Just three and one half hours from Franklin is the upscale suburb of Atlanta known as Sandy Springs. This sweet Georgia city is the state's seventh largest, combining the best of urban vitality with outdoor adventure. An acclaimed culinary scene, one-of-a-kind boutiques, world-class entertainment and cultural experiences are all surrounded by more than 950 acres of parks and natural areas, including 22 miles of Chattahoochee River shoreline for kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing, and more. Throughout the year, local events at City Springs, like festivals, concerts and holiday markets highlight and celebrate this unique community. Here are just a few delights. visitsandysprings.org
Day 1
EAT
NoriFish If you’ve never ordered omakase, this is the place to do it. The fish are flown in twice weekly from Japan and you may never order a la carte sushi again. NoriFishSushi.com
DRINK
Mutation Brewing Company With 15 beers on tap at all times, Mutation produces every variety of beers as well as more than a dozen hard seltzers, including frozen! Don’t miss the chance to hang out on the rooftop bar, outdoor patio or their speakeasy taproom. Catch their Friday water pong tournaments and as the brewery just celebrated one year, look for barrel-aged beers to hit the taps soon. MutationBrew.com
STAY
Westin Atlanta Perimeter North Wrapping up a multi-million dollar renovation this spring, the Westin is the only hotel in all of Atlanta with a lake view and resides next to area royalty, the iconic King & Queen buildings. Centrally located with easy access to the Perimeter mall, Truist Park (where the Braves play) and so much more. Look for total transformations to all guest rooms, meeting rooms and public spaces. Marriott.com/atlpn
Day 2
EAT
Cafe Vendome Café Vendôme is an authentic artisanal French pastry bakery café, baking refined pastries and baguettes on-site all day long with specially selected and fresh ingredients. Owner Hamid Rouchdi is both a French and American citizen and a pleasure to chat with if you can catch him at this location. Grab a mouth-watering chocolate croissant for breakfast. CafeVendome.com
The General Muir Lunch at the second location of the James Beard semi-finalist restaurant opened in 2021 in Sandy Springs and features all of your Jewish grandmother’s favorites, from pastrami that’s cured and smoked in-house to hand-rolled, kettle-boiled bagels. While most go for the New York style deli, don’t sleep on the iconic double-smash cheeseburger, which served as inspiration for the cheeseburger featured recently in the movie, The Menu. TheGeneralMuir.com
The Select Stop for dinner at this elegant yet approachable restaurant to enjoy the vibrant flavors of a seasonally-inspired international menu, and the most wonderful hand-crafted cocktails. The Select is based on Le Select in Paris, a gathering place that was created for free thinking artists to meet and express themselves. The restaurant's magnificently decorated floral installation is a sight to behold, making it one of the most Instagrammed restaurants in all of Atlanta. TheSelectATL.com
DRINK
Beer & Wine Craft is the oldest craft beer and wine making retailer in the Southeast. This boutique winery founded in 1959, it’s the only winery in Georgia where guests can taste wine or make their own in a six to eight week process (classes are offered monthly). BeerAndWineCraft.com
PLAY
Island Ford Park This national park in Sandy Springs is a gem. It's the 23rd most visited national park out of 424 and boasts over three million visitors a year. Enjoy three miles of beautiful hiking trails that follow the grand, wide-flowing Chattahoochee River, exploring a wildlife-filled forest and several caves on the river’s banks. SandySprings.com/parks/island-ford-park/
The Splatter Studio Have some fun exploring your inner artist! Haven't you ever just wanted to throw paint? Each session at Splatter is one hour long, and each participant gets a disposable poncho, a pair of disposable shoe covers, sterilized gloves and goggles, a 16 x 20-inch canvas, and access to splatter paint. A blast! TheSplatterStudio.com
