Midtown & Virginia Highland
These low-key neighboring villages, which were among Atlanta's first suburbs in the 1880s, are now its architectural showcase: impeccably restored homes along Midtown's Piedmont Park (one of the city's biggest and oldest), the Richard Meier–designed High Museum of Art, and the Atlanta Botanical Garden—complete with a two-acre children's garden. East of Piedmont Park is the quieter Virginia Highland, where along Highland Avenue you'll find old-fashioned storefronts housing restaurants and shops that feature progressive Atlanta designers. Be sure to see the cute knit toys at Blabla. You can also squeeze in among the throngs at Alon's, a favorite local market and patisserie, for a pastry or a slice of midnight cake to eat at the community picnic tables outside.
RESTAURANTS
Mary Mac's Tea Room
Eat fried chicken, collard greens, and peach cobbler with families who have been regulars since it opened in 1945. 224 Ponce de Leon Avenue NE, (404) 876-1800
Belly General Store
This upscale bakery and deli was once a pharmacy; it still has the soda-fountain counter.
772 North Highland Avenue NE, (404) 872-1003
Alon's Bakery & Market
The fresh baguettes here will have you swearing you're in Europe.
1394 North Highland Avenue NE, (404) 872-6000
STORES
Blabla
Those sweet neo–sock monkeys you see in all the big-city boutiques were born here.
1189 Virginia Avenue NE, (404) 875-6496
Beehive Co-op
Find handmade shoes, felt art, and lots in between. 1831-A Peachtree Road NE, (404) 351-1166
Eco-Bella
Burp cloths, linens, paint, and furniture—it's all organic here. 1046 North Highland Avenue NE, (404) 815-4280
ACTIVITIES
Atlanta Botanical Garden
The children's garden has a tree house, a bullfrog pond, and crazy veggie crops. 1345 Piedmont Avenue NE, (404) 876-5859
High Museum of Art
See Monets and Rothkos. At Saturday Studio, kids can create their own masterpieces. 1280 Peachtree Street NE, (404) 733-4444
Piedmont Park
Run full sprint across the meadow to the geometric-funky Noguchi Playground. Piedmont Avenue at 14th Street
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