In the City: Exploring Atlanta, Georgia

In this edition of, In the City, we profile the city of Atlanta, Georgia. We catch up with Caroline Eubanks chapter leader of Atlanta Travel Massive to learn more about her home town and get tips on what to see and do from a local.

How long have you lived in this city?

I’ve lived in the Atlanta area for most of my life, apart from one year living in Sydney, Australia, where I first found out about Travel Massive.

What surprises people most about your city?

I think the food scene constantly surprises visitors – there’s more than just fried chicken in the South. We have plenty of top-notch vegetarian eateries and are home to some of the best James Beard award winners (a household name for American cuisine). You’ll find restaurants with food from all over the world.

What social issue is at the heart of your city right now that people are passionate about and want to drive change to?

I’m especially fond of The Giving Kitchen, which supports members of the restaurant industry who have fallen on hard times.

Best travel tip for visiting your city?

While all the tourist attractions are downtown, stay in a small property or rental in the Old Fourth Ward or Virginia Highland for a local experience.

Best local food or restaurant?

For breakfast, I love Home Grown for its crunchy chicken biscuits. For lunch, try the chicken salad at the Swan Coach House. And for dinner, it’s worth the splurge for fresh seafood at The Optimist.

Best local drink or bar?

Manuel’s Tavern is a local legend, as the late owner was a bigwig in the Democratic party. Today, it’s frequented by everyone from college students to Barack Obama. There are cans of beer on the shelf older than I am. But don’t worry, the ones you order are fresh and craft.

Best local neighborhood to explore and why?

Cabbagetown is one of my favorites – its an old mill neighborhood. When they shut down in the 1970s, they started to be converted into apartments, bars and restaurants. It’s also adjacent to Oakland Cemetery, where Bobby Jones and Margaret Mitchell are buried.

Best local festival or event people should experience?

The Peachtree Road Race – it’s one of the country’s top 10K races. It’s much more than a race though. People dress up and the whole city comes together to cheer on participants.

Best cultural tradition?

Sunday brunch is my favorite cultural tradition. Most restaurants have a special menu, but you can’t have alcohol until 12:30.

Best spot to get off the beaten track?

The Beltline is a spot most tourists don’t often visit. It’s an old train line turned walking and biking path that runs around the city. Start your journey at the Krog Street entrance and go to Piedmont Park.

Best time of year to visit and why?

Fall or spring. The summertime is very humid and can be brutal if you’re not used to the weather. Winters are fairly mild, but have been snowy in recent years.

Is there any local lingo we should know about?

You might be called “ma’am” or “sir” even if you’re not older, but that’s just the polite way of addressing people. “Y’all” is used a lot too.

Do you recommend any travel sites or blogs about your city?

The Discover Atlanta Blog is a good resource on things to do in Atlanta, as is Access Atlanta. I also write a lot about Atlanta on my own personal blog This Is My South.

Are there handy travel apps for exploring your city?

Download the MARTA app for our public transportation. For the places inaccessible by train or bus, I use Uber and Lyft. Scoutmob is another great one, based here, that gives you 50% off at restaurants, stores and other locations.

Any strange or weird by-law in your city?

We still have some blue laws when it comes to alcohol. Restaurants can’t serve alcohol until 12:30 on Sundays.

If you could book a ticket tomorrow, where would you go?

I’ve got South Africa on the mind at the moment! I’d love to travel through wine country and learn more about the country’s history.

Finally, why do you travel?

I realize travel brings out the best in me. It makes me try things I might not at home.

In the City is a monthly series that profiles a unique Travel Massive city around the world. Connect with Caroline on Travel Massive or join the Atlanta chapter for updates on their upcoming event.