Many people are surprised to learn just how leafy our city is. A day of warm weather surrounded by shady, green walkways – what more could you want in a springtime email conference? Fine walking, biking, skateboarding – all kinds of moving really – can be had in Piedmont Park and along our renowned BeltLine trail. For longer, less paved wandering, we recommend a hike through Sweetwater Creek State Park or up the rocky sides of Stone Mountain.

From the Martin Luther King Jr. Center to the Jimmy Carter Library, there are plenty of places to soak up some history. View a pristine 1920’s mansion at the Atlanta History Center or search for inspiration in the sleek exhibits of Atlanta’s National Center for Civil and Human Rights. For a blend of history and art under one (architecturally fascinating) roof, visit the High Museum – the Southeast’s leading art museum, with a permanent collection of 15,000+ pieces.

If your travel motto is “do as the locals do,” these everyday Atlanta spots are sure to satisfy your craving for local color. Manuel’s Tavern, a bar-meets-former-political-hub offers a peek into Atlanta history with every cold IPA. If eclectic shopping makes your heart skip a beat, skip over to Little 5 Points’ labyrinthine vintage stores or Virginia-Highlands’ quaint specialty shops. Or head to the Oakland Cemetery (there’s nowhere better for an afternoon walkabout).

Family-friendly, super-educational museums and activity centers can be found throughout Atlanta – many next-door to each other. Like the World of Coke and the world’s largest indoor aquarium, for example. Just outside of this main corridor of downtown attractions, there are plenty of less-frequented but equally enriching places for family fun including Fernbank Museum of Natural History or the Atlanta Botanical Gardens.

Discerning diners can find palate-pleasing places in every Atlanta neighborhood. Westside, Inman Park and Decatur are studded with culinary powerhouses like JCT Kitchen, Barcelona Wine Bar, il Localino and Kimball House and it’s only a short ride from Midtown to Staplehouse, an ever-evolving little restaurant recently named #1 in the nation. For max new-tastes-per-square-foot, make time to hit up the food halls at Ponce City Market and Krog Street Market.

Looking to learn a bit about our Southern heritage and our (at times, perplexing) culture? Some of Atlanta’s distinctive architecture and more traditional roots can be seen firsthand at places like the Margaret Mitchell House, the Georgian Terrace Hotel and the “Fabulous” Fox Theater, right across the street. For those hungry for Southern cookin’, Mary Mac’s Tea Room and the Sweet Auburn Curb Market dole out tasty, authentic soul food daily.