Buckhead Atlanta often gets the judgement of being too ornate, too pristine, or too developed. But they don’t know the local’s version – of long walks in the park, the museum cafe that regulars swear by, or the regular calendar checks for the next music artist coming to town.
At Grand 340, our residents want the true Buckhead experience. Buckhead to us is luxury filled with spontaneity and a bucket load of things to do at all times.
Here is our guide to exploring the things to do in Buckhead that are worth your time.
Entertainment Attractions
Atlanta History Center
The Atlanta History Center’s 33-acre museum is fun for both a date and a solo experience. Full of exhibitions from the Civil War era, WWII, and early years of Atlanta, the history center blends education with entertainment that locals, not just tourists, should visit.
Be sure to check out the Cyclorama exhibit, the historic homes located on the property including the Swan House, and the Civil War exhibits which are among the most comprehensive in the country.
Grab lunch inside the History Center at Souper Jenny. If you haven’t been yet, it’s a quaint neighborhood cafe serving home-style comfort food and amazing combo deals.
Buckhead Theatre
“Buckhead Theater- Atlanta, Georgia” by Kehudgin is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
The Buckhead Theatre is the preferred music and entertainment venue in Buckhead. If you prefer an intimate venue over a large stadium, Buckhead Theatre is an excellent choice in Atlanta.
In Buckhead fashion, this theatre has high ceilings, classy Baroque walls, a grand lobby, and a stately marquee sign significant of its 1930s movie theater days.
Check out their calendar for a diverse array of shows and accessible price points featuring top artists, cover bands, and comedians.
Our tips?
- Grab a spot on the balcony or come early to the GA floor for the best view. If you’re in the mood to dance and sing along, the GA floor is high in energy!
- Parking is limited so come early for a paid parking garage or street parking nearby or use a ride share service.
- The venue is located in the heart of Buckhead near top restaurants and bars that are worth the visit before your show.
The Outdoors
Walk, Jog, or Bike the Path400
“Path 400” by atlnature is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Walk, jog, or bike this 5.2 mile paved route alongside the Georgia 400 interstate in Buckhead. It is a convenient contrast to the crowded BeltLine paths, plus it offers a hilly challenge for runners and features murals and sights of the Buckhead skyline along the way.
Join Path400’s run & walk club to meet other fitness enthusiasts. You could even carve out your day to stop at highlights along the trail. Throw down a blanket and have a break at Old Ivy Park, then make your way towards Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza for a bite to eat or drink.
Spend the Morning at Chastain Park
Atlanta’s third-largest park, Chastain Park, sits in Buckhead and presents an incredibly sprawling list of fields and activities. It differs from Piedmont Park in that it has a golf course, horse park, and concert amphitheater, inciting people to book lessons, host parties, and spend hours within this incredibly developed city park.
This park is perfectly curated to the Buckhead lifestyle. Take a 3-mile walk around the perimeter of the park past beautifully manicured green spaces, the golf course, and a horse park. Stop at the namely intended Grabacup Cafe, and head on your way past the forested creek, finding a peaceful rocking bench amidst the hilly terrain and shaded by tree canopies.
It is worth visiting the Chastain Restaurant for a pastry or sit-down brunch. Aside from activity variety, Chastain Park offers incredible accessibility for all abilities and ages, creating an inclusive outdoor experience for locals.
Go to a Concert at Synovus Amphitheater
“Damp Chastain Park” by Thomas Cizauskas is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
Synovus Amphitheater at Chastain Park is a huge outdoor Live Nation concert venue hosting artists such as Jason Mraz, Charlie Puth, John Legend, and popular cover bands.
Sit underneath the stars in the center of Buckhead’s most famous park at this concert venue worth attending as an Atlanta local.
Our Favorite Shopping
It would be remiss to not mention the abundance of shopping in Buckhead. While Buckhead’s shopping scene strays on high-end boutiques and the Saks-Fifths of the world, there are plenty of attainable retailers to shop as well.
Lenox Square
Lenox Square is a Simon-owned mega mall featuring go-to stores like Zara and Nike. It’s where to go to spend all day hunting for a new wardrobe, intermittingly eating at the food court and dessert shops.
Phipps Plaza
Phipps Plaza, in comparison, is the place to window shop or to buy the handbag of your dreams. Inside an architecturally polished building are stores of the likes of Fendi, Gucci, and Hermes, balanced by an AMC and third-floor Lego Land.
Buckhead Village
Purposefully developed cobblestone streets and roughly six blocks of luxury designer shops, European-inspired restaurants, and fitness studios make up Buckhead Village.
Here you can spend hours encountering a luxurious variety of retail and dining. Start your morning with a workout at F45, brunch at Le Bilboquet, then window shop the boutiques, stopping along the way for a craft cocktail or a dessert at St. Germain Bakery & Cafe.
Bars & Nightlife
Buckhead’s bar scene is that of cocktails seated on classy high-tops, rooftop lounges, and decorative nightclub tables that are unlike anywhere else in Atlanta. These are our favorite spots for weekend nights.
Yeppa Italian
Happy hour cocktails and wine pair with buttery bread service and decadent pasta dishes at Yeppa Italian. Yeppa is the perfect spot for dinner, drinks, and a DJ to start the night in Buckhead.
The Painted Pin
“Painted Pin” by ifmaatlanta is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.
The Painted Pin is a great spot for parties. This upscale bowling alley has bocce ball courts, ping pong tables, shuffleboard, and Skee ball, plus a full-service dinner and bar menu.
Painted Pin is unlike other bowling alleys. Here, you sit in elegant leather couches, order a French 75 and fried oysters, and stay for the live music until the late night.
Tongue & Groove
Tongue & Groove is one of Buckhead’s most famous nightclubs. Neon strobe lights, a 360-degree bar, and a second level adorned with colorful couches create an energic atmosphere that almost feels like you’re in Vegas.
Hop on one of two dance floors and dance the night away with the DJ! See a list of nightly events like Ladies’ Nights and Salsa Nights.
Favorite Rooftop Bars
This wouldn’t be a true local’s guide to Buckhead without mention of its rooftop bars.
Longtime favorite rooftops include Rosé & Rye, perched on the top of Hotel Collee near Lenox Square. Here, you’ll sip on an uppity cocktail in your best dress, gaze at the city skyline, and listen to the DJ turning things up on a weekend night.
St. Julep is newer to Buckhead. It’s on the top of Kimpton Sylvan Hotel near Grand 340 with a more easy-going, beachy vibe than Rosé & Rye. Enjoy a fresh Southern Spritz, elevated corndog or loaded fry, and the live DJ.
Lastly, for a more unique, pub-centered aesthetic, check out Fado. While not explicitly known for its high-end cocktails or glamorous skyline views, Fado’s rooftop terrace, located all the way at the top of the bar, is comfortably charming.
Fado is the place to go for a soccer match, live music, hearty food, and beers on tap. It’s a polished, Buckhead-take on a traditional Irish pub, decorated with wooden pieces and rustic wallpaper to create the appeal of a lived-in bar.
Grand 340: A Buckhead Lifestyle Awaits
Grand 340 is a luxury apartment building in the heart of Buckhead. Our apartment residents are walkable to some of these favorite spots, including St. Julep, Yeppa & Co., and Buckhead Theater.
Discover a lifestyle of class and constant things to do in the city by renting a studio, one, two, or three-bedroom apartment by us today!