Atlanta is a vibrant city with plenty of outdoor activities to explore. From the Cascade Springs Nature Reserve to Chastain Park, there are plenty of places to get out and enjoy the fresh air. For those looking for a more urban experience, Piedmont Park and Whittier Mill Village offer plenty of opportunities to explore the city. For those looking for a more relaxed experience, Big Creek Greenway and Morningside Nature Reserve are perfect for a leisurely stroll.
And for those looking for something a little different, Grant Park and Urban Oasis offer unique experiences. Cascade Springs Nature Reserve is located in southwest Atlanta and is one of the largest and oldest parks within the city limits. It features several attractions, such as Cascade Falls, a popular 15-foot waterfall, and Utoy Creek, the site of a Civil War battle. The trails are mountainous and can get quite muddy after one of Atlanta's thunderstorms, so be sure to wear the right footwear.
Big Creek Greenway in Alpharetta is an easy day trip for bicyclists looking to get away from the city and spend some time outdoors. The eight-mile trail is relatively flat and 12 feet wide, making it perfect for keeping up the pace while navigating the shady trails. Chastain Park is located within the northwestern city limits of Atlanta and features 268 acres of recreational offerings, such as a golf course, walking trails, horse park, and more. The perimeter is only a three-mile loop, but it gives you plenty of opportunities to see nearby mansions and spot some of Buckhead's most glamorous residents.
Piedmont Park is located in the heart of downtown Atlanta and features nearly 200 acres of recreational offerings, such as a swimming pool, tennis courts, dog parks, hiking clubs, art workshops, and more. It's home to countless festivals, such as the Atlanta Jazz Festival and Music Midtown, and is the starting point of the Eastside BeltLine. On any given weekend you can find tons of Atlantans exercising, spending time with friends, or using the park as an access point to many nearby attractions. Whittier Mill Village is located in a neighborhood that is more than 120 years old just off the edge of I-285 near Vinings. On this site of a former cotton mill you can have a picnic in the green spaces next to the brick ruins or play petanque or soccer on the flat grass.
Buy something to eat at a nearby Vinings Village restaurant or a food stand at the neighboring Chattahoochee Food Works. For those looking for something unique, Grant Park offers a Past & Future Food Walk where you can explore Grant Park while trying nine modern Southern-inspired dishes. The walking tour includes three meal stops spread over two-and-a-half hours and 1.2 easy-to-walk miles. Brook Run Park in Dunwoody has been completely renovated in recent years and now includes a large playground, a two-mile multipurpose trail, dog park, skate park, community garden, multi-purpose courses, event pavilions, an amphitheater, and disc golf course. Morningside Nature Reserve feels like a haven of nature in the heart of the Atlanta metropolitan area. This two-mile hiking guide shared by Atlanta Trails is an easy dog-friendly excursion or you can explore the park's 33 acres of rolling forest in the Morningside-Lenox Park neighborhood. Old Fourth Ward is an Atlanta neighborhood with great versatility that offers “a little bit of this” and “a little bit of that”. Southeast Atlanta's neighborhoods are mostly residential including Glenwood Park, Ormewood Park, and Peoplestown.
Urban Oasis is located right on the Atlanta Ring Road and is perfect for making the most of the surrounding neighborhoods. Whether you're looking for an urban experience or something more relaxed or unique there are plenty of neighborhoods in Atlanta to explore on your next trip. From Cascade Springs Nature Reserve to Urban Oasis there are plenty of places to get out and enjoy all that Atlanta has to offer.
