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12 primo ATL people-watching spots

Where to go in the A for the best introverted entertainment

Acg Seedo Peoplewatching1 1 53 Magnum
Photo credit: Courtesy Atlanta Movie Tours

Relying on alcohol alone to get dialogue flowing is plain boring. Be it exotic decor, historical context, or natural beauty, Atlanta has so much more to offer than just a dope craft beer selection. We have a pretty incredible crop of people to watch. Take a new friend or first date to one of the joints below to ignite a much more cultured back-and-forth.

Once a grocery store for cotton mill workers in the historic Cabbagetown neighborhood, 97 Estoria is a restaurant and “hangout for all adults” known for its quirky vibe and vegetarian-friendly menu. The laid-back, smoky bar scene is its main draw, bringing in a host of scruffy regulars. | more...

The paved and popular 2.25-mile path is part of the larger 22-mile loop of parks, trails, and transit known as the Atlanta Beltline that is changing the city for the better. The Eastside Trail provides a direct route from Midtown to Inman Park/Old Fourth Ward in minutes, a feat unheard of by car in ... | more...

If you haven’t witnessed Blondie, the city’s most well-embraced stripper (she’s appeared in the city’s marketing material, for Christ’s sake), crushing a beer can between her breasts, then you’re not an Atlantan. The oldest strip club in Atlanta, located in the basement of the Clermont Motor Hotel, ... | more...

Discover a world of WOW at Atlanta’s science and nature experience. Travel around the world and back in time as you discover live animals, amazing places, ancient fossils, prehistoric cultures and new science discoveries. Throughout the year, new exhibits, movies and experiences offer more to explor... | more...

Located in Freedom Park at the Carter Center, the Freedom Farmers’ Market offers local products including fresh produce, baked goods, cheese and dairy, farm-fresh eggs, handmade preserves and honey, prepared meals, fresh coffee and more. | more...

The nation’s largest aquarium has more aquatic life than any other aquarium, with specimens from more than 500 species, including whale sharks, the largest fish in the sea. Visitors can go to the “touch tank” for the chance to interact with sea stars and anemones. “Behind the Scenes” tours are avail... | more...

Located in the heart of Atlanta, the High Museum of Art connects with audiences from across the Southeast and around the world through its distinguished collection, dynamic schedule of special exhibitions and engaging community-focused programs. Housed within facilities designed by Pritzker Prize-wi... | more...

Landmark Diner is the type of place you and your friends go after clubbing for a huge platter of food to counteract all the drinks. Now, Atlantans go for the 6-inch-tall cakes. | more...

Atlanta’s most historic and picturesque cemetery holds the remains of Margaret Mitchell, Bobby Jones, once-enslaved individuals, and nearly 7,000 Confederate soldiers. | more...

Towering over Ponce de Leon Avenue in the 2 million-square-foot former Sears building, this market represents the city’s continual thriving to preserve what’s old yet make it undeniably modern. It’s directly connected to the Beltline, will house top-notch eateries in its food hall — including the co... | more...

Feeling the need to escape to a tropical island? Trader Vic’s, located in the Hilton Downtown Atlanta, is the next best thing, with its intensely topical decor of palm fronds, tiki poles, and Polynesian long boats. Starters like the flower-shaped crab Rangoon and the butterfly shrimp flattened into ... | more...

The 140,000-square-foot market is heaven on Earth for foodies, filled with an amazing variety of fresh produce from around the globe, a fish counter bigger than your apartment, meats and cheeses galore, a bakery and juice bar, and prepared foods that you can take home or eat in-house, all at prices ... | more...

 
The list above first appeared in the 2015 CL Cityguide and was updated by CL Staff recently.