Buckhead Treehouse
Give yourself all the ambiance of a retreat in the woods and all the convenience of the city with a stay at this Buckhead Treehouse. Nestled in the woods not far from I-75, this unique retreat is made up of three separate areas connected by rope bridges: a living room with 80 year old butterfly-filled windows, a 12-candle chandelier, comfortable, antique seating for 6, and a balcony overlooking an acre of lush woods, a deck with a hammock and dart board, and a bedroom with a pillow-top double bed that can be wheeled out onto an outdoor platform, a small desk, and an antique birdcage. Just in case you feel too isolated, the house also has WiFi, but with a bottle of wine and snacks guaranteed on your arrival, we'd recommend just kicking back and relaxing.
Dream Cars
Normally a chance to see concept cars involves a trip to a huge auto show — and even then you only get to see new concepts, not classic examples of futuristic automotive design. Which is why Dream Cars is so unique. Running from May 21 through September 7 at the High Museum of Art, this exciting exhibit features a collection of concept cars produced between 1932 and the present, covering everything from Paul Arzens' three-wheeled Electric Egg to the flexible fabric-skinned BMW GINA. A must-see for gearheads everywhere.
Holeman & Finch
It might be pint-sized, but Holeman & Finch Public House has a huge reputation — just not for the reasons you might think. This Buckhead eatery serves up tasty dinner and drinks, offering everything from hot dogs to steak tartare alongside original cocktails, wine, and craft beer, but it's perhaps best known for its burgers. Every night at 10:00, they serve up 24 — and only 24 — double patty cheeseburgers, placed on house-made buns, and served with hand-cut fries, homemade ketchup, mustard, and pickles. You need to get there early to claim yours, but if you miss on your first try, don't despair — the burger is available all day on Sunday's brunch menu.
Paper Plane
Tucked away behind Victory Sandwich Bar, Paper Plane is a like a ticket back in time. This smallish bar's interior is an ode to mid-century style, featuring oversized leather booths, simple stools, warm wood paneling, and a sleek countertop. And while the looks might recall an older time, the cocktails are decidedly modern, featuring inventive combinations of ingredients mixed with the utmost care. Should you get hungry, the food is far beyond typical pub fare, including seafood, lamb, and pork — just make sure you save room for an after-dinner drink.
All or Nothing Tattoo
It might sit in a far-off suburb of Atlanta, but there's nothing small town about the work being done at All or Nothing Tattoo. Staffed by a huge roster of award-winning artists — including the legendary Brandon Bond, Dave Tedder, Mike McMahon, and many more. If you doubt their credibility, one look at the huge collections of awards and trophies should put your mind at ease, and while they do accept walk-ins, they are also super-popular — among tattoo aficionados, celebrities, and professional athletes alike — so you might want to book an appointment first.
Six Feet Under
No, it's not named after the excellent HBO series of the same name — it's actually named for the original location's place across from Oakland Cemetery. And that's fine by us, as we spend most of our time on top of Six Feet Under. On the rooftop patio, to be exact, offered at both of the bar/fish house locations. Both outlets also share a solid drink list featuring house cocktails, martinis, margaritas, a smattering of wine, a selection of after dinner pours, and very good beer list featuring both bottled and draft selections. The food is really good too, but forgive us if we're too busy filling up on the Bloody Mary Bar to notice.
Rosebud
Nope, it doesn't have anything to do with Citizen Kane. At least, we don't think. But we are sure that Rosebud is all about the food. This Morningside spot serves up a host of tasty, seasonally-driven menus pretty much all-day — breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day, and brunch on Saturday and Sunday, as well as for the special on Monday nights. All of which gives you plenty of opportunities to try their signature sandwich, the "Big Nasty" — a stack of Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Smoked Bacon, Tillamook Cheddar & Scrambled Egg. Don't despair if you miss out, though, as nearly everything else from Chef Ron Eyester's creative American/Southern kitchen is worth a try. Oh, and we hear the cocktails are pretty good, too.
The Ellis Hotel
Downtown Atlanta's hotel scene is dominated by chains — highly-regarded chains, for sure, but chains nonetheless. If you're looking for something a little less corporate, consider The Ellis Hotel. Located downtown not far from the Convention Center and loads of shopping, drinking, and eating options, it's an ideal base camp for those visiting for business or pleasure. The rooms range from standard rooms with double beds to a large suite with a King-size bed, private parlor, and wetbar, but no matter which room you choose, you still get access to the Terrace Bistro, fitness center, lobby bar, and the hotel's famously excellent service.
King + Duke
It's one thing to cook traditional food, but it's quite another to cook food using traditional techniques. King + Duke does a little of both. This new Ford Fry spot is located in Buckhead, and features a centerpiece 24-foot open hearth that's used to cook everything from burgers and steaks to rabbit and bone marrow. While the space itself is large, it remains cozy, and the seasonal menu — put together using locally-sourced ingredients — is matched only by the excellent offerings of cocktails, wine, and beer coming from the bar. Looking for a little more privacy when you dine? There's a private dining room available for just such an occasion.
The Beer Barrel
It doesn't sound all that fancy, and trust us, it's not — but that's entirely the point. The Beer Barrel is a fantastic hole-in-the-wall on the northern outskirts of Atlanta, and has been serving up cold ones since 1957. Inside the ridiculously small space you'll find a rectangular bar with space for roughly 15 or so patrons, a few stools on the side wall, and that's about it. So what does the place have going for it? Apart from the friendly barkeeps and regulars, it has cheap drinks, cold beer, and Georgia Lottery Keno — or more than enough to keep us amused for several hours.
Ambrose Vintage
Plenty of times when a store changes ownership, it completely changes course — so it's reassuring that after a change in the middle of last year, Ambrose Vintage is much the same as it was for years under its previous moniker, Stefan's Vintage Clothing. As you might have guessed from the name(s), this store offers up a host of vintage clothing for both guys and gals, with a focus on classic tees mixed in with stylish jackets, tops, hats, patches, buttons, and other goods. Oh, and be sure to keep an eye out for the store's namesake, Ambrose the shopcat.
Gunshow
You'll be eating food, and possibly enjoying a beer or glass of wine when you show up at Gunshow. You'll see a menu, and you'll pay a bill. That said, there's not a lot about this new Glenwood Park eatery from former Top Chef Kevin Gillespie that resembles a traditional restaurant. The menu will change constantly based on what ingredients are the freshest — and available — and also lists the available drinks, cookbooks, and other goodies. There is no boundary between the kitchen and the dining room, which allows the chefs and sous chefs the ability to come talk to you directly, explain dishes when necessary, and even offer you off-the-cuff creations that may or may not be on the menu. Of course, all of this doesn't matter much if the food's not up to snuff, but with options ranging from pitch-perfect takes on classic dishes to more complex offerings, you're sure to find something you'll like — perhaps with help from the head chef himself.
