Atlanta With Toddler
 

Hello,

We will be spending a weekend in Atlanta in early May, first time there. We are staying downtown, a couple blocks from Centennial Olympic Park, and expect to spend most of our time in that area as well as venturing out to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. I have a couple of questions:

1) Any recommendations for kid-friendly places for dinner, brunch, coffee or dessert in either the downtown area or by the Botanical Gardens? We like trying unique local places and don't need kids' menus with burgers and chicken fingers :) Just an atmosphere where we won't get dirty looks for having a little one and ideally, a patio or other open area where the kid can wander a bit.

2) Any recommendations for great playgrounds for toddlers in either of the above areas?

3) Is there a place by the Botanical Gardens where we can rent bikes with a trailer for our kid? Does biking on the Eastside trail with a kid sound like a good idea? I just read about the Beltline and some of the cool public art and parks along that trail, so thought it could be a fun activity.

You don't say how old your toddler is, but one of the Coolest Places in the World to Eat for toddlers of all ages is the Varsity Drive In.

This basically a large parking garage with counters that serve foot long chili dogs, fries, and anything else that can be put through a fryolator. Big drinks and milkshakes, eat in your car or at a picnic table (IIRC).

The Varsity has been there forever and has well-developed rituals among the staff and between the staff and the customers. It is a hoot.

Warning: there is nothing healthy on the menu, but the food is delicious. Have a salad for supper.

2. There is a fairly large playground in Piedmont Park adjacent to the Botanical Gardens.

3. Google "bike rental near Piedmont Park"--I believe there are a number of them. You will get better results searching Piedmont Park rather than the Gardens, I think.

Lots of parents with children travel along the Eastside Beltline. Be aware that the Beltline is not terribly long, so you if you need a longer ride, there is also the Path to Stone Mountain Park that crosses the Beltline and that you can access for a longer ride on a motor-vehicle free route.

PS--you can access the Eastside Beltline from Piedmont Park--just go toward 10th Street and turn east--you'll see the Beltline on the eastern side of Monroe Drive

Aside from upscale restaurants, it's hard to find restaurants in the US where you'll "get dirty looks for having a little one."

@BigRuss, you'd be surprised. Chains/burgers/pizza aren't a problem, but we like more hipster, farm-to-table type places, and some are very much kid-friendly while others are the opposite :)