Just Another Walk in the Park

Okay! Okay! So you aren’t the museum, landmarks, and attraction type of adventurer, you lean more towards the great outdoors, fresh air, and sun on your skin. Never worry! Atlanta has more to offer than the Mercedes Benz Stadium, World of Coca-cola, the Georgia Aquarium, and National Center for Civil and Human Rights, all of which can be seen with our City Pass which allows you to save more to see more. We also pride ourselves on our landscape, embracing the natural beauty of Georgia, and making it a welcoming environment for everyone.

So I know you are probably asking yourself, “Hmmm, okay so there are a lot of fun outdoor environments both north and south of Atlanta, but Atlanta is booming industrialized city so how will I get my outdoor fix?” Well…

I have just the answer for you.

Hidden away in Atlanta’s lush concrete jungle and maze of streets, roadways, highways, and bike trials; lie little gems both inside and outside of the central Atlanta Area. A few of these most popular gems include: Historic Forth Ward Park, Central Park, Woodruff Park, Centennial Olympic Park, and Piedmont Park.

Historic Fourth Ward Park

Historic Fourth Ward Park is located in the heart of Atlanta, is one of the first major city parks on Atlanta’s BeltLine and is just south of Ponce City Market. This 17.5 acre park has an amphitheater overlooking its clear creek basin located in the center of the park. The two acre basin not only makes a wonderful visual center piece to park but it also doubles as the parks and city’s stormwater detention pond. Other amenities that this park houses is a skate park, a playground, and a splash pad for those hot Georgia days. Outside of amenities provided the park also host a slew of events from 5Ks and meditations/ yoga classes, to its annual Atlanta Field Day, Old Fourth ward Park Art Festival, and Oktoberfest.

Fun at Historic Forth Ward splash pad

Central Park

Love outdoor concerts? Then Central Park is perfect for you. Neighboring the Historic Fourth Ward Park, Central Park is more of the entertainment hub of the two. On 17.3 acres of land Central Park host festivals such as the Shaky Knees Music Festival, FroRibbean Fest, and even the home to the Atlanta Caribbean Carnival. As well as hosting concerts for local and out of states bands and artists.

Atlanta Central Park Annual FroRibbean Fest

Woodruff Park

Atlanta Woodruff Park formerly known as Atlanta Central City Park, is another event hub for everything happening in Atlanta. A little on the smaller side at just 6 acres, makes it a perfect place to host events on a smaller scale. It is famed on its annual Atlanta Hip-Hop Day Festival and Sweet Auburn Festival, which caters to the local eateries, artists, performers, and small businesses in the area. Also located in the heart of Atlanta (sensing a theme of how the parks are set up yet??), make it rich in history that they now host an educational tour called Atlanta from the Ashes. This tour happens daily and helps to enlighten its attendees of Atlanta’s Downtown History.

Atlanta from the Ashes statue in Atlanta Woodruff Park

Centennial Olympic Park

Now come on, who doesn’t know what Centennial Olympic Park is?

Well if you don’t, Centennial Olympic Park was built as a monument, memory, and a way to show the beauty of Atlanta during and for the 1996 Olympic Games. Taking up over 21-acres, Centennial is a public park located in downtown Atlanta, just walking distances away from the Georgia World Congress Center, Skyview, and other wonderful landmarks. Just like Historic Fourth Ward Park, Centennial has a splash pad however this one is designed in the shape of the Olympic rings, it also features a timed orchestrated water shows that lights up at night.

Another neat and unique aspect to the park is the personalized brick path, which was another major way to mark one of the greatest events in Atlanta. People were able to purchase personalized bricks during the Olympics and making themselves forever apart of history. Centennial like the other parks host a lot of events if not more with most catering to family fun like scavenger hunts and audio tours to Shaky Beats Music Festival, Sweetwater 420 Festival, and much more. They also have special events during holidays like Holiday in the Park, and even have outdoor skating rink during the winter.

Olympic rings at Centenial Olymic Park

Piedmont Park

Last but not least is Piedmont Park, which is the go to spot for serenity, Zen, fun, community, picnics, culture and so, so much more. It is also a wonderful place to host weddings, parties, proms, or whatever you want to celebrate with beautiful venues throughout the park.

Sitting on 185 acres of land, Piedmont Park is full of endless possibilities, and is home to many of Atlanta's largest annual events including the Atlanta Dogwood Festival, Music Midtown, Atlanta Jazz Festival, Pride Festival, Screen on the Green, and many 5K races. Piedmont features jogging paths, basketball courts, a farmers' market, dog parks, ponds, large fields, & more.

Did I say DOG PARKS? I sure did. I didn’t forget about our four legged companions. Piedmont is one of the largest dog friendly parks in Atlanta with amenities such as: three acres for dogs to run off-leash, separate enclosures for large (30+ lbs) and small dogs (<30 lbs), trails and landscaping, benches and restrooms for loyal owners, shaded areas, dog water spickets, and….

Weekend concessions including King of Pops with Dog Popsicles! What could be better than that! Besides including them in their own 5K called the Doggie Dash!!!

Honestly people, this is one of my favorite parks you will just have to head over to their website and check it out for yourself.

Picnic in Piedmont Park (photo cred Torii Hazley)

Well, I know that was a lot of information to take in, but once you experience the parks; you will have the same love I do for these wonderful concrete jungle oases. All of the parks have their own little light to offer, but also are perfect for venues, picnics, photo shoots, or just a family day out.

Just to think those are the parks within central Atlanta, not to mention those outside of the city, like Stone Mountain Park and their laser shows, or Brook Run Park in Dunwoody which and there amazing walking trails.

All you have to do is search outside of the cement and let the world around you embrace you.

Click highlighted links and pics for more information on these fabulous destinations.