A local's ultimate guide to visiting Atlanta

"The Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center is the perfect base for walking to local restaurants and lounges. It's also an easy pickup spot for rideshares to get to other parts of the city."

"The W Hotel has a rooftop pool and a spa, both of which make for a relaxing weekend in A-Town."

"At Hurricane Falls, the Tallulah River crashes 90 feet into a blue-green, cliff-lined pool. The stunning waterfall is located an hour outside Atlanta at the Tallulah Gorge State Park."

"Also a little over an hour from the city, Amicalola Falls is the most notable feature of the Amicalola Falls State Park. The park has many hiking and walking trails."

"Finally, located 20 miles southwest of the Atlanta airport, Cochran Mill Park is mostly flat land, which makes it great for beginners. The park features the ruins of three historical mills and a stunning waterfall."

"The historic Sweet Auburn neighborhood was home to Martin Luther King Jr. and the American civil-rights movement. I recommend starting at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park and then strolling down to the various sites and restaurants."

"The High Museum is the perfect family outing, especially if you're trying to stick to a budget on your vacation. The museum offers free admission on the second Sunday of every month."

"Tiny Doors ATL showcases 7-inch door sculptures created by the artist Karen Anderson Singer that are designed to reflect the spirit, architecture, and unique elements of the surrounding area."

"Toast on Lenox is a Southern-style restaurant nestled in Buckhead, and it's perfect for a quick bite or a cute night out. They have great customer service and amazing food and cocktails."

"The Breakfast Boys is a trendy brunch spot with unique decor and great eats. The menu features jerk chicken and sweet-potato waffles and, of course, the traditional shrimp and grits."

"JoJo's Beloved is the perfect spot if you want a unique 1970s spot that plays Donna Summer and Chaka Khan hits. If you're in the mood for a good drink, then this is your best option."

"The Beacon is home to Baker Dude, Pin & Proper, and Civil Axe Throwing among other dining and entertainment spots."

"Mojave is a Latin-inspired restaurant in the Marietta neighborhood that's great for a date night. From brunch to dinner, this restaurant is a huge hit with its variety of housemade family recipes."

"Poor Calvin's in downtown Atlanta mixes Asian-inspired cuisine with Southern comfort food. Originally from Vietnam, the chef Calvin Phan has made a name for himself with an impressive menu that includes spring rolls, lobster mac and cheese, and grilled lamb chops."

"Every weekend from Friday to Sunday Atlanta Food Truck Park hosts more than 15 vegetarian and vegan food trucks like Nana's Kitchen, No Meat Eatz, and Joy's Green Kitchen."

"Hippin Hops Brewery is a trendy spot that's perfect for all beer lovers."

"If you're looking to cool off after walking the BeltLine (a railroad corridor turned park) on a hot summer day, stop in for a scoop of ice cream at Jeni's."

"Sublime Doughnuts is always a hit. The Nestle Crunch doughnut is a little bite of heaven."

"If you're not quite sure what you're in the mood for, head over to Ponce City Market where there are dozens of food stalls and restaurants to choose from."

"Nestled in Atlanta's Sweet Auburn Historic District, Sweet Stack Creamery boasts a menu of ice-cream sandwiches with very distinctive flavors."