Moving to Atlanta? Access Atlanta readers can help you get settled in
Access Atlanta Staff
Welcome to Atlanta! No, we’re not full - despite how much it can feel that way at times - but it’s crowded enough that it can be difficult getting settled in.
In a metropolitan area with 6 million people spread over more than 8,300 square miles (that’s nearly as big as the entire state of New Jersey), there’s a bewildering number of options for every single decision you have to make. Luckily, Access Atlanta readers have stepped up and helped us find the best the city has to offer for our annual Best of Atlanta awards.
CHECK OUT: Need fitness inspo? Access Atlanta readers can help you add variety to your workout routine
Here’s a selection of winners and finalists from our 2022 voting after more than 10,000 Atlanta residents weighed in. This fall, we’ll open voting for 2023 awards and announce the results at the beginning of 2024 - make sure to watch vote.accessatlanta.com to nominate your new favorites!
Here are some winners that might be useful for new residents - and you can find all the 250 winners and 500 finalists across all 250 categories at bestof.accessatlanta.com. In addition to the winner - there are two finalists in each category that you can find in the Best of Atlanta directory.
Finding a new home in Atlanta
Looking to rent when you move here? We asked our readers where is the best apartment complex in Atlanta, and they chose Tuscany at Lindbergh.
Looking to buy instead? It’s a rough real estate market, but our readers voted Ren Ruiz as the Best Residential Real Estate Agent in Atlanta to help you navigate buying a home in metro Atlanta.
The Home & Garden category of Best of Atlanta has many more useful recommendations from the best electrician and plumber to categories such as Atlanta’s best home builder and the best cleaning service in metro Atlanta.
Best things to do in Atlanta
As the cultural capital of the South, Atlanta has something for everyone. If you’re new to town, a great place to start is our best free things to do in Atlanta winner, the Beltline. Access Atlanta’s Avery Newmark has a helpful guide to things to do on the Beltline, which repurposes 22 miles of unused railroad corridors into a network of parks and trails circling the core of the city’s intown neighborhoods.
Looking for a day of art? Check out the Best Museums in Atlanta. The High Museum of Art in Midtown is the top recommended museum by Access Atlanta readers - but if you’re looking for a history museum, be sure to check out finalist National Center for Civil and Human Rights.
Right across Centennial Park from the Center for Civil Rights is the Georgia Aquarium, which our readers voted as the top place to take a tourist in Atlanta.
Check out the Best of Atlanta Entertainment category for more readers’ choices for things to do in Atlanta.
Best things to do with a kid in Atlanta
Do you have young kids? Our readers have that covered, too. From Marlow’s Tavern, voted best family friendly restaurant in Atlanta, to best splash pads, public parks and playgrounds - you and your family can plan a perfect day exploring.
If you’re looking for an outing with a fur-baby check out Fetch, which was voted Best Dog Park in Atlanta.
Where to eat in Atlanta
With a million restaurants, it’d be hard to answer the single best restaurant in the city. But our readers did: Slutty Vegan was selected as the best all-around restaurant. Be sure to check out our own Vicky Ro’s interview with Slutty Vegan owner Pinky Cole to get the scoop on how Cole has built her mega brand.
But can one restaurant really satisfy everyone? Surely not - that’s why we have more than 50 categories in our Best of Atlanta Food awards. Check the directory for our readers’ picks in everything from as specific as the best French fries in Atlanta to best brunch and best outdoor dining.
While we didn’t poll our readers on it, we’re pretty sure that Access Atlanta is the best source for things to do and entertainment news in Atlanta, so as you settle in be sure to bookmark our site, sign up for our newsletter to get weekly updates and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
Two generations revive an Atlanta favorite at Wylie & Rum