There’s an eclectic mix of neighborhoods to explore in Atlanta, the state capital of Georgia. Famous Peachtree Street travels through Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead, lined with eateries and luxury stores. A few miles north of downtown, Midtown — known as the “Heart of the Arts” — has one of the largest concentrations of art facilities and organizations in the South, from the High Museum of Art to ever-changing vibrant public art displayed in eye-catching murals. Elegant residential streets lined with Georgia’s famous peach trees give way to live music venues, retro shops, global cuisine, and community food halls in the eccentric Eastside neighborhoods.

Situated in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Atlanta is bordered to the east by the Chattahoochee River and surrounded by the Talladega National Forest to the west and the Blue Ridge Mountains to the north, all of which make for great day trips from the city when you’re looking to do some exploration outdoors.

Tree blossoms and vibrant flowers throughout the city in the spring make the perfect backdrop for outdoor activities like mountain biking and hiking in the nearby Blue Mountains. For rock lovers, a festival every May features over 60 bands.The city is known for its high temperatures and humid conditions during the summer — this is a great time to visit Grant Park Farmers Market, featuring weekly celebrity chef demonstrations, or head inside and cool off at one of the city’s many art galleries. Keep in mind that hurricane season occurs during summer and fall for the eastern US and may bring heavy winds and rain.

Cooler fall temperatures are ideal for apple picking and the city celebrates food, drinks, and entertainment at the end of September. Vacation rentals in Atlanta, Georgia, are also popular in the winter. An annual beer festival offers over 150 beers featuring Georgia breweries in late January or early February.

Street art

Popping colors and vivid murals are found on walls, high rises, and crosswalks all around the city. Cabbagetown and Inman Park’s walkability and the evolving works by local and international artists make it the perfect neighborhood for a self-guided tour. The Cabbagetown Wylie Street corridor is the epicenter for an annual summer arts event, and there’s even more art to admire along Memorial Drive and in Inman Park along Krog Street.

Cascade Springs Nature Preserve

Explore more than 120 acres of green space inside one of the oldest forests within the city limits. Extensive hiking trails wind past trickling springs, challenging hills, a moss-covered, historic stone springhouse, and a small waterfall. The city commissioned local artists to paint murals on benches and tables throughout the park, uniting a unique art experience with the natural beauty of Atlanta’s hilly forests and a dense blanket of ferns and ivy.

Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park

Spread across several city blocks, the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park includes the civil rights leader’s childhood home, his church — Ebenezer Baptist Church — and his final resting place. Several other landmarks and museums are also on-site, along with the “I Have a Dream” World Peace Rose Garden with its 185 different varieties of roses.