If you’re like me, you rediscover the fragrance of thyme around Thanksgiving and then spend the next few months looking for ways to incorporate the herb into every meal (at least until mint and basil call you away to spring). Proust had his buttery madeleines, thyme is my tie to the holidays.
This year, I couldn’t even wait: the first day it was cool enough to justify a sweater in the morning, Aron and I tried baking up some mushroom chips and then slipped a little thyme into a dipping sauce on the side. The mushrooms bake down to a tiny little snack, but it’s a delicious one.
In “5 Things,” I’ll ask locals from cities all over the world to share insider travel tips on where to eat, shop, stay, and play in their neighborhoods (plus, what to pack to make the adventure complete). This week, Kate Naylor, a writer and podcast producer, shows us around Atlanta.
I first visited Atlanta in the summer of 2010 when I was in a band. The city was one of many stops on our tour. I remember assuming it was going to feel like Los Angeles, where I’m from, but being extremely surprised as we drove the highway into town. Never in my life had I seen so much greenery! I felt like I had transported into an entire different world.
I just so happened to marry a man from the outskirts of Atlanta, so visiting often became one of my favorite pastimes. It ended up being a stop on our honeymoon—a Southern road trip through Savannah and Charleston. And this city is charming for reasons even I can’t explain; it’s a feeling you have to experience at least once. Flash-forward three years and we now reside in this dreamy town.
The South is the perfect place to live. We know a thing or two about relaxing down here—we’ll invite you to rocking-chair-filled, screened-in, wrap-around-porches for some sweet tea—but we also know what’s trending. We have plenty of great BBQ, we love our famous peaches, and we also hold hidden neighborhoods filled with beautifully crafted plates from top chefs and historic architecture, worthy of all the Instagram posts.
We’re home of the first Chipotle, Moe’s, and Krispy Kreme (hello, comfort foods!) and we house the headquarters of companies like Chik-fil-a, Turner Broadcasting, CNN, and Coca-Cola. There’s endless opportunities in this city on the rise, so grab a sweet tea, re-read Gone With the Wind, and head forAtlanta!
SHOP
Atlanta is known for its hustle and bustle which means traffic isn’t always great. Therefore, I love being able to stop at one place and knock-out several of my needs.
Ponce City Market is one of my favorite go-tos. This place is a food hall, a stop on the Atlanta Beltline (which I’ll explain later!), and it has an amusement park on the roof. That’s right, on the roof. Grab a shake from Honey Suckle (you even get to keep the glass mason jar); a boozy-slushie from the King of Pops bar; or a bite to eat from 60’s inspired Mercury Cafe (ask for a cocktail to-go), all while popping into local boutiques like Citizen Supply, a must for well-curated, local and handmade goods, and Archer Paper Goods for the best stationery and gifts. Once you’ve got a belly full and your shopping done, head up to the rooftop for miniature golf, fan-faire games, and some adventurous rides that give the best view of Atlanta.
Some of you who follow along on Instagram may have already seen the news, but I’m thrilled to share that we’re in Sunset Magazine this month! I’ve been reading Sunset (and saving back-issues) for as long as I can remember, and I can’t believe that one with our family will be shelved alongside now!
