Things To Do In Alpharetta, Georgia

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Just 22 miles north of downtown Atlanta, Alpharetta, Georgia has a way of surprising people. It has the small-town charm of a historic downtown, with shady streets, local shops, and a Saturday farmers market, plus the dining and shopping of a much bigger city.

If you’ve ever wondered, “What is there to do in Alpharetta?”, read on. Below are our favorite fun, delicious, and creative things to do in Alpharetta, from French pastries and Persian food to e-bikes on the Big Creek Greenway.

1. Take a Self-Guided Walking Tour of Downtown

Download a free self-guided walking brochure (download the free self-guided walking tour brochure), put on a good pair of walking shoes, and check out the 22 historical points of interest in Alpharetta.  Along the way, you’ll see what makes Alpharetta so special.

2. Shop Local Merchants and National Brands

Alpharetta has several shopping districts, including Avalon, Historic Downtown Alpharetta, North Point, Windward Parkway, Haynes Bridge Road, and North Point Parkway.

If you are a fan of Fixer Upper, then you will want to stop by  La Bella Maison at 20 Milton Avenue.  It’s a place where I could envision Joanna Gaines shopping for items to turn houses into homes.

3. Spend an Evening at Avalon

Avalon is more than Alpharetta’s premier shopping destination. It’s an 86-acre walkable community where shops, restaurants, a movie theater, and a Whole Foods Market all line one charming main street. With more than two dozen restaurants, you can go from coffee to cocktails without ever moving your car.

Grab a drink and take it with you. Avalon allows open containers throughout the property, so you can sip while you shop. Keep an eye out for the bronze squirrel sculptures, too. There are a dozen hidden around Avalon, and finding them all makes a fun scavenger hunt for kids (and kids at heart).

On Friday evenings during the warmer months, head to The Plaza in front of the movie theater for Avalon Nights Live, a free concert series from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, but leave the cooler at home, since coolers aren’t allowed. Drinks are available for purchase.

If you want to stay right in the middle of it all, read my review of The Hotel at Avalon, where you can walk out the front door and straight into the shops.

4. Visit Alpharetta’s Farmer’s Market

The Alpharetta Farmer’s Market takes place each weekend (from the middle of April until the end of October) in downtown Alpharetta, with around 60 vendors selling beautiful flowers, fresh fruit, vegetables, herbs, plants, natural meats, bread, desserts, handmade soap, local honey, jellies, and more.

5. Eat Breakfast Like A Local

The Nest Café is a local spot offering specialty brewed coffee, breakfast, and lunch.  Favorites include beignets and freshly made Southern-style croissant breakfast sandwiches.

Or opt for a lighter option such as a smoothie and/or a bowl of fresh fruit.

The Nest Cafe is located at 58 Canton Street, Suite 101. It is open daily from 7:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

6. Sample French Pastries

You can get your fill of French pastries in Alpharetta at Colette French Pastry Café.  After just one bite, you might find yourself saying, “Oh la la!”  I found the éclairs to be c’est magnifique!

Colette is located at 2225 Old Milton Parkway, Suite #100. It’s open Tuesday through Sunday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and closed on Mondays.

7. Get Your Guac On

When I visited, this Avalon spot was The El Felix, and the guacamole with flautas was simply delicious. The space is now Superica, a Tex-Mex restaurant from the same restaurant group, so you can still get your chips and guac fix at Avalon!

Superica Avalon is located at 1130 1st St #1030. It’s open Monday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m., Friday from 11:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m., Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m., and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.

8. Enjoy a Persian Sunset in Georgia

Rumi’s Kitchen serves authentic Persian cuisine in the heart of Avalon.  The delicious Persian food is served with pure Southern hospitality.

Guests can dine inside or opt to dine al fresco on the beautiful patio terrace.

Rumi’s Kitchen is located at 7105 Avalon Boulevard. It is open from 11:30 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. until 11:00 p.m.

9. Take A Ride

The Big Creek Greenway is an 8-mile linear park in Alpharetta.  Rent an electric Pedego Bike and you’ll be ready to zip along the tree-lined path.  After a quick lesson on how to operate the bikes, riders can pedal all they want on their own, or use the bike’s electricity to help speed along the greenway.

Don’t forget to put on your helmet.  If you didn’t bring yours, don’t worry – they have plenty for you to use.

Pedego Electric Bikes Alpharetta is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Visit the Pedego website for current rental rates and to book a bike.

10. Take a Swing At Golf

Topgolf is the best place to practice your swing – even if you don’t golf.  Bring your friends and rent a bay for an hour or two and see who can rack up the most points.  The friendly staff will show you what you need to know in order to have a good time trying to hit a hole-in-one.

Swinging a golf club can cause you to work up an appetite.  You can fuel up with items such as burgers or salads or unique little doughnuts that YOU can inject with tasting fillings.

Topgolf is located at 10900 Westside Parkway. It is open from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 10:00 a.m. until midnight on Friday, from 9:00 a.m. until midnight on Saturday, and from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. on Sunday.

11. Build Your Own Jewelry

Stop by Kendra Scott’s Color Bar in Avalon and select a setting and gemstone and make something special either for yourself (it’s perfectly okay to treat yourself) or someone else. Not feeling creative? That’s okay – there are plenty of beautiful creations already made from which to shop.

Kendra Scott is located at 3150 Avalon Boulevard. It is open from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and from noon until 6:00 p.m. on Sunday.

12. Catch a Concert Under the Stars

Alpharetta is home to Ameris Bank Amphitheatre, one of metro Atlanta’s biggest outdoor concert venues. The 12,000-seat amphitheatre hosts major touring artists and comedians during its April–November season, and it’s the summer home of the Grammy-winning Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

Choose a reserved seat in the covered pavilion, or bring a blanket and spread out on the lawn behind it. Before you go, a few tips:

• Check your parking lot. Your ticket comes with an assigned lot, so look it up before you leave home.
• Bring a card, not cash. The venue is cashless.
• Follow the bag policy. Small bags up to 6 x 9 inches are fine, and larger bags must be clear and no bigger than 12 x 12 x 6 inches.
• Plan your rideshare. Uber and Lyft drop-offs use 11450 Maxwell Road, not the main address.

Ameris Bank Amphitheatre is located at 2200 Encore Parkway. For the current lineup, visit the Ameris Bank Amphitheatre website.

Alpharetta Travel FAQ

Planning Your Alpharetta Getaway

Have you been to Alpharetta, or is it on your list? I’d love to hear your favorite spot, or what you’re most excited to try, in the comments below!

If you’re making a weekend of it, see my review of The Hotel at Avalon for a walkable stay right in the middle of the shopping and dining. And if you’re visiting in the spring, don’t miss my recap of The Taste of Alpharetta, one of the city’s biggest food festivals.

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