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02 / 07 / 2020
Surprise your sweetheart: hot spots for Valentine’s Day in Georgia
We all know planning the perfect Valentine’s Day date night can be a struggle—it’s a never-ending cycle of pondering where to eat, what to do, or where to stay. Still deciding on if you want to enjoy a romantic night in the city or partake in a luxurious weekend getaway? We’ve got you covered. Here are some of our favorite restaurants, activities, and destinations right here in Georgia that are terrific for Valentine’s Day.
Restaurants
Canoe
Nestled along the banks of the Chattahoochee River, Canoe offers a rustic yet elegant atmosphere that is guaranteed to delight your senses. This fine-dining culinary gem offers award-winning cuisine from their Roasted Berkshire pork chop and Southern-style collards to their wood-grilled New York strip—all are sure to gratify your palate. Town & Country Magazine calls this unique setting the “most romantic restaurant in Atlanta.”
The Sun Dial
Situated at the top of the Westin in Downtown Atlanta, The Sun Dial, a rotating restaurant and Atlanta icon, offers sweeping views of the city lights below. Enjoy a prix-fixe, four-course dinner from their special Valentine’s Day menu created by award-winning chefs. Be sure to make reservations beforehand because this is a popular Valentine’s Day spot.
10 Degrees South
Located in Buckhead, 10 Degrees South is the country’s first South African restaurant. The eatery is deeply inspired by family tradition, and the cuisine is crafted by founder Justin Anthony’s parents, who coincidentally are the restaurant’s executive chefs. Their Valentine’s Day menu features dishes such as filet “Au Poivre,” a filet mignon topped with a Madagascan peppercorn sauce, and chicken curry made with traditional South African spices. The bungalow-inspired atmosphere and delectable fare make this culinary experience rated as one of the top 16 restaurants in Buckhead by Trip Savvy.
La Tavola
La Tavola, located at the heart of Virginia-Highland, offers genuine Italian cuisine from Executive Chef Jonathan Beatty. With the cozy, romantic ambiance and hearty dishes, you can’t go wrong with this trattoria for Valentine’s Day. Their menu offers a variety of traditional dishes, from tagliolini to zuppa di pesce, to desserts like chocolate pistachio torte—there’s something for everyone at this hot Italian spot.
Activities
Atlanta Botanical Garden
Get swept through 80 years of romance at the Atlanta Botanical Garden this Valentine’s Day for “Valentines in the Garden: Decades of Love.” Enjoy small bites from some of Atlanta’s most renowned chefs, live music, and more. From the 50s to the 80s, each decade is represented in different sections of the garden, with music and décor constituting accordingly. Dress for the decade of your choice and celebrate the night away!
Oakland Cemetery
For those seeking something unconventional, head over to Oakland Cemetery for “Love Stories of Oakland: Valentine’s Day.” Venture through more than 20 stops in this historic Victorian cemetery as your guide recalls the love stories of Atlantans in the years gone by, as well as hidden symbols of love throughout the hallowed grounds. If you’re looking to escape the traditional route this year, Oakland Cemetery is the way to go.
SkyView Atlanta
Towering over Centennial Park, the SkyView Atlanta Ferris wheel offers boundless views of downtown while relaxing in climate-controlled gondolas. Take in the vast sights with your sweetheart at this Atlanta staple. If you want to upgrade your experience, try the VIP gondola—it boasts Ferrari-style seats, a glass floor, and a longer ride time.
Flower Arrangement Workshop
Enjoy a fun-filled afternoon of embracing your crafty side at Flower Bar’s Valentine’s Day arrangement workshop. Bring your honey, and learn the ins and outs of making your own flower arrangement in this 90-minute class. Once your masterpiece is finished, bring it home with you, and display it proudly for all to see! Even better—all materials are provided, so no scrambling around at the last minute to find what you need.
Weekend Getaways
Chateau Elan Winery and Resort
Located in Braselton, the newly-renovated Chateau Elan is the ideal extravagant weekend getaway. Indulge in a four-course meal, enjoy a relaxing couple’s day at the spa, or partake in a round of golf—there’s something for everyone here. This picturesque resort offers sweeping views of the North Georgia foothills, and its romantic, Southern charm offers an intimate weekend for you to escape bustling city life.
Barnsley Resort
Nestled on historic grounds in Adairsville, Barnsley Resort is essential for those wanting luxury while experiencing all that North Georgia has to offer. Enjoy a guided horseback ride through the grounds of the resort, ride a UTV in the Appalachian foothills, or learn the art of fly fishing at one of the several ponds on the resort grounds. Rejuvenate at the redesigned upscale spa and experience ultimate tranquility. Stay at the Inn or an Estate Cottage. Whatever you do, Barnsley Resort is sure to provide a weekend of relaxation and resurgence.
Callaway Resort & Gardens
Callaway Resort & Gardens, in Pine Mountain, is an oasis that is calling your name. Whether you stay in the Lodge and Spa with views of Robin Lake, The Cottages, or The Villas with a secluded setting, you’ll be enchanted by the beauty this resort has to offer. They’re all about nature and offer numerous immersion activities that put you right in the heart of it all, like BirdFest, which occurs Valentine’s Day weekend. It features bird walks, nature-based workshops, live bird shows, and more. Callaway is also home to the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center, one of North America’s largest butterfly conservatories. These beautiful, delicate creatures fly freely among the variety of tropical plants that are housed in the glass-closed environment. If you and your significant other are nature fanatics, this is a destination that is to die for.
Lake Rabun Hotel
The Historic Lake Rabun Hotel, a charming boutique hotel operating since 1922, is the quintessential getaway for those who want to experience the Blue Ridge Mountains and all it encapsulates. Each room exudes rustic charm and offers the perfect amount of privacy. The hotel also operates an award-winning farm to table restaurant surrounded by pines, oaks, and hemlocks. There are plenty of parks, rivers, and waterfalls located nearby, and if you’re tuckered out from outdoor activities, the Lake Rabun Hotel offers a luxurious spa. You can also shop at the various locally-owned stores in nearby Clayton, Dillard, and Lakemont Art Village. The Lake Rabun Hotel has everything you need.
Whether you’re looking for a thrilling date night in the city or an idyllic weekend escape, these will certainly make for a Valentine’s Day you’ll always remember in the years to come.
07 / 25 / 2019
15 fun activities to enjoy in Atlanta’s summer sun
It may be hot and humid in Atlanta, but that’s no reason to stay indoors. Here’s a list of summer attractions, activities, and adventures that are so cool, you won’t even think about the heat. Round up your family or friends and head outdoors!
1. Atlanta Balloon Glow (August 1-4, 2019)
The first-ever Atlanta Balloon Glow event will take place in Piedmont Park. These giant hot air balloons will light up the night, surrounded by the best food vendors, shopping, and activities for the entire family. General admission is free and tethered balloon rides are available for $20 per person. Grab a picnic blanket and enjoy a magical night gazing at the stunning colors and the amazing designs. It’s fun for the entire family!
2. Porsche Drive and Dine (August 7, 2019)
Porsche’s Drive and Dine event is a “power-lunch” for the modern woman with a 30-minute Drive Experience. In this thrilling yet compact 75-minute program, you’ll enjoy an unforgettable driving experience and a prix fixe lunch at the Porsche restaurant, 365. You’ll have the opportunity to drive a 2-door vehicle and a 4-door vehicle, a taste for both ends of their model line, and opportunity to network with other like-minded women. Can you say GIRL POWER?
3. Dirty South Yoga Fest (August 9-11, 2019)
Calling all yogis! The Dirty South Yoga Fest is a weekend yoga festival featuring 50 classes, local yoga instructors, vendors, food trucks, wellness brands, spa treatments, energetic work, conscious shopping and all of your new yoga friends! Grab a friend and buy a one-, two-, or three-day pass to the best yoga event of the year!
4. Decatur BBQ & Blues and Bluegrass Festival (August 10, 2019)
The 19th annual Decatur BBQ Blues & Bluegrass Festival will once again bring the sights, sounds, and smells of classic southern BBQ along with 7+ hours of original live blues and bluegrass music from aspiring and accomplished artists o Decatur, Georgia. This is a family-friendly event that is fun for all ages. This year, the event will be held at their new and much cooler location, Legacy Park in East Decatur.
5. Zoo Atlanta: Keeper for a Day (August 10, 2019)
Ever wanted to work in a Zoo? Keeper for a Day is an exciting program at Zoo Atlanta that gives teens and adults a firsthand look at working in a zoo. Come spend the day helping zookeepers with their daily routines of food preparation, cleaning, and animal care. Whether you’re considering a career in zookeeping or have always wanted to spend some time with your favorite animal, this exclusive behind-the-scenes program is a once in a lifetime experience.
6. Piedmont Park Arts Festival 2019 (August 17-18, 2019)
The Piedmont Park Summer Arts Festival is a 2-day outdoor event with an emphasis on visual arts and family fun. This is the ideal summer festival to enjoy the outdoors, browse the art and crafts, and appreciate the beauty of Atlanta’s largest park. The event will feature up to 250 painters, photographers, sculptors, leather and metalwork, glass blowers, jewelers, and crafters. It will also offer artist demonstrations, live acoustic music, an Emerging Artists Pavilion, a children’s play area, and festival foods and beverages. Best of all, admission is free!
7. EastLake Golf Club Tour Championship (August 21-25, 2019)
The TOUR Championship is the culminating event of the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedEx Cup, with only the top 30 players on the points list qualifying each year. East Lake Golf Club has been the permanent home of the TOUR Championship since 2005. Daily grounds tickets, college student tickets, weekly tickets, and family plan tickets are available now and complimentary grounds access is available to all Active Duty, Reserve, or Retired Military.
8. Grant Park Summer Shade Festival 2019 (August 24-25, 2019)
For more than a decade, Atlanta art and music lovers have flocked to Grant Parkeach August to bid adieu to summer at the Summer Shade Festival. It’s two days of outdoor fun, including a 5K run, food trucks, craft beer, an entertaining Kids Zone, and a music line up that gets better every year.
9. Stone Mountain Yellow Daisy Festival (September 5-8, 2019)
The annual Yellow Daisy Festival was voted one of the top arts & crafts shows in the nation. With its more than 400 artists, potters, painters, jewelers, crafters, and woodworkers from 35 different states, it’s one of the largest shows in the southeast. Enjoy strolling along the two miles of craft booths, listening to live entertainment, tasting the fabulous festival foods, and watching the crafter demonstrations throughout the event. It’s a family festival, so bring the whole crew for a day full of fun!
10. Stone Mountain Segway PT Tours (Through October, 2019)
Take a ride on your very own Segway PT through historic Stone Mountain Park. Surrounded by beautiful lakes, lush treescapes, and the largest exposed granite carving in the United States, this tour will take you on a 5-mile guided loop around the Mountain. Get ready for stunning scenery and interesting fun facts and trivia about Stone Mountain Park!
11. Stone Mountain’s Rockin’ Land and Lake Tour (Through November 10, 2019)
The Rockin’ Land & Lake Tour is a guided, interactive journey through Stone Mountain Park. Each family-friendly trip is a high-energy, 40-minute journey that begins with a tour around the park on an open-top, double-decker bus, followed by a sightseeing cruise around the lake on a pontoon boat. It’s a day full of adventure on wheels and water, so grab the fam and go!
12. Ponce City Market Food History and Street Art Tour (Through December, 2019)
Eat like a local in Atlanta during this 2.5-hour guided visit to the Ponce City Market. You’ll follow your guide through the converted historic Sears, Roebuck, & Co. building that features a market hall and some of the city’s best restaurants. You’ll make eight stops at award-winning restaurants to taste food samples created by some local celebrity chefs, and take a walk down Atlanta Beltline’s Eastside Trail.
13. Wine Tasting Atlanta Journeys (Through December, 2019)
Wine Tasting Atlanta Journeys are experts at combining fun, rejuvenating outdoor activities, beautiful settings and the pleasure of fine wines. Choose from hiking, horseback riding, kayaking, golfing, archery, biking, tennis, or visiting an Amish Community, and they’ll combine it with wine tasting at one of Georgia or Tennessee’s wineries. It’s a perfect day trip for any occasion or no occasion at all.
14. Bicycle Tours of Atlanta (Year-round)
There’s simply no better way to explore this beautiful city than by bicycle. Bicycle Tours of Atlanta will lead you to the historic sites, through the beautiful intown neighborhoods and the vibrant street art scene, and introduce you to so many other hidden jewels in Atlanta. Relive the joy of feeling like a kid again with every one of their tours: Fall in Love with Atlanta Bike Tour, “Off the Wall” Mural Tour, Sustainability in Action Bike Tour, and the Tiny Door ATL Bike Tour.
15. TopGolf (Year-round)
You’re always a winner at TopGolf, the premier entertainment destination in Alpharetta. It features dozens of climate-controlled hitting bays with HDTVs in each one, and throughout the sports bar & restaurant. Whether it’s a birthday celebration, date night, or just an afternoon of family fun, you’ll have a fabulous time—even if you’ve never swung a golf club before. Their summer promotions include unlimited games with a Summer Fun Pass, Teacher BOGO Mondays, Half-priced Tuesdays, Hertz Wednesdays, Sundays with Spirit, and many more!