Decided to take some much needed time off and check out a new city this summer. A West Coast girlie at heart, I set my sights on Atlanta for a change of pace. I hopped a red-eye flight 💀 but got my own row on the plane 🙌 and spent one full week in ‘The A’, which allowed for some adventurous days and a couple slower days:

Day #1: StripHER Bash

Serendipitously, I arrived in Atlanta during Black Pride Weekend 2025, one of the largest black pride celebrations in the world! The vibes were immaculate, and the city was teeming with queer energy. (Also the same weekend as DragonCon, which I did not attend.)

Grabbed a last-minute ticket to the Atlanta Black Pride StripHER Bash. And — insert cartoon ‘awooga’ meme — what a great introduction to the city! Half-a-dozen talented performers and DJs showcasing queer talent at black-owned ApacheXLR. My first time seeing a stud stripper perform live, and I was rightfully flustered. Glad I stayed til 3am. But damn, these Atlanta parties do start later than in Seattle.

Day #2: A Stroll Through East Atlanta Village

Kept it lowkey the next day and wandered around East Atlanta Village. Window-shopped cute houseplants @ Plants + Coffee. Nommed on NY-style pizza @ Grand Central Pizza. $20 for a Large Pepperoni? Please and thank you!

Spent the afternoon perusing books and gifts at lesbian-owned indie bookstore, Bookish. Complete with a Banned Books section and a get-what-you-get shelf called “Blind Date with a Book”. I have a tradition of picking up a new book every time I travel, so I almost grabbed two “blind dates”, but finally landed on Theory of Water by Leanne Betasamosake Simpson.

Day #3: Take Me to Church*

Went on another stroll around East Atlanta Village for more street art and headed to ABV Gallery, a historic church-turned-art-gallery. I love an old-building-turned-creative-space. My favorite exhibit was the whimsical animal woodcuts by Chris Noosh!

Stopped at Bookish on the way home and got to chat with the owner. Very sweet! Went in for a coloring book, ended up with Take Me With You by Andrea Gibson. Finished it that evening:

“I bought a typewriter when we said good-bye, hoping to make a life I couldn’t erase so easily the next time.”

Day #4: Little Five Points to Krog Street Market

Woke up with renewed energy and hopped on a quick bus to Little Five Points, an eclectic neighborhood with 100+ independently-owned businesses — including vintage and thrift shops, bars, coffee, tattoos, records, and more. Reminds me of the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle circa early-2000s, with it’s single-story retail with hand-painted signage. Headed to the much-hyped Junkman’s Daughter and found some cute postcards and stickers — though they had many more interesting things to choose from. Stopped by Crystal Blue, a gem and mineral store, for some gifts.

Scootered through the very cute Inman Park neighborhood over to Krog Street Market, a nearby food hall, for lunch. Burger and a massive pile of fries to-go from Fred’s Meat & Bread. Yummy! And a six-pack from Hop City Beer & Wine. Somehow made it home on the scooter with all of this? Caught just a little bit of rain on the way home, which felt perfectly timed.

Ventured “OTP” after dinner — outside the perimeter of Atlanta’s city center — to check out an Atlanta Roller Derby practice with some locals. I watched a gaggle of sweaty queer folx in knee pads and helmets push each other around on the track. No complaints. And I learned to keep score, fun!

Day #5: Self-Guided City Sightseeing Tour

Took myself on a 12-mile scooter ride through the city — which seemed like a good idea overall but it was also 85 degrees out and I forgot to purchase a Lime Pass 🫠 Started around Krog Street Tunnel up the Atlanta Beltline Eastside Trail. So much to see, and so many trees! Little restaurants and patio bars along the way, and plenty more street art. Lots of folks walking, biking, scooting, socializing. What a sweet part of town.

Headed into the gorgeous and expansive Piedmont Park — like New York’s Central Park — and rode around Lake Clara Meer. Got some peeks of the city skyline, and finally getting to be around some water was a joy.

Scooted down the famous Peachtree Street through Midtown — though I wouldn’t recommend the scooter… with no bike lanes. Zipped by the Fox Theater but didn’t go inside. Popped through Old Fourth Ward on the way home and passed the famous Clermont Hotel. What a day, Atlanta.

Day #6: Ponce City Market & The Neighborhood Gay Bar

Hopped on another scooter for a ride up the Beltline through Piedmont Park, and then looped back around to Ponce City Market — a vibrant converted historic Sears building, now a large market and food hall — for lunch and a bit of shopping. Here’s where I stopped:

Rhen’s Toy Shop for some children’s gifts and toys.
Blooms Emporium (AAPI-owned) to peruse the gorgeous hand-painted art and prints, had my eye on a beautiful snake painting with gold-leaf accents.
Glad & Young Studio, a leather goods store with complementary embossing.
Kroonz Wear (black-owned) for some finger rings, and had my eye one a couple pairs of trendy sunglasses.
Mysterious Vintage to peruse printed clues and take home a mystery gift. Picked a “souvenir for a graphic designer” ($12). Very novel! Though I’m not sure what to do with the vintage porcelain bell from Niagara Falls Canada, ha. No returns :)
Bibi Persian Food for a koobideh plate. They put tomato sauce on the meat which should be served without sauce. So, it doesn’t get the stamp of authenticity, but good flavors overall.

Was pretty hot out again so I headed back home for a rest. Re-emerged after dinner and headed to the neighborhood gay bar, Mary’s, for a little nightcap.

Day #7: Lemon Pepper Wings & Skyline Park

Bought digital tickets (for online viewing) for some of the SheATL Summer Theater Festival 2025, since I wasn’t able to catch it in-person this week. Hopped on a scooter to The Local for some lemon pepper wings (an iconic Atlantan food, I’m told). Apparently they sell out every day! But I made it in time. Also, $5 ciders, cool.

Popped over to nearby Skyline Park — an amusement park on the roof of Ponce City Market! — for a late night date and panoramic views of the Atlanta city center. $30 entry includes unlimited access to the park attractions (skee ball, horse racing, mini golf, etc.) Very cute! Won some prizes, too 🏆 What a great finale for my Atlanta vacation.

Final Thoughts & Honorable Mentions

I had a fantastic time in Atlanta, full of local attractions and fresh air adventures and friendly folks from the LGBTQ+ community. Definitely looking forward to returning in the next year or two! Unfortunately, I ran out of time for the following activities this round, but they are on my list for next time:

Karaoke Night @ My Sister’s Room, the only lesbian bar in Atlanta. I know, I know, I missed out.
Buford Highway, 1000+ immigrant-owned businesses including 100+ restaurants
Rainbow Crosswalk
Seeing a show at the Fox Theater
the iconic Clermont Lounge
Downtown Arts Walk @ Rialto Center for the Arts
Cocktails in Wonderland @ Atlanta Botanical Gardens
High Museum of Art
Oakland Cemetery

XO

Street Art, Strippers & Scooters: One Week in Atlanta