Midtown Atlanta is highly walkable. If you live in or near Midtown and are hoping to find peaceful nature amongst the urban city, you are in luck. From huge parks, to long trails, to street art, Midtown Atlanta has lots to offer outdoors.

The Beltline

The 22-mile trail in Atlanta, known as the Beltline, loops around the east side of Midtown through Piedmont Park and north toward I-85. You can access the Eastside Trailhead at the south end of Piedmont Park, or the northeast trailhead near Treeline Ansley.

What To Do Near the Eastside Trail

Being right beside the park, the east side portion of Beltline can get quite crowded. However, it also means there is a lot to do along the way, not to mention the array of graffiti walls you’ll find on the trail.

Take a leisurely walk or jog along the gravel trail while tucked beneath lush greenery. Grab drinks and food at the Park Tavern, stop for coffee at Stroll Coffee, or cool off with ice cream at Three Peaches Gelato nearby after your walk.

Ponce City Market is also nearby, where you can find an abundance of shopping, food, and bars to last all day.

What To Do Near the Northeast Trail

The Northeast end of Beltline is a bit less restaurant-heavy than the Piedmont area. So, if looking for a place along the Beltline on a sunny weekend, you may be more likely to find an open restaurant table on this side of the trail.

On Ottley Drive on the other side of the highway, you’ll find ASW Distillery, SweetWater Brewing Company, and Fox Bros BBQ, all locally owned with sunny patios and the perfect vibes after a long bike ride or hike.  

Atlanta Botanical Garden

Atlanta Botanical Garden sits within an expanse of parks and trails. It is a truly beautiful park to visit. Walk through 30 acres of lush greens, manicured landscaping, and plant sculptures.  

The Atlanta Botanical Gardens offers many tours and events educating you on what’s in bloom, how to garden at home, and how to make freshly grown produce into delicious meals.

We recommend making a reservation to avoid long lines. You can also attend an event, like Cocktails in the Garden, a workshop, or holiday-themed happening by viewing the schedule on their website.

See What’s Happening at Atlantic Station

Atlantic Station holds many events throughout the year on the lawn, including guided yoga sessions, a Creator’s Market, and Screen on the Green, where you can pop up a camp chair on the turf and watch a featured film.

During the winter, the lawn turns into an ice rink decorated with ornate holiday trees and cheerful string lights.

Atlantic Station is also home to numerous restaurants and shops. Whether you’re there shopping at the Creator’s Market or skating the rink, afterwards you can cozy up to the fanciful Rose Bistro & Champagne Bar, grab drinks at HOBNOB, or indulge in a sweet treat at Kilwins.

Piedmont Park

Piedmont Park is a huge park in Midtown Atlanta. On any day during most of the year you’ll find locals jogging, cycling, picnicking, dog-walking, fishing, swimming, and playing sports at one of many recreational fields.

Walk Along Lake Clara Meer

Lake Clara Meer, also referred to as a “reflection pond”, is a hot spot in Piedmont Park. The water reflects the skyscrapers surrounding the park, specifically the Bank of America building which is the tallest in Atlanta.

Swimming is prohibited in these waters, though it is an excellent spot for fishing for crappie, bluegill, and catfish. There is a peaceful walking trail around the lake, a gazebo, dock, and tons of spots for beautiful pictures.

Have a Picnic

Piedmont Park is perfect for a picnic because of how much clean green space there is. Especially in the fall when the leaves change, picnicking here is a perfect date. Gaze at the Midtown skyline and people-watch with food in hand at this peaceful and expansive park.

Spaces For Play

There are volleyball, basketball, soccer, football, bocce ball, softball, and tennis courts at Piedmont Park. There is also a running track, a public pool, and two playgrounds.  

Whether you need solo exercise, have joined a recreational softball team, or are tossing a frisbee with friends, there isn’t much you can’t do here.

Check the Calendar for Park Events

During the warmer months you can find many outdoor events on the calendar arranged by the Piedmont Park Conservancy, ranging from Yoga at the Park, group walks, and the Green Market.

The Green Market is the farmer's market occurring every Saturday during spring, summer, and fall seasons. Don’t miss out on fresh produce and fun locally produced food products!

Morningside Nature Preserve

The Morningside Nature Preserve is located on the northeast side of Midtown Atlanta. 30 acres of forest and woodlands provide a dense nature retreat within the city.

There are about 2 miles of scenic and shaded trails. The two trailheads, one at Lenox Road and the other at Welbourne Road, are connected by a suspension bridge over South Fork Peachtree Creek.

The creek’s shallow waters and sandy shores have created a popular spot for dogs and kids to explore. It is commonly referred to as the “dog beach” of the preserve.

Winn Park

Since Piedmont Park dominates in terms of park popularity in Atlanta, Winn Park is a bit of a hidden gem. It sits just west of Piedmont Park next to Colony Square.

While smaller, this park is lush with bushes, tall trees, and grass. Stone walkways weave through man-made ponds, small waterfalls, and wooden benches. It is as serene as your family’s backyard.

Walk Along Atlanta’s Outdoor Street Art

Atlanta is one of the US’s best cities for street art, in part because Atlanta is the intersection of major railroads where graffiti art is almost guaranteed to be found. Atlanta has become known for its public art, and many of the old rail system walls have become “legal walls” for graffiti.

Take a walk in Midtown and appreciate the dozens of street murals, particularly near Eastside Beltline Trail, Ponce City Market, and Peachtree Street. Visit incredible street murals like The Heist on 1029 Peachtree St NE and Hense on Virginia Ave along the Eastside Beltline Trail. 

H2: Live in Midtown Atlanta at Treeline Ansley

Treeline Ansley is an apartment complex on the northern end of Midtown near Buckhead, offering a blend of peaceful outdoorsy activity and urban shopping and dining nearby.

With easy access to the Northeast Beltline Trailhead, Piedmont Park, and Atlanta Botanical Gardens, an oasis of nature is at your fingertips when you live at Treeline Ansley. Explore the apartments at Treeline Ansley and see what it is like to live at our Atlanta apartment community!

“Piedmont Park, Atlanta, GA” by kinseikun is marked with CC0 1.0.

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