One thing Downtown Atlanta has a lot of is great dining options. Every type of cuisine is featured in the urban metropolis known as Downtown Atlanta and many of the city’s top restaurants are located in the heart of this urban Mecca. So, when organizers of the Downtown Atlanta Restaurant Week decided to create a special event that highlighted a culinary tour of the area’s most celebrated restaurants and eateries, it was an instant hit and soon became a part of the cultural and festival landscape.

Every summer, there is a week-long event where several of the Downtown Atlanta area restaurants create specialized three course menus for only $25.00 per person not including tip and tax. These menus are one of a kind and will only be available for the duration of the event, which makes the experience unique for each and every attendee.

Some of the restaurants expected to participate this year are: 30 Tables, BLT Steak, Legal Sea Foods, FAB French American Brasserie, Rise Sushi Lounge and No Mas! Cantina to name a few. This event is a great way for foodies and newbies alike to experience the diversity of Downtown Atlanta’s restaurant community without breaking the bank.

Unlike food festivals where one must purchase special tickets or coupons in order to enjoy the festivities, the Downtown Atlanta Restaurant Week is simple and easy. All participating restaurants will be offering their special three course menus and attendees just select what they want and the rest is bon-appetite.

Last year’s event was a huge success with more than fifteen restaurants participating offering some of the most inventive menus ever created. The event was so popular, they had to extend Downtown Atlanta’s Restaurant Week past one week and made it three weeks long so more people could enjoy the event.

Downtown Atlanta’s Restaurant Week is a food-lovers paradise and a visitor’s delightful culinary journey through the diversity of cuisine available in Downtown Atlanta.

The 2010 schedule will be posted as soon as it is announced. Below you will find the schedule and information from the 2009 event.

Dates:
July 27 – August 9, 2009

Times:
Lunch and Dinner hours vary by location. Reservations are recommended.

Participating Restaurants (2009):

30 Tables
The Glenn Hotel
110 Marietta St, Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 469-0700

BLT Steak (Bistro Laurent Tourondel)
W Atlanta Downtown
45 Ivan Allen Jr. Boulevard
Atlanta, GA 30308

Café Circa
464 Edgewood Ave, Atlanta, GA 30312
(404) 477-0008

F.A.B. – French American Brasserie (formerly Brasserie Le Coze, 1994-2006 at Lenox Mall)
30 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd, Atlanta, GA 30308
(404) 266-1440

Il Mulino
191 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 524-5777

Legal Sea Foods
275 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30308
(678) 500-3700

Max Lager’s American Grill & Brewery
320 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30308
(404) 525-4400

No Mas! Cantina
180 Walker St, Atlanta, GA 30313
(404) 215-9708

Paschal’s Restaurant
180 Northside Dr, Atlanta, GA 30314
(404) 525-2023

Peasant Bistro
250 Park Ave W, Atlanta, GA 30313
(404) 230-1724

Rise Sushi Lounge
300 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
(404) 477-0947

Social
12 W Peachtree Pl, Atlanta, GA 30308
(404) 525-2246

Spoon
768 Marietta St, Atlanta, GA 30318
(404) 522-5655

Terrace on Peachtree
The Ellis Hotel
176 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 523-5155

Thrive
101 Marietta St, Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 389-1000

The Sweet Auburn Festival takes place on historic Auburn Avenue in the Sweet Auburn corridor which houses some of Atlanta’s most important contributions to the civil rights movement. From Martin Luther King’s National Historic Site to the Center for Civil and Human Rights, Auburn Avenue is a piece of Downtown Atlanta’s most rich and storied past.

During the weekend long festivities that are the Sweet Auburn Festival, attendees have the pleasure of experiencing historic Auburn Avenue at its best. Hundreds of vendors line the streets selling clothes, art, jewelry, bath and body products, books and food. Alongside the vendors are special activity stations where children and adults can enjoy interactive games that engage the mind and the body.

One of the hallmarks of the Sweet Auburn Festival is the amazing variety of entertainment options available. There are five different stages set up in various sections of the three and half block long route which feature a different theme. There is the Just for Women stage, the Calhoun Park stage, the Youth stage, the Dobbs Plaza stage and the Inspirational stage. Attendees can enjoy a wide range of musical and entertainment acts in all five of these stage areas.

This festival is more than buying local wares and watching entertainers perform. The Sweet Auburn Festival offers up various educational expos for those who are seeking knowledge and in depth information regarding various topics such as business and technology, car and bikes, arts and crafts, health and fitness and film and literary fields.

