Bike the Beltline

Peep the leaves, enjoy the fall breeze, and check out some amazing public art installations with a weekend bike ride along the Beltline. The city’s 22-mile-long greenway and trail system is constructed on former railroad corridors connecting 45 neighborhoods across the city. If you don’t have your own bike you can visit the Atlanta Bicycle Barn or Atlanta Beltline Bicycle for a wide selection of bike trailers, tandem bikes, and cruisers for rent!

All-Inclusive Adventures

About an hour’s drive from Atlanta is the Historic Banning Mills, an adventure resort where you can get your adrenaline fix AND have a peaceful nature retreat all-in-one. Soar through the trees on the world’s largest zip line, climb the tallest free-standing rock wall or stick to lower elevations with horseback riding, kayaking, ATVs, and other ways to explore the protected ecosystems of the Snake Creek Gorge.

Attend a Pow Wow

Mark your calendars for early November for the Native American Festival and Pow Wow at Stone Mountain, the largest of its kind in the state. Here you can explore indigenous culture and traditions through dance, music, crafts, cooking, storytelling and a variety of interactive, hands-on experiences. Making memories for the future while honoring the heritage of the past—we can’t think of anything better!

Show-Stopping Fun

The Center for Puppetry Arts is the nation’s largest organization dedicated to the art form of puppetry. The museum is located in Midtown, the city’s art district, and focuses on three areas of puppetry: performance, education and history. This fall, guests have the opportunity to see adorable puppet shows including How to Snag a Sea Monster and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Don’t forget to check out the Museum Store for a wide selection of unique and educational gifts for all ages—it’s the perfect place for knocking out some holiday shopping!

Treetop Hideaway

Looking for a unique staycation within Atlanta city limits? At the Alpaca Treehouse you can fulfill a childhood fantasy by sleeping in a treehouse. This enchanting hideaway, constructed solely from reclaimed, salvaged, and other sustainable materials, is hidden within a dense bamboo forest. But that’s not all! The property doubles as a rescue center for llamas and alpacas. Proceeds from the treehouse or their other on-site lodging go directly to support the rescued animals. If you’re not ready to commit to an overnight stay then you can simply take a tour or attend Llama Yoga—either way, you’re sure to get some great shots for your socials!

All Aboard

Blue Ridge, GA is a quaint mountain town just 90 miles from the city. It is home to the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, a popular heritage train tour company offering seasonal rides to see the stunning fall foliage of Northern Georgia. They also have a Holiday Express tour, complete with hot cocoa, music, and a visit from Santa. Count us in!

Fall in Love with Yourself this Season

With all of these activities on your to-do list, you’re going to want to put your best face forward. The Swan Center in Atlanta’s expert team of licensed aestheticians and board certified plastic surgeons can help you create the perfect treatment plan or skincare regimen to meet your aesthetic goals! Contact us today to schedule your consultation with us online or by phone: (770) 667-0904.

For Cultural Immersion

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is an architectural wonder—a traditional Asian temple in the heart of Atlanta suburbs, it showcases more than 34,000 pieces of exquisite hand-carved limestone, marble and sandstones from around the world. It is used as a place of worship by the city’s Hindu community and visited by tourists and locals looking for beauty, peace and calm, or to learn about the world’s oldest living faith. Visitors must have shoulders and knees covered (don’t worry—wraps are provided). Aim to visit in the middle of the day to witness the offering ceremony, and be sure to leave time to check out the bookstore, gift shop, and vegetarian cafe. Photography or video may be taken from the ground level exterior of the Mandir only—and respect is important—but trust us, this is still a choice spot for capturing breathtaking images.

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Or check out these old favorites, especially if you can go early or late in the day:

• The High Museum of Art
• The Millennium Gate Museum
• The Swan Coach House
• The Fernback Museum of Natural History

For Urban Streetscapes & Skylines

Looking to add some more color and edge to your feed? You’ll love the murals along the BeltLine Eastside Trail. This area contains dozens of funky, abstract and psychedelic murals from acclaimed local artists like Greg Mike, Hense, and the Tiny Doors ATL project. Check out this interactive map to track down the coolest murals in the area.

