New month, new year, who ‘dis?
It’s a brand new year in the ATL, which means it’s time for resolutions, and another 365 days of A-Town fun. We believe that it’s time to drop “exercising more” and “healthy eating” as valid resolutions. Why not make your New Year’s resolution to “experiencing more of what Atlanta has to offer”?
Luckily, we’ve complied this list of unmissable things to do this month to ring in the New Year. From anticipated exhibitions to the best dining experiences in the ATL. Keep scrolling to plan out the perfect January, here in Atlanta.
1. Don’t miss out on Stranger Things: The Experience at Pullman Yards
It’s the penultimate month for Stranger Things: The Experience, so if you haven’t experienced this epic journey to the Upside Down and back to save the ATL from those notorious creatures and eerie happenings, then now is your last chance to book your tickets. Click here or the link below for more information.
Channel your favorite characters from Netflix’s sci-fi smash at Stranger Things: The Experience
2. Celebrate and honor our hometown hero on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
From visiting his former home and birthplace to checking out the many monuments devoted to him, there are so many intrinsic things to do in Atlanta on Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 16). Hike around Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park or even visiting the Ebenezer Baptist Church, click here for a full round-up of things to do.
3-6. Check out the brightest light festivals in A-Town before it’s too late!
January may mark the end of the festive season, but winter lights always get an extended invitation here in Atlanta. From the Botanical Garden’s mesmerizing display to Fernbank Museum’s offering which will light up their enchanting Wild Woods until March. Check out January’s recommendations below, or click here for the full round-up.
- Garden Lights, Holiday Nights, Atlanta Botanical Garden
- Illuminights, Zoo Atlanta
- Wild Woods AGLOW, Fernbank Museum
- Winter Wonderlights, Georgia Botanical Gardens
7-10. Check out these awesome exhibits on display in the ATL
From an out-of-this-world fan-made Star Wars exhibit to an immersive journey through the life and works of Claude Monet, don’t miss out on these unmissable exhibitions in and around Atlanta this January. Click the appropriate link below for more information.
- The Fans Strike Back, Exhibition Hub, Atlanta Art Center
- Monet: The Immersive Experience, Exhibition Hub, Atlanta Art Center
- The Birth of Hip-Hop Architecture, MODA
- Harry Potter: The Exhibition, Downtown Atlanta
11-15. Experience an unforgettable meal or outing at Atlanta’s unique eats & bars
There’s a plethora of fantastic restaurants that boast a unique twist here in the ATL. From being waited on by robot waiters to dining classes that are perfect for impressing your boo. You could even check out the anticipated return of culinary icon ‘Polaris’, Atlanta’s rotating restaurant in the sky. Check out our recommendations for January below or click here for a full round-up of unique restaurants and bars.
- Classic Pad Thai Cooking Class, Condesa Coffee
- Polaris, Hyatt Regency
- Spanish Date Night, Taste Atlanta
- The Daquiri Factory, Midtown Atlanta
- Hard Rock Café Atlanta, Downtown Atlanta
16-19. Enjoy a stunning concert bathed in enchanting candlelight
The Candlelight concert series has been taking the ATL by storm, with an impressive collection of concerts taking over iconic venues across the city. Check out our recommendations for January below or click here for the extensive line-up.
- Candlelight: A Tribute to Taylor Swift
- Candlelight: Legends of R&B feat. Songs by D’Angelo, Jill Scott, and More
- Candlelight: A Tribute to Beyoncé
- Candlelight: Tribute to Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Al Green and More
20-24. Plan the perfect winter hike before the season ends
December was the official end of spring and beginning of winter, so there’s no better time to stay on the look-our for winter hiking hotspots, and the weather if you’re searching for snow-peaked mountains in North Georgia, or even frozen waterfalls. Check out some of our recommendations below. We’ve even included one with a wine-tasting in case some of you need some added motivation to accomplish those tricky resolutions.
