Last Updated on August 16, 2026 by Tami
I’d never had the opportunity to live in a large city until my husband and I accepted a call to serve a church mission in Atlanta, GA. It’s a wonderful place to serve — and it’s been a great place to live and explore. We began our adventure in Midtown Atlanta and spent nearly half of our mission there. We recently moved to the Buckhead area of Atlanta, to be closer to those we serve. We’ve found many cool things to do and see in Buckhead, so we thought we’d compile a list of some of Buckhead’s highlights.
It’s quite nice to be able to explore different neighborhoods of Atlanta as missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Everyone is always so welcoming and quick to engage us in discussion. If you are new to Atlanta, or just visiting, I think you’ll find the same. Buckhead is a beautiful and welcoming community of Atlanta.
So What’s So Wonderful About Buckhead?
Maybe you’d like to know a little history. Like how did Buckhead get its name? Buckhead actually got its name from a large deer head mounted on a post near a 19th-century general store. Henry Irby bought land here in 1838 and the settlement was originally called Irbyville. He opened a general store and gathering spot near present-day Charlie Loudermilk Park. John Whitley killed a large buck nearby and posted the head near a stream close to Irby’s store. Travelers began using the mounted head as a landmark, as in “Let’s meet at the buck head.” The name just stuck for the entire settlement!
Now I’ll share my list of cool things to do and see in Buckhead. I’m starting with outdoor activities, then art and history, and finally topping off with shopping and views, with a few bonus ideas. It’s not exhaustive. If you know of others that should be on the list, please let me know in the comments!
1. Blue Heron Nature Preserve
The Blue Heron Nature Preserve is a 30-acre natural habitat along the Nancy Creek, with boardwalk and groomed trails, viewpoints along the creek, and even artwork. The community garden is an added gem, along with adjacent wetlands — cattails and all. Admission and parking is free. There are picnic tables but no restrooms. Wildlife you might find here on a short hike includes chipmunks, snapping turtles, blue herons, fish, deer, bees, and butterflies. I was disappointed that we didn’t see any blue herons on the day of our visit. We have seen them in Atlanta, however, so I think it’s very likely they frequent this park.
2. Chastain Memorial Park
Chastain Memorial Park is actually Atlanta’s largest park with 268 acres. We found Chastain Park to be a beautiful green oasis with old growth trees, trails, beautiful landscaped areas, and historic picnic sites. It also features the oldest outdoor music venue in Atlanta, seating 6900.
Footbridges over Nancy Creek, woodsy clearings and a central duck pond add ambience to the park and compliment the views of Buckhead’s scenic skyline. More surprises include the Chastain Horse Park, Tennis & Pickleball Center, and a swimming pool with free public morning hours. And while you’re here, you might as well check out Chastain Arts Center – the next on my list of cool things to do and see in Buckhead.
3. Chastain Arts Center at Chastain Park
If you like art at the grassroots level, you will enjoy browsing the Chastain Arts Center & Gallery. Housed in historic buildings, the art center offers public classes and workshops, as well as a gallery space for displaying local and regional artwork. We enjoyed walking through the buildings, seeing people happily creating in the different studios. We also appreciated the preservation of the historic buildings for creative workspace.
4. Buckhead PATH400 Greenway Trail
We discovered this delightful walking path not far from our apartment in Buckhead. It runs parallel to the Georgia State Route 400 highway and provides a vibrant paved 5.2 mile path for pedestrians, runners, and cyclists. When I say vibrant, I’m referring to the various art murals along the path as well as other creations — whimsical birdhouses and tiny libraries, too! A major entryway and parking is available at Lindbergh Plaza and Lenox Square.
5. Atlanta History Center
Of all the things to do and see in Buckhead, the Atlanta History Center is truly a must-see gem. Within a 33-acre site, you will find the history museum and the Cyclorama – built for the historic panoramic painting of the Civil War Atlanta Battle. Also on the premises are the Classic Revival Swan House, the Smith Farmhouse, a historic cabin, and beautiful gardens. (The Swan House was used for President Snow’s mansion in the filming of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.)
You’ll find a wealth of information about Atlanta history — human rights, civil war, the 1996 Olympics, transportation, founding leaders, and so much more! Exhibits appeal to all ages. Bonuses include special free days to celebrate Martin Luther King Day and Juneteenth with hands-on activities, special performances and lectures. I even made a beautiful quilt square when I visited for Juneteenth!
This year, the Atlanta History Center is celebrating it’s 100th year. They’ve created a beautiful coffee table book entitled, “Atlanta in 100 Objects.” Check it out at the gift shop or purchase it for the perfect souvenir! It’s a fascinating summary of what makes Atlanta special.
6. Buckhead Historic Theatre
This theatre in Buckhead Village originally opened in 1931 as a neighborhood movie house. It has been lovingly restored to maintain its distinctive Spanish Baroque/Art Deco-style and has become a popular venue for live entertainment. Charlie Loudermilk was instrumental in restoring the theatre to its original grandeur.
