A view of Cobb’s John A. Williams Theatre before a performance of “Siegfried.”

WHENEVER I VISIT ATLANTA, I FEEL I NEED TO BREAK THE CITY OFF IN CHUNKS. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2024 this sprawling city passed Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia to become the country’s sixth-largest metropolitan region. It encompasses 29 counties and luckily has very good rideshare availability, because I always feel like I need therapy every time I try to drive there.

But Atlanta has so many good things, it’s hard to stay away, no matter what I think of the traffic. The impetus of this trip was to visit the Atlanta Opera, which was three-fourths of the way through its “Der Ring des Nibelungen,” a cycle of four German-language epic operas composed by Richard Wagner. A good Ring Cycle is a tempting potion for an opera aficionado. I’m fairly new to opera, but my husband is a lifelong fan. We had stumbled upon the show while looking through upcoming performing arts stagings in the Southeast. The performance of “Siegfried,” the third opera of the cycle, looked promising—a great cast and conductor, a beautiful performance hall and a chance to revisit Atlanta.

“Siegfried” was indeed spectacular, so much so that we ended up buying a subscription to the opera’s 2025-26 season. An added treat was the pre-show talk by opera star and former “Siegfried” performer Jay Hunter Morris, who introduced the audience to opera terms, focusing on recurring motifs you’ll find in each show. Morris was an expert at interacting with audiences and delighted the crowd many times over.

The experience also afforded the opportunity to explore the concert hall before the show and take photos from various vantage points.

It all takes place inside the gorgeous Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, also home to concerts, comedians, family-friendly shows and the Atlanta Ballet. The 2,750-seat theater was built in 2007 in the style of traditional European theaters, but with state-of-the-art technology and architectural features, such as sound acoustical joints that deter vibrations, allowing for a superior sound experience. Adding upon this, the sound system was upgraded in 2024 for enