The Sophisticated Life
  • Home
  • About
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Wine
  • Work With Me
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
The Sophisticated Life
  • Home
  • About
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Wine
  • Work With Me
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
The Sophisticated Life
No Result
View All Result
Home Travel

Why I Love Atlanta, Georgia and Why You Should Visit!

by Nadeen
September 19, 2019
A A

Atlantacityview

Before I get to the 5 reasons why I love Atlanta, I will list the 3 reasons I was prompted to write this post.  First, I read a blog post on Twitter last week in which a family came to Atlanta for 2 days during a cold rainy spell and had a miserable time. Reading it made me sad since they had very little good to say about my new hometown and missed out on all the wonderful things this city has to offer. Second, USA today recently voted Atlanta its Best US Value Travel Destination! Third, as a lifestyle blogger living in Atlanta I have been asked by those visiting the area of things to do and places to eat. I used the new search engine function on my website and realized I did not have a comprehensive article on this topic and so ta-da!!

atlantareindeer

1) The Food:  The variety and quality is just unprecedented compared to area other areas I have recently lived in. Besides all the award winning chefs and restaurants from high end to food trucks, there are numerous farmers markets that take place from spring to fall throughout the city and suburbs. For  those looking for our “Chinatown” or “Koreatown” head to Buford Highway. You will have your choice of various authentic Asian cuisines, supermarkets and even churches. I won’t spend more time on this subject since I have not 1, not 2 but 3 food articles on the website!

atlanta magazine

2) The People:  Southern hospitality is real. It exists. When I first arrived in Atlanta this Northeasterner could not believe that people just started talking to me! From people in the grocery stores, to the valet guy noticing my Florida tags and chitchatting about his time there to people saying hello to me in the park. It definitely took some getting used to but I love it. Before even moving to Atlanta it seemed as if everyone that I knew knew someone that lived there. Introductions were made and friendships quickly formed. Networking has been effortless in this city with social events happening almost daily. The best example I can give of the great people I have met here is the wonderful turnout off 22 people I had for my Birthday dinner after living here for less than 2 years!

My Birthday Dinner
My Birthday Dinner

3) The Places: Atlanta may be a city but within the city itself are countless quaint neighborhoods each with its own character. Walkable trails, parks, restaurants all within steps from your home. Some of my favorite neighborhoods include my own in West Midtown and Atlantic Station, Virginia Highlands, Inman Park, Candler Park and Ansley Park. Piedmont Park is our “mini Central Park” and home to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens.

Piedmont Park
Piedmont Park
Piedmont Park at Dusk
Piedmont Park at Dusk

 

 

 

Both are beautiful and hold many seasonal events all year.

Botanical Gardens
Botanical Gardens

Close by there is also downtown Decatur which is thriving with shops and a new hub for the best restaurants in town. Academics flock to Emory Village with its own long list of restaurants and shops and close proximity to Emory, the CDC and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

CNN Headquarters
CNN Headquarters

 

Our downtown area is known for  major tourist attractions such as Centennial Olympic Park, CNN, Coca Cola, the Georgia Aquarium (which is the largest in the country) and our newest attraction-the year round enclosed Ferris Wheel which allows for great views of the city. Be sure to also visit the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site.

The World of Coca Cola
The World of Coca Cola

Close to downtown in Grant Park there is the Atlanta Zoo home to many exotic animals and my favorite-Pandas! Visit the blog post “A Visit to the Atlanta Zoo“.  If you enjoy sports be sure to check out our football, basketball or baseball teams that play in venues downtown as well.  And if you enjoy shopping be sure to head north to the famous Buckhead area and lose your mind and your dollars in the Lenox and Phipps shopping plazas.

4) The Weather. OK. Yes I know. We were shut down this past winter because of 2 inches of snow and ice. But, that’s because typically we do not get any snow or ice! That was a deciding factor in why I chose to move here vs. heading back to the Northeast. I do not like shoveling snow or driving in ice. I am from Jamaica originally and I love the sun and love being warm. Atlanta has 4 seasons but the winter is typically mild with a long fall and early spring. Even during the winter we have some warm days in the 60’s that can get you through the more frigid ones. By far the fall is absolutely my favorite time of year here. The crisp cool breezes and magnificent colors of the trees and leaves are breathtaking.

Fall in Atlanta
Fall in Atlanta

5) The Culture: In a World Cities Culture Report from 2012 it was stated “Culture in all its diverse forms is central to what makes a city appealing to educated people and hence to the businesses which seek to employ them”. It also stated that many cultural elements shape a city including large and small music venues, record shops, libraries and book shops, museums and galleries, parks and cafes. Anyone who lives in Atlanta can tell you that we have all of the above abundantly covered! There is the historic Fox Theater bringing Broadway shows, ballets and famous musicians. There is the Woodruff Arts Center which includes the High Museum of Art, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the Alliance Theater.

