atlanta things to do tagged interest

We’re not going to sugar coat things, Georgians. Life can be pretty tough sometimes. Downright exhausting even. This means that a mental break may need to be in order every now and again so that you can relax, recharge, and tackle another day. When you’re looking for a little slice of quiet, maybe some peace added to the mix, then we have a few suggestions. Take a look at these nine incredibly peaceful places in Georgia where you can take a break from it all.

1. Kennesaw, Georgia

If you’ve ever driven through Kennesaw, Georgia, then you likely already know how peaceful and quiet this area can be, especially the natural parts. Wander through the woods near Red Top Mountain State Park and enjoy some much-needed outdoor therapy.

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Click here to find out more about this peaceful place in Georgia

Address: Kennesaw, GA

2. Forsyth Park, Savannah

Forsyth Park in the heart of Savannah is a most magical place. If you happen to visit this 30-acre park during the spring months then you’ll be in for a real treat. The fountain will be flowing, the sunshine will be filtering through the trees, and a warm breeze will greet you almost every time.

Click here to find out more about this peaceful place in Georgia

Address: 2 W Gaston St, Savannah, GA 31401

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3. Java Cats Cafe, Atlanta

You might not know this about cats, but a cat purrs within the range of 20-140 Hz. This range is said to be medically therapeutic for humans! Science shows that a cat’s purr can lower stress, lower blood pressure, and even help heal the body. So of course, we recommend you visit Atlanta’s first cat cafe Java Cats! Sip coffee and play with cats all afternoon for a little rest and relaxation.

Click here to find out more about this peaceful place in Georgia

Address: 415 Memorial Dr SE suite c, Atlanta, GA 30312

4. Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta

It’s been known that the ocean has some truly therapeutic benefits, but if you can’t make it to the coast we have the next best thing. Spend an afternoon watching hundreds of species float through the water in one of the biggest aquariums in the country. Pro-Tip: find a nice quiet place to watch the exhibits and pop in some headphones for an added bit of relaxation.

Click here to find out more about this peaceful place in Georgia

Address: 225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

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5. Cumberland Island, St. Mary's

Cumberland Island is Georgia’s largest and southernmost barrier island. With over 9,800-acres of designated wilderness, you’ll be able to enjoy the preserved beaches, expansive marshes, and of course, the free-roaming horses!

Click here to find out more about this peaceful place in Georgia

Address: Cumberland Island, St. Mary's, GA

6. Tallulah Gorge, Tallulah Falls

Ahh, Tallulah Gorge, a beautiful slice of nature. The Tallulah Gorge State Park is 2,689-acres of pure Georgia beauty, which also happens to be home to the famed Tallulah Gorge—a 1,000-foot deep gorge that is most majestic. Hike the trails, visit the falls, and enjoy the peace and quiet of nature.

Click here to find out more about this peaceful place in Georgia

Address: 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Rd, Tallulah Falls, GA 30573

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7. Big Trees Preserve, Sandy Springs

This 30-acre nature preserve has remained somewhat of a hidden gem in Georgia. But it's definitely the place you want to go in order to disappear for an afternoon. Hiking along the streams and creeks under the towering trees can be just what you need to reconnect with nature. Plus, you can bring your furry friend to hike, too!

Click here to find out more about this peaceful place in Georgia

Address: 7645 Roswell Rd NE, Sandy Springs, GA 30350

8. Intown Salt Room, Atlanta

Intown Salt Room in Atlanta offers two different salt room experiences—the meditation, sound therapy room, and the dry salt therapy room. Salt Therapy is a natural treatment that can help with lung function, respiratory issues, and even help strengthen the immune system. Plus, it’s pretty darn relaxing, too.

Click here to find out more about this peaceful place in Georgia

Address: 563 Memorial Dr SE UNIT CU, Atlanta, GA 30312

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9. Lucille's Mountain Top Inn andamp; Spa

Lucille’s Mountain Top Inn andamp; Spa in Georgia is a perfect place to get away for a weekend and enjoy the simple things in life. You’ll have unobstructed views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, plus spa access, and even a complimentary two-course breakfast! Sounds pretty dreamy to us.

Click here to find out more about this peaceful place in Georgia

Address: 964 Rabun Rd, Sautee Nacoochee, GA 30571

So, what do you think about these peaceful places in Georgia? Have you been to any? Share with us in the comments section! Or if you have a few places of your own that you'd like to recommend, make sure to shout them out, too!

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I think many can relate when I say that I was quite ready to get out of my hometown by the time I graduated high school. Sure, Savannah, Georgia may be widely considered one of the country's most beautiful cities. Pretty much any list of the most historic cities in the country is going to include it. It's one of the South's most popular tourist destinations, welcoming 17 million visitors a year. But I lived there from birth, and by age 18, I had that all-too-relatable young adult urge of wanting to spread my wings and get as far away as possible. I daydreamed of Chicago, San Francisco, and a myriad of other exotic-sounding locales all over the country. I eventually settled for the more budget-friendly option of Athens, Georgia: four hours north, home to a suitable, family-approved college in the University of Georgia, and what felt like a world away from my parents and everything I had known before.

