7 things new residents have to do before officially becoming an Atlantan

Recently moved to Atlanta and looking to make this city your home? Atlanta has lots of reasons to fall in love with it, including an amazing community of people that possess plenty of southern hospitality, as well as lots of rich culture and history. Once you’ve found your place to live and received your new driver’s license, you’ll want to know what else you may need to do to blend in. Below are just seven general things we recommend for those who have just moved here to get a better sense of the city and get on the path to becoming an honorary ATLien (as dubbed by Outkast).

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Go to all the museums (all of them)

If you’re going to be an Atlantan, you are going to have to have an understanding of the city’s history. Therefore, it is imperative to experience all the museums and significant historical buildings. From the Atlanta History Center to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights; from The Carter Center to The King Center; from the World of Coca-Cola to the Delta Flight Museum; from the High Museum of Art to the Fernbank Museum; and from the Trap Music Museum to many others, Atlanta has a museum for everyone to learn about the city’s past, present and future.

Eat authentic Southern food

The cuisine of the American South is present in plenty of restaurants in Atlanta that you’ll need to dine at in order to officially be considered an Atlantan. Some Black-owned restaurants to try include Paschal’s, which has its own rich history in addition to serving great soul food, as well as Busy Bee Cafe and the newer Delilah’s Everyday Soul. In addition, some other iconic Southern restaurants in Atlanta include Mary Mac’s Tea Room, The Colonnade and South City Kitchen.

Take advantage of all the nature and hiking around you

Go on a weekend hike at East Palisades, Stone Mountain, Vickery Creek, Sweetwater Creek and the many other metro Atlanta trails, or if you’re feeling adventurous, hike the Appalachian Trail in North Georgia. Rent a cabin during the fall and winter seasons in the Blue Ridge Mountains. “Shoot the Hooch” during the summertime months as you float the Chattahoochee River with beer and friends, or choose to kayak or paddle at nearby Lake Lanier or Lake Allatoona. Once you incorporate enjoying nature-filled activities into your hobbies, you are on the right track when it comes to officially being an Atlantan.

Attend neighborhood festivals

Atlanta is known for festivals all year round, with vendors selling everything from houseware to art to baked goods and more. Typically, the festivals take place in the various parks around the city, as well as on neighborhood streets that get closed off for pedestrians. Once you attend at least one spring, summer and fall festival, you’ll be on your way to officially being an Atlantan.

Watch a game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Truist Park and State Farm Arena

Atlanta is in the South, after all, and let’s just say the South is very passionate about sports. Once you watch at least one Atlanta Falcons (football), Atlanta Hawks (basketball), Atlanta Braves (baseball) and Atlanta United FC (soccer) game at these three stadiums, you’ll have another sticker on your “Atlanta” loyalty card. Bonus points if you really get into the college football rivalry between UGA and Georgia Tech and pick a side there.

Drive around metro Atlanta without needing your GPS

Driving in Atlanta is, well, pretty notorious. Atlanta is known for multiple Peachtree roads, windy streets that have no clear grid, a Downtown Connector, the Perimeter, Spaghetti Junction and lots of other “driving lingo.” It’s no wonder drivers in Atlanta get a bit of a bad rep — the city isn’t easy to drive in! Once you can confidently navigate the city by car without the help of a GPS, you are one step towards being an official Atlantan.

Ride MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority)

Every Atlantan has at least one MARTA story (the Weather Channel notoriously has its own with the now-meme #BadTimingMartaBus). MARTA is the city’s mass transit system, with heavy rail lines that go from north to south and east to west, as well as a more complex bus system. MARTA also gets a bit of a bad rep, but once you get the hang of when and how to use it, it is a pretty decent public transport system for a sprawling city. Once you have your own MARTA story, you can check that off your “Officially an Atlantan” list.