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Or stop by these old favorites, remembering that the early morning can be a great time to get gorgeous light without crowds!:

• The Rainbow Crosswalk
• The Tree of Life Mural
• Disco Ball Mural
• Jackson Street Bridge

For An Epic Dining Experience

If you want to add some elegance and greenery to your Instagram feed, make sure that you check out The Garden Room, an immersive outdoor bar and restaurant open for dinner or brunch (yay!). This Buckhead bar, which opened in 2020, is an urban oasis with romantic features including lanterns hanging from trees, crystal chandeliers, wooden statues, and floral decor which are all ideal vignettes for a beautiful photo. And of course their craft cocktails are photo-worthy as well!

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You’ll also love these old favorites—and go early on a quieter weeknight to avoid crowds:

• The Yard Milkshake Bar
• Buena Vida Tapas & Sol
• The Little Tart Bakeshop
• Tropicale

For Nature & the Outdoors

The Old Fourth Ward Park is home to a picture-perfect reflective pond that contrasts the iconic Atlanta skyline and its soaring skyscrapers against crystal clear water and a luscious backdrop of trees. Be sure to bring a friend so you can take turns snapping photos of yourselves walking across the bridge with the reflection of the buildings in the background!

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You’ll also enjoy these more popular places, but we recommend you use Google to identify these attraction’s off-hours when you can expect less crowds:

• The Georgia Aquarium
• The Atlanta Botanical Gardens
• SkyView Ferris Wheel
• Piedmont Park

Have any other great Instagrammable spots to share? We’d love to hear from you!

Ready for your close-up?

With all of these amazing Instagrammable locations, you’re going to want your most photo-ready face to show off. Let The Swan Center in Atlanta’s expert staff of licensed aestheticians and board certified plastic surgeons help you put together the perfect treatment plan or skincare regimen to meet your aesthetic goals! Contact us today to schedule your consultation with us online or by phone: (770) 667-0904. You can also purchase your favorite premium skincare brands from the comfort of your own home in our online store.

Best friends make the best Valentines! If you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day with your gal pals this year, our guide to the ultimate Galentine’s Day will help make this the best one yet. Plus, most of these activities can be done in-person or over Zoom!

1. Give flowers

We are absolutely smitten by the creative bouquets from Carithers Flowers, like this one below featuring roses, orchids, and hydrangeas. Surprise your best friend with a bouquet of her favorite blooms, or have Carithers deliver them right to her front door! But act fast: V-Day orders are limited this year due to COVID-19.

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2. Make chocolates

It’s not really Valentine’s Day without chocolate. Make it even more fun by concocting your own truffles and bonbons! Sally’s Baking Addiction has an easy chocolate truffle recipe that only requires four base ingredients and you can riff on it to your heart’s content. If you want to get fancy, Etsy is full of silicone chocolate molds (beware—there are some risqué designs!), and Wilton Brands offers some super-cute edible decorations to top off your treats.

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3. Enjoy good food

We know Valentine’s Day isn’t quite the same this year since indoor gatherings are still ill-advised, but restaurants across Atlanta have stepped up by offering special takeout menus and sweet treats to-go to help you and your friends celebrate in the comfort of your living room.

Dinner & dessert. Herb-grilled shrimp and linguine with vodka sauce for two? Yes, please! Local caterer Affairs to Remember is offering four special Valentine’s entrées to-go this year, including this delicious option served with a salad and dessert. Plus, order their V-Day Gift Crate featuring s’mores popcorn, chocolate dip, almond biscotti, white chocolate bark, and chocolate chip cookie dough brownie bombs to indulge in afterward. We hope you have a sweet tooth!

Cocktails, champagne, & more. Compliment your dinner & dessert with the Box O’ Love from our friends at Local Three Kitchen & Bar. This ultimate Valentine’s Day to-go box features a bottle of Champagne Delamotte, a box of Jardi Chocolates (voted Best of ATL 2016), a dozen red roses, and a quart of their very own Green Lovelace cocktail mix, with instructions!

4. Send homemade Valentines

Being separated from our loved ones is challenging for us all. Show your friends and family a little cheer despite being apart this year by making your own Valentine’s cards! These cute and easy ideas from Pinterest will help you get started, but feel free to be as creative (and messy) as you want.

