Whirl Helicopter Atlanta

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

It is rare to find something in this world that is virtually universally loved. A few things come to mind: laughing, love, happiness. But there’s something that can arguably be added to that list: pizza. There’s something just so irresistible about the simple, yet ingenious combination of bread and cheese. Pizza is a food variety that has been mastered in Italy and vehemently attempted in the United States. But some local Atlanta pizza restaurants offer up the real deal. Crispy Crust: Jack’s Pizza and Wings Walking into Jack’s feels like deja vu from college days. The cool, laid back joint has arcade games, graffiti, and even old school lunch boxes used as décor. Jack’s Pizza and Wings is very well known in Atlanta for their wings, but for many, it’s the pizza that keeps them coming back for more. Jack’s Pizza is the perfect balance of generous toppings, melty cheese and crispy crust. The crust isn’t paper thin, like you’d find in some NYC pizzerias; the crust is thick enough to support the toppings of their many specialty pizzas (including mac & cheese!), yet remains perfectly crisp on the bottom. Traditional Pizza: Fellini’s If you’re looking for a well-made, fresh pizza, then head over to Fellini’s. Their no-gimmick, no-fuss approach to pizza is one that’s sure to please. Their philosophy is simple: they use fresh ingredients, dynamite recipes and thoughtful care to create a little slice of cheesy heaven for each and every customer. Their signature neon lettering and twinkling light décor, combined with their lovely outdoor seating make the whole experience of dining at Fellini’s special. Authentic Neapolitan Pizza: Antico Antico is a local go-to for any pizza lover. With its unbelievably fresh ingredients and imported Italian ovens, it’s tough to compare any pizza in Atlanta to Antico. The unique atmosphere is open and inviting with large tables open for parties to share. This traditional Neapolitan pizza is as authentic as it gets in the Atlanta area. The thin, fluffy crust complements the robust flavors of the buffalo mozzarella and other mouth-watering toppings in a way that makes it clear why this pizza establishment has been around since 1889. Creative Toppings: Shorty’s Located in the Northern area of Atlanta, Shorty’s Pizza offers a fun, creative spin on pizza. In traditional Italian sit-down restaurant style, the thin crust cooked in a wood fired brick oven is enough to draw in a crowd, but the unique topping options make this pizza joint one of a kind. Unconventional foods like potatoes, fried eggs, avocado and taco seasoned ground beef are all available for toppings, making for some interesting combinations. Local Favorite: Varasano’s Pizzeria With tons of awards under their belt, including one of the 'Elite 8' Pizzerias in the US by Every Day with Rachael Ray, Varasano’s has quickly become a local favorite in Atlanta. Located in the Buckhead neighborhood, this pizzeria serves a delicious take on Neapolitan pizza. The flimsy crust made of sourdough bread just begs to be folded for the perfect bite. And in the unlikely event you have room for desert after one of their signature pizza pies, Varasano’s offers decadent Italian style doughnuts. As if their savory pizza wasn’t enough to keep business booming, the crystalized sugarcoated fried confections are the perfect cherry on top of one satisfying meal. All photos by Johnny Cheng Photography

Atlanta experiences all four seasons, but its mild climate makes it ideal for enjoying the outdoors almost all year. If outdoorsy activities aren’t your thing, don’t worry. There’s plenty of ways to enjoy nature in the city that don’t involve hiking - or camping. The city has a number of parks and green spaces that are never more than a few minutes walk from civilization (e.g. air conditioning, indoor plumbing, food, drink). Piedmont Park: Located in midtown, Piedmont Park is Atlanta’s Central Park. It has some of the most beautiful views of the city’s skyline and it stays consistently busy in the spring, summer, and early fall months. During the busy months, there’s usually a concert or festival going on, but you can almost always find a quiet corner to have a picnic or take an afternoon nap. Piedmont Park is also home to one of the best dog parks in the city. It’s located in the newer, northwestern section and very well maintained with a separate area for smaller dogs. Atlanta Botanical Garden: The Atlanta Botanical Garden is probably the best “nature” outing in Atlanta for non-outdoorsy types. It was recently expanded and modernized with the addition of a large visitors center. The garden hosts a number of exhibits and special events throughout the year. There’s plenty to see and do, and you’re never far from the MetroFresh café located in the visitor’s center. The Beltline: This multi-use, 22-mile trail system is just beginning to take shape, but it’s already become a great addition to Atlanta’s green space. Twenty-two miles can seem overwhelming, so if you’re new to The Beltline, join one of the walking, biking, or bus tours that are offered throughout the year. The Eastside trail between Inman Park and Piedmont Park is currently the most finished portion of The Beltline and well worth a visit. Because The Beltline follows an old rail line, most of the trails - even the unpaved ones - are flat and very walkable. Fourth Ward Park: Technically part of The Beltline, Fourth Ward Park just opened in 2011 south of Ponce City Market and is already incredibly popular. While it doesn’t have the rolling, green hills that Piedmont Park has, it does have great water features. Take a stroll along the walkways that are just a few feet above the lake and get a close-up view of the fountains. There’s also a playground for kids and plenty of open lawn space for picnicking. Grant Park: Grant Park is located in the Grant Park neighborhood, which is just south of downtown Atlanta. It’s most well known for being home to the Atlanta Zoo and the Cyclorama (both worth a visit), but it’s also perfect for going on a picnic or taking a leisurely stroll. Part of what makes this park so charming is the surrounding neighborhood filled with historic homes and small cafes. While it is a popular park, it never feels as crowded as Piedmont Park during the summer months. Make sure to visit the Grant Park farmers market located on the eastside on Sundays between April and December – it’s one of the best in the city.