How to spend 12 hours in Atlanta

Start your morning right by working up a sweat with a walk, jog or bike along Atlanta’s vibrant Beltline. The 22 miles of multi-use path are lined with art, native landscaping, attractions and popular spots for dining and drinking. There’s plenty to look at, plus some excellent people- (and pet-) watching along the way. Finish up by refueling at a hotspot like Bomb Little Tart Bakery in Krog Street Market or Bomb Biscuit Co., both on the east side of the Beltline trail.

Atlanta has a wealth of amazing museums, from the High Museum of Art to the College Football Hall of Fame. Visionary civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. is celebrated at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Park, but you can get an even more in-depth look at the national (and global) movement for equality at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. The bold, modern building includes immersive exhibits that begin with the 1950s Jim Crow era and the fight for equality and tie together the struggle for broader human rights worldwide.

To truly appreciate Southern hospitality, hit up one of Atlanta’s local dining institutions. Spots like The Colonnade, The Varsity, Busy Bee, Silver Skillet and Mary Mac’s Tea Room cover all bases with stick-to-your-ribs food and downright friendly service. Mary Mac’s has served generations of Atlantans for more than 70 years. Join the likes of students, politicians, churchgoers and everyone in between as you pass around glorious plates of fried chicken and down-home sides that will keep you going for the rest of the day.

Centennial Park offers a wealth of opportunities to burn off lunch calories as it’s a cluster of some of Atlanta’s best attractions. The Georgia Aquarium is a top choice, but head to World of Coca-Cola for a deep dive into the drink that put Atlanta on the map. The museum chronicles the history of Coca-Cola (invented here in 1886) as well as the soda industry itself. It’s a fun, fizzy experience featuring replicas of soda fountains, a pop-culture museum, 4-D theater displays and DIY beverage fountains that dispense flavors from around the world.

Scoot on up to Buckhead to check out some of the best shopping the city has to offer while staying off the roads during the evening rush hour. That leads you to cocktail hour, so you can yourself to a sunset sip at the Kimpton Sylvan’s buzzy bar St. Julep. Enjoy a well-crafted cocktail and elevated bar snacks like house-made corn dogs and Sichuan tots while gazing down at East Paces Ferry Road and miles of city views.

Having experienced old-school Southern fare at lunch, go the James Beard route for dinner at a culinary stalwart like The Optimist, which has been an anchor of its booming West Atlanta neighborhood for years. Enjoy some fresh oysters and dreamy drinks at the more casual oyster bar or a spectacular seafood meal (super-fresh and prepared in a wood-fired oven) and plenty of people watching in the various alcoves of the main restaurant. You can even fit in a couple of holes of putt-putt out front to decide who pays the bill.

Wrap up your day on Ponce City Market’s rooftop. The Roof is chock full of fun, with beer, cocktails and amusements plus views of the Beltline and the city. You can opt for another cocktail at 12 Cocktail Bar or kick back with a beer at 9 Mile Station. For the most fun-filled option, however, unleash your inner kid at Skyline Park. The sky-high adult funland features vintage amusements, mini golf, rides and a Coney Island-style boardwalk. It’s the perfect way to end a day in Atlanta.