Everything you need to know about Atlanta's Piedmont Park

You’ve been there, you love it, but do you really know how to expertly navigate Piedmont Park?

» RELATED: Walk to these 7 restaurants from Piedmont Park

With its more than 180 acres of open space, walking trails, tennis courts and playgrounds, Atlanta’s most central park is a lot to take in.

Though it’s now known as a frequented park in the heart of Midtown, Piedmont has lived many lives −first as farmland then fairgrounds and now the go-to Atlanta park for outdoor happenings in every season.

For the Piedmont Park map, hours and directions, click here.

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So, with all the space, grandeur and things to do at Piedmont Park, it’s hard to narrow down the best way to spend your day at Piedmont.

You’re in luck. We’ve created a list of five best things to do while you're there:

Credit: Terrell Henderson, Piedmont Park Conservancy

Credit: Terrell Henderson, Piedmont Park Conservancy

• Take your dog along

You can legally let FiFi or Fido run free in a special off-leash area of Piedmont Dog Park. He or she will have almost three acres to play in, with separate enclosures for large and small dogs. Benches and boulders are available for owners who need a break.

Credit: undefined

Credit: undefined

• Visit the Green Market

The Green Market season starts in early March inside the 12th Street gate, offering fresh local food, handmade goodies, chef demonstrations, live music and more.

The market is held Saturdays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. through mid-December, and you can sign up here to find out more about the weekly vendors, chefs and music.

Credit: Akili-Casundria Ramsess

Credit: Akili-Casundria Ramsess

• Attend a festival

Piedmont Park is the site of many annual Atlanta festivals, which become plentiful in warm months. Food, music, crafts and more fill the park during festivals, which include the following:

Atlanta Dogwood Festival, April 13-15, 2018

Atlanta Jazz Festival, Memorial Day weekend (late May)

Atlanta Ice Cream Festival, July

Piedmont Park Arts Festival, Aug. 18-19, 2018

Festival Peachtree Latino, Aug. 27

Music Midtown, Sept. 15-16

Atlanta Pride Festival, Oct. 13

• Go for a run or walk

Credit: Jason Getz

Credit: Jason Getz

The park has plenty of places to run or walk, including the following popular trails:

If you love to run, you can also join in several organized runs at the park, including the AJC Peachtree Road Race, which ends at Piedmont Park, and the 5k Firefly Run.

» RELATED: Historic photos of Atlanta's Piedmont Park

• Enjoy a drink or a bite to eat

Grab a juice at Nectar by the park's pool, or try a special brew at Blue Donkey Coffee, located near the bocce courts. You can also head to Park Tavern at the park's southeast corner to enjoy sushi, a burger or drinks on the patio to get a great people-watching view of the park.

Other restaurants, such as Zocalo Mexican Kitchen & Cantina and Flying Biscuit Café, are within a short walking distance from Piedmont Park.

• How (and when) to get to Piedmont Park

The park, which runs along 10th Street and Piedmont Avenue, is open every day from 6 a.m.-11 p.m.

On MARTA: Use the Red or Gold rail line and get off at the Midtown station.

Walk east on 10th Street, and you'll reach the park in a few blocks.

By bus: The 36 N Decatur/VA Highland and 109 Boulevard/Monroe Dr/Boulevard routes travel along the park's south side. The 27 Cheshire Bridge route runs along the west side of the park.

By foot: Pedestrians and cyclists can access park entrances including Park Drive Bridge, 10th Street and Charles Allen, and Piedmont Avenue and 12th or 14th Street.

By car: Follow these directions and park in the SAGE Parking Facility, where parking is $2 an hour.