It’s officially summer in Atlanta and we’re ready for an scorching hot time! Soak up summer in the Southeast with a little help from our round-up of marvelous things to do this July. Even though it looks like it’ll be a rainy start to the month, there’s so much to do come rain or shine in A-Town. From the best rooftop pools to unmissable brunches, this ice cream season in the ATL, we’ve got the scoop!
1. The Queen’s Ball: A Bridgerton Experience
Y’all are invited to the most prestige soirée of the season! Now’s your chance to secure your invitation to this breathtaking immersive experience inspired by the Netflix smash by Shondaland, Bridgerton. Transporting you directly from the historic Pullman Yards to the Regency era, prepare to mix and mingle with other esteemed guests as you sip on cocktails, and partake in a magical evening of music and dance. July has already sold out, so make sure you book your spot as soon as possible! For more information and tickets, click here.
2. The astounding Pullman Pops series
If you haven’t checked out Pullman Yards’ orchestral concert series, then this is your sign to do so! The enchanting concerts take over the historic grounds with beautiful familiar melodies from music, movie, and theatre history. This month, their unmissable tribute to Broadway returns by popular demand. Expect special guests, and an evening of food, drinks, and exceptional live music. For Pullman Pops’ full line-up, click here.
3. This magical pop-up cocktail experience!
Channel your inner-witch-or-wizard at this dark yet magical cocktail pop-up coming to Atlanta near the end of July. The Boozy Cauldron Tavern is popping up in Atlanta for a 4-part cocktail experience led by Professor Dolohov Draven and his top students. You will be taken on a magical journey where you can imbibe on the four delicious signature cocktails. Click here for more information.
4-7. The unique and enchanting Candlelight concerts
The Candlelight concert series has taken Atlanta by storm. Experience intimate live music concerts, completely bathed in flickering candlelight. This month, there’s an unmissable selection of concerts on offer, transforming iconic ATL venues into other-worldly spaces, guaranteed to be a treat for all the senses. Check out this month’s offerings below or see the full round-up, here.
- Candlelight: A Tribute to Adele
- Candlelight: Tribute to Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and more!
- Candlelight: From Bach to The Beatles
- Candlelight: Sci-Fi & Fantasy scores ft. John Williams
8. Get creative at this Spray Paint & Sip workshop
This anticipated Spray Paint & Sip experience by Studio W.I.P. is finally opening its doors this month! Learn the ins and outs of working with spray paint, and create your very own masterpiece by unleashing your inner street artist. For more information and tickets, click here.
9. The Atlanta Ice Cream Festival
You scream, I scream, we all scream, for ice cream! And luckily for us ATLiens, the beloved Ice Cream Festival is returning to Piedmont Park on Saturday, July 23 from 11am until 6pm, providing us with a real sweet treat for the hotter summer months. Click here for more information.
10. Circus Vazquez is in A-Town!
The new-age, yet totally traditional circus, Circus Vazquez, are setting up their big top in the ATL! Prepare to be amazed by world-class circus performers, including award-winning clowns, motorcycles, acrobats, and so much more. Get your tickets for this mind-blowing circus, here.
11. This spine-tingling, boozy haunted house
Another ooky-spooky cocktail pop-up is coming to Atlanta this month! You will visit one of the most haunted locations in Atlanta as a tavern keeper guides you through an interactive cocktail journey, not for the faint hearted. For more information and tickets, click here.
12. Nature meets Lego pop-art at Zoo Atlanta
An absolutely fabulous exhibition has completely transformed Zoo Atlanta for the summer season, especially if you’re a fan of Lego. Solidifying Lego-creation as an artform, Sean Kenney’s Nature POP boasts a spectacular collection of Lego sculptures inspired by the natural world. Click here to get your tickets for Zoo Atlanta. Access to the exhibition comes with admission to the beloved Grant Park attraction.
13. Save the video store at this retro immersive experience!
The 90s have called, and have set you up with a mission to save the video store! This theatrical immersive experience will take you back to 1999, as you compete in games for prizes, interact with movie icons from the 90’s, and more! Reserve your spot on this epic mission via some much-needed nostalgia, here.
14-19. Unique dining and drinking venues in Atlanta
Already touching on some unmissable summer pop-ups, there’s still so many incredible unique bars and restaurants on offer in the ATL. From vintage games and bowling to floral wonderlands and murder mysteries. Check out our recommendations for July below or click here to see our full round-up.
