Piedmont Park
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Piedmont Park is a vast urban oasis located in the heart of Midtown Atlanta, offering extensive walking and biking trails, breathtaking city skyline views (especially at sunset and night), and abundant natural beauty with lush greenery and trees. It's a versatile outdoor destination for families seeking both a nature escape within the city and a vibrant hub for major festivals and concerts, providing ample space for kids to run, picnic, and explore.
Key Highlights
- ✓Extensive network of walking trails suitable for various ages, including families with strollers or bikes.
- ✓Breathtaking views of the Atlanta skyline, particularly beautiful reflecting on the lake at sunset and night.
- ✓Lush greenery, vibrant flower gardens, and abundant trees, creating a beautiful and refreshing natural environment.
- ✓Large, wide-open spaces ideal for picnics, casual strolls, and children to run and play freely.
- ✓Provides a peaceful atmosphere, offering a significant escape from the city bustle while remaining centrally located.
- ✓Hosts major events, festivals (like the Atlanta Dogwood festival), and concerts, which integrate well into the park's layout and offer additional family entertainment.
- ✓Beautiful scenery, especially vibrant in Spring.
Standout Features
- ⭐Extensive network of walking and biking trails for active families.
- ⭐Picturesque lake providing stunning views, especially with skyline reflections.
- ⭐Vast open spaces for free play, picnics, and family gatherings.
- ⭐Abundant trees and flower gardens for a beautiful and stimulating natural environment.
- ⭐Regular hosting of large-scale events and festivals, offering diverse entertainment options.
- ⭐Proximity to the Atlanta Botanical Garden, suggesting potential for combined family outings.
- ⭐Plenty of benches available for resting during long walks or while supervising children.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Consider visiting in Spring to experience the park's most beautiful scenery and vibrant flowers.
- →Plan your parking strategy in advance or consider using rideshare/public transport, especially during major events, due to potentially difficult parking.
- →Bring a camera for stunning photographs of the skyline, lake, and natural landscapes.
- →Check the park's event schedule for festivals or concerts, as these can enhance your visit but might also affect crowd levels and parking.
- →Pack a picnic and a blanket to fully utilize the wide-open spaces for a family meal amidst beautiful views.
- →Visit at sunset or after dark for a breathtaking experience of the Atlanta skyline reflecting on the lake.
- →Bring strollers for toddlers or younger children who might get tired on the longer walking trails.
Things to Consider
- ⚠Parking can be difficult to find and is described as 'hit or miss'.
- ⚠No dedicated parking garage, which a reviewer wished for.
Price & Value
Entrance to Piedmont Park appears to be free, offering excellent value for a large urban park with extensive amenities, natural beauty, and event hosting capabilities. The primary costs would be for parking (if applicable) or tickets to specific events held within the park.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •Reviews mention 'walking trails' and 'strolling', suggesting many paths are likely accessible for strollers and wheelchairs, particularly in the wide-open spaces. However, no specific accessible features (e.g., accessible restrooms, playgrounds) were explicitly mentioned in these reviews.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •Reviews explicitly mention 'wide-open spaces ideal for picnics', strongly indicating that outside food and drinks are allowed and encouraged for families visiting the park.
🚗Parking Info
- •Parking can be 'hit or miss' and difficult to find, especially during popular times or major events.
- •There is no dedicated parking garage, which was noted as a desired amenity by a reviewer.
- •Parents should plan for street parking (which may be limited) or off-site paid lots.
👥Crowd Levels
- •The park can be busy and 'buzzing with crowds' during major events like the Atlanta Dogwood Festival or near the Atlanta Botanical Garden during special light shows, indicating high popularity at these times. General crowd levels on regular days are not specified but are implied to be an active urban park.
🛡️Safety Features
- •No specific safety features (e.g., staff monitoring, emergency services, gates, security cameras) were explicitly mentioned in these reviews regarding the general park environment.
⏰When to Avoid
- • If you require guaranteed, easy, on-site parking, particularly during weekends or major events.
- • If you're seeking specific playground equipment or dedicated children's activity centers, as these were not highlighted in the reviews (focus is on natural recreation).
Pricing/Package/Events
Events & Schedule
Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)
Pure Heat Community Festival
August 31
Free entry (vendor costs apply)
Annual LGBTQ community festival that takes place during Atlanta Black Pride weekend. Event location: Piedmont Park.
Community Art Night
September 9 (2025 indicated, but current calendar implies current year)
Free program
Monthly creative hours open to all to build community and create. Participants bring their own mediums/materials; space, music, and good vibes provided. Location: Community Center, 1071 Piedmont Ave NE.
Paint + Sip: Dragonfly Workshop
September 10
Cost implied, not specified (benefits Piedmont Park)
A painting workshop using the Park as inspiration to paint a dragonfly. Includes instruction and all materials.
ZERO Prostate Cancer Run/Walk Atlanta
September 13
Registration fee implied, not specified
A national prostate cancer event focused on fundraising, sharing hope, and inspiring action to save lives. Location: Piedmont Park Conservancy (Promenade) 1322 Monroe Drive NE.
