The Beltline After Dark: Eight Can’t-Miss Spots

From dawn to dusk, the Atlanta Beltline is full of possibilities. Whether it’s a shopping spree for that piece you’ve been looking for everywhere, a restaurant crawl full of bites and bevs that truly are next level, or an historical tour that will leave you full of wonder, there are countless adventures to be had along every mile of trail. 

But what if you only have an evening or two free for adventuring? 

Here are some of our team’s recommendations for how to make the most of a few evening hours along the Beltline. 

Explore magical nature at the Botanical Garden (Northeast Trail) 
Opened in 1976, the Atlanta Botanical Garden is home to 30+ acres of outdoor gardens and is located just off the Northeast Trail next to Piedmont Park. While the urban oasis is magical during the daytime, it truly shines during the Garden’s evening events. If you find yourself in Atlanta from November-January, be sure to stop by for Garden Lights, Holiday Nights. Here during another part of the year? Check out their calendar to see if there’s a nighttime event during your stay. 

Enjoy local live music at Boggs Social & Supply (West End Trail) 
Atlanta and live music go hand in hand. Take a walk along the Southwest and West End Trails and then cap off your evening at Boggs Social & Supply, a staple of the city’s Westside. While you’re there, grab a bite to eat from one of their rotating pop-up food vendors, grab a cold drink, and take in that night’s live entertainment. If you’re lucky, you might even stumble in during Wednesday karaoke. 

Eat your way through Inman Park (Eastside Trail) 
Want to spend your evening eating through Atlanta? Take a stroll down the Eastside Trail and hop off in Inman Park, where a wide variety of restaurants await you. In the mood for Mexican? Grab some appetizers and drinks at Pure Taqueria or Bartaco. More in the mood for Italian? Share some slices at Fritti or a noodle dish at Sotto Sotto. Maybe you’re feeling like small bites, in which case it’s hard to beat Barcelona Wine Bar. Or, if you’re looking for award-winning cuisine, check out New York Times’ favorite Bread & Butterfly and Michelin Guide-recommended Delbar. Whether you stop at one of these spots or one of the countless others, you’re sure to leave with a better understanding of why Atlanta truly is a foodie’s paradise. 

Explore bites, bevs, and history in Cabbagetown (Southeast Trail) 
Tucked just off the Southeast Trail is Cabbagetown, one of Atlanta’s oldest industrial settlements. Originally built for the workers of the South’s first textile processing mill, the neighborhood is brimming with history, public art, and delicious food. Stroll along Wylie Street and take in the current set of Forward Warrior! murals, explore some of the historic placards in the area, and then cap off your evening with a bite from JenChan’s, Little’s Food Store, or Milltown Arms Tavern.  

Get competitive at Skyline Park & Painted Park (Eastside Trail) 
If games are more of your style, plan to spend your evening at one of the two game bars along the Eastside Trail. Pop off the Beltline at Ponce City Market (take a moment to explore the myriad of shops and restaurants) and then take the elevator up to Skyline Park. On your ride up, guides will share stories about the former Sears, Roebuck & Co. building before letting you off on the rooftop, where you’ll find a host of carnival games, a scenic mini-golf course, and a full bar. If you’d rather keep your feet on the ground, head down the Eastside Trail to one of the corridor’s newest spots, Painted Park. Here you’ll be able to play all of the classic bar games (think shuffleboard, skeeball, darts), while also enjoying a full food and drink menu. 

Venture through history at Oakland Cemetery (Southeast Trail) 
Located just off the Southeast Trail is Oakland Cemetery, Atlanta’s oldest public park and the final resting place of some of the city’s most famous citizens. Spanning 48 acres, the historical site is full of treasures, gardens, sculptures, and more waiting to be explored. The cemetery is open to the public until dusk each day (making this a great spot to hit in the early summer evenings), and they also have an annual Illumine festival that transforms Oakland into a magical space after dark. 

Spend an evening at Lee+White (Southwest Trail) 
Home to West End Atlanta’s old “Warehouse Row,” Lee+White is the perfect place to go after an evening walk along the Southwest Trail. Start by grabbing a bite to eat at one of the many Food Hall vendors and then stop for a drink at one of the three breweries and distilleries on-site (Monday Night Garage, Wild Heaven Brewing, and ASW Distillery). Looking for something a little more exclusive? Enjoy a five-course chef’s counter omakase meal at Bonvio After Dark found in the downstairs of Hop City Market. 

Explore the Nightlife along Edgewood Avenue (Eastside Trail) 
If nightlife is what you’re looking for, head just off the Eastside Trail to Edgewood Avenue, where a storied strip of bars and entertainment venues awaits. Whether you’re hitting the arcade games at Joystick Gamebar or catching a DJ at Sister Louisa's Church of the Living Room & Ping Pong Emporium, you’re sure to find something to keep you entertained. When you’re ready to end the night, be sure to swing by Edgewood Pizza to grab a late-night slice. 

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