When you come visit Atlanta, there is a lot of fun to be had touring classic attractions like the World of Coca-Cola and Six Flags Over Georgia. But when you’re coming here to live, you’re going to want to get deeper into the local culture. Tourist attractions are fun, but they won’t always give you the real Atlanta experience. When you’re ready to venture out of your new Atlanta apartment for a day of experiencing ATL on the street level, check out some of these amazing local spots.
The Buford Highway Flea Market has more than 260 booths full of local vendors selling hand-made, recently-found, or simply zany goods. Just a half-dozen miles out of downtown on highway 13, this international market is rarely over-crowded if you can make it on a weekday afternoon, and the prices range from reasonable to amazing.
Gladys and Ron’s Chicken and Waffles might sound like it is owned by some elderly couple whose soul food recipes are insanely excellent — and you’re half right. Gladys Knight (yes, that Gladys Knight) came up with some choice entrees to craft a menu around, and her son Shanga keeps her ideas alive today at this incredible Atlanta treasure. If you think of ‘soul food’ primarily as ‘that Vanessa Williams movie,’ educate yourself at this eatery. Stop by Gladys and Ron’s, and you’ll never think of chicken or waffles the same way again.
Decatur Square is not exactly unheard of; it’s one of the most popular places to visit in A-town, but that doesn’t make it any less of a local treasure. In fact, one of the best things about the Square is the mix of longtime Atlantans, camera-happy tourists, and explorative newcomers milling about enjoying the cafes, boutiques, and performance venues.
Flip Burger Boutique is the only other eatery we’re going to mention, because we could fill this entire list with them if we wanted to. Flip is the definition of American Fusion, famed for being able to turn absolutely any cuisine into a classic American format. Owned by Top Chef Richard Blais, Flip offers insane burgers like the raw Tuna Tartare burger, the chickpea-based vegetarian Fauxlafel burger, and of course classics like the Double; that’s double beef, double bacon, and double cheese.
The Eagle Eye Bookstore — What? Yeah, that’s right, we’re putting a bookstore on our list. Why? Because it’s an exceptional bookstore, that’s why. Boasting over a mile of bookshelves, this locally-owned-and-operated bookstore hosts more than 200 authors every year for book signings and other events. And this place doesn’t just attract local authors; nationally-known authors make their way here quite frequently as well. The Eagle Eye also sponsors a variety of seasonal events every year, and the staff here is made up of some of the most knowledgeable literary experts in the entire state.
Are you an Atlantan with two cents to add about our list? There are hundreds of other amazing local spots around Atlanta that did not make the cut, so share your own favorites with us by connecting with ApartmentSearch.com on Twitter and Facebook!