Crochet Workshop 101 – Basics
September 23
Cost implied, not specified
A 2-hour program where participants learn key crochet concepts, chain stitches, and single crochet stitches. Instruction and materials are provided.
Emergency Preparedness Workshop
September 24
Cost implied, not specified
Learn basic steps for emergency preparedness at home and in the community.
Space Rocks! Free STEM Event
September 26
Free
See meteorite fragments from Georgia, Mars, and the Moon. Reproduce impact craters and learn about analyzing elements in space rocks. Collaboration with Tellus Science Museum, Georgia State University, and the Meteorite Association of Georgia.
AIDS Walk Atlanta & Music Festival
September 27
Registration fee implied, not specified
Raises funds to benefit over 25,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in metro Atlanta and helps prevent new HIV infections. Location: Piedmont Park, 10th Street/Monroe Drive route.
GREEN GEORGIA at Piedmont Park
September 28
Free
A day of service and fun, blending a public community service project with free fishing instruction. Partnership with Outdoor Minority Alliance and the Department of Natural Resources. Location: Piedmont Park 1320 Monroe Drive Atlanta, GA 30168.
Painting Flowers: Guided Workshop
September 30
Cost implied, not specified
A beginner workshop to learn painting flowers from a fresh perspective, starting with upside-down drawing. All materials provided.
Cider Making Workshop
October 1
Cost implied, not specified
A hands-on workshop using locally procured apples and a homestead-scale press to make apple cider. Participants leave with a pint of fresh cider. Location: Community Center.
Painted Animal Portraits: Paper + Penny Workshop
October 2
Cost implied, not specified
Paint portraits of beloved furry friends. Local artist Heather Baker (@paperandpenny) prepares an 8x10 canvas with a pet sketch (photo submission required by June 10th). Instruction and materials included.
Cemeterium: Halloween Terrarium Workshop
October 3
Base cost implied, additional fee for medium or large terrarium upgrade (neither specified)
Create a living ‘Cemeterium’ (spooky-themed) terrarium with guidance from Travis Ronis (Overall Designs). All materials provided.
Splish Splash Doggie Bash
October 4 & 5
Cost implied, not specified
Annual event to celebrate with dogs, featuring selfies, fun, and puppy love.
🍎Food Policy
- • Green Market provides direct access to local farmers and small businesses selling food products.
🛡️Safety Policy
- • The Conservancy ensures event and festival best management practices to protect Piedmont Park and ensure a positive experience for all users.
- • Safety information is available via quick links, but no specific policies detailed in provided content.
📅Booking Policy
- • RSVP is required for some events (e.g., Community Art Night, GREEN GEORGIA).
- • Workshops likely require registration, but specific booking details are not provided.
- • For Painted Animal Portraits, a photo of the pet must be sent by June 10th.
🚗Parking Information
- • Parking Garage available as an entrance point. No details on cost or specific location within the park are provided.
What People Say
What's Great
- Spacious play areas (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Areas for Improvement
- Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 7 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Art by Delvon
a week agoThis is the best park in Atlanta. It's in the heart of Midtown and a great place to enjoy the great outdoors. It's a huge park with many walking trails. The scenery is beautiful, especially in Spring. This park is known for major events like festivals and concerts throughout the year. It's also a popular destination for photographers. If you're visiting and looking for a great outdoor area for exercise or biking, you'll love Piedmont Park.
Justin Halford
2 weeks agoGreat way to be in the city and not at the same time. I do wish there were a parking garage. We went during the Atlanta Dogwood festival, and enjoyed how it weaved all around the park.
Cookie Rose
2 weeks agoPiedmont Park is beautiful. I don’t visit as often as I used to over the years, but the last couple of times were really nice. The park has a lot of beautiful trees, which is a bonus since Atlanta is starting to see a decline in its tree canopy. I enjoy being out in nature, crossing paths with new people, and simply soaking in the vibes. Parking can be hit or miss, which is why I gave it a 4.
GSTonyTseng
a month agoStepping into this park at night for the first time, I was immediately surrounded by the fresh scent of grass and a peaceful atmosphere. The Atlanta skyline reflecting on the lake created a breathtaking view! 🌆✨ Nearby, the Atlanta Botanical Garden was buzzing with crowds for what seemed like a Christmas Eve light show. I didn’t have time to check it out, but the festive spirit was definitely in the air! 🎄✨
Kyryl Zhylin
4 months agoPiedmont Park is a true oasis in the heart of the city! It’s the perfect place to relax, unwind, and soak up some beautiful scenery. The park is filled with lush greenery, vibrant flower gardens, and wide-open spaces ideal for picnics or a casual stroll. The views of the city skyline from the park are absolutely breathtaking, especially at sunset. There are also serene walking trails, a picturesque lake, and plenty of benches to sit and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. Whether you’re jogging, cycling, or just taking it easy, this park has something for everyone.