Your guide to the Atlanta Beltline

On any given day, the Atlanta Beltline trail welcomes runners, walkers, bikers, skateboarders and spectators.

The route is one of the most comprehensive urban renewal efforts in the United States, repurposing 22 miles of unused railroad corridors into a network of parks and trails circling the core of the city’s intown neighborhoods.

It’s become part of Atlanta history thanks to Ryan Gravel’s innovative vision and the city’s willingness to make it a reality. For details on the various trails and the Atlanta Beltline map, click here.

If you’ve been wondering just how to take in Atlanta’s outdoor hot spot, here are our six favorite ways to experience the Atlanta Beltline:

Art stroll

Stroll past murals, tiny doors , and official and unofficial installations while cruising the Beltline. Art is found throughout the entirety of the Beltline. A chunk of that art you’ll find throughout the 2.5 miles of the Eastside Trail — basically a walkable, outdoor museum. The trail showcases the work of hundreds of performers, visual artists and musicians. By yourself or with company, experience the vibrancy and diversity coming from the artist’s work. Materials you’ll most likely see range from metals, kinetic cubes, photography displays and movable puppetry.

Arboretum walking tour

Don’t just walk the Beltline, walk it with an expert docent from Trees Atlanta. Learn firsthand about the trail’s horticultural collections and interesting facts about the Beltline. A plant-based narrative of our city at last. Bring some sunscreen and water and prepare for a journey like none other before. For specific tour dates and to register visit treesatlanta.org/calendar.

Bicycle

Looking for something more fast-paced? The Beltline is accessible by more than just foot; grab a bicycle and go. If you don’t own a bike, you can purchase or rent one from Atlanta Bicycle Barn.

Once you grab your bike, pedal faster to the bar or farther away from town; the choice is yours. If you’re one of those who would rather get to the bar, stay on the Eastside Trail. If you’re looking for a change of city scenery, try The Northside Trail. It offers less crowded paths with rougher terrain.

Beware on the weekends, however, as the path tends to fill up and you might just end up walking — with bike in tow.

Currently and probably for a while, the most recent section of the Beltline is the Westside Trail. It runs from near Atlanta’s Washington Park to near Adair Park. If you think of it in terms of MARTA stations that’s Ashby to West End. New and old-is-new amenities are springing up quickly and pretty soon we’ll need traffic choppers to keep us informed on the pedestrian ebb and flow around town. Just kidding guys, please stay away from the Beltline in your nosy, noisy whirlybirds.

Get your grub on

Enjoy the Beltline’s walk-up patios from lunch, dinner and all the way to those late-night cocktails. The view only gets better while noshing on great food and drinks.

You can never go wrong with Park Tavern’s menu and view of Piedmont Park but if you’re wanting a more artisan approach, try Krog Street Market. It offers a variety of Southern-grown restaurants with West Coast style right in the heart of Inman Park.

Find your new favorite cocktail

Fan of rum? A Victory Libre at Victory Sandwich Bar might become your favorite. Victory has two locations, but you’ll find their Inman Park location most accessible from the Beltline since the other one’s in Decatur.

Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall is another fantastic spot off the trail. It’s an urban explorer favorite, often hitting a two-hour wait time on summer nights. Ladybird has a traditional bar inside and also offers an outdoor-oriented bar that takes place in a camper. Late night is especially pretty with the camping themed-chairs and twinkly-strung lights — drink in hand.

Atlanta Beltline map: How to access the Atlanta Beltline

There are many, many walkable and bike-friendly access points including the Eastside Trail, Northside Trail, Southwest Connector Trail, West End Trail and Westside Trail.

For more on how to access the Atlanta Beltline, visit beltline.org.