The Atlanta Beltline's Eastside Trail is an overwhelming success thanks to destinations like Ponce City Market, Piedmont Park and Krog Street Market.
ATLiens and those visiting run as fast as they can to secure a spot on the overcrowded Eastside Trail. But if you find the Beltline's Eastside Trail unbearable on a charming Saturday or Sunday, check out the Westside Trail. The 3-mile, versatile Westside Trail connects historic southwest Atlanta neighborhoods, has a significant amount of hills and curves (for great exercise), and best of all, is considerably less crowded. With 16 points of entry, 14 of which will be ADA-accessible with ramp and stair systems, the trail provides numerous access points for people of all abilities. The Westside Trail has art, events and development plans along the way.
If you haven't experienced the Westside Trail yet, here are five reasons why you should explore it:
1. Adrienne McNeil Herndon Mural
132 White Street, Atlanta.
The Beltline has beautiful art all throughout its trails, including this new special mural by visual artist Charmaine Minniefield in conjunction with Atlanta BeltLine, Inc., DoSomething.org, Hands On Atlanta and Spelman College. The sprawling painting includes Adrienne McNeil Herndon (the first woman of color faculty hired by Atlanta University), celebrating women in leadership, the arts, education and entrepreneurship.
Credit: Courtesy of Lean Draft House's Facebook page
Credit: Courtesy of Lean Draft House's Facebook page
600 Hopkins St. SW, Atlanta. 404-254-0987.
Tacos, local beer and motorcycles in West End, oh my! Lean Draft House, located on Hopkins Street across from Gordon White Park, includes an expansive outdoor patio and bocce ball court. The pub's decor centers around cool, sexy vintage motorcycles and apparel. Drop by this unique spot after a bike ride on the Beltline, or hit this spot up in the evening after work. Lean Draft House makes for a great addition to the neighborhood.
»RELATED: Get details about the kombucha bar set to open on the Westside Beltline
1354 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd., Atlanta.
Credit: Courtesy of www.beltline.org
Credit: Courtesy of www.beltline.org
With its grand opening in 2008, Gordon White Park became the Atlanta Beltline's first official park. It used to be just an empty, grassy lot. The park sits in a sliver of land in the West End, at the corner of Ralph David Abernathy, Langhorn and White Street. Explore the winding pathways on foot or on a bike (you can rent one from the Relay Bike Share located at the park). There are landscaped garden beds, walls and benches available for relaxing and taking in the sunshine. Gordon White Park is an oasis of green space in an urban environment.
933 Lee St. SW, Atlanta. 404-352-7703.
www.mondaynightbrewing.com/locations/garage/
Monday Night Brewing opened this second location, Monday Night Garage, in Atlanta's West End last year in September. The Garage is within walking distance of the West End MARTA station and is located along the Westside Trail. Its open, spacious and industrial vibes are complete with cement flooring and high ceilings. The Garage also has an open wall that leads to the balcony (overlooking the Beltline), which you'll find full of people on any given day with beautiful weather. And for chilly nights, they have seating outside with firepits. Come on and crack open a Monday night staple at Monday Night Garage.
Lee + White is a new project coming to the Westside Trail portion of the Beltline.
Originally a part of "Warehouse Row," Lee + White sits between the Beltline's Westside Trail and Rose Circle Park, across the street from Adair Park.
Before the site became the Lee + White redevelopment, the buildings and loading docks historically served the one-time railroad that is today the Beltline. As project developers continue to redesign the 426,000 square feet of industrial space, the revamped property is hoping to attract breweries and brewpubs to create a 'beer destination' with space for a 2-acre Biergarten.
