Insider Tips for the Atlanta Area

Of course, in this case, holiday fun means bowl games! Atlanta is the proud host of the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl and there’s no better way to spend your last few days of 2019 than watching some of the best teams in the nation duke it out.

The Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl is a semi-final match that will determine which team is driven enough to score a spot in the finals. It will take place on Saturday, December 28 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium with a kickoff time of either 4 pm or 8 pm. With so much at stake, you can bet that tickets are selling fast, so make sure to snag yours early. If you want to hang out in Downtown Atlanta all day, Lions Club International will host its yearly pre-game Parade at either 9 am or 1 pm, depending on the kickoff time.

If you can’t make it to the game this year, there will be plenty of bars and restaurants airing the event live. After all, it is right in Buckhead’s backyard. No matter who you root for, tune in and watch history in the making! 

This year, the grand tree lighting will take place on Sunday, November 24 at 7:00 pm, right at Lennox Square. The party will begin with live performances and other holiday-themed entertainment. There will be music, dancing, and other types of shows. Once the tree is lit, it will remain lit until January 7, so you’ll be sure to see it often as you ride around Buckhead. It’s hard to miss such a dazzling display!

The show will conclude with festive fireworks that will light up the night sky, and the fireworks show will be accompanied by your favorite holiday tunes. Make your way over to Lennox Square on the early side to grab the best view in the house as you usher in the upcoming holiday season.

Those who want to experience the best local grub in a reasonable amount of time are invited to clear their calendars from October 18 - October 20 for Taste of Atlanta.

Taste of Atlanta is a giant, three-day food festival taking place at the Historic Fourth Ward Park. For three days, the best chefs from about 100 Atlanta neighborhoods will be featuring their best creations for you to try. Come experience the weird, the elegant, and everything between. Of course, no great fest would be complete without a signature cocktail, craft beer, or wine pairing. This festival is a food lover's dream and one you won’t want to miss.

However, sometimes the hustle and bustle of city life can make you forget just where you are. This September seeks to reverse that idea with Buckhead Fine Arts Festival 2019.

This massive two-day art festival will take place on September 21 and 22 at Buckhead Village. Come watch as the streets and local establishments are transformed to host the over 100 painters, sculptors, metalworkers, glass blows, jewelry crafters and more! Come as a spectator or patron some of your favorite local artists.

This free event is not one you’ll want to miss and bring along the whole family! In addition to fine art, slides and rides for children will be available as well as live music to accompany your stroll. We look forward to seeing you there!

This pet parade and costume contest is an escape from the ordinary and into a strange, yet exciting place that will seem straight out of a movie (or cartoon).

On August 17, you’re invited to Woodruff Park to see for yourself exactly what the commotion is about. Whether you want to enter your own dog (by August 15th) or just watch the festivities from the sidelines, you’re sure to have a great time. As with any good costume contest, there will, of course, be judges and one lucky pooch will take home the grand prize!

Multiple vendors, live music, and refreshments will be available as well as additional games and activities for the whole family. All proceeds will go right back to Woodruff Park as they continue their dedication to remaining a free community zone so come support your local park and get some good barks in!

In fact, you don’t even have to leave Buckhead. The Shops Buckhead Atlanta is a unique collection of stores and restaurants dedicated to bringing you a modern take on luxury. With its close proximity to InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta, you’ll never be far from the party.

Visitors and locals alike will enjoy the seemingly endless possibilities as they hop around over 50 stores and gourmet eateries/cafes. French pastries and aromatic espresso are the perfect additions to a day of exploration. Traveling visitors even have the opportunity to check in for complimentary gifts and offers. See and experience a trendy side of Atlanta right in InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta’s backyard!

The theatre originally opened its doors in 1931, but it underwent a huge restoration and had its grand reopening in 2010.Every night is unique at the Buckhead Theatre. Whether you want to laugh until you drop with hilarious comedians, dance the night away with the country’s top performing artists, or leave this planet with specialty shows like Queen’s, “A Night at the Opera,” you’ll be sure to make it a night to remember.

With an 8,000 square-foot main theatre and state-of-the-art lighting/sound systems, you’ll see why the word “historic” only applies to the theatre’s spirit and not its hardware. To top it all off, the theatre is less than one mile from InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta so there’s no excuse to miss out. Whatever show may be your cup of tea, make your way to Buckhead Theatre and experience the Buckhead nightlife in style!

Over the past couple of years, concern has turned into action and the construction of a 5.2-mile pristine hiking trail.

The nearest access point to this trail is about a half-mile walk from InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta at 3475 Piedmont Rd, NE. From here, the trail heads south following the GA 400. Along the way, you will encounter beautiful scenery from both nature and the city! The trail even allows animals, so don’t be shy about bringing your furry companion.

As construction continues on the path, it will stretch further south until the entire 5.2-mile route is complete. After that, this path will be the first step towards the creation of a 106-acre stretch of parks and trails called the Buckhead Collection. If you’re looking for a relaxing way to break a sweat today, check out the trail and experience the start of a beautiful green future in Buckhead.

Ever since first opening its doors in 2007, the World of Coca-Cola has been dedicated to showcasing aspects of the beverage and its processing that people never considered. The result is an all-day experience that combines education, fun, and completely unique exclusives.

Most people don’t realize that different countries have completely different Coca-Cola formulas and some very strange flavors. At the World of Coca-Cola, you will have the opportunity to try these different formulas from all around the world!

Besides delicious sampling, you will also experience a 4D movie and tour a large museum that both details the history of Coca-Cola and also displays some amazing coke-related art. Deep within the facility is the Fort Knox-esque vault where the actual secret formula of Coca-Cola is held. Throw in a detailed tour of bottling and processing as well as interactive demonstrations and you’ll have yourself an exciting day looking at Coca-Cola through a brand new lens.

For those with a strong natural curiosity about the world, imagining can turn into reality at the Georgia Aquarium. As you take a detour from your Downtown Atlanta tour, plan to spend several hours exploring the ocean’s depth - with so much going on, you will need it!

The Georgia Aquarium is open 365 days a year and is home to a wide variety of animals including 30-foot whale sharks, 3000-pound beluga whales, giant octopuses, and every mesmerizing animal between. Put away the snorkel gear as you get lost in an underwater coral forest that will make you forget you’re not at a reef. With stunning 4D cinematic showings, virtual reality rides, and tons of shows/encounters throughout the day, you will never want to leave!

With spring right around the corner, there is no better time to take in the beauty of mother nature and see for yourself why the Atlanta Botanical Garden is a world-renowned destination. Through April 7, floral enthusiasts will love the Orchid Daze event that features thousands of orchids from around the world and award-winning photography to match. Families can spend hours in the interactive Children’s Gardens where kids of all ages can both learn from experts and play their hearts out. There are even beekeeping classes for the more adventurous! The gardens are open Tuesday - Sunday until 5:00 pm in March, and until 7:00 pm April - October, so there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy this unique experience.

Offering G-rated fun for the whole family, this colorful Saturday spectacle features music, Irish step dancing, extravagant floats, and the world-famous Clydesdales (not to mention the world’s largest Irish walking flag). For those looking to put a healthy spin on St. Patrick’s Day, there’s a Shamrock ‘N Roll Road Race at Atlantic Station. The 5K and 10K routes welcome runners and walkers, even those with strollers or sweet furry friends. Later on, you can bet there will be plenty of opportunities to drink green beer and listen to live tunes in nearby Buckhead bars and restaurants.