities including unique attractions, tennis, golf, fishing, hiking, & camping. The nightly summer Laser Show & fireworks display are not to be missed.

World of Coca-Cola - http://www.worldofcoca-cola.com/
Dedicated to the history and future of the Coca-Cola drink. Explores the 100 year-old relationship between Coca-Cola and its consumers. Features the world’s largest collection of Coca-Cola memorabilia. Taste every drink that Coca-Cola makes worldwide, and learn how Atlanta contributed to the success of this dark, sugary drink.

Zoo Atlanta - www.zooatlanta.org
Zoo Atlanta is home to nearly 1,000 animals - large, small, furry, scaly, feathered, hoofed, winged, striped, horned. They live among the trees, in the hills, alongside streams and watering holes, in naturalistic habitats that look and feel like their homes in the wild. This encourages the animals to "act naturally". This is one of the top zoos in the country.

Atlanta Restaurants

Restaurant Recommendations
$ = $15 or less | $$ = $25 or less | $$$ = $50 or less | $$$$ = $75 or less

African

Moya | 1371 Clairmont Rd, in Decatur | 404.633.6692: $
Specializing in traditional Ethiopian cuisine.
10 Degrees South | 4183 Roswell Rd NE, near Buckhead | 404.705.8870 $$
Atlanta’s first South African restaurant combining intriguing specialties of the South African grill with home-style stews and exotics casseroles.
Metro Fuxon | 1371 Clairmont Rd, in Decatur | 404.996.2485 $$

American

Brick Store Pub | 125 E. Court Square, in Decatur | 404.687.0990 $$
Updated pub with an old-fashioned feel, featuring a sublime beer selection and a smart, reasonably priced menu that’s perfect for sipping and sampling.
The Varsity | 61 North Ave, near GA Tech | 404.881.1706 $
With staff at this Atlanta landmark yelling, “What’ll ya have?” be sure to try onion rings & frosted orange.
The Vortex | 878 Peachtree St NE, in Downtown | 404.875.1667 $
Features a rowdy biker bar décor and some of the best burgers in town.

BBQ

Fat Matt’s Rib Shack | 1811 Piedmont Ave NE, near Buckhead | 404.607.1622 $
This cash only hole-in-the-wall hosts live blues nightly & has been featured on several recent TV shows for its BBQ.
Daddy D’z | 264 Memorial Drive SE, in Cabbagetown | 404.222.0206 $$
The ribs are bad to the bone, and so are the live blues on Friday and Saturdays nights at this rugged dive.

Chinese

Canton House | 4825 Buford Hwy NE | 770.936.9030 $
Best dim sum in the city!
Mu Lan’s | 824 Juniper St NE, in Midtown | 404.877.5797 $$$
An artistic-looking venture in a converted Midtown Victorian serving upscale Chinese food.
Nam Chun Hong | 5953 Buford Hwy, Suite 105 | 770.454.5640 $$
While most of the dishes at this Korean Chinese restaurant merit high praise, it’s worth a trip just to watch the noodle master.

Cuban

Papi’s East Cuban Cuisine | 216 Ponce de Leon Ave, in Midtown | 404.607.1525 $
The cheapest and most flavorful route to East Cuba in the ATL. There's a revolving menu with daily specials, and the plantains are syrupy morsels of glee.

Greek

Kyma | 3085 Piedmont Rd NE, in Buckhead | 404.262.0702 $$$$
This lavish Greek restaurant is one of the best dining experiences in the city, with great service and authentic food. Save room for their desserts!

Indian

Madras Saravana Bhavan | 5490 Buford Hwy, Doraville | 770.457.8811 $
This wonderful South Indian vegetarian restaurant is known for its huge masala dosai.
Café Bombay | 2615 Briarcliff Rd, Atlanta | 404.320.0229 $
For lunch, when most of the patrons are Indian, a large buffet serves a wide variety of vegetarian and meat dishes.

Italian

Sotto Sotto | 313 N. Highland Ave NE, in Inman Park | 404.523.6678 $$$
A top choice for classic pasta dishes served with flair. Don’t miss the risotto, homemade pastas, chocolate soup dessert, or the impressive wine list.
Dolce | 261 19th Street NW, in Atlantic Station | 404.872.3902 $$
A modern Italian restaurant and lounge that embraces the flavor of the old world Italy while catering to a hip and sophisticated clientele. Taking a cue from the popularity of Italy’s food and wine enotecas, Dolce serves Italian tapas as well as traditional Italian dishes with a contemporary spin. 50% off food Sunday and Monday

Japanese/Sushi

MF Sushibar | 265 Ponce de Leon Ave, in Midtown | 404.815.8844 $$$$
There's loads of creativity on the menu, but don't overlook simple classics in this sushi palace.
Ru San’s | 1529 Piedmont Rd NE, in Midtown | 404.875.7042 $
Casual Japanese restaurant with a large sushi menu.

