How to Spend a 24-Hour Staycation in Atlanta

Sure, tourists know to see the expected Downtown sights — the World of Coca-Cola, Centennial Olympic Park, the Georgia Aquarium, and the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. But locals know the cooler spots around town. Here’s how to spend a fantastic day in this fantastic city, with no tourist traps on the itinerary.

9:30 to 11:30 a.m. — Start with a treat on the Eastside BeltLine

Parking can be a challenge in Old Fourth Ward for BeltLine access, but grabbing a meal can help ease the pain (and score you validation). Dip underground into the public garage on 505 North Angier Ave NE, then resurface to the buzzy (and buzzworthy) FORTH Hotel’s ground-floor Bar Premio for European cafe-style coffee and elegant patisserie by the hotel’s celebrated executive pastry chef Carelys Vasquez. The pistachio croissant is a staff favorite, but the seasonal, stuffed kouign amanns are a heavenly wake-up.

Alternatively, park in the Ford Factory Lofts garage (not the Kroger one) by the unfortunately nicknamed “Murder Kroger” to pop upstairs to the hidden gem, Indaco. Hit the counter-service cafe at its entrance to grab a coffee and baked treat by pastry chef Brianna Rafferty. Enjoy it on the patio overlooking the BeltLine before joining the forming groups getting their morning fitness on.

Head south to detour to Historic Fourth Ward Park for pleasant paths and views, or keep going to Historic Fourth Ward Skatepark to watch skaters take on flips and tricks. Don’t forget to take a photo playing the piano on the way there, and of the many murals, which are swapped out every year. See how many Tiny Doors you can spot.

Other ideas: Start from the Krog Street Market, grab a coffee and pastry from the Little Tart Bakeshop there, and reverse the route by heading north instead of south. This way, you’ll be able to see Krog Street Tunnel, which boasts an entire wall of murals, and even more works of art. It’s roughly two miles from market to market. You can also cover more ground by renting a bike from Atlanta Bicycle Barn or a Relay Bike Share station.

12 p.m. — Lunch at Pata Negra Mezcaleria

You’ve earned yourself a sit, so take two: one in the car to head north to Atlanta’s ode to mezcal by chef Octavio Ruiz, and another on the covered patio or in the dark, glam dining room. Order cochinita pibil sopes and fresh guac with uniquely crisp “forgotten” tortillas for the table, then take advantage of the more affordable lunch pricing to order overstuffed chicken enchiladas in poblano cream of scratch-made mole, tacos on handmade corn tortillas, or something unique, like the pizza-like tlayuda with grasshopper for some Oaxacan authenticity. Ice cream from the wild mind of pastry chef Ricky Saucedo (think popcorn, spicy mango) is an ideal way to finish.

Other ideas: Stay by the BeltLine and have lunch at Ponce City Market. Top Chef favorite Hector Santiago’s tapas bar, La Metro, is every bit as good as you’d expect it to be, and one of the most authentic-to-Spain tapas experiences in the city. Post up at the counter with pintxos and small plates you can choose from behind the glass counter. The garlic shrimp, grilled mushroom toast, and Spanish meatballs are particularly noteworthy. Whatever you do, don’t miss the creamy Basque cheesecake.

1 p.m. to 4 p.m. — Get to know your city at the Atlanta History Center Buckhead

This Buckhead cultural gem is 33 acres so chock-full of Atlanta’s treasures that it’s a member of the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience. First up is an interactive, multimedia journey through the formation of Atlanta and its culture — a perfect lead-in to the Atlanta ’96 Olympic Games exhibit. Beyond that lies Native American pottery, a 138-year-old hand-painted cyclorama, an old locomotive from the Civil War era, the stunning Goizueta Gardens, and four historic homes including the Swan House, which you may recognize from The Hunger Games.

Parking in the deck is free, so take your time meandering. If you feel a little peckish, there’s local Brash Coffee and a Souper Jenny on site for a quick bite.

Other ideas: If your staycation plans fall in the fall, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights will reopen after an expansion and renovation, with a brand-new pavilion honoring Atlanta’s former mayor Shirley Clarke Franklin and the Arthur M. Blank Inspiration Hall, which adds three additional galleries, including one for traveling and rotating exhibitions, and a cafe.

