Atlanta | Marijuana Travel Guide

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Known for its Civil Rights Movement history (and the home of Martin Luther King. Jr.), Old Fourth Ward is a neighborhood full of history and things to do. It’s easy to get to Old Fourth Ward as it’s located right on the famous Beltline, Atlanta’s cross-city path offering walkers and bicyclists a car-free space to travel. In this area, you’ll find plenty of unique bars and thrift stores. Be sure to check out Sister Louisa’s Church of the Living Room & Ping Pong Emporium for a night you won’t forget. You’ll also find Ponce City Market - one of our favorite places to spend an afternoon in Atlanta.

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Inman Park is a hip neighborhood full of great bars and restaurants right off the Beltline’s Eastside Trail. Here you’ll find beautiful Victorian-style homes on cobblestone streets nestled among chic wine bars and exquisite bakeries. Inman Park is also a refreshing green escape from the city, as it was founded in 1912 as Atlanta’s first garden suburb. You can thank the original city planners for the bountiful trees and parks in the neighborhood.  Be sure to check out Barcelona Wine Bar for an amazing patio and selection of wines.

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If you’re looking for a “big city” vibe, head to Midtown for an afternoon of fun. Take a stroll through Atlanta’s huge Piedmont Park with a cup of coffee from The Dancing Goats Coffee Bar. Or if you’re looking for a fun night, head out to one of the many queer bars in this LGBTQ+ friendly part of town. You can also get your shopping fix in at Atlantic Station, a beautiful outdoor space full of shops and cafes. For the art lovers, make sure you make a stop at the High Museum of Art (unfortunately the name has nothing to do with being high).

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If you’re looking for an alternative neighborhood with beautiful street art, great thrift shopping, and some quirky bars, look no further than Little Five Points. This “hipster” part of Atlanta is worth a quick stop if you’re spending a long weekend in town. We love stopping by Rag-O-Rama to try on some funky secondhand clothes and afterward we have to grab a burger at The Vortex Bar & Grill.

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We generally try to avoid “tourist” spots when recommending things to do in a city, but the World of Coca-Cola is a must-do while in Atlanta. In this interactive museum, you’ll learn all about the origin of the world’s favorite soda and much more. It’s a unique place and a great way to escape the heat of Atlanta. At the end of the museum, you can try Coca-Cola’s products from all over the globe. You can pretend you’re in Africa, South America, and Australia in one day!

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Atlanta is full of some incredibly important history and we highly recommend making a stop at the Atlanta History Center to learn all about it. The center is a comprehensive, 33-acre space that has exhibits on the natural, indigenous, and modern history of Atlanta and the area. You can take a walk through manicured gardens around mansions from the 1800’s to unspoiled forests that give you a look at what the city used to look like.

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The Georgia Aquarium is one of the coolest places to go in Atlanta, hands down. With unique animals like a whale shark, sea lions, and a beluga whale in a beautiful space, what more could you want? The aquarium also has a focus on conservation and education, making it a great place to go to learn about the world under the water.

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If you’re looking for an escape from Atlanta’s traffic and city life, make a stop at the Botanical Gardens for a day of greeny beauty. The gardens opened in 1976 and feature a variety of attractions for all to enjoy. Located right in the heart of Midtown, it’s such a great place to relax and enjoy curated collections of flowers and sculptures. There’s even a children’s garden for the kids to enjoy, making it perfect for the whole family.

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Recently, the Democratic Caucus of Georgia introduced the Justice Act, which would decriminalize marijuana. Each year, more than 40,000 Georgian’s are arrested for marijuana possession alone. The Justice Act seeks to change this and would mean a simple fine for possession of cannabis with no jail time. While Georgia laws on cannabis are fairly strict, several counties do offer alternatives to jail sentencing, instead offering treatment to offenders. The city of Savannah, just a 3.5-hour drive from Atlanta, has also decriminalized marijuana.

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Filled with amazing local shops, delicious cafes and restaurants, you won’t be disappointed in Ponce City Market. The mixed-used market is housed in a huge historic brick building that was originally a Sears, Roebuck & Company retail and distribution space built in 1926. Be sure to check out Citizen Supply for a mix of local goods, and the Chubbies store for some quirky outfits. The market is also fun to browse and window shop for food, and we absolutely love 12 Cocktail Bar for a stiff drink, Minero for delectable tacos and Five Daughter’s Bakery for a sweet-tooth fix.

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Another famous Atlanta foodie and local shopping landmark, Krog Street Market is a must-stop for your trip to Atlanta. Also opened in the 1920s as a warehouse, the beautiful building has been transformed into an open floorplan food and shopping center. We love browsing through The Merchant’s local goods and gifts and we could spend our entire paycheck at The Collective. While you’re at Krog Street Market, check out Jeni’s Ice Cream for a sweet treat.

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If you’re looking for a mega-mall during your visit to Atlanta, look no further than Lenox Square Mall. Located conveniently on the MARTA line that runs through the city, it’s easy to make a stop here to spend an afternoon in the cool air-conditioning. At Lenox Square, you’ll find your classic stores likeAbercrombie & Fitch and it even has some luxury stores like Burberry. You could also spend all day in the food court, which has all your classic mall staples like Chipotle and more.

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Located on the rooftop of Ponce City Market, 9 Mile Station has a view of Atlanta that just can’t be beaten. The food is also amazing, with an excellent brunch featuring scrumptious sticky buns and eggs benedict. You also can’t go wrong with dinner here, and we highly recommend the seared scallops and steak frites. 9 Mile Station is known for its tasty cocktails, and we love the 9 Mile Old Fashioned. While you’re there, you can also check out the Skyline Park, which is an old-fashioned carnival-style space with games and rides on the rooftop.

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If you’re looking for a classy night out with your significant other (or just an excuse to treat yourself), we absolutely recommend Bone’s Restaurant. This classic steakhouse will leave you full and happy, with an extensive selection of wines and delicious food. Running for over 40 years, Bone’s has perfected the art of the steak and has won Atlanta’s Best Steakhouse for the past 16 years.

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Home Grown is the epitome of down-home Southern cooking at its best. This no-frills restaurant features delicious brunch made from ingredients fresh out of their garden. We love their bagel sammy and breakfast enchiladas, but you can’t go wrong with anything here! Be sure to check out their attached store, Sew Thrifty, for a unique collection of local goods for sale.