Korean

Cho Dang Tofu House | 5907 Buford Hwy NE, Doraville| 770.220.0667 $
Offer’s a variety of Korean food, including its famous Tofu soup made just the way you want it. If you’re not in the mood for Tofu soup, cold noodles and Korean BBQ, along with many other things are available too!
Golden Buddha | 1905 Clairmont Road, Decatur | 404-633-5252 $$
Though a Chinese Restaurant, it is known for its Korean-Chinese menu. They pride themselves on fresh meat and seafood and crisp vegetable for every meal.
Stone Bowl House | 5953 Buford Highway, Atlanta| (678) 530-0844 $$
Offers all form of traditional Korean food, and highly recommended by all. When looking for that home cooked meal made by your grandmother, this is the place to go.

Malaysian

Penang | 4897 Buford Hwy | 770.220.0308 $$
This Malaysian standout has a full menu of authentic dishes that will have you coming back again and again.

Mexican/Latin

Nuevo Laredo Cantina | 1495 Chattahoochee Ave | 404.352.9009 $$
This hard-to-find restaurant serves authentic home-cooked Mexican food, and is consistently rated the best in town. Don’t miss their mole sauce!
Loca Luna | 550 Amsterdam Ave NE | 404.875.4494 $$
The food is better than ever at this funky Latin American tapas bar fashioned from a garage!
Tierra | 1425 Piedmont Ave NE, in Midtown | 404.874.5951 $$$
Foodies come for the diverse, pan-Latin menu (Mexico to Peru), regulars keep coming back because everything just tastes so good.

Middle Eastern

Nicola’s Restaurant | 1602 Lavista Rd NE, near Emory | 404.325.2524 $$
The Lebanese owner dishes out delightful Middle Eastern staples plus a few clever concoctions of his own.
Imperial Fez | 2285 Peachtree Rd NE, in Buckhead | 404.351.0870 $$$$
A special occasion Moroccan restaurant that's as much about the atmosphere and entertainment as the food! Features nightly belly dancing.

Pizza

Antico-Pizzera Napoletana | 1093 Hemphill Ave NW, Atlanta | 404.724.2333 $$
Want that traditional Italian pizza that everyone talks about? You don’t have to look far, as they offer traditional Italian pizza made exactly the way they made it in 1905.
Baraonda’s Caffe Italiano | 710 Peachtree St NE, in Downtown | 404.879.9962 $$
A Neapolitan spot with Italian-style sandwiches, fresh salads & simple pastas, & wood-brick oven pizzas.
Savage Pizza | 484 Moreland Ave NE, in Five Points | 404.523.0500 $
Expect the unexpected at this independent storefront offering pizza, pasta and Italian dishes.

Seafood

Atlanta Fish Market | 265 Pharr Rd NE, in Buckhead | 404.262.3165 $$$$
This Atlanta classic continues to expand its vision of what it takes to be the biggest, baddest seafood joint in town.
Six Feet Under | 415 Memorial Drive, in Downtown | 404.523.6664 $$
This lively restaurant and pub located across the street from Atlanta’s famous Oakland Cemetery serves eclectic seafood and Southern fare.

Southern/Soul

Mary Mac’s Tea Room | 224 Ponce de Leon Ave NE, in Midtown Atlanta | 404.876.1800 $
This Atlanta institution has served classic Southern food since 1945.
The Busy Bee | 810 Martin Luther King Dr SW | 404.525.9212 $
Go early for lunch, or you may stand in line at this busy soul food spot in the West End. Since 1947.
Agnes & Muriels | 1514 Monroe Drive NE | 404.885.1000 $$
Great new southern food served in a fun, retro atmosphere that includes an extensive Barbie collection!
Wisteria | 471 N. Highland Avenue NE, in Inman Park | 404.525.3363 $$$
A destination restaurant serving contemporary Southern cuisine, including its signature black-eyed pea hummus.

Steak House

Bone’s | 3130 Piedmont Rd, in Buckhead | 404.237.2663 $$$$
One of the best steak houses in the south, Bone’s boasts a testosterone-charged atmosphere and steaks that are a thing of glory.

Thai

Nan Thai Fine Dining | 1350 Spring St | 404.870.9933 $$$
Dress up, budget appropriately, and enjoy the glamorous setting and rich curries of beef short ribs, lobster and duck.
Surin of Thailand | 810 N. Highland Ave NE | 404.892.7789 $$
Located in the lovely Virginia Highlands neighborhood known for its fun eclectic shops, Surin is a consistent Thai favorite.
Top Spice | 3007 N. Druid Hills Rd NE | 404.728.0588 $$
Serves sophisticated Thai and Malaysian dishes in a lovely setting with great service.

Vegetarian

Soul Vegetarian | 652 N. Highland NE | 404.875.4641 $
Fresh, flavorful vegetables and vegan entrees.

Vietnamese

What the Pho | 2442 Pleasant Hill Rd, in Duluth | 770.814.9396 $$
Serves up really good pho (noodle soup), bun (dishes made with rice vermicelli noodles), fried egg roles & soft spring rolls.
Co’m Vietnamese Grill | 4005-E Buford Hwy | 404.320.0405 $$
A hip little eatery serving flavorful food that embraces the intricacies of Vietnamese cooking.