No festival is complete without a healthy offering of food. The Sweet Auburn Festival has that covered with hundreds of food vendors lining up to sell their most flavorful items. From soul food to pizza to Greek food to traditional Southern fare, there are more than enough food choices for even the pickiest of eaters.

The Sweet Auburn Festival is more than a summer weekend festival; it’s a cultural experience that is to be enjoyed by old and young alike.

2011 Dates and Times:
Saturday, May 7 from 11am to 9pm
Sunday, May 8 from 2pm to 9pm

Location:
Historic Sweet Auburn District
Auburn Ave NE
Atlanta, GA 30303

Admission:
Free

For more information, please call (404) 399-0886.

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One of the reasons Atlantans love living in this Southern metropolis is because of the myriad of outdoor festivals that take place throughout the year. The Atlanta Jazz Festival gets summertime started with a bang during Memorial Day weekend and is country’s largest free jazz festival. Located in the beautiful Piedmont Park, this free festival brings together some of the jazz world’s most celebrated artists to perform for thousands of jazz enthusiasts and fans.

An interesting fact about the Atlanta Jazz Festival is that it actually takes place for thirty-one days during the month of May. There are numerous activities such as jazz educational workshops, classes and special concerts that take place around the city all coming to an exciting climax during the weekend long concert on Memorial Day weekend.

One of the major reasons the Atlanta Jazz Festival is such a big draw is the location. Piedmont Park is the city’s largest public park and is a gorgeous space for a concert series. The green trees and man-made lake create a beautiful backdrops for such a uniquely rich art form as jazz.
This year’s line-up is sure to bring thousands of newcomers into the flock. Some of the highlights include Marcus Miller featuring Christian Scott, Spyro Gyra, Diane Schuur and Jason Marsalis – all gracing the main stage during the weekend long extravaganza.

In addition to listening to great musicians and enjoying the scenic qualities of Piedmont Park, attendees can also partake in some amazing food, art, jewelry and other local fare. Some attendees prefer to pack their own basket with wines, cheeses and other delicious treats as this outdoor concert is the ideal setting to spread out a blanket and relax with friends and family.

For those jazz enthusiasts who want to expose children to this unique cultural art form, there is a Kidzone which offers up activities and other interactive games that keep children entertained and introduce them to the powers of jazz music while attending the festival.

The Atlanta Jazz Festival is a glorious celebration of art, music, culture and food near the heart of Downtown Atlanta.

Main Stage Performers:

Saturday, May 29, 2010:
2pm – Rialto Jazz for Kids All Star Jazz Band
3pm – Jay Norem/Keith White Quartet
4pm – Steven Charles Band
5:30pm – Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue
7pm – Swing Streets to Swing Beats Featuring Esperanza Spalding and Raydar Ellis
8:30pm – Marcus Miller “Tutu Revisited – the Music of Miles Davis” featuring Christian Scott

Sunday, May 30, 2010:
2pm – Metropolitan Atlanta Youth Wind Ensemble Jazz Band
3pm – The Ultimate Jazz Score Video Contest Winner
4pm – Kathleen Bertrand
5:30pm – Spyro Gyra
7pm – MF Productions Celebration of Lionel Hampton Featuring Diane Schurr and Jason Marsalis
8:30pm – Stanley Clarke Band and Hiromi

Directions

BY CAR
Parking in and around the park is very limited. Park visitors are strongly encouraged to utilize public transportation. If you drive, you may wish to download our map showing the route and driving directions to the new SAGE Parking Facility. The parking facility is operated by the Atlanta Botanical Garden and is available for visitors to Piedmont Park and the Garden. Multi-Visit Parking Passes are available. Purchase your pass.

By MARTA
Midtown Station – take 10th Street towards Peachtree Street and continue on 10th until you reach Piedmont Avenue. Turn left on Piedmont Avenue and walk two blocks to the 12th and 14th Street gates of Piedmont Park. (or you can continue walking on 10th Street and the park will soon be on your left side).

Arts Center Station – head south on West Peachtree street for one block. Head east (go left) on 14th Street for three blocks until you reach the 14th Street entrance to the Park.

MARTA bus Route 27 (Monroe Dr./Lindbergh) and Route 36 (North Decatur) run by Piedmont Park. Click the route links above to get maps and bus schedules from the MARTA website. For additional information call MARTA at 404.848.4711.

BIKE/ON FOOT
Park entrances open to pedestrians and cyclists include:
- Park Drive Bridge (access Park Drive from Monroe Drive)
- 10th Street & Charles Allen (park runs along 10th Street from just west of Monroe Drive on 10th Street to a block short of Piedmont Avenue & 10th Street)
- Piedmont Avenue & 12th Street
- Piedmont Avenue & 14th Street

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY
The following park entrances are wheelchair accessible: 12th Street Gate; 14th Street Gate; Charles Allen Drive Gate; Park Drive.

