Atlanta

Atlanta: Welcome, Y’all! 

The City in a Forest. The Empire City of the South. The City Too Busy to Hate. Gateway to the World. Atlanta is all of these and more—a rich tapestry of cultures, ideas, people and places. The economic engine of the South, Atlanta boasts the world’s busiest airport and more Fortune 500s than any city outside New York, Houston and Dallas. (The Home Depot, UPS, Coca-Cola, Delta Air Lines and Newell Rubbermaid, for starters.) It’s grown tremendously since it hosted the world at the 1996 Olympics, but retains its longtime reputation as one of the most welcoming, affordable, prosperous and soulful destinations in America. In fact, our favorite hometown nickname will always be “The City of Neighborhoods.”

No matter where you live in Atlanta, you’re never far from your own mini downtown. Many neighborhoods both “intown” and “outside the perimeter” (I-285) host their own versions of a local town square, infusing the geographical hearts of their communities with gathering spots, landmarks and character that’s all their own. Here, porch parties and street festivals take place right next door to international conventions. Fresh influences and innovations in art, film, technology and public policy are created, reimagined and celebrated as much by individual citizens as by global organizations. Atlantans today come from all over the world, united by a shared appreciation for tenacity, hospitality and opportunity—the same traits that have shaped the city itself for generations.

Rooted in the Past

Atlanta was once Creek Indian land and later a railroad hub known as Terminus. It burned to the ground during the Civil War but rebuilt bigger and better than ever. Home to Martin Luther King, Jr., Atlanta became the epicenter of Civil Rights resistance, forging a diverse and accepting identity that set it apart from other Southern cities and set it on a course for success.

At the heart of it all is Peachtree Street, the vital artery that connects the city’s main economic and cultural hubs—Downtown, Midtown and Buckhead. Surrounding these three distinct skylines are the leafy streets of 242 neighborhoods, each with its own architectural styles and cultural identities. From posh condos to gritty lofts to charming bungalows, there’s an ATL neighborhood just waiting to welcome you.

Ready for the Future 

Known for its sprawl in the 1980s and 1990s, Atlanta has since become a beacon of smart growth. One of the most ambitious city planning projects in the country, the 22-mile BeltLine trail is connecting 45 neighborhoods to create a walkable perimeter full of sidewalk cafes, galleries, murals and more. Hollywood has also come calling, shooting blockbusters in an Atlanta that has become an epicenter for great business, living and leisure. After all, it’s home to the world’s fourth-largest aquarium, premier shopping districts and some of the best restaurants in the South.

You can cheer on the Falcons or the Atlanta United in their new Downtown home, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, or watch the Braves play in their new digs, Truist Park. If sports aren’t your thing, catch a show at Midtown’s Fabulous Fox Theatre, see a masterpiece at the High Museum, stroll the green pathways of the Atlanta Botanical Gardens or smile at Zoo Atlanta’s pandas. Feeling adventurous? Embark on a Buford Highway international food crawl, get indie eats at Ponce City Market, go on air at the CNN Center, or try fizzy new flavors at the World of Coca-Cola.

From R.E.M. and Outkast to Margaret Mitchell and Tyler Perry, it’s hard to overstate the cultural impact Atlanta has had on the world. And with ambitious new highway-capping park proposals, new food halls and BeltLine trail extensions popping up all over the metro area, it’s not hard to see why so many are flocking to our favorite city. (And deciding to make it theirs, too!)