Things To Do In Alpharetta

Last weekend’s fireworks have fizzled and faded, but summer is just gearing up in Atlanta. This week’s to-do list includes a beloved Disney movie brought to life, the return of ‘90s alt-rockers the Goo Goo Dolls, a modern-art opening, more street food than you could shake a plastic fork at, and Georgia’s newest water park. As always, check Groupon for even more great things to do in Atlanta. The Little Mermaid Midtown | Tuesday, July 8–Sunday, July 13 Before The Little Mermaid was one of Disney’s most beloved films, it was a fairy tale by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen. That origin is further obscured by the Fox Theatre’s latest production, which recreates the kid-friendly Disney version onstage—complete with music by eight-time Academy Award winner Alan Menken. Singing crabs might not have been part of Andersen’s original vision, but they do make this Houston Theatre Under the Stars production a bubbly good time. (660 Peachtree St. NE; ticket prices vary; buy tickets here) Goo Goo Dolls and Daughtry with Plain White T's Buckhead | Friday, July 11, 7 p.m. The Goo Goo Dolls have lived many lives since their first shows in a sweaty Buffalo club called the Continental. They went from ripped jeans to radio rock in the span of just a few albums, and the band’s evolution continues on their latest tour with alt-rockers Daughtry. To prepare for what promises to be a packed show at Chastain Park Amphitheater, check out our playlist of bands you wouldn’t believe the Goo Goo Dolls have shared a bill with. (4469 Stella Dr.; $39.50–$375; buy tickets here) Scott Ingram: Blue Collar Modernism Buckhead | Opening Friday, July 11, 6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. Though he’s now based in Atlanta, visual artist Scott Ingram is a Midwestern boy at heart. As such, his work has always been heavily influenced by the modern architects of Chicago. That influence used to express itself in the minimalism of his work with nail polish, but now it’s starting to show up in the monumentality of his sculptures and installations. Blue Collar Modernism, Ingram’s latest exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia, represents a return to the artist’s Midwestern roots, in which he explores minimalism through the eyes of the working man. (75 Bennett St. Suite A2; free to $5) Atlanta Street Food Festival Piedmont Park | Saturday, July 12, noon to 8 p.m. Summer brings no shortage of excuses to stuff your face, but none is more compelling than the Atlanta Street Food Festival. Dozens of food trucks will set up shop at Piedmont Park, and guests will have a hard time choosing from options that include fried green tomatoes, red velvet cupcakes, and Southern-style chicken with waffle fries. The festival also features live music and a Family Fun Zone with a superslide, rock-climbing wall, and mechanical bull. (400 Park Dr. NE; $10.50–$25; buy tickets here) Hurricane Harbor at Six Flags Over Georgia Austell | Opening summer 2014 Six Flags was already bringing it with thrill rides such as Acrophobia and Goliath, but the park has outdone itself with this summer’s opening of the new Hurricane Harbor water park. Admission to Hurricane Harbor is included with a ticket to the park, meaning you can ride roller coasters in the morning and splash around on water slides in the afternoon. Don’t miss the Bonzai Pipelines, a trio of slides with sharp twists and a four-story drop. (275 Riverside Pkwy. SW, Austell; $41.99–$69.99; buy tickets here) Photos: Atlanta Street Food Festival, Goo Goo Dolls, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor

Even though Atlanta has been torn down and rebuilt a number of times, the city is steeped in history. You can still find historic buildings dotted throughout the city - from the Civil War to the civil rights movement and everything in between. Instead of putzing around a stuffy library, visit one or two of these places to get a real taste of Atlanta history: Sweet Auburn Curb Market - This market was first established in the early 1900s and is still a functioning municipal market today. During segregation, blacks were only allowed to shop the stalls along the curb, hence its name. Today, the market is located downtown near the Georgia State Campus. It has a number of stalls that sell meats, fish, and produce. There are also a number of small, popular eateries like Grindhouse Burgers and Bell Street Burritos. This is not a gentrified, downtown, touristy market like Chelsea Market in New York and Pike Street Market in Seattle. Its appearance is a little rough around the edges, but that just adds to the charm and authenticity of the place. After stocking up on groceries and getting a bite to eat at the curb market, head north one block and walk along Auburn Avenue. This is the Sweet Auburn district, a historically black business district and home to Ebenezer Church and the birth home of Martin Luther King, Jr. You can still see some of the facades of the historic businesses that shut down decades ago like the famous music club, The Royal Peacock. If you want a guided tour of the area, get in touch with the Atlanta Preservation Center for more information. Not too far north of the Sweet Auburn district is Margaret Mitchell House on Peachtree Street. You can take a tour of the famous writer’s apartment and see where she wrote Gone with the Wind. If you’re looking for a grander house museum, head north on Peachtree and check out Rhodes Hall, the home of Rhodes Furniture founder Amos Rhodes. Peachtree Street used to be lined with mansions and Rhodes Hall is one of the only remaining ones today. It was built to look like a small German castle and the interior does not disappoint. Just south of downtown is Oakland Cemetery. It’s the resting place for many famous Atlantans like Margaret Mitchell and Maynard Jackson, and has a number of beautiful mausoleums scattered throughout the grounds. Stop by the Visitors Center, take a self-guided tour, or come for one of the events hosted at the cemetery. If you think cemeteries are creepy and/or boring, a trip to Oakland Cemetery will change that mindset. Not far from Oakland Cemetery is the Cyclorama located in Grant Park. It’s a giant, panoramic painting depicting the Battle of Atlanta fought during the Civil War. The best part is that you get to sit on a rotating platform during the tour of the painting, which is complete with music, educational facts, and lighting. There’s nothing else like it in town. Make sure to stop by the small exhibit on how the Cyclorama was installed and how, at one point, it became overrun with rats. Last, but definitely not least, head west to the Wren’s Nest. In the West End neighborhood, it is the oldest house museum in Atlanta and the home of Joel Chandler Harris, the creator of Uncle Remus and Brer Rabbit. Plan ahead and make sure to come for a tour and storytelling. It’s fascinating to tour the home of one of the most popular authors of the 19th and 20th centuries. The storytelling is geared towards kids, but it’s equally as fun for adults. Looking for more adventures? Explore all of our things to do deals.

