Felicity

Felicity is a Nature-loving Festival Follower. She doesn’t miss a moment outdoors and especially enjoys outdoor festivals that are held in Atlanta mostly all year. To plan her weekends, Felicity searches the Atlanta.net events calendar for a complete list of festivals.

In her spare time, Felicity likes to walk her two dogs in Atlanta’s many green parks and trails, plus take them hiking in the nearby north Georgia mountains. Felicity likes to get up close and personal with the animals at Zoo Atlanta and the Yellow River Game Ranch, while Stone Mountain Park is on the list for any big family gatherings that she has to plan. At the end of the day, Felicity likes to unwind in the warmer months at several free outdoor concerts and movies at places like Centennial Olympic Park, Piedmont Park and Woodruff Park.

The Silver Comet Trail, just 11 miles northwest of Atlanta, is abandoned railways converted into multi-use recreational trails. The trails span 37 miles for cyclists, skaters, runners and walkers through old rail tunnels.

The Chattahoochee Nature Center encompasses several acres with outdoor activities on the banks of the Chattahoochee River. The center offers guided activities including canoe trips, wildlife and horticulture walks, and includes marshes, river wetlands, aviaries, greenhouses and indigenous gardens.

The PATH Trails connect 18 miles from Georgia Tech through Piedmont Park and Atlanta suburbs to Stone Mountain Park. Stop at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum, experience the quirky Little Five Points area, enjoy lunch in Decatur or end at Georgia’s most visited attraction, Stone Mountain Park.

Piedmont Park
Atlanta’s Central Park, Piedmont Park, with more than 180 acres, is situated between 10th Street and Piedmont Avenue and is joined with the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Experience lush woods, Lake Clara Meer, picnic spots, skating paths and many annual events.

Yellow River Game Ranch
Visit the 24-acre Yellow River Game Ranch set on a naturally wooded preserve along the banks of the Yellow River. It features more than 600 native Georgia animals, such as deer, buffalo, bears and the famous weather predicting groundhog, General Beauregard Lee.

Georgia Aquarium
The world’s largest aquarium is home to the largest collection of aquatic animals in eight million gallons of fresh and marine water, with five galleries depicting different habitats. Saying hello to the beluga whales, penguins and whale sharks, the largest fish on the planet, will plunge you into a one-of-a-kind aquatic experience.

Zoo Atlanta
Zoo Atlanta features more than 200 species of animals from the African plains and Asian forests. See Bornean Sumatran orangutans, Asian small clawed otters and Sumatran tigers, plus a pair of Giant Pandas and a new panda cub. The Ford African Rain Forest houses one of the largest captive gorilla populations in North America with a total of 24 gorillas.

Chattahoochee River Fun
Sixteen recreation areas along a 48-mile stretch of the Chattahoochee River have been designed to conserve the river and provide outdoor entertainment for the whole family. Contact the Chattahoochee National Park Service to plan your outdoor fun, or Chattahoochee Outfitters, a premier raft, canoe, kayak and pedal boat outfitter. The Chattahoochee Nature Center in Roswell offers educational environmental programs, an animal preserve, canoe trips and other activities.

Atlanta Dogwood Festival
The Atlanta Dogwood Festival showcases springtime in Atlanta with local artists, crafters and musicians. Held in Piedmont Park, the longest-running festival in the city features live music, kids’ village and the annual U.S. Disc Dog Southern Nationals Competition. The festival also features great food and an artist market with more than 200 of the nation’s top artists.

Inman Park Festival
Atlanta’s oldest neighborhood hosts this street parade in April, complete with a huge artist market, live music, and Festivities also include the Tour of Homes and a parade on Saturday, blending the eclectic atmospheres of Inman Park and nearby Little Five Points into a crazy, wacky spectacle.

Atlanta Jazz Festival
This festival brings more than 100 of the best jazz performers to Atlanta during the month of May. Festivities include a free weekend concert series during Memorial Day, and great food, and an arts and crafts market.

Virginia-Highland Summerfest
Summerfest takes place in June at the in-town neighborhood of Virginia-Highland, known for its nightlife, galleries, restaurants and unusual shops. The three-day festival includes arts, great food, live local music, a kids play area and a Saturday morning 5K run and Tot Trot.

National Black Arts Festival
This 10-day cultural festival in July celebrates the contributions of Africans and African-Americans featuring the work of more than 1,000 artists from the Caribbean, Africa, Europe and the Americas. Included are artist markets, a gallery crawl and entertainment encompassing music, literature, theater and performance art, film, dance, visual art and folk art.

Yellow Daisy Festival at Stone Mountain Park
Held in September, the Yellow Daisy Festival is one of Georgia’s largest craft shows, boasting more than 500 vendors. Voted by Sunshine Artists magazine as the Nation’s #1 Arts and Crafts show, the festival features open-air shopping, live entertainment and food.

Taste of Atlanta
Take a bite out of what’s cooking in Georgia’s capital at Atlantic Station in October. This festival of taste features cuisine from more than 70 of the city’s finest restaurants, wines from North Georgia and celebrity chef demonstrations.

Atlanta Greek Festival
Experience this event at the Atlanta Greek Orthodox Cathedral, usually the first week of October. Sample authentic Greek wine and food, traditional music , dance, and a shopping bazaar with authentic clothing, ceramics, jewelry, tapestries, and original artwork.

Atlanta Celebrates Photography
More than 100 exhibits, a lecture series, films, public art projects and other special events provide a chance to experience the versatility of artistic expression. Events are held throughout the city at commercial and non-profit galleries, museums, universities and other alternative arts venues.

Little Five Points Halloween Festival and Parade
Atlanta’s most eclectic neighborhood celebrates the season with the annual parade and costume contest the weekend before Halloween. The free, outdoor event includes entertainment, an 8K “Run Like Hell,” artist market, children’s activities and more.

Cabbagetown Chomp & Stomp
Polish off your chili spoon for this in-town neighborhood festival set between mill houses originally built for workers at the nearby cotton mill. The chili cookoff highlights restaurants, plus individual entries. Stay for the live and local bluegrass music while strolling through the artist market. Look for the Chomp and Stomp in November.

Stone Mountain Park
Home to the world’s largest piece of exposed granite rock and longest running lasershow, Stone Mountain Park is Georgia’s most visited attraction. The Lasershow Spectacular in Mountainvision™ is choreographed with your favorite tunes and breathtaking pyrotechnics. With more than 3,200 acres of natural beauty, you’ll find family-oriented attractions, recreational activities, special events, lodging and camping. Experience attractions such as the all-new Geyser Towers where you can play in the spray or stay high and dry; take a trek through the treetops on Sky Hike; soar to the top of the mountain on Summit Skyride plus much more.

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