High Museum
High Museum
Woodruff Arts Center
Woodruff Arts Center

 

There is also the Fernbank Museum and Center for Puppetry Arts which are great places for children and young adults. Music venues include the Chastain Amphitheater, Philips Arena, Center Stage, The Tabernacle and many more. And I can not exclude the many outdoor music festivals include the free Atlanta Jazz festival held every year over Memorial Day weekend.

 

I have lived in this great city less than 2 years and it already feels like home. After reading this blog post I am sure you can understand why. If you live in Atlanta tell me all the reasons you love it!

N.S.W.

Downtown Atlanta skyline
Downtown Atlanta skyline

 

Join over 2k travel enthusiasts on The Sophisticated Life email list & get access to travel updates, exclusive content & offers!

+ Get the Pandemic Travel Checklist FREE

Thank you! Check your email for your checklists!

Tags: AtlantageorgiatourismTravelusa
Previous Post

Misty Copeland: Fulfilling every Black girl’s ballerina dreams (including mine).

Next Post

A Visit to Zoo Atlanta!

Nadeen

Nadeen

Dr. Nadeen White is a "Blogger by Day, Physician by Night". She is an award-winning travel blogger, Amazon bestselling author and speaker. The Sophisticated Life Blog covers affordable luxury travel, culinary travel and wine. Her domestic and international travel guides gets people to the destinations of their dreams. So, if you are living the sophisticated life or desire to do so, this is the blog for you!

Related Posts

black owned brunch spots in atlanta, black owned restaurants in atlanta, brunch in atlanta
Food

Black-Owned Brunch Spots in Atlanta

April 27, 2022
photo by Adam chandler courtesy of charleston wine and food festival
Wine

2022 Charleston Wine + Food Festival-Recap!

March 31, 2022
sonoma county wineries and restaurants, sonoma, california wine region, sonoma wines, wine tasting
Wine

Sonoma County Wineries & Restaurants.

December 13, 2021
things to do in malibu california, malibu restaurants, wine tasting in malibu, malibu beaches, shopping in malibu
Travel

Things to do in Malibu California this Weekend.

March 21, 2022
asheville travel guide, things to do in asheville north carolina, places to stay in asheville, where to eat in asheville north carolina
Travel

The Ultimate Guide of Things To Do in Asheville, North Carolina!

September 22, 2021
black-owned businesses in asheville north carolina, hood huggers tours, black-owned business in asheville, asheville north carolina, black-owned restaurants in Asheville, downtown Asheville,
Travel

Black-Owned Businesses in Asheville, North Carolina.

September 22, 2021
Next Post

A Visit to Zoo Atlanta!

Prague! The "City of a Hundred Spires".

Comments 6

  1. Donna Santacroce says:
    8 years ago

    Beautiful .. I was there once for a conference but didn’t see much .
    Thinking now if a road trip’

  2. Sharon says:
    8 years ago

    Hi from the family whose blog you read!! 🙂

    It was great to read your recap and it really just reinforced that we were really ripped off on our visit!! We had been looking forward to Atlanta the most as it sounds very similar to our home city of Melbourne in Australia. This feeling was also reinforced as much of what you have said here could also apply to Melbourne!! It is warmer though, so you should come by here sometime, I’m sure you would love it 🙂

  3. Keshawn says:
    8 years ago

    This is an excellent recap Nadeen! People should use it as a resource when planning their trips here. You’ve highlighted every must see spot. Good job!

  4. Louida says:
    8 years ago

    Thanks for this post Nadeen! I’ve been living in Atlanta since 2006 and just now exploring the city. I use to be a home-body so I’m still learning what Atlanta has to offer.

  5. Local Adventurer says:
    7 years ago

    i love atlanta!! i feel like we’ll eventually move back there bc that’s were home is. the people are great there.. and even when there are crazy things like the snowpocalypse, there are so many people helping each other. that doesn’t happen too many other places. 🙂

    • Nadeen says:
      7 years ago

      I agree! Southern Hospitality is alive and well here and the weather is great even though we did have the snow and ice last year.

No Result
View All Result
Subscribe for updates!

Subscribe for updates!