- Dinner Detective, Sandy Springs
- Mystery Picnics, Different locations
- The Painted Duck, Westside
- The Garden Room, Buckhead
- Brunch Xperience, Westside
- Drag Brunch at Rowdy Tiger, Midtown
20. HOOKED at the Science Gallery
There’s an exciting exhibition in Pullman Yards, part of the brand new ATL project Science Gallery. ‘HOOKED’ examines the world through the lens of addiction. Expect to learn about yourself and others, through expressions of pleasure, loss, excess, or vulnerability. Click here for more information on this fascinating exhibition.
21-24. Taco Tuesday in the ATL
Nothing says summer like some margaritas and a taco feast on Taco Tuesday. Luckily, Atlanta is home to so many awesome spots for everyone’s favorite day of the week. See below for an eatery for each Tuesday of the month, or click here for the full round-up.
- D Boca N Boca, Summerhill
- Botica, Ardmore
- Little Rey, Piedmont Heights
- Bartaco, Inman Park, West Midtown, and Chastain Park
25-28. Free outdoor movies in and around Atlanta
One of our favorite things about summer has returned to A-Town in a major way. Several iconic locations across the city are transformed into outdoor movie theatres, perfect for a family outing or a romantic date under the sunset. Don’t forget to bring your blankets or lawn chairs! Click here for a full round-up, or check out some recommendations below.
- Colony Square, The Sandlot on July 7
- Atlantic Station, Spongebob Squarepants Movie on July 7, and King Richard on July 21
- Movies by Moonlight in Sandy Springs, Grease on July 17
- Town Brookhaven, Cruella on July 14, and Jungle Cruise on July 21
29. Take a leave of absence at Atlanta’s latest rooftop pool
Unless you’ve been seriously MIA, then you’ve probably heard about the brand new rooftop pool in West Midtown. Rooftop L.O.A. is Atlanta’s newest destination for some well-deserved R&R. From crafty cocktails to their swanky “beach resort” vibes, click here for more information on this new addition to Atlanta’s rooftop royalty.
30-34. Atlanta’s free public swimming pools
Speaking of pools, some of Atlanta’s fabulous public swimming pools are completely free to use. See some options below or click here for more information.
- Grant Park
- Candler Park
- Maddox Park
- Pittman Park
- Anderson Park
35. Origami in the Garden
Origami in the Garden has completely transformed the Atlanta Botanical Garden into a temporary art gallery for the summer. Becoming renowned for their unmissable exhibitions throughout the year, you don’t want to miss this gorgeous love-letter to the Japanese artform of folding paper. For more information on this stunning exhibit, click here.
36. Go green with this progressive, eco-friendly company in Atlanta!
Atlo is ahead of the curve with their eco-friendly business. A unique feature about Atlo is that they use a mobile ‘refillery’ system that travels around Atlanta, giving multiple neighborhoods access to their refillable products. Click here for more information.
37-41. Outdoor brunch spots in A-Town
During the summers in Atlanta, on the weekend it’s all about brunch. And if the weather is perfect for it, nothing beats brunch on a top-notch patio. Check out our July recommendations below, or click here for the full round-up.
- Mojave Restaurant, Sandy Springs
- Whiskey Bird, Morningside-Lenox Park
- Anis Café and Bistro, Garden Hills
- Murphy’s, Virginia-Highland
- Sun in my Belly, Kirkwood
42-44. Go peach picking!
We get our peaches out in Georgia! It’s time to celebrate, because it’s officially peach season in the peach state! U-pick experience have started opening up across Georgia, so make sure you treat yourself to some peach treats this season. Click here for the full round-up or check out some recommendations below.
- Southern Belle Farm, McDonough
- Jaemor Farms, Alto
- Fitzgerald Fruit Farm, Woodbury
45-48. Check out Atlanta’s hottest rooftop bars!
One of the best ways to celebrate the summertime is by heading to one of the many awesome rooftops on offer in the ATL. From refreshing cocktails with a killer view to Sunday brunch in the sun, click here to see the full round-up of amazing rooftop bars and restaurants in Atlanta, or check out a few recommendations below.
- High Note Rooftop, Midtown
- Virtue Rooftop, Midtown
- Hotel Clermont, Poncey-Highland
- St. Julep, Buckhead
49-5o. Go river tubing on the Chattahoochee
Every ATLiens favorite summer past-time is back, and that’s floating down the Chattahoochee. Check out some of the awesome companies providing this awesome experience throughout the summer.
- Cool River Adventures, Helen
- Chattahoochee River Tubing, Duluth