Every weekend from mid April to early June, Atlanta steps back in time into a magical era where kings and queens ruled the land and knights in shining armor battled to the death for a fair maiden’s hand. The Georgia Renaissance Festival is one of the most popular events of the year as it combines food, fun and family-oriented festivities all in one show-stopping venue.

Whether you are a Georgia Renaissance Festival newbie or a seasoned veteran, there is something for everyone at this entertaining festival held just south of Downtown Atlanta. Located in a huge outdoor space, the Georgia Renaissance Festival is set up like a miniature kingdom with three key areas; Olde Town, Royal Highlands and the Queen’s Garden which offer different activities, entertainment and food.

The festival also features themed weekends, which highlight special entertainment or activities that the entire family can enjoy. One of the most popular themed weekends is the Highland Fling weekend, which is a celebration of Irish culture, dance and music. Another popular weekend is the Arrgh! Pirates Weekend, where visitors dress up as their favorite pirate characters and participate in fun pirate themed activities.

One can’t experience the Georgia Renaissance Festival without indulging in the sumptuous food options. Whether you want to experience authentic Renaissance era food by enjoying a giant smoked turkey leg or you simply have a craving for something fried and fabulous, the abundance of delicious food available at the festival is truly a feat in itself.

In addition to the colorfully dressed attendees and the symphony of amusing old world jargon floating through the air, there are plenty of fun rides and games for the children in all of us. Sectioned off according to the three different areas, there are slides, basket toss, rock climbing walls, swinging ships and much more.

With so much to see and do, it comes as no surprise that the Georgia Renaissance Festival is one of the crown jewels of Atlanta’s popular summer festival season.

Dates:
The 2010 Georgia Renaissance Festival takes place on eight different weekends from April 17 through June 6, 2010.

• April 17-18
• April 24-25
• May 1-2
• May 8-9
• May 15-16
• May 22-23
• May 29-31 (Memorial Day)
• June 5-6

Hours:
10:30am to 6pm

Location:
Just minutes south of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport
6905 Virlyn B Smith Rd
Fairburn GA 30213

Admission:
Adults $19.95
Senior Tickets (60+) $17.95
Child Tickets (6-12) $8.95
Children 5 and under are free.
All ticket prices include tax.

All entertainment, including the jousting shows and children’s play kingdom and petting zoo, is included with the price of admission. Food, drinks, arts and crafts, souvenirs, games and rides are optional at an additional fee.

Parking:
Free

For more information, call (770) 964-8575.

The 2010 Atlanta Film Festival takes place in Atlanta, Georgia every April and is a celebration of film that features over 160 independent, international short, classic, documentary and animated films. The festival began in 1977 and is an Academy Award qualifying, international film festival. The 2010 festival begins on Thursday, April 15, 2010 with a screening of Stanley Nelson’s FREEDOM RIDERS. The last film to be shown at the event takes place on Friday April 23, 2010 with the Southeastern premiere of Barr Weissman’s SECRET TO A HAPPY ENDING, a behind-the-scenes documentary of the Athens, Georgia band Drive-By Truckers.

Opening Night Location – April 15:
The Carter Center
One Copenhill
453 Freedom Parkway
Atlanta, GA 30307

Closing Night Location – April 23:
The 14th Street Playhouse
173 14th Street
Atlanta GA 30309

Location for Regular Screenings – April 16-22:
Landmark Midtown Art Cinema
931 Monroe Drive
Atlanta, GA 30308

For more information, please call the Atlanta Film Festival at (404) 352-4225 or visit http://www.atlantafilmfestival.com

The 74th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival takes place in Piedmont Park on April 16, 17 and 18, 2010. The weekend event features art, music, and food as well as the chance to enjoy the beautiful spring weather in Atlanta.

Admission:
Free

Hours:
Friday, April 16, 2010 from noon to 9pm
Saturday, April 17, 2010 from 10am to 9pm
Sunday, April 18, 2010 from 10am to 5pm

Parking:
Parking is extremely limited so it is recommended that you take MARTA to the Arts Center Station or the Midtown Station on 10th Street and walk east on 10th Street straight to Piedmont Park.

For more information, call (404) 817-6642.

The Atlanta Contemporary Art Center will be transformed into a carnival themed beer festival on Saturday, February 27th from 3pm to 7pm. The event features indoor and outdoor areas with midway games, DJ’s, live entertainment, great food, and a wide variety of winter beers.

The final show of this year’s Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus takes place on February 21 at 4pm at Philips Arena.