Loaded with Southern charm and friendly people, Alpharetta is ranked as the 7th friendliest city in the country. Only 22 miles north of downtown Atlanta, it maintains the small-town feel with all of the conveniences that one could ask for. It truly is an awesome place with a lot of things to do.
If you have ever wondered "What is there to do in Alpharetta?" then read on. Below is my list of fun, delicious, and creative things to do in Alpharetta.
1. Take a Self-Guided Walking Tour of Downtown
Download a free self-guided walking brochure (click here to get it), put on a good pair of walking shoes, and check out the 22 historical points of interest in Alpharetta. Along the way, you'll see what makes Alpharetta so special.
2. Shop Local Merchants and National Brands
There are five shopping districts in Alpharetta: Avalon, Historic Downtown Alpharetta, North Point Mall, Windward Parkway, and Haynes Bridge Road and North Point Parkway.
If you are a fan of Fixer Upper, then you will want to stop by La Bella Maison at 20 Milton Avenue. It's a place that I could envision Joanna Gaines shopping for items to turn houses into homes.
3. Visit Alpharetta’s Farmer’s Market
The Alpharetta Farmer’s Market takes place each weekend (from the middle of April until the end of October) in downtown Alpharetta, with around 60 vendors selling beautiful flowers, fresh fruit, vegetables, herbs, plants, natural meats, bread, desserts, handmade soap, local honey, jellies, and more.
4. Eat Breakfast Like A Local
The Nest Café is a local spot offering specialty brewed coffee, breakfast, and lunch. Favorites include beignets and freshly made Southern-style croissant breakfast sandwiches.
Or opt for a lighter option such as a smoothie and/or a bowl of fresh fruit.
5. Eat a Freshly Made Bagel
If you are staying in Avalon, then head on over to Goldberg's for breakfast. They serve New York-style bagels made from scratch daily, along with a wide variety of pastries that will make your mouth water. You can even order Bloody Mary to go with your breakfast if you’d like.
Breakfast Flatbread
6. Sample Local Craft Beer
Named after Georgia's Jekyll Island, Jekyll Brewing is a local brewery that got its start with the help of local residents who helped crowdsource the funds needed to get things brewing. Be sure to try their year-round beer, Cooter Brown, which has chocolate and caramel notes.
7. Sample French Pastries
You can get your fill of French pastries in Alpharetta at Collet French Pastry Café. After just one bite, you might find yourself saying, "Oh la la!" I found the éclairs to be c'est magnifique!
8. Eat Like An Italian
Don’t have time to go to Italy? Then head over to La Casa Italian Grill and order dinner – there you will enjoy authentic Italian recipes in an intimate dining room (or on the outdoor patio) in a historic Alpharetta house.
9. Eat Tapas!
MADE Kitchen & Cocktails is one of the coolest, unique places to grab a Spanish tapa. Located in the heart of downtown Alpharetta, you can order shareable plates or a signature house-made Sangria or both. My recommendation – order the crab cake and get Christian to create a cocktail for you. He knows his stuff.
10. Get Your Guac On
The El Felix in Avalon is a rustic eatery serving upscale Texas-style dishes with a south-of-the-border influence. Made with fresh avocados, the guacamole with flautas is simply delicious. It’s time to vamos to The El Felix!
11. Enjoy a Persian Sunset in Georgia
Rumi’s Kitchen serves authentic Persian cuisine in the heart of Avalon. The delicious Persian food is served with pure Southern hospitality.
Guests can dine inside or opt to dine al fresco on the beautiful patio terrace.
12. Enjoy a Concert By a Polo Field
Pack your dinner and head to Chukkar Farm and enjoy Southern artists performing under the Georgia stars. It’s a great venue for escaping technology and enjoy Mother Nature while listening to some incredible talent.
13. Create Your Double
Ever feel like there needs to be two of you? Stop by the MiniMe Factory and strike your best pose. The unique factory will take a 360 degree image of you and create an exact duplicate of you – only in miniature. You select the size you want, and in about 3 weeks your MiniMe will be shipped to your house.
Imagine the possibilities – wedding cake toppers, a forever momento of a young girl in a pageant gown, an expecting mom at her most radiant time – there are so many reasons to preserve that one moment in time.
14. Take A Ride
The Big Creek Greenway is an 8-mile linear park in Alpharetta. Rent an electric Pedego Bike and you'll be ready to zip along the tree-lined path. After a quick lesson on how to operate the bikes, riders can pedal all they want on their own, or use the bike’s electricity to help speed along the greenway.
Don’t forget to put on your helmet. If you didn’t bring yours, don’t worry – they have plenty for you to use.
15. Take a Swing At Golf
Topgolf is the best place to practice your swing – even if you don’t golf. Bring your friends and rent a bay for an hour or two and see who can rack up the most points. The friendly staff will show you what you need to know in order to have a good time trying to hit a hole in one.
Swinging a golf club can cause you to work up an appetite. You can fuel up with items such as burgers or salads or unique little doughnuts that YOU can inject with tasting fillings.
16. Build Your Own Jewelry
Stop by Kendra Scott’s Color Bar in Avalon and select a setting and gemstone and make something special either for yourself (it’s perfectly okay to treat yourself) or someone else. Not feeling creative? That’s okay – there are plenty of beautiful creations already made from which to shop.
17. Learn New Cooking Techniques
Chef Nealey Dozier at Sur La Table teaches classes for students of all ages, such as the Junior Chef Cooking Club, Braided Bread Workshop, Spring Pasta Workshop, Family Fun: Spain, and so much more. There’s even Knife Skills 101 – an essential for every home cook.
18. Treat The Little Lady in Your Life
There’s only one place in Georgia to take your American Girl loving little lady and that is the American Girl Boutique and Bistro inside North Point Mall. There are American Girl dolls available for purchase along with all of the necessary accessories to help your child’s imagination soar. Plus, there is also a Doll Salon for American Girl dolls and a bistro where both humans and dolls can enjoy a meal together. If your little one didn’t bring her American Girl with her, that’s okay. You can invite one of the dolls at the bistro to join you.
Alpharetta Facts:
- It's the 6th fastest growing city in the United States and is Georgia's first fiberhood.
- Alpharetta is ranked #1 by Forbes as the best place to relocate.
- Download speeds are 60% faster in Alpharetta than the US average.
- 150 yearly events take place in downtown Alpharetta.
I was a guest of Awesome Alpharetta. All thoughts, opinions, and grammatical errors are my own. Be sure to check out my post about The Hotel at Avalon and The Taste of Avalon.
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