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Best-selling Travel Ebooks Available for Download

Travel Guides to Your Favorite Destinations

USA Wine Guide for Travelers

Culinary Travel Guides: Food & Wine

Recent Posts

Wine

Sonoma County Wineries & Restaurants.

by Nadeen
December 13, 2021
Wine

2021 Wine & Spirits Holiday Gift Guide Featuring Black-Owned Businesses!

by Nadeen
November 27, 2021
  • Martha’s Vineyard #ᴘʜᴏᴛᴏᴅᴜᴍᴘ 
Trying to focus on something positive & spread some joy on your timeline after the disastrous news yesterday. #roevswadeoverturned 😠😠

***Save & Share for your trip to #marthasvineyard 

Soooooo last summer my husband @parrishu70 and I rented a house 🏡 for a week in Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard. It was the most relaxing 😌 vacation! 

My first stop is always @lookouttavernmv for their warm lobster 🦞 roll. Trust me you will drool and it’s the biggest one I have ever had anywhere!! 

Our routine consisted of morning walks (or runs for him) along the beach 🏖, stopping for iced coffee and breakfast in town along circuit avenue @lindajeansrestaurant is a must!!!

Walking back home past beautiful gingerbread houses and yachts 🛥 (I need one in my life!) to pack up our lunches and snacks for the beach. 

Spending the afternoon on the beach 🏝 there are several to choose from all over the island (see my previous MV guide) or strolling around Edgartown with all the cute shops, discovering the lighthouses on the island AND we even went sailing with @bdtallships it was amazing! 

In the evening we relaxed, got dressed for dinner and headed out. If you love seafood this is the place for you. There are so many great restaurants and outdoor eating, romantic spots. 

Does this sound like a place you would like to vacation? I love #newenglandlife during the summer. The weather is perfect. No humidity! I’m hoping to get back there next summer. Head to my blog (link in profile) for more MV info! 

#marthasvineyard #marthasvineyardlife #oakbluffs #blackdogmv #sunsetsailing #vineyardhaven #newengland #marthasvineyardstyle #marthasvineyardblackdog #blackbloggers #luxurylifestyle #luxurytraveller
  • #roevswade overturned by Frump’s Ultraconservative Supreme Court. As a physician I could not not speak 🗣 about this. I take care of patient’s till they are 21yo and so many will be affected by this ruling. 

Patients who are teenagers, patients who have been raped, victims of incest, who are not physically or mentally ready to become parents, who find out their fetus has life threatening abnormalities….they will be left without a choice…putting their lives in danger and/or traveling to other states in order to exercise their right to an abortion. 

Gun advocates often say-it doesn’t matter if they enact gun control laws because if a person wants a gun they will find a way to get one. Don’t blame the gun, blame the person. So if that’s the case, if a person wants an abortion, they will find a way to get one even if it’s dangerous and puts their life and the fetus’s life at risk. 

Make this make sense?
I am sick about this. 
I really did not think I would be around to see this law overturned. 
But here we are. 

How are you feeling about this?

#roevwade #supremecourt #prolifemovement #mybodymychoice
  • ***Save & Share for your trip to
MARTHA’s VINEYARD! ⛱🌅

Martha’s Vineyard is one of my favorite places to visit during the summer. There are so many reasons to go there. But you need to start planning in advance. As early as 1 year before! Stay tuned for planning tips! 

**Checkout my MV Reel for the visual**!
🌞 perfect weather 
🦞 delicious seafood 
🏡 historic homes and neighborhoods 
🏖 a different beach for every day of the week
 🚲 bike paths 
🌅stunning sunsets & lighthouses all over the island. 

Swipe left to take a look at my guide and get more details on my blog linked in my profile!

Have you been to #marthasvineyard ?! #oakbluffs #edgartown #newenglandliving #luxurytraveler #luxurylifestyles #travelguides
  • Swinging into Monday like….
#MondayMood

I had a blast 💥 popping into the @blacktravelsummit for 2 days this past weekend! Scroll to see my first 360 degree photo! 
More details to come but now I must sleep after a busy nighttime hospital shift. 

How was your weekend? Were you at the Black Travel Summit? 

#blacktravelsummit2022 #blacktravelsummit #voyageincolor #blacktravelers #blackbloggersunited
  • Did you know that National Rosé Day is Saturday June 11th? What better day to purchase & support these Black-owned Rosé wine brands? Sip Sip! 😋😋

I was so fortunate to meet many of the winemakers and sample the ones I had not tried at the @africanamericanvintners 20th anniversary symposium last month! Check out my California highlight reel for all the fun & of course you can find a list of Black-owned winemakers and brands on my website! 

And if you are new to Rosé wines, be sure to read my blog post on Rosé 101: A guide for beginners! 

