The Heart of Atlanta's Arts--Midtown.

It can be difficult differentiating Downtown from Midtown Atlanta, but most residents agree that Ponce De Leon Avenue draws the line between the two, with Downtown to the south and Midtown to the north of Ponce. This section of Atlanta boasts a dynamic mix of the arts, recreation, and dining.

Ponce begins near the Fabulous Fox Theatre, which is known for having the second largest theatre organ in the United States. Finding the place is easy: dozens of parking attendants advertising cheap parking (about $10 per day on the weekend) and the Fox’s grand marquee greet you as you cruise down Peachtree Street. Inside, the extravagant crimson and bronze décor will make you feel as if you’ve stepped inside a royal party (even if you just bought your tickets off a scalper). Upcoming October shows include The Light in the Piazza, a play about star-crossed lovers in Italy, and Giselle, performed by the Atlanta Ballet.

For your casual dining needs before or after the show, I recommend Après Diem, located on Monroe Drive, a little over a mile from the Fox. Après Diem, an international café and bistro, serves light sandwiches, salads, and soups before three p.m. It’s after three when they start making their best dishes. My favorite is the fettuccini basilic, a classic Italian dish served with fresh basil and sautéed tomatoes. You can add grilled chicken or tiger shrimp to it if you’d like. Après Diem also offers seafood, fresh fruits, chicken, beef, beer, wine, and much more. Order the addictive hummus as an appetizer, and sit outside under the covered awning to ponder the strange paintings on the tables. Don’t expect to wait around too long for your food. Despite the fact that hordes of people fill up Après Diem every weekend, they have quick and friendly hostesses. You can expect dining here to set you back about $10 to $15 per person. Their hours of operation are as follows: Monday-Thursday, 11:30am-12am; Friday, 11:30am-2am; Saturday, 11am-2am; and Sunday, 11am-12am.

Whether you want to walk off the food you just ate at the Après Diem, or you just want to take an evening stroll with friends, Piedmont Park is right across the street. At approximately 185 acres, it’s Atlanta’s largest park. Piedmont hosts a plethora of cultural events every year. Visit on any Saturday morning between May and October to take advantage of the Green Market, where locals come to sell fresh foods and art, listen to live jazz, walk the dog, and get a taste of what Atlanta is really like. While you’re there, take a free, guided tour of Piedmont by heading over to the Visitor’s Center between 11am and 12:30pm. Fall is the best time to visit Atlanta, when the heat ceases its excruciating wrath, and in October, Piedmont hosts other cultural events in addition to the Green Market. On October 7th, “Atlanta Celebrates Photography” welcomes photographers of all ages and experience levels to share their work in the Bathhouse to compete for prizes. Also on the 7th, the Harvest Midtown Festival highlights wines from over 150 producers worldwide and Atlanta’s finest restaurants. Entertainment includes live music, an artist market, and all-day fashion shows. Tickets are $50 in advance and $60 at the door. Admission includes all-day access to the festival (including food and wine tasting), entertainment, and a complimentary wine glass.

After all that activity, you’re going to want to sit down and relax. Right across the street (again) sits the Midtown Art Cinema, right next to Après Diem. Whether you want to see Hollywood’s latest blockbuster, or you have a taste for something independent and off-the-wall, this theatre’s perfect. Purchase your tickets outside, then let the attendants, who are friendlier and less drab than typical theatre employees, take your tickets and show you the way. Grab a beer or a fresh pretzel at the concession stand, and gawk in fascination at the collection of rare movie posters adorning the walls. They have a French poster for the movie A Clockwork Orange that I’m craving to have grace my apartment. Once inside your designated theatre, you’ll notice it’s a bit small, but not at all cramped. While the Midtown Art Cinema doesn’t have stadium seating, their seats are designed for the optimum viewing experience, no matter how tall the head in front you is. If you can’t sleep or you’re just out partying, come by the Cinema. They offer a discount for a movie’s last showing of the day.

There of all the places to visit in Atlanta, few offer as many activities and attractions as Midtown. Most of these are within walking distance of one another, so you don’t have to waste your time fighting the notorious traffic. Midtown also has a lower panhandler rate than most other districts, like Downtown. Plenty of other delicious restaurants and stimulating attractions reside in Midtown (like the High Museum of Art and the Atlanta Botanical Garden), but there’s just too many to name them all.

Additional resources: Midtown on Wikipedia.
More photos of Atlanta.