Buckhead may be known for its luxury shopping and grandiose high rises, but there is more to this neighborhood than meets the eye. You can spend a whole day in Buckhead, from walking its trails and attending a classy brunch, to an evening dinner on a rooftop patio and dancing to live music at a pub in Buckhead Village.
The concierge at Grand340 is your local expert in all things Buckhead. As an apartment community sitting on the edge of Buckhead Village, we know the best things to do in the area. If you’re looking to spend a whole day in Buckhead and want to live it like a local, follow this itinerary and you’re sure to have a fantastic day.
Morning Trails & Brunch
First Stop: Get Some Early Morning Sun & Exercise
“Chastain Park, Atlanta” by blacklab2013 is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
Atlanta’s miles of trails don’t end at Piedmont Park. Up north in Buckhead, outdoor recreation spans from Path400, to Chastain Park, to the Northside BeltLine Trail, each less crowded than Piedmont Park and Midtown BeltLine segments.
Here are our two favorite trail options, one on the southern end and other on the northern end of Buckhead:
Option 1: Northside BeltLine / Bobby Jones Trail
Located on the southwest end of Buckhead is a series of easy, paved trails looping around Bobby Jones Golf Course and Atlanta Memorial Park. Depending on how long you want your run or walk to be, you can park at the Bobby Jones’ lot and take the 2-mile loop around the course, or you can start at Tanyard Creek Park and take the Northside BeltLine trail 4 miles out-and-back, though the Tanyard Creek Park parking lot has less available spaces.
The Northside BeltLine runs past the east side of Bobby Jones Golf Course. This trail is less manicured and more forested than the course trail. It’s also less crowded than its BeltLine counterparts. However, the path around Bobby Jones Golf Course is beautiful during sunrise with rolling hills and wide-open green spaces, very similar to Chastain Park.
Both the Northside BeltLine and the Bobby Jones trail loop are next to Atlanta Memorial Park, allowing you a variety of outdoor activity and trail types in the same area.
Option 2: Chastain Park
The most popular trail in Buckhead and essentially Buckhead’s version of Piedmont Park is Chastain Park. The Chastain Park Trail also circles a golf course along a wide paved path and offers varying loop lengths with mileage markers, making it an attractive spot for runners.
There are plenty of spots to park at Chastain Park and you’ll find a trailhead at the intersection of Lake Forrest Drive and Chastain Memorial Parkway.
Buckhead Brunch
If you start your day at Bobby Jones Golf Course, head to Boone’s for brunch and sit on the patio for beautiful golf course views, coffee, mimosas, and an amazing brunch menu.
If you start up north at Chastain Park, stop at The Chastain for a beautiful garden patio brunch right outside the park. This brunch spot offers a French-inspired American menu – fitting for Buckhead – with chocolate croissants, Croque Madame, and a shockingly highly rated burger.
Afternoon Shopping
There is no better Atlanta neighborhood to shop than Buckhead, and whether you’re looking for something or merely browsing, Buckhead offers a shopping vibe for you.
After your brunch, drive to Phipps Plaza and Lenox Square. The two are right next to each other, so you can flip flop between them.
Phipps Plaza is a great mall to window shop. It’s known for its high-end stores and elegant architecture, which makes for a good indoor stroll, but note that when going to Phipps, you’ll want to dress in nice attire.
Lenox Square is a standard mall with a bit of everything, from luxury shops to standard stores. Hit up Bloomingdale’s and the huge Nike Atlanta store, spanning two levels and over 20,000 square feet.
What is a mall trip without a sweet treat or snack? Phipps Plaza’s impressively designed food hall has an indoor-outdoor bar serving craft cocktails and martinis. For dessert, go to Sweet Hut in Lenox Square for a creative pastry like a strawberry buttercream bun or a Portuguese egg tart.
Evening: Happy Hour & Dinner at Buckhead Village
Buckhead Village is a walkable outdoor retail district that is perfect for a night out. There are many dining options in this area, so if one doesn’t work out, you can always find another next door.
As a recommendation, Gypsy Kitchen has a rooftop patio with great ambiance and views of surrounding high rises and the beautiful Restoration Hardware flagship store. If Mediterranean food isn’t your jam, The Southern Gentleman or Yeppa & Co. are wonderful options next door.
Late Night: Live Music & Night-Cap Drinks
After dinner, you may be able to find a last-minute ticket to a DJ show or concert at Buckhead Theatre, a historic and intimate live music venue in Atlanta.
If not, stay in Buckhead Village and go to Lucian Books and Wine, only a few steps from Gypsy Kitchen. Lucian offers a carefully selected wine menu and small, but decadent desserts that are the perfect night cap, as well as an alluring book section which is fun to peruse afterward.
If Lucian is too elegant for your current mood and you’d prefer a spot that doesn’t force conversation, Fado is an excellent pub with live music and sports TVs located just around the corner.
Read this blog post to find other bar recommendations in Buckhead Village.
Make This Itinerary Your Routine When You Live at Grand 340
When you live at Grand 340, you’re in the heart of Buckhead, walkable to shops and restaurants at Buckhead Village and to Buckhead Theatre.
Our high-rise apartments embody true luxury living, and our on-site concierge makes it easy to discover the hidden gems and popular perks of Buckhead Atlanta.
While this is only one itinerary, you’ll find countless things to do in and around this neighborhood of Atlanta. Schedule a tour at Grand 340 and discover what a Buckhead lifestyle could look like for you!