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I spent more than a decade away, coming back for monthly weekend visits to see my divorced parents. My mom lived in a modest home on the suburban southside, my dad had a colorful historic house in the trendy downtown area that attracts all the tourists and national headlines. Over the years, my dad became something of a local celebrity. He loved live music, lived for it, and saw hundreds of concerts a year. It didn't matter to him if it was a global superstar (the Rolling Stones were his favorite) or an unknown teenage garage band. It was his passion and life's purpose. As a friendly, outgoing guy, he talked to just about anyone and everyone at all the venues he visited. From The Jinx to Moodright's, every time I called him, I was regaled by stories of his evening antics.

Each time I visited, we couldn't go anywhere downtown without running into someone he knew, and he'd always greet them with a smile. We'd stop by a show – from The Accomplices (one of his favorite local groups) to Barry Manilow. There was always music, there were always smiles and friends, and there was always an undying love for the city that radiated from him with every action.

Last September, I was unexpectedly drawn back to the city in an unfortunate way. I was awakened in the middle of the night by a phone call from a Savannah police officer. My dad was gone, the victim of an accident on his red electric bike that he adored. I spent the long hours until sunrise paralyzed with shock, then arranged for a friend to come watch my home while I traveled back to Savannah to do whatever needed to be done. I didn't know because it was the type of thing I normally would have asked my dad about and he wasn't there, just an endless list of "do this, arrange that, don't forget about this!"

That time period is so foggy in my memory now, and so many things are just hints of memories to me now. While I know I was sorting out all kinds of practical tasks like paying bills and dealing with the court, but I don't remember the details.

The things I remember are much more tangible and so intricately woven into the fabric of Savannah as a city. Starting each day with a coffee from Big Bon Bodega. Mornings spent working in the beautiful Bull Street Library after my dad's Wi-Fi got cut off for non-payment. Lunches picking at grilled cheese sandwiches at The Black Rabbit because it was one of his favorite restaurants. Hours walking through Forsyth Park, lost in thoughts I can no longer remember. Spending time in such a beautiful city was a striking contrast to my depression.

It's an odd and uncomfortable thing, losing someone who was seemingly beloved by a whole city. In the haze of tribute concerts, online articles, and even a painting by local artist Panhandle Slim, I had such a storm of emotions inside me. I just wanted to scream, "He wasn't your dad!" at everyone sobbing at his loss. Now, with the benefit of time, I see it was a beautiful thing that so many were so sad. He felt a love that few get to experience, and even now, when I visit Savannah, I'm overcome by how much I feel him there.

I visited the city so many times over the last year, usually to deal with the mundane tasks that come up during the haze of grief. In between things like filing for estate executorship and giving away his many, many band t-shirts, it occurred to me that maybe I didn't dislike the city so much after all. The incredible sense of community that I feel when I visit is practically unheard of in a city of 150,000. The restaurants are delicious. There's so much history. And you really, really can't beat the charm of the Spanish moss draping down overhead.

I am probably not ever going to live in Savannah again (I hate the heat!). But the Hostess City will always be a part of my dad, and so it will always be a part of me. I feel him when I'm standing along the Savannah River, walking down oak-lined 37th Street, or paying a visit to Graveface Records. Losing the people that we love is inevitable, but they live on – not just in our memories, but in the places they touched, the spots that shape who they were. I no longer have my dad, but I will always have Savannah.

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One of my favorite things about Atlanta is that even though it's a big city, it remains a collection of neighborhoods. All of the neighborhoods within the city proper combine with the suburbs to make a charming array of very distinct areas, each with its own unique style and culture. If I had to pick a favorite neighborhood in Atlanta, it would probably be Little Five Points. Also called "Little 5" or "LFP," this is a funky area that's really the heartbeat of Atlanta's creative scene, and it's got a lot to explore. From restaurants to shops and live music venues, there's so much to do in Little Five Points, and it's worth a visit for anyone who loves music or art. Check it out:

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Little Five is located in the eastern section of Atlanta, next to the also-charming Inman Park. The neighborhood gets its name because there was once an intersection of five streets here, though it no longer exists today.

One of the neighborhood's most popular events each year is the Halloween parade, which includes vendors, musical acts, and, of course, a costumed parade.

You'll find plenty to do here at any time of year, though. The neighborhood is full of great places to shop, particularly if you're a fan of vintage clothing or artwork.

One of my personal favorite spots in Little 5 is Criminal Records, an indie record shop that has all kinds of great vinyl, CDs, and tapes.

Criminal Records has moved to a smaller store than it once occupied, but it's still a great place for music shopping. You can even catch live in-store performances on occasion.

I've seen my favorite musician, Butch Walker, perform here a few times, and it's always a blast to get to see him in a small venue like this.

Get more information about this Atlanta record store from the Criminal Records website.

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Another fun attraction in Little Five Points is Junkman's Daughter, a sprawling shop offering up just about everything. You'll find costumes and all kinds of bizarre artwork here.

Looking for delicious food? The Vortex is one of Atlanta's most iconic restaurants.

The Vortex's 6.5-pound Quadruple Coronary Bypass Burger is one of the most legendary food challenges in the Peach State, but don't worry... The Vortex offers up plenty of normal-sized burgers, too.

This Atlanta neighborhood is also home to one of the city's best venues for live music: Variety Playhouse. This 1,100-seat theater was once a movie theater and now hosts national acts, plus comedy shows and local musicians.

The sound quality is great and there's plenty of seating - always a plus at a smaller venue! For more information about upcoming events, check out the Variety Playhouse website.

Have you ever visited this great Atlanta neighborhood? What are some of your favorite things to do in Little Five Points?

Looking for the perfect place to stay in Little Five Points? Check out this charming one-bedroom cottage!

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