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5. Make it a movie marathon

Grab some snacks and pile up with your gal pals for a Valentine’s movie marathon! From romcoms to modern classics, here are a few of our favorite V-Day films:

10 Things I Hate About You. It doesn’t get much more classic than the late Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles squaring off (and making up) in this rendition of Shakespeare’s play “The Taming of the Shrew.” Stream it for free on Disney+ or for $3.99 on Amazon Prime Video.

Waiting to Exhale. Featuring an all-Black cast, Whitney Houston and Angela Bassett co-star in this timeless film that proves friendship is more powerful than romance—a perfect message for your Galentine’s evening. Stream it for free on Hulu, or for $3.99 on Youtube and Amazon Prime Video.

The Five-Year Engagement. Starring Emily Blunt and Jason Segel, this movie is part love story, part laugh-out-loud comedy, and 100% entertaining. From a cross-country move to mid-life career switches, see just how much the love between these two characters can be tested. Stream it for free on Amazon Prime Video, or with a Hulu Premium or HBO Max subscription.

Sylvie’s Love. When Sylvie Parker (played by Tessa Thompson) meets an aspiring saxophonist in her father’s record shop, their love is instant—until life gets in the way. Years later, the couple reconnects, only to find their feelings for each other never vanished. Set in 1950s Harlem, Sylvie’s Love is a tale of love, time, and sacrifice. Stream it for free on Amazon Prime Video.

You’ve Got Mail. What happens when a boutique bookseller falls for the owner of a corporate bookstore chain over email? Whether you’ve seen it countless times or have never heard of it before, you won’t be disappointed watching Tom Hanks’ and Meg Ryan’s amazing on-screen chemistry. Stream it for free with a Hulu Premium or HBO Max subscription.

6. Have a spa day

Light some candles and slip on some comfy clothes for a laid-back, at-home spa day! Your squad can look great and have a blast making DIY matcha face masks, painting your nails, and moisturizing your skin. Don’t worry about going all-out for this—keep it small, simple, and fun for the ultimate stress relief.

For an extra dose of relaxation, we suggest brewing up one of the calming teas offered by Atlanta’s Transcending Tea. For a delicious fusion of flavors, try their limited edition Chocolate Strawberry tea, which contains dried strawberry slices, apple & papaya pieces, cocoa beans, rosehip, hibiscus, and cornflower petals.

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7. Give your skin some professional love

An at-home spa day can improve your complexion and reduce stress, but nothing beats the real thing. If smooth, glowy skin sounds like the perfect V-Day gift, treat yourself to a HydraFacial, RF microneedling, or other skincare treatment at The Swan Center. Our expert team of board certified plastic surgeons and medical aestheticians are ready to help you feel pampered and look gorgeous!

Contact us online or call (770) 667-0904 today to schedule your Atlanta skincare consultation. We wish you and your girls a happy Galentine’s Day and hope to see you soon! xx

If you’re anything like us, part of why you love Atlanta is the amazing restaurant scene. Sure, takeout is tasty and convenient, and we had a lot of fun meal prepping during our weeks in quarantine, but there’s something about getting dressed up and going out to eat that can’t be replicated.

But, while Atlanta restaurants got the go-ahead to reopen for indoor dining back on April 27th, many have felt reluctant to test the waters when it comes to dining out at a restaurant. We recommend dining outside as a first step: it is a wonderful way to play it safe, support local businesses, and enjoy our wonderful weather as we transition between the seasons.

Is outdoor dining safe during the pandemic?

While takeout, drive-thru, and curbside pickup are naturally the lowest-risk options, outdoor dining can also be safe. Knowing that is the case, numerous Atlanta restaurants have expanded their outdoor patios onto sidewalks and streets to help their customers more safely enjoy friendly service and great food.

When it comes to safety, a restaurant might have an ideal outdoor setup, but your actions will also play a part. The CDC’s guidelines for dining out include staying six feet away from other guests whenever possible, wearing masks when not eating or drinking, and washing or sanitizing one’s hands after handling commonly-touched surfaces such as door handles.

The Georgia Restaurant Association also published these COVID cleaning guidelines for restaurant staff to ensure a safe dining experience for their customers. These require employees to undergo a health screening before starting a shift, wear masks, increase their hand washing and sanitizing, increase sanitizing indoor and outdoor surfaces, and stay six feet apart.