The BeltLine is an ongoing project Atlanta is proudly creating to bring energy, creativity and community to its citizens. This progressive city connection spans over thirty-three miles through the city’s most eclectic and naturally beautiful spaces. The BeltLine is broken down into four main trails, all of which are ready for exploration. Arguably the liveliest sector of the BeltLine, the Eastside trail runs from Piedmont Park on 10th and Monroe, down to Old Forth Ward and Inman Park. The smooth, 2.25 mile-long path encourages walking, jogging, bicycling, skateboarding, rollerblading and more. The trail itself is filled with children, pets and Atlantans of all types. From students reading their favorite books on one of the many trailside benches, to young families sharing the experience of the BeltLine with their loved ones, the Eastside trail welcomes all walks of life. In addition to simply enjoying the beautiful outdoors, the BeltLine offers several unique experiences along the Eastside trail. A great way to start a day at the BeltLine is by renting a bicycle at Atlanta Beltline Bicycle in Old Forth Ward.  At only $15 per bike for the day, the price can’t be beat; plus, it’s located right at the southern end of the Eastside trail, making it a great starting spot. (Be sure to ask for a bike lock in case you want to stop to eat and/or shop.) Starting from the southern tip, the trail begins with an art installation that flows with the wind, creating beautiful color patterns. A series of vertical strings hold together several multi-colored triangle pieces, creating the illusion of floating ‘colors of the wind’. The Eastside trail of the BeltLine boasts several more art instillations along its path. Continuing north reveals several housing complexes with lovely balconies studded along the trail. One can only imagine the spacious, yet cozy loft space that must exist inside. On Sundays, The BeltLine Shed at Ponce City Market (a large retail, office and resident space opening in 2014) hosts Food Cart Sundays. With a great selection of different types of foods and drinks, including delicious iced coffee, this stop along the BeltLine is a great choice to please everyone in your group. If you’re more of the sit-down type, just around the corner is Inman Park. Right off the BeltLine, this lovely neighborhood has tons to offer, including Fritti, an Italian restaurant, well-known for its pizza, and Pure Taqueria, an Atlanta couple’s “sophisticated and fun” take on the authentic Mexican taqueria. For a quick treat, an incredibly popular choice is the local favorite, King of Pops. There are three places along the 2.25 mile-long stretch of the Eastside BeltLine to buy the creatively flavored popsicles, but if you’re looking for the most flavor options, head to their headquarters in Inman Park. Just a few feet off the BeltLine, this place offers almost all (due to limited quantities, some flavors sell out) of their tasty flavors from blackberry mojito to banana pudding and sea salt chocolate. Finally, for shopping, stop by Paris on Ponce for a well-curated warehouse space filled with over 30 unique boutique shops featuring local creators of all types. Find a home décor steal at the Parisian inspired Objet booth or get crafty with Terraria and make your very own terrarium. Paris on Ponce carries all kinds of items—from furniture and antiques to clothing and gifts—the variety is exceptional with its hodgepodge of beautiful, one of a kind goods. Overall, the Eastside trail of the BeltLine is a wonderful way to spend a leisurely, yet lively day taking advantage of wonderful local establishments. With ample eats, treats, and goods, the 2.25-mile span from Old Forth Ward & Inman Park to Monroe & 10th is a fun trip with lots of opportunities for friendly encounters. Photos by Johnny Cheng Photography | Explore more things to do in Atlanta