With just three days in which to explore Atlanta I knew I wouldn’t even scratch the surface, but I had to try, and what better place to get an overview than the Atlanta Beltline. The addition of this mixed use redevelopment project, which takes advantage of the City’s existing railway corridors, is transforming and revitalizing the city of Atlanta in the best possible way. When complete The BeltLine’s 22 mile path will encircle and connect the city of Atlanta and its many diverse neighborhoods.
Bike rental stations can be found along the BeltLine
The multi-use pedestrian friendly pathways are perfect for cycling, running, and walking, but the BeltLine is much more then just an exercise path getting you from point A to point B. With a skate park, shopping, restaurants and the South’s largest temporary public art installation the BeltLine is a destination!
This fun mural can be found at Paris on Ponce
Table of Contents
Did someone say the South’s largest temporary public art installation?
As soon as I knew I would be visiting Atlanta I immediately started researching what the city had to offer in the way of public art, and boy did I hit the jackpot!
Guess what kind of business this is?
Essentially The BeltLine is an outdoor art gallery featuring a revolving display of both local and international artists. Additionally, Atlanta is host to multiple mural and art festivals each year, including the Outer space Project, and Living Walls. What all this means, is that you’ll find murals, sculpture, and performance art just about everywhere, much of it located along the BeltLine, or nearby!
Time Star by Charlie Smith in Historic Fourth Ward Park
Because the BeltLine is so big, and we had limited time, we chose one area, the Eastside Trail, and focused on that. In hindsight I might have walked the trail as we got on and off our bikes countless times to explore all the amazing art we saw. Starting at Park Street and ending at Edgewood Road, here is just some of what we found as we rode the Eastside Trail.
Piedmont Park
We rode through and along the edge of Piedmont Park with lovely views of Midtown Atlanta before connecting to the BeltLine at 10th & Monroe.
Skyline Midtown Atlanta as seen from Piedmont Park
Piedmont Park is beautiful even in the winter months
Title: The Service Station
Artist: Wesley Forlines
Location: 10th and Monroe Area
Fuel Station
Park Street Underpass
We found on-street parking and a Relay Bike rental station just off Park Street. This gravel path connected with the BeltLine’s paved path at 10th & Monroe.
Title: Purple Rain
Artists: Karl Addison & Jarus
Location: Piedmont Park at the Park Street Underpass
Virgina Parkway
Artist: Hense
Location: Virgina Parkway Underpass
Artist: Rising Red Lotus
Location: Virgina Parkway Underpass
Rising Red Lotus
Along the Trail
We loved these pinwheels, which were spinning in the breeze, and we stopped to explore some of the businesses along the trail, including Paris on Ponce a quirky collection of shops within a shop selling vintage and locally made items.
Title: Swirling Colors
Artist: Alex Rodriguez
Location: BeltLine at Dreary Street NE
Alex Rodriguez
Artist: OUIZI
Location: Paris on Ponce BeltLine side
Ouizi
Artist: James Bullough
Location: Paris on Ponce Street Side
James Bullough
Artist: Nate Frost
Location: Alley off of Paris on Ponce
Nate Frost
Artist: Thomas Turner
Location: Alley off of Paris on Ponce
Thomas Turner
Title: 10:28
Artist: Chris Veal
Location: BeltLine between Spot for Dogs and Paris on Ponce
Chris Veal
Artists: Big Teeff & Greg Mike
Location: Spot For Dogs
Greg Mike & Big Teeff
Artist: Olive 47
Location: Iceboxcoolstuff.com Irwin Street
Old Fourth Ward
While I wasn’t traveling with my kids I know they would love a visit to the Historic Fourth Ward park. The 17 acre park intersects with the BeltLine and includes Atlanta’s first public skatepark, a playground and athletic fields.
Old Fourth Ward Park Skatepark
Just next to the park is the Freedom Parkway Underpass and, much like the Venice Art Walls in my hometown of Los Angeles, people come here to express themselves via spray paint art. If you’re wondering I didn’t have time to make any of my own… this time…
Freedom Parkway Underpass
Artists:Unknown
Location: Freedom Parkway Underpass Old Fourth Ward
Ladybird Restaurant
While I admit I didn’t eat at Ladybird, if time had permitted I would have! Stopping here for a much needed drink, we encountered true Southern Hospitality either that, or I looked like I was desperate, because they wouldn’t let me pay for the soda I ordered. Located right on the BeltLine!
Edgewood
Towards the end of the day my desire to see a particular mural led us off the BeltLine and through the Sweet Auburn Historic District, the location of Dr. Martin Luther King’s Birth Home. Unfortunately daylight was running out, and we didn’t have time to visit. its on my list for next time…
Artist: Nychos
Location: Corner of Edgewood Avenue and Boulevard SE
Nychos
Artist: Tommy Bronx
Location: Corner of Edgewood Avenue and Krog Street
Tommy Bronx
Artist: Ricky Watts
Location: Edgewood Avenue & Krog Street
Ricky Watts
Tiny Doors ATL
We were delighted to discover #tinydoorsatl (what is it about tiny things?) during our visit. Turns out there are a number of these adorable lilt doors throughout the city, but with limited time we only found the three located along the BeltLine. Adorable!
Location: Eastside Trail at Virginia Avenue
Location: Paris on Ponce
It’s polite to wipe your feet!
Location: Freedom Parkway Underpass Old Fourth Ward
Tips & Advice
- There are multiple access points to the BeltLine.
- Keep in mind that the BeltLine is a work in progress, and that you can complete as little or as much of the trail as you’d like. We chose the Eastside Trail and our route was 7. 25 miles roundtrip.