The combination of these guidelines and practices are intended to greatly reduce the possibility of coronavirus transmission and allow healthy individuals to safely enjoy dining out.

What sort of restrictions should I expect when dining outside?

Many restaurants aren’t accepting cash or checks during this time, so be prepared to pay your bill with a debit, credit card, or an option such as Apple Pay™.

Additionally, some restaurants are not allowing the public to enter their indoor spaces—including the restrooms, as using them would require guests to enter the restaurant. These restaurants and popups often provide porta-potties and portable outdoor handwashing stations, but you may prefer to plan your bathroom trip ahead of time.

To be sure you are fully prepared for any situation, we suggest calling ahead or looking at the restaurant’s website to get details before you arrive. Knowing what to expect can help you enjoy your meal without a hitch.

What are the best places to eat outside in Atlanta?

Now for the good stuff. From white tablecloth to picnic bench, we’ve narrowed down the 10 best places in town to grab a bite outside.

• 5Church in Midtown. This modern American restaurant has a patio open for lunch and a new rooftop bar, Virtue Cocktail Club, that opens for dinner at 5pm (their full menu is available on weekdays). Enjoy 5Church’s famous Pappardelle pasta with braised beef short ribs, savory Maine sea scallops, and juicy filet mignon with lump crabmeat. They also offer private dining and event options.
• Bone Garden Cantina in West Midtown. Enjoy authentic, homemade Mexican food and agave spirits on Bone Garden’s breezy outdoor patio. This restaurant is off the beaten path and can be difficult to find, but their brisket enchiladas and house-made Sangria are well worth the adventure.
• The Bucket Shop Cafe in Buckhead. This neighborhood bar and restaurant features a massive outdoor sidewalk patio with plenty of room for social distancing. With multiple outdoor big-screen TVs, the Bucket Shop is your go-to game day destination. And if you’re craving some late-night drinks and bar food, the Bucket Shop’s kitchen is open until 1:15am on Fridays and Saturdays. Oh, and did we mention your furry friends are encouraged to dine with you?
• Desta Ethiopian Kitchen in Briarcliff and Emory Point. Desta has been serving award-winning Ethiopian cuisine since 2006. As of October 1, this crowd-pleaser is open for outdoor dining at both locations, with reservations required Friday through Sunday. For meat-eaters, try their KITFO (Ethiopian-styled steak tartar). For veggie lovers, they have an entirely vegan menu with nine dishes!
• Delbar in Inman Park. The former kitchen manager of Rumi’s Kitchen, Fares Kargar, opened this Persian eatery early in the pandemic. They have an outdoor patio with plans to expand and specialize in Basmati rice entrees. Atlanta Magazine writer, Mara Shalhoup, recommends the falafel and ashk bademjoon (fried eggplant). Reservations are encouraged.
• Table & Main in Roswell. Table & Main accurately describes itself as a Southern tavern offering simple seasonal dishes. Their cute outdoor patio, complete with couches and cushioned deck chairs, makes you feel like you’re eating dinner in your best friend’s backyard. Make sure to try their famous Bourbon Butter Pecan ice cream, served in a Mason jar. Plus, Table & Main recently spearheaded a campaign to donate nearly 40 laptops to children in need, so you can feel especially good about supporting this restaurant!
• Taqueria del Sol in Westside and Cheshire Bridge. Don’t let its modest decor and low prices fool you into thinking Taqueria del Sol isn’t quality—there’s a reason it was voted one of the top 75 best restaurants in Atlanta two years in a row by Atlanta Magazine. Both locations currently have their patios open for carryout customers to enjoy. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for weekly specials, and be sure to try their mouth-watering brisket tacos and house-made margarita pitchers.

Looking for more Atlanta restaurants with outdoor dining?

Check out this extensive list compiled by Thrillist.com or read some of our past dining recommendations in our blog. While these lists haven’t been specifically updated to reflect COVID restrictions, many of the featured restaurants have adapted for the times. Simply call ahead to see what dining spaces are available.

We hope our list has proven helpful and look forward to hearing about your fave dining experiences during your next appointment at the Swan Center!