Creative Loafing's 2018 Picks for City's Best Features that make Atlanta special - Cityscape.

Cityscape Online 1200

Atlanta is on the go — always looking for the next big thing, new places to shop, eat, party, and relax. Lucky for us, our home turf holds countless locales where we can escape from the daily traumas of the 9-to-5 work week. This year’s Cityscape highlights the many neighborhoods, coffee shops, dog parks, urban hiking spots, and more that this concrete jungle has to offer. Because even for a city in constant motion, we all need a place where we can kick back and enjoy the scenery.

— Lauren Leathers & Brenna Hilby

Featured

Hawks and Friends Advertorial Content

Thursday October 4, 2018 03:02 PM EDT 10/04/2018 3:02 PM

Atlanta Hawks players Kent Bazemore, John Collins, and Trae Young tell us what they feel are the 5 best things about Atlanta. | more...

Who is Atlanta’s Best Local Musician-Artist? Advertorial Content

Thursday October 4, 2018 04:36 PM EDT 10/04/2018 4:36 PM

Creative Loafing asks Atlanta Hawk’s players Kent Bazemore, John Collins, and Trae young their picks. | more...

Best Co-Working Space BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Cityscape » Critics Pick

Constellations - Shared Workspace (Featured)

(Courtesy of Luke Beard).

Best Day Trip BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Cityscape » Critics Pick

Pasquan, Buena Vista, GA

Best Dog Park BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Cityscape » Critics Pick

Fetch Park O4W (Featured)

Best Dog Park BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Cityscape » Critics Pick

East Palisades Unit--Indian Trail (Featured)

Best Free Annual Event BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Cityscape » Critics Pick

EAV Strut

A free neighborhood festival where you bump into the kind of cool neighbors you’d want to crush Pabst Blue Ribbon and get high with. Edgy and grunge creatives alike step out for this backyard-vibe of a good time in East Atlanta Village. This year’s music lineup included Material Girls, Flamingo Shadow, and Gold Yard. Kiddos are welcome and you’re pretty much guaranteed to run into Cousin Dan, PBR Luis, and Max Cooper - three people everyone assumes are famous, just from the looks of ‘em. (Courtesy of Dave Blair). less...

Best Free Thing to Do in Atlanta BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Cityscape » Critics Pick

1 AM Secret Show at Smith’s Olde Bar

From Craig Robinson playing TV jingles, Rory Scovel improvising for a full hour, and ’90s music sing-a-longs, to a truly wild mix of traditional and experimental stand-up every Saturday night/Sunday, the 1AM Secret Show is one of a kind. David Perdue and Anthony Driver helm the free, rambunctious late late show for those weekend warriors who aren’t ready to call it quits. You never know what you’re going to get, but the 1AMSS always makes sure it?s something to talk about. less...

Best Hiking Trail BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Cityscape » Critics Pick

Sweetwater Creek State Park (Featured)

With 15 miles of trails of varying difficulties, as well as a lake view and a historic cotton mill ruin, SweetWater Creek State Park is a prime destination for a natural getaway. The George Sparks Reservoir is great for fishing and kayaking in the summer, and the protected trails are full of wild tree and fern species. It’s just a short drive west of the city, so it makes a good day trip, or you can rent camping supplies from the visitor center and stay the night on the camping grounds. less...

Best Neighborhood Festival BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Cityscape » Critics Pick

House in the park

House in the Park is the real deal. From infants to grandparents, hundreds of friends and families end up in a trance, grilling and jamming to bass and beats. You’ll find yourself sucked into the DJ pavilion, shoulder-to-shoulder with neighbors you’ve never met, moving or sweating for three hours, just dancing. With plenty of water stations and no lines for restrooms - in August, in Atlanta! - it may be hot AF, but you’ll never miss another House in the Park. less...

Best Neighborhood for Nightlife BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Cityscape » Critics Pick

EAV

Grant Park Market Photo By Fredrik Brauer

Best Local Market BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Cityscape » Critics Pick

Grant Park Market (Featured)

What’s not to like about the Grant Park Market? It’s cute, clean, has efficient parking for running in and out, and stays competitive with Kroger prices with a much better selection of local goods. It’s where I score my Treehouse nut milk, Montane waters and wine on tap at the diner-style eat-in cafe. Just waiting for them to sell Georgia Hemp Company CBD, and I’ll never shop elsewhere! Call it the sister store to Candler Park Market, yet with quite a different atmosphere. Both are special. (Courtesy of Frederik Brauer). less...

Bird Scooters Courtesy Of Bird Rides Inc.

Best New Thing About Atlanta BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Cityscape » Critics Pick

Bird Scooters

Whether you’re a city denizen or a suburbanite, you can’t deny the influence Bird scooters have had on our day-to-day lives. Since arriving earlier this year, they’ve swarmed everywhere from the BeltLine to surrounding suburbs. They’ve been called the biggest revolution in transportation today, and have sparked the most polarizing debate about transport in recent years. With no word on what the future may hold for Birds, we may just have to get used to sharing the sidewalks with them. (Courtesy of Bird Rides Inc.) less...

Best Nonprofit BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Cityscape » Critics Pick

Sierra Club

Best Tourist Trap BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Cityscape » Critics Pick

Prison Farm

As captivating as they are twisted, the Prison Farm legends toggle the line between myth or fact. The Farm began as a large experimental prison way back when, and is now the largest piece of untouched land ITP. While some truths on the history of the Farm have been proven, mysterious activities keep the ghost stories alive. There’s something beautiful about a deserted and mysterious place - maybe it’s fear that brings people together. Regardless, this graffiti-covered, forsaken farm definitely makes the BOA list. less...

Best Overall Neighborhood BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Cityscape » Critics Pick

Grant Park (Featured)

Where trees are hugged and cemeteries are romantic, Grant Park has the potential to be a zoo - well, outside the confines of the zoo, that is - but it’s surprisingly quaint and quiet. Creatives and neighbors collect at the park, some happy to wait on sunny mornings for a seat at Ria’s Bluebird. Plus, the Beacon just opened, one of the few developments in recent years of explosive gentrification to add to a neighborhood’s charm. less...

Best Spot to Commune with Nature/Best Park BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Cityscape » Critics Pick

Piedmont Park (Featured)

Best Coffee House/Coffeeshop BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Cityscape » Critics Pick

Aurora Coffee

Best Playground BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Cityscape » Critics Pick

Piedmont Park (Featured)

Best Public Skatepark BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Cityscape » Critics Pick

Historic Fourth Ward Skatepark (Featured)

Best Public Pool BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Cityscape » Critics Pick

Martin Luther King Jr. Natatorium (Featured)

Best Public Tennis Court BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Cityscape » Critics Pick

Sharon Lester Tennis Center (Featured)

Best Rooftop Bar BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Cityscape » Critics Pick

Hotel Clermont

Best Spot to Commune with Nature/Best Park BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Cityscape » Critics Pick

Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area (Featured)

Best Volunteer Program BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Cityscape » Critics Pick

HeadCount

Want to get into basically any show for free? HeadCount offers the opportunity to see Beyonce, Jay-Z, Paul Simon, Leon Bridges, Lady Gaga, Father John Misty - the list goes on. All you have to do is chat with concertgoers about registering to vote and, since you’re already in the doors, you’re in the show! Stop the volunteer portion of your evening before the headliner, grab a beer, and enjoy the show. It’s brilliant. Thank you, HeadCount! (Courtesy of HeadCount). less...

Best Weekend Getaway BOA Award Winner

Year » 2018
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2018 » Cityscape » Critics Pick

The Inn at Serenbe