How to spend two days in Atlanta
Cloudland Canyon State Park’s views are unlike any other! Located two hours from Atlanta, this sprawling park offers hiking trails, camping and so much more.
Atlanta. I’ve driven through the city or stopped for coffee nearly 15 times by now, but until recently hadn’t truly visited the city.
Well, last weekend, we finally did. The first “real” stop on our 2022 RV expedition included two days in the city. I wish we had more time, but we’re en route to Chicago, and we have a few other stops to make before arriving.
Since we have the dogs with us, we bypassed a few cultural experiences this time (we visited the Georgia Aquarium in 2020 and I highly recommend)—but we still packed in lots of fun. Read on for three ways to enjoy Atlanta, even if you’re only there a short time. Don’t forget to bookmark this post for your next trip there!
House-made pimento cheese with toasty sourdough and pickled okra + cukes at Wrecking Bar Brewpub. The most delicious!
Nosh on delicious local (and globally-inspired) fare
It’s no secret Atlanta is home to world-renowned cuisine. Eat at a new place every day for a year and you’ll only touch the surface. We were a little overwhelmed with the choices! You can plan your routes and make reservations ahead of time, or wing it—which is sometimes more fun.
Our first stop with the pups: SweetWater Brewery for an afternoon beer. Situated near Bucktown, SweetWater’s large taproom and dog-friendly patio make it a perfect place to beat the heat with a brew. They have lots of beers on tap (including some I’ve never seen on store shelves). I loved their Habitat Lager. Proceeds go toward local conservation efforts!
We also stopped for food and cocktails at Wrecking Bar Brewpub. The farm-to-table restaurant is located inside a Victorian house near Little Five Points. We had house-made pimento with okra, pickles, and toasted sourdough; Georgia trout with grits and shishitos; and a delicious G+T with house-made tonic, yuzu, and jasmine. They even make their own specialty beers. Also worth mentioning is Truva—especially their scrumptious kunefe and mhammara.
Atlanta’s coffee scene can’t be beat. We love East Pole Coffee Co., BRASH Coffee, and Park Grounds, which has a cute, dog-friendly patio. Aurora Coffee is also not-to-miss.
Beautiful up-close view of moss and lichens at Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area, just 25 minutes outside of downtown ATL.
Hit the trails for unparalleled views
Did you know there’s a National Park Service unit located just 25 minutes from downtown? Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area is home to 40,000 acres of woodlands, wetlands, giant granite outcroppings, and over 30 miles of trails. The Mountain View Trail is an easy/moderate, 2.3 mile-long hike—but to climb to the top of the mountain only takes 1.6. Stop along the way to admire delicate, red plants called diamorpha, and go early to beat the heat. Bonus: the trails are dog friendly.
Two hours north of Atlanta is Cloudland Canyon State Park. Ranked as one of Georgia’s most scenic parks, Cloudland has dozens of amazing trails, paths, campgrounds/accommodations, fishing, caving, and more. We hiked the moderate, five-mile West Rim Loop trail, which had great views of the rugged canyon, rivaling that of some Western landscapes. We also trekked 600 steps down the strenuous Waterfalls Trail (2 miles). It was tough for us (and the pups), so take it slow!
Consider strolling idyllic neighborhoods like Inman Park or Candler Park after dinner.
Stroll, shop, and sightsee
If nature isn’t your thing but you still want fresh air, consider walking the Beltline, a multi-use pathway that takes you through tons of must-see sites, shops, and photo-worthy public art (think New York’s High Line). Another great way to get those steps in especially when you want to avoid the heat is at Ponce City Market.
In addition to high-end chains, there are great local boutiques and restaurants in this large public market. It’s also located just off the Beltline. Or, stroll picturesque neighborhoods like Morningside, Inman Park, or Candler Park.