It feels like the whole city is getting back out there. After a year stuck at home, it’s time for Atlantans to explore new places, try new experiences, and immerse yourself in arts and culture again. It may also be time to treat your sweetheart to a night out. We’ve got three of the best date ideas in Atlanta for those who love Insta-worthy moments and all things experiential.
Now through Sept. 6, go on one of the best date ideas in Atlanta and poke Ugly Naked Guy, sit on the couch in front of “the” fountain, play “Pivot!” on the stairwell and reminisce about all the other inside jokes on “Friends.” Above all, if you adored Ross, Rachel, Phebes, Chandler, Monica and Joey, it’s time to relive those old episodes in person.
Firstly, there are 12 set recreations including Monica and Rachel’s purple, teal and yellow kitchen. Standing in there looking at the yellow frame around the apartment door’s peephole is surreal. I was waiting for Joey to walk through it wearing all of Chandler’s clothes. Later, sitting on the couch in Central Perk, I pretended to drink coffee and reminisced about Gunther. It was the funniest, silliest experience I have had in quite some time. The nostalgia points are high.
$32.50-$39.50 per ticket, Sandy Springs, friendstheexperience.com/atlanta/
Recommended restaurant nearby: Joey D’s Oak Room (for pure nostalgia sake)
2. Van Gogh Exhibition: The Immersive Experience
This incredible immersive art experience has been on tour in other major cities before making a stop in Atlanta. Consequently, I didn’t know what to expect and worried it may be a little cheesy. However, it was sweet, romantic and inspirational. I left with a changed perspective on the artist and his work. My babe and I sat in a two-story room with Van Gogh’s art swirling around us on the walls and the floor. To see his work in a new way and feel as if you were inside the paintings was an extraordinary experience.
July is sold out, but there are some tickets left for August and much more in September. Get fall tickets now. Children under 4 are free.
Consequently, it was our first time to Pratt-Pullman District and we loved how they turned this enormous 1904 historical site into a unique arts and entertainment venue. The yard out front is chockablock with food trucks and shipping containers filled with cocktail slingers and craft brewers peddling their wares.
There’s a VR station, which guides you on a ten-minute journey through “A day in the life of the Artist.” A couple of friends warned us it made them dizzy, so up to you if your equilibrium can handle it.
$35.40. per ticket, Candler Park, vangoghexpo.com/atlanta/
Recommended restaurant nearby: Ration + Dram
Lifelike scenes of Africa are laser projected onto the walls at Illuminarium. Spy on lions in the wild and feel as if you could reach out and pet them. In other words, stand in the middle of a herd of elephants and watch the hairs on their bodies glisten int the sun. The Illuminarium promises you’ll, “step off the Beltline and into Africa.” It’s the combination of 3D immersive audio, in-floor vibration and even scent that makes this wall projection experience even more realistic than any other I’ve experienced recently.
On top of that, there’s a Bar at Illuminarium that also wows with high-resolution image displays on the walls and seating. Certainly you have to make separate reservations to imbibe. The website recommends getting tickets for the 7pm show and the bar at 8pm. So, ideally, leave an hour between the two.
$35-$50 per ticket, Atlanta Beltline, illuminarium.com
Recommended restaurant nearby: Bazati Hall and Market
For a few of my favorite date night spots read “The Perfect Date Night in Atlanta” or “Can We Make Restaurant Hopping a Thing?”
