Give the gift of Atlanta with a Locals Love card
Ascend to the glittering Atlanta skyline to unwind carnival-style at Skyline Park on The Roof at Ponce City Market. Try mini golf and skeeball, and discover vintage delights like the Horse Derby game. For a thrill, try the three-story slide or the hoist-and-drop action of Heege Tower. Finally, relax with a beach-themed cocktail at the Endless Summer Beach Bar.
Location: Old Fourth Ward - 675 Ponce De Leon Avenue NE; Admission: Daily individual tickets starting at $7; group tickets starting at $6; Hours: Monday to Wednesday from 3 - 10 p.m.; Thursday from 3 - 11 p.m.; Friday from 3 p.m. to midnight; Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight (ages 21 and over only after 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday); Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Website: poncecityroof.com/skyline-park
Da Vinci’s Donuts
Can a culinary experience amount to art? Da Vinci’s Donuts, with its cake-style creations, will have you believing it can. Partake in sweet-touched-with-savory topping flavors like French toast, salted caramel and maple bacon. Alongside a coffee or hot chai tea, they’re the perfect start — or finish — to a day in the city.
Location: Multiple locations: Sandy Springs, Alpharetta & Lenox Square Mall; Hours: Monday-Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Website: davincisdonuts.com
Buttermilk Kitchen
No matter the delectable breakfast or lunch dish, you can be sure Buttermilk Kitchen’s offerings have been thoughtfully sourced. Order fried pickled green tomatoes or a banana bread loaf (gluten-free!) for the table, and follow up with a main dish of hot chicken and grits or the hash bowl. Don’t forget sandwich choices like the smoked bacon meatloaf. Cocktails starting at 9 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 11 a.m. on Sunday include a classic mimosa and an Aperol spritz.
Location: Buckhead - 4225 Roswell Rd. NE; Hours: Tuesday-Thursday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Friday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Website: buttermilkkitchen.com.
Center for Puppetry Arts
Enjoy the Center for Puppetry Arts with your kids or catch a show geared towards adults. Recent child-friendly shows have included “Captain Healthy and Safety Dog: an Intergalactic Learning Experience” and “Annika’s Elephants,” while “The Italian Dark Defender: Leonardo Da Vinci” catered to viewers 16 and older. Or catch an exhibit like “Screen and Stage: Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are” at the museum, where you can also participate in Sketchbook Saturdays and sketch gallery items.
Location: Midtown - 1404 Spring St. NW at 18th; Puppet show admission: $22 to $27; Museum admission: $12 to $16; children under two are free; Museum hours: Tuesday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.; Website: puppet.org.
Chattahoochee Coffee Company
The Chattahoochee Coffee Company offers warm respite with cortados, pour-over coffee or chai lattes. Or grab a cold, bottled beverage. Hungry? Try the savory ham and cheese croissant or the cheese danish. The themes here: fresh, local and giving back. Enjoy cream from Clermont, Georgia-based Mountain Fresh Creamery, baked goods replenished daily and items for sale from local organizations. The CCC also donates a portion of its proceeds to local, national and international causes.
Location: Multiple locations: Riverside, Walton Westside, Riverview Landing; Hours: Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Website: chattahoocheecoffee.com.