#nationalroséday #roseday #rosewine #roséwine #rosewine🍷 #blackwinemakers #blackwinelovers #winewithfriends #winebloggers #foodandwinepairing #luxurybloggers
  • ✨✨My theme for the summer-I want to be outside, sipping on some wine 🍷 ,preferably on rooftops but I’ll take garden parties, wineries, parks, yachts…
Send all invites this way!!
Who is with me? 😄😄

✨✨Throwback to the rooftop of @kisseluptownoakland for the @africanamericanvintners Black Vintners Wine Festival last month! 

#luxurylife #luxurybloggers #blacktravelbloggers #oaklandcalifornia #kisselhoteloakland #winenot🍷 #blackwineprofessionals #winewithfriends #winelover #summervibes🌞

Black-Owned Businesses

black-owned businesses in asheville north carolina, hood huggers tours, black-owned business in asheville, asheville north carolina, black-owned restaurants in Asheville, downtown Asheville,

Black-Owned Businesses in Asheville, North Carolina.

September 22, 2021
black-owned rosé wine brands to sip on this summer, rosé wines, black-owned wines, rosé wines, summer wines, black-owned wines, black-owned wineries, mcbride wines, black girl magic wines, brown estate wines,

Black-Owned Rosé Wine Brands to Sip on this Summer.

April 27, 2022
atlanta black-owned restaurants, black-owned restaurants in atlanta, atlanta restaurants, brunch in atlanta, atlanta restaurants

45+ Black-Owned Restaurants in Atlanta You Should Support!

May 15, 2022
black-owned wineries, black-owned businesses, black-owned wines, black winemakers, black wines, black owned wines, black owned wineries, black podcasts, wine, wineries, winemakers. wine regions, napa valley, wine tasting

50+ Black-Owned Wineries & Businesses You Should Follow & Support.

March 15, 2022

Explore the U.S.A

photo by Adam chandler courtesy of charleston wine and food festival

2022 Charleston Wine + Food Festival-Recap!

March 31, 2022
sonoma county wineries and restaurants, sonoma, california wine region, sonoma wines, wine tasting

Sonoma County Wineries & Restaurants.

December 13, 2021
things to do in malibu california, malibu restaurants, wine tasting in malibu, malibu beaches, shopping in malibu

Things to do in Malibu California this Weekend.

March 21, 2022
asheville travel guide, things to do in asheville north carolina, places to stay in asheville, where to eat in asheville north carolina

The Ultimate Guide of Things To Do in Asheville, North Carolina!

September 22, 2021
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Myrtle Beach Restaurant Guide for Foodies!

The Best Myrtle Beach Restaurants: A Guide for Foodies!

August 6, 2020
15 fun facts about quebec city canada, travel to canada, canadian

15 Fun Quebec City Facts

August 7, 2018
Diner en Blanc Guide for First-Timers! Everything you need to know to attend this magical event! Includes information on purchasing tickets, preparing for the event, costs and what to expect at Diner en Blanc!

Diner en Blanc Guide for First-Timers!

September 19, 2019
Dubai Trip

Dubai Travel Guide for First Time Visitors!

April 2, 2020
Dubai Trip

Dubai Travel Guide for First Time Visitors!

How I spent 5 Days in Dubai and Abu Dhabi! A Desert Safari, Camel rides, Burj Khalifa, High Tea at Burj Al Arab, Shopping in Souks, Visiting the Grand Mosque and so much more!!

How I Spent 5 Days in Dubai and Abu Dhabi!

Visit Jamaica: Land I Love!

Cruising the Mediterranean Sea on Norwegian Epic!

black owned brunch spots in atlanta, black owned restaurants in atlanta, brunch in atlanta

Black-Owned Brunch Spots in Atlanta

April 27, 2022
photo by Adam chandler courtesy of charleston wine and food festival

2022 Charleston Wine + Food Festival-Recap!

March 31, 2022
sonoma county wineries and restaurants, sonoma, california wine region, sonoma wines, wine tasting

Sonoma County Wineries & Restaurants.

December 13, 2021
black-owned businesses, gift guide, holiday gift guide, wine gifts, wine apparel, wine books, wine and spirits, 2021 wine and spirits holiday gift guide featuring back-owned businesses

2021 Wine & Spirits Holiday Gift Guide Featuring Black-Owned Businesses!

November 27, 2021
The Sophisticated Life

  • About
  • Travel
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy

© 2021 The Sophisticated Life

The Sophisticated Life

  • About
  • Travel
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
Menu
  • About
  • Travel
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy

© 2020 The Sophisticated Life

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About
  • Travel
  • Wine
  • Food
  • Contact
  • Work With Me
  • Privacy Policy

© 2020 The Sophisticated Life