In & Around Atlanta
Second only to Los Angeles, Atlanta is one of the most “moved to” cities in America. Considering more than half of America’s Fortune 500 companies have national or regional headquarters here, it is no surprise that Atlanta is a premiere destination.
Atlanta is also the leading cultural and tourism center for the southeast. Atlanta offers a myriad of options in professional sports, visual arts, performing arts, outdoor recreation, museums, and an unparalleled selection of dining and entertainment options.
Summer Activities in Atlanta
It’s not called Hotlanta for nothing. In the summer, Atlanta heats up, offering a barrage of festivals, events, and concerts.
Concerts/Venues
Atlanta Jazz Festival: In its 40th year, the Atlanta Jazz Festival schedule boasts a lineup of celebrated and up and coming jazz musicians this season. It is noted as one of the largest jazz festivals in the country, and this free festival is located in the Midtown Piedmont Parks. This event usually takes place on Memorial Day Weekend, and it features jazz artists from all over the world. Visit www.atlantafestivals.com for more information.
Birthday Bash ATL: Hosted by “Atlanta’s Hottest Hip Hop Station” WHAT Hot107.9, Birthday Bash ATL is a series of concerts in the city that include performances from a lot of respected hip hop artists, such as Kanye West, T.I, Future, Jay Z, Rick Ross, and other chart-topping artists. Historically, Birthday Bash has been known to close out the show with surprise guests and artists which has always been a hit with attendees. The line-up guarantees to be nothing less than a sell-out success! For more information, visit: www.hotspotatl.com
Piedmont Park: Piedmont Park is situated in the Midtown area of the city, and this sprawling park features jogging paths, biking trails, basketball courts, farmers markets, and great views of the city. The park also hosts a series of concerts and festivals all throughout the summer, such as the Atlanta Jazz Festival, the Latino Festival, the Afro-Caribbean Festival, Atlanta Food and Wine Festival, The Peachtree Roadrace, Atlanta Ice Cream Festival and many more. Visit their website for more information: www.piedmontpark.org
The Tabernacle: Christened as a music venue for the 1996 Olympics, the Tabernacle soon became Atlanta's favorite place to hear national acts raise their voices. The renovated church holds to no single doctrine, hosting congregations of rockers, rappers and ravers. Its towering 100-foot ceiling accommodates a sloping general-admission floor and two wrapping balconies, offering multiple vantage points and varying acoustics. But what's on stage is only half the show. Every inch of the building shows off whimsical homespun trims, while the performance area's crystal chandelier and grand pipe organ centerpieces are awe-inspiring. Break away from the concert and relax in one of the plush, comfortably nestled lounges. It's the listeners who truly benefit, as they experience an intimacy lost in most venues, often standing 10 feet from their idols. Sold-out performers include Brand New, the Smashing Pumpkins and Ben Folds. Acts whose faithful have outgrown smaller venues are standard performers, as are arena gods seeking to reconnect with fans. Visit www.tabernacleatl.com for more information
Chastain Park Amphitheater: A mile from all the Buckhead boozing sits an intimate outdoor stage, nestled in the trees of Chastain Park. This summertime venue sells tickets for tables by the stage (which seat six), orchestra seats and general admission to the lawn. The musical attractions run toward icons with a little gray in the hair--Wilco, Boston, James Taylor. Socializing and food come first, music second. Table holders bring elaborate candelabras, tablecloths and four-course meals. Lawn dwellers spread out blankets and get comfortable with their picnic baskets and bottles of wine. Sit back and enjoy the scenery and the music. Visit www.classicchastain.com
The Buckhead Theater: If you're looking for a live music venue that regularly showcases multinational indie talent, it's hard to beat the Buckhead Theater. Originally built in 1931 and known as "The Roxy", the Buckhead Theater was painstakingly restored and reopened in 2010. Visit http://www.thebuckheadtheatre.com/for more information.
Phillips Arena: This downtown jewel hosts the Atlanta Hawks (NBA and the major concerts of the moment. The $213 million domed venue opened in late 1999. The number of seats varies from 18,000 to 21,000 depending on the event, and the wide range of seating options--from luxury suites to nose bleed sections--increases the chances of getting a ticket in your price range. Visit www.philipsarena.com
More concert/live music information can be found at: http://www.pollstar.com
Sporting Events
The Atlanta Braves (Major League Baseball): The Atlanta Braves are the beloved baseball franchise of the metro-Atlanta area. They have won four World Series titles (1914, 1957, 1995, and 2021) and 18 National League (NL) pennants. Since 2017, their home stadium has been Truist Park, a new stadium that simultaneously builds and integrates a state-of-the-art Major Baseball League Ballpark with a multi-use development and community. It is located 10 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta, in the Cumberland neighborhood of Cobb County. SunTrust Park is the perfect marriage of classic ballpark feel, modern amenities and southern hospitality, which creates a fan experience unlike any other. An intimate setting of 41,000 seats is designed to maximize sightlines, making every seat feel like the "best in the house". Visit their website for more information: www.mlb.com/braves
Atlanta United: Atlanta United FC is an American professional soccer team based here in Atlanta, GA. The first team began to play as a member of the Eastern Conference of Major League Soccer in 2017, and since then, has won over Atlanta and become the ‘heartbeat of the south’. Every match Atlanta United fans show out excited and ready to win, so be sure to come out and join the massive crowds cheer on Atlanta’s favorite soccer team. Visit their website for more information: www.atlutd.com