7. Tuxedo Park & Peachtree Heights Neighborhoods
Tuxedo Park and Peachtree Heights are Buckhead’s most prestigious neighborhoods, developed in the early 1900’s.
Peachtree Heights was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 and is the only known residential suburb planned by the famous New York architectural firm Carrère and Hastings. Tuxedo Park is laid out with curving roads following the natural topography. Prominent regional architects built sprawling grand estates set deep from the road.
The best roads to drive in Tuxedo Park to see stunning mansions and meticulous landscaping are Tuxedo Road Northwest, West Paces Ferry Road Northwest, Blackland Road Northwest, and Habersham Road Northwest.
In Peachtree Heights, cruise along these streets for the best views: Peachtree Battle Avenue Northwest and Argonne Drive Northwest.
Note: These are all private properties. Do not trespass.
8. Georgia State Governor’s Mansion
While driving through the Tuxedo Park neighborhood on West Paces Ferry Road Northwest, you might see a stately home guarded by solid gates and police. That would be the Georgia State Governor’s Mansion. This is, however, a mansion the public can tour on certain days. This 3-floor, 30-room mansion was originally an Atlanta mayor’s home, purchased in 1968 for the Governor.
Nine different families have lived here since then. The tour is led by docents who have in-depth information about the home, furnishings, and art displayed. They are very friendly and able to answer all your questions. If you are interested in history and fine art, I highly recommend this tour!
The tour includes most of the ground floor of the mansion, but not the living quarters of the governor and his family. You can, however, walk around outside on the beautiful porch, side patio, and through the gardens. There are beehives, vegetable gardens, and chickens, too. You can even buy “First Honey” – a jar of honey from the first family of Georgia’s beehives!
9. Shopping in Buckhead
Buckhead is a mecca for shoppers, with two luxury shopping malls (Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza), Buckhead Village, and Miami Circle.
Buckhead Village is an open-air, multi-block luxury shopping and dining district located in the heart of Buckhead. Lenox Square is one of Atlanta’s most historic and high-traffic shopping destinations, while Phipps Plaza was designed for a more intimate luxury shopping experience.
Another fun place to shop is in Buckhead’s Miami Circle, a collection of antique and home design stores and showrooms. I found some beautiful French art prints for under $20 in the Interiors Market, although you won’t find much in that price range. But it was fun to browse! Another stunning design store was Maurice’s Chandeliers. Maybe don’t take children with you, but Miami Circle is a wonderful place to explore.
10. Rooftop Views
Rooftop views in Buckhead are highly sought after because there are stunning vista opportunities from Buckhead – the tree canopy of Atlanta, the Atlanta and Buckhead skylines, and even distant mountains on a clear day. Sunsets are the best, especially after an afternoon summer storm adds drama to the sky.
I’ve chosen the best three rooftop views to experience:
1. Spaceman is on the 15th floor of the Hyatt Centric, making it the highest rooftop experience in Buckhead. It has two outdoor terraces and an indoor lounge, with panoramic views. You can purchase shareable small plates for dining as well as beverages.
2. Saint Julep is on the ninth floor of the Kimpton Sylvan Hotel. You’ll enjoy the bright and colorful, retro-inspired decor with open-air lounge space, including views over the tree-lined streets and neighborhood architecture. You can order elevated snacks and beverages.
3. Tesserae is a rooftop restaurant and lounge perched atop The Tess. It’s tenth-floor views show off the surrounding cityscape. With both an indoor restaurant and outdoor deck seating, you can enjoy an elegant and intimate setting with beautiful views for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Bonus Things to Do and See in Buckhead
Now that I’ve shared ten amazing and cool things to do and see in Buckhead, here are a few “bonus” experiences we’ve discovered:
- Chastain Creamery Ice Cream – Some of the best quality ice cream and fun flavors I’ve ever experienced. Just go, and you’ll see what I mean!
- Wieuca Farm: “Buckhead Goats” at 3809 Wieuca with emu, turkey, chickens and goats who are very friendly, anxious to be fed and sometimes petted! This is just a residence with a cute collection of animals in the front yard. Stop and say hi!
- Visit Aviva by Kameel for lunch or dinner at 3330 Piedmont Rd NE suite 26. We just discovered this gem searching for Mediterranean cuisine. Hospitality is A+ and the food is incredible and affordable. Kameel greeted us personally and gave us soup samples that were nearly full-size. Their motto is “We love you” and we felt the love! Everything is healthy, organic, and delicious!
We hope you’ll enjoy exploring. There are plenty of reasons to spend time in Buckhead! While you’re in the Atlanta area, you might also be interested in our explorations in Grant Park, Sweet Auburn, Vinings, or Roswell.
Such a beautiful sunset photo with the city skyline!
I feel so fortunate to live in Buckhead it is a real blessing!