- We parked on the street just outside Piedmont Park, but parking is also available at the northern end of the trail in the paid lot beside Park Tavern and at the Piedmont Park. You can also find on street parking at the Historic Fourth Ward Skatepark.
- The Eastside Trail hours are 6 a.m. – 11 p.m.
- If you don’t have access to a bicycle you can rent the city’s public Relay Bikes. You’ll need to download the app first.
- Bring water!
Relay Bike Stations can be found along the BeltLine
Outer Space Project
If you’re interested in finding more of Atlanta’s amazing art, this map from the Outer Space Project should be helpful.
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Leona
What nice art! He tiny doors are adorable and my
Little
Would love this #farawayfiles
Hilary
We loved the tiny doors!
beatravelling
AMAZING street art!! #farawayfiles
Hilary
Isn’t it?!!
beatravelling
It looks good, and there’s plenty of it!
Tanja
I can’t say which one’s the best, the tiny door, the fish, the wolf, so cool:) #farawayfiles
Hilary
There was a lot of amazing art and we barely scratched the surface!
ushasita
Amazing street art. I have just acquired the love for Street art. I would so love to visit this belt. Happy travelling !!!! #farwayfiles
Hilary
It’s a wonderful medium isn’t it! The good news is that it’s piping up everywhere!
Truly Madly Kids (@TrulyMadly7)
I love these disused areas that are made into something quite special. The art here is so incredible and the use of space for cycling in perfect. Thanks for sharing this little corner of the world #farawayfiles
Hilary
Me too! It’s incredible to see how it’s changed the city! 1.7 million people used this trail last year!!
Nell (Pigeon Pair and Me)
What a fabulous place to be able to explore! The pinwheels are stunning – in fact, it’s all pretty neat. You have a knack for finding beauty in every city. #FarawayFiles
Hilary
Awe thank you! It really was a fabulous day out!
Clare Thomson
I’m just in love with those tiny doors! The street art here is fantastic. I particularly love the brightly coloured walls – the flowers, fish and splodges. #FarawayFiles
Hilary
Ooh! I love the splodges too! Wondering if I could make some?!
katherinefenech2017
What an awesome pathway! You can get your exercise in and enjoy the scenery. I think it was great that you decided to bike part of it, you get around quicker and see more awesome street art! #FarwayFiles
Hilary
It was such a fun trail! You’re right about the bike getting us further…
California Globetrotter
You truly hit the jackpot! These pieces are really amazing and what a fun way to visit them with a bike! #FarawayFiles
Hilary
It really was a great way to get in a lot of art in a short amount of time!
Shelley @Travel-Stained
What great art! and what a perfect way to see it all… biking seems like the ideal way to take it all in. It’s so easy to stop whenever you see something inspiring! #farawayfiles
Hilary
Yes, the bikes really made it possible to see so much more then we’d been able to see had we been walking. We got a workout and we saw the art!
Juliette S
Oh what a neat place to visit! I had never heard of the Beltline before. I love the tiny doors – they’re brilliant! I am totally in favour of cycling around a new city – I honestly think it’s one of the best ways to see a new place. Looks like you had fun! #farawayfiles
Hilary
We had the best day! I just love being with a friend exploring a new place together!
Caity Pfohl | The Pamplemousse Papers
What a great post – love your street art photos as always! I would absolutely love to explore this area, and what a great way for the community to capitalize on these pathways to create something amazing. 🙂 #citytripping
Hilary
It’s incredible what a bike path and some art will for a city! Every city should have this!!
Bryna | Dotted Line Travels
Love these street art posts. It’s amazing the art you can find if you just look! There are so many great pieces here, I don’t even think I can pick a favourite!
Hilary
It’s so true, now that street art is so accepted there is so much to choose from! I love it!!
annette @afrenchcollection
What a diverse collection of art, I can see why you enjoyed your ride so much. #FarawayFiles
Hilary
We honestly didn’t know where to look first!
Amanda Jenkins
We’ve got friends in Atlanta who rave about the BeltLine – mostly the convenience and outdoor space. I had no idea about the street art, what a cool cycle trip! #farawayfiles
Hilary
Yes! This was the first place my local friend insisted we go! It’s done wonders for the city!
Kathleen (Kat) (@katpegimana)
Wow, this is cool! I love that cities are now featuring creative murals to brighten up the city landscape. Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia is doing the same but not as fantastic and colourful like the ones in Atlanta and other cities in the world. Superb! #FarawayFiles.
P.S. Love your T-shirt with the smiley face 🙂
Hilary
Thank you!! I swear I didn’t plan it, but it went well with the art! 😚
MummyTravels
What a fabulous place – I love it when old railway lines get a new lease of life as cycleways or similar, but they’ve really gone all out here. What a treasure trove of art and things to see as you explore. Thanks for linking up with #citytripping
Hilary
It was a treasure trove we felt like we’d won something we had the best time!
Sharon
I’ve been to Atlanta only once and loved being outside the city in nature. I’d love to go back and see more of Atlanta from a bike!
Hilary
This was my first trip to Atlanta and I can see why they call it the City in the trees!
Lyn
Hilary I loved this post as I am a huge fan of streetart. That dog looking over the fence, the fish and those tiny doors are my favourites.
Hilary
Thank you! I love street art too! The tiny doors were so precious… Its like finding hidden treasure!
Catherine’s Cultural Wednesdays
You really did hit the jackpot! I love those tiny doors #CityTripping
Hilary
Adorable aren’t they?!