4:30 to 6:30 p.m. — Treat yo’self to relaxation at InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta

Ideally, you’ll have booked a spa treatment and resort pass in advance for this time for one of the best spa values and experiences in the city. It’s affiliated with French brand Biologique Recherche, and the private cabins are artfully designed and infinitely soothing in the hands of their pros. Self-parking is free with a massage, so take the time to take advantage of the included access to the modern fitness center, relaxation room, spa showers in the locker room, and heated outdoor saline pool.

Other ideas: We may not be able to call it “happy hour” in Atlanta, but lots of spots have great deals for kicking back around twilight. Ora Sociale at Serena Pastificio runs from 3 to 6 p.m. and features seasonal cocktails and small plates, including limited editions of their exquisite pastas. Enjoy it on the patio for primo people-watching in Colony Square. Around the corner, Virtue Rooftop Lounge at 5Church Midtown provides a different POV for people watching, but stay downstairs for Social Hour specials for wine, beer, and light bites between 3 and 6 p.m. Another rooftop happy hour recommendation is Gypsy Kitchen in Buckhead Village, held from 4 to 6 p.m. on weekdays, with a limited snacking menu and $11 exquisitely refreshing craft cocktails. Finally, while they don’t have happy hour program, newcomer Blackjack Bar Tapas is a sexy dazzler of a spot worth a stop for unique drinks like Cucumber Salad, Mango Sticky Rice, and one of the only Suntory Highball machines in Atlanta.

7 p.m. to late — Dinner and post-dinner

Choose your own adventure: do you want to head east or west? For the former, head over to Tiny Lou’s, where recently appointed New Orleans import executive chef Joshua Wetshtein joins longstanding local fave pastry chef Charmain Ware to bring serious verve and sophistication to this French-American classic. After, head over to Joystick Game Bar for arcade games and pinball, or Sister Louisa’s Church of the Living Room and Ping Pong Emporium (or just “Church” for ATLiens) for drinks, drag, tarot, karaoke, or — you guessed it — ping pong.

Rather go west? Then do dinner at the Woodall, where chef-owner John C. Metz brings his A-game to a modern menu that showcases New American style and top-notch sourcing. The pappardelle lamb sugo is a delight, but the lump crab cacio e pepe gives it a run for its money. Beef tallow fries, fried oysters with pickled quail eggs, foie gras torchon, and more make it one of West Midtown’s most underrated secrets. Sips like the too-smooth Green Tea Matcha Cucumber Gimlet and the fresno pepper Boardroom Rita are just as thoughtful. Close the night out at Your 3rd Spot at The Works with over 100 arcade games, video games, and fun canoodle-friendly nooks to help you remember just how young at heart you are.

Other ideas: Listening bars are as hot as Atlanta summers this year, so if you’d rather groove than game after dinner, check out Commune for wine and vinyl; Block & Drum for “HiFi” and live; Stereo ATL for a listen and maybe a good cry; Echo Room at Westside Motor Lounge for jazz kissa; or The Frisky Whisker in Underground Atlanta, featuring alt music and actual cats. Later this year, La Cueva opens in Ponce City Market for yet another option.

Late night — Snacking and dancing

Good God, you’re still going? Bless your heart, you must be hungry. There’s always our beloved local institution Waffle House at this hour, but we’ve also put together a guide for the best late-night snacks to broaden your selection. If your staycation ends in Midtown, head over to JoJo’s Beloved Cocktail Lounge in Colony Square, hidden behind the food hall in Politan Row. Its expansion debuted a dance floor, so you can boogie, disco, and cut a rug until 1 a.m. Thursday through Saturday, or until midnight Tuesdays and Wednesdays, sipping on cocktails as the records play.

Where to stay: The FORTH Hotel is stylish, central, and has all the swagger of being a new-built hotel directly on the BeltLine. Hotel Clermont is also ideal for Old Fourth Ward convenience and adds midcentury cool and stunning views from a recently spruced up rooftop. Midtown, Hotel Granada charms with its Spanish style, central courtyard, and sunroom-style furniture, while the Kimpton Shane Hotel is sleek, luxurious, and contemporary. All of these options are pet-friendly (for a fee), which means you won’t need to get a sitter or walker for your staycation.