Travel gets expensive quick, so save some money this summer and ditch the plane ticket to take a trip in your own city! With Destination Gay Atlanta, our annual LGBTQ travel guide to everything you need to know about the city, tourists and locals alike can find something new in ATL, from sights and attractions to dining and nightlife. Instead of jetting off this summer, plan a staycation right here! Whether you book an Airbnb, visit a hotel (some of our favorites are the Georgian Terrace, Hotel Clermont, and Loews), or just stay at home, here are some suggestions you might not know for your at-home “trip” to Atlanta.
If you’re an Atlanta local, chances are you’ve been to the Aquarium, World of Coke, and zoo multiple times. Opt for some new, more unique attractions by visiting the Museum of Illusions, an immersive and Instagrammable homage to optical illusions; Horizon of Khufu, a revolutionary VR experience that takes you back to the golden age of Ancient Egypt; or the Balloon Museum, a collection of exhibitions in which “air” is a distinctive element.
Want an excuse to splurge? Take an opulent afternoon tea at the St. Regis on Saturdays and Sundays. It’s pricey but includes artfully blended tea served in fine china, local live entertainment, and decadent bites in a luxurious atmosphere.
If high tea is too stuffy for you, your weekend plans should include drag brunch at Lips Atlanta, which includes all the opulence and glamour, plus bottomless mimosas, more disco balls, and unmatched drag performances.
Need dinner plans? Check out Twisted Soul Cookhouse and Pours for a gourmet Southern dinner, Gaja Korean Bar for Korean bites in an uber cool atmosphere, Planta for vegan sushi, or Oreatha’s at the Point for internationally inspired comfort food!
Looking for a fun night out that isn’t just another bar or club? Learn ceramics and make some pottery during Mudfire’s date nights, take your friends on in a game of pickleball at the Painted Pickle or elevated darts at Flight Club, catch some live jazz at Red Light Café on Wednesdays or Burle’s Bar on Tuesdays, or elevate your night of drinks at The Garden Room, an upscale cocktail lounge with light bites, creative beverages, and stunning botanical décor.
To find more recommendations, pick up a copy of this year’s Destination Gay Atlanta, out August 2024, in hotel lobbies across the city — or read it online at roughdraftatlanta.com/destination-gay-atlanta.