- Bartram Trail Hike plus Wine Tasting
- Appalachian Trail
- Westside Reservoir Park
- Sweet Water Creek
25-29. Cozy up by the fireplace at these dining hotspots in A-Town
Speaking of winter, you’re going to need a bar or restaurant to get cozy after that winter hike, preferably one with a toasty fireplace. Luckily for us ATLiens, Atlanta possesses an unbeatable mix of bars and eateries that have outdoor dining with heaters and fireplaces. Check out our recommendations below or click here for the full round-up.
- Barcelona Wine Bar, Midtown
- 5 Church, Midtown
- Postino, Buckhead
- Kyma, Buckhead
- Grana, Piedmont Heights
30. Pay a visit to our adored Zoo Atlanta
Kick off the New Year with a visit to Zoo Atlanta. Explore their incredible exhibits and come face-to-face with some of the most fascinating wildife on the planet. For more information and tickets, click here or the link below.
Go wild at the beloved Grant Park attraction, Zoo Atlanta
31. Get immersed in the most awe-inspiring worlds at Illuminarium
From blasting off into space to contemporary art exhibitions, Illuminarium is continuously providing the ATL with a top-notch selection of immersive experiences. For more information, click here or the link below.
Check out Atlanta’s premier immersive experience on the BeltLine, Illuminarium!
32-33. Spend a day at the High Museum of Art
The High Museum of Art is one of the best places to soak up some culture in the ATL. January is your final month to see the iconic Thinker statue by Rodin. Click here for more information.
- Monir Farmanfarmaian: A Mirror Garden, until April 2023
- Rodin in the United States: Confronting the Modern, ends this month
- Deana Lawson, until February 2023
34-37. Hit the ice before the ice-skating rinks disappear
Don’t miss out on the pop-up ice-skating rinks that’ve magically transformed Atlanta into a winter wonderland. Some of which will be concluding this month with others extending throughout its entirety and beyond! Click here for a full round-up.
- Atlantic Station, until January 16
- Avalon on Ice, until January 16
- Pullman Yards, until February 15
- Rink at Park Tavern (Piedmont Park), until January 16
- The Cooler, all-year-round
38. Take this epic scavenger hunt around Piedmont Park
Visit landmarks scattered around Piedmont Park, as well as getting the opportunity to discover the history and hidden corners of Atlanta’s iconic park. Click here for information and tickets.
39-43. Order a delicious hot chocolate at these ATL hotspots
It’s officially the coziest time of the year, which means those hot chocolate cravings need to be taken seriously. Check out our recent round-up of hot chocolate hotspots here, or visit some of this months recommendations mentioned below.
- ADios Cafe, Castleberry Hill
- Xocolatl Small Batch Chocolate, Inman Park
- Hodgepodge Coffee, Reynoldstown, Decatur, and Ormewood
- ChocoLate Coffee, Shallowford & Decatur
- Cafe Intermezzo, Midtown
44. Make those boating fantasies a reality at Georgia’s largest boat show
Georgia’s largest boat show is returning to Atlanta, Explore an endless amount of boats, new boating technology, events, seminars, and more, at the return of this adored convention meets boat show, featuring fun for all the family.
45. Make your reservation for Atlanta’s swanky Nobu restaurant and hotel
Buckhead is now home to the all-new Nobu Hotel, featuring a location of the renowned Japanese-inspired restaurant. Click here for more information.
46-50. Try out these Indian restaurants in Atlanta
From delicious bowls of ramen to spicy curries, Atlanta is home to so many restaurants boasting the best in global cuisine. This January, why not try out some of the ATL’s most loved Indian restaurants to spice up your winter. Check out our recommendations below.
- Jai Ho, Krog Street Market
- Aamar Indian Cuisine, Fairly-Poplar
- Sankranti, Johns Creek
- Ruchi Bangladeshi Cuisine, Chamblee
- Botiwalla, Ponce City Market