Things To Do In Conyers

Atlanta’s startup community is unlike that of any other. We don’t thrive in the advanced tech space like Silicon Valley; we don’t even start tons of social ventures like Chicago; we have something special: makers, creators, and independent small businesses. Atlanta is the place to make the American Dream a reality. Talent and ambition are just a couple of the many reasons crafters can see success in Atlanta. The supportive, friendly community is really what makes creators thrive, and it is largely due to the Indie Craft Experience. Also known as ICE, this independent vendor marketplace brings together the best of the best to present beautifully handmade items to the public. ICE is put on two times a year with limited vendor spots available, making for a carefully curated selection of goods at the event. The first big marketplace event is Summer ICE, which is usually held in late June, while the second show is Holiday ICE, typically at the end of November. At either ICE, shoppers will find goods like handmade jewelry, candles, clothing, photography, art and more. In addition to the goods, local eateries sell snacks, unique drinks and tasty treats. Just walking from booth to booth proves to be a fun experience, but amp it up by posing in the large photo booth, complete with props and professional photography. As with any fun, popular event, arriving early has its advantages; at each Indie Craft Experience, the first 200 attendees receive generous swag bags stuffed with goodies from the vendors of the event. Don’t worry about waiting in line, though. The street lined with food trucks and coffee trucks (yum!) make for a great, truly local experience, even before you enter ICE. Tickets are just $10 and purchased at the door. Looking to get your feet wet before attending the big show? Check out ICE’s Salvage events in between the shows in April and September, and check their website for surprise Pop-Up shops throughout the year.

With August fast approaching, it’s time to buckle down and start making the most of summer in Atlanta. Get ready to brave the heat because it’s going to be a busy week: brunch becomes a “sensory immersion” at MINT Gallery, Vine & Tap shows off wines from southern France, food trucks take over Alpharetta, and Friday night features craft beers, crazy cars, and Gavin DeGraw. As always, check Groupon for even more great things to do in Atlanta. Eyes Wide: Shawty Arabia Sensory Immersion Brunch Poncey-Highland | Sunday, July 27, 11 a.m. Sunday brunch is often seen as a way to recover from a long night of partying. But what if brunch was the party itself? Discover the answer to that question at MINT Gallery, where Shawty Arabia hosts a ''sensory immersion'' brunch complete with four large works of visual art, three long-form musical compositions, mimosas, a full bar, and desserts courtesy of Chef Daniel Peach of Chai Pani Decatur. Pro tip: don't come hungover (if you can help it). (636 N. Highland Ave. NE; $5) Tuesday Tasting Series at Vine & Tap Buckhead | Tuesday, July 29, 6 p.m. Say goodbye to stuffy lectures and creepy ritualistic grape-smashing ceremonies. Vine & Tap prefers to do things the casual way at its Tuesday-night tastings. Come in any time between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. to taste and learn about the wines of southern France with guidance from resident enophile Philippe Bourgeois.(2770 Lenox Rd. NE; $25; buy tickets here) Alpharetta Food Truck Alley Historic Downtown Alpharetta | Thursday, July 31, 5 p.m. Eating indoors is overrated. At least that's the point of view at Alpharetta Food Truck Alley, a Thursday-night gathering that hosts up to eight local food trucks each week. Come for dinner and stay for live music courtesy of Mudcat, an internationally renowned bluesman and certified demon on the slide guitar. (37 Old Roswell St., Alpharetta; free) Drafts and Dream Cars Midtown | Friday, August 1, 6 p.m. The newest exhibit at the High Museum of Art explores the concept cars of yesteryear, most of which never saw the production line. In honor of these not-exactly-sober designs (one of which resembles a fighter jet and another an egg), the High is teaming up with Monday Night Brewing to host an outdoor beer event. A ticket includes three beer tastings and one beer, plus admission to the museum. (1280 Peachtree St.; $10–$20) Concerts in the Garden: Gavin DeGraw and Matt Nathanson Midtown | Friday, August 1, 7:30 p.m. A fixture on the American music charts, Gavin DeGraw has sold more than a million albums on the strength of hit singles such as ''I Don't Want to Be'' and ''Chariot.'' But he'll have to compete for attention with the Atlanta Botanical Garden's Imaginary Worlds exhibit, which features 28 massive living sculptures shaped like frogs, gorillas, and unicorns. Bring the kids (and a blanket and some lawn chairs) to make the most of this outdoor concert experience. (1345 Piedmont Ave. NE; $59.50–$61.50; buy tickets here)

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.