Act like a Local

From navigating the city to blending in as a true Southerner here s everything you need to know to act like a native Atlantan or at least to not stick out like a sore thumb Make a Plan Atlanta is known for its hot hot HOT summers So if you re going somewhere outdoors anytime from May to even as late as October dress accordingly Our beautiful if not scorching Southern weather attracts people in troves If you re going out during the weekend especially somewhere outdoors expect crowds Atlantans also love their weekend brunch so if you re planning on a morning of chicken and waffles and mimosas make a reservation or be ready for a wait Getting Around Town Atlanta is infamous for its transportation When it comes to driving around the city you will need to be reassured driving on the highway While you can drive back roads pretty much anywhere within the perimeter aka I- which loops around the city chances are it ll take much longer and unless there s a crash on the highway the traffic seemingly won t be much better We suggest opting for MARTA to get to Piedmont Park especially if you re going to a festival like Music Midtown or Atlanta Pride the Fox Theatre the Woodruff Arts Center home to the High Museum Alliance Theatre and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra downtown Atlanta downtown Decatur or the airport The bus system will take you further outside the bounds of the subway but it can be confusing and tedious even for locals Atlanta is very hilly and our streets don t operate on a grid system meaning it can be laborious to walk to your location However the Atlanta Beltline Beltline org is working to change that The Beltline links you to Piedmont Park Ponce City Sector Krog Street Area and dozens of other green spaces Other walkable pockets that provide a charming afternoon of shopping and dining include the tourist area around Centennial Olympic Park Atlantic Station Decatur East Atlanta Village Little Five Points Virginia-Highland the Midtown epicenter of th and Piedmont and more If you re looking to just take a walk without a destination Atlanta has several expansive parks that offer a more relaxing nature-filled experience than the bustling BeltLine Specific of our favorites include Westside Park Piedmont Park Freedom Park and the Decatur Cemetery Stay Safe If you re out for a night on the town think safety first don t leave valuables in your car park only in well-lit areas and remember there s safety in numbers Look Out for One Another In Atlanta we advocate for one another especially those of us who are marginalized Atlanta is a queer city Atlanta is a Black city If you are not down for that we re not down for you Unfortunately the state surrounding our wonderful city is not thoroughly on the same page and while Atlanta is a wonderful place to live and be it also has its problems So we Atlantans have to regularly take to the streets in protest Larger protests often happen at the Capitol and Centennial Olympic Park but smaller actions happen all over the city If you don t have the time or ability to protest there are still solutions to be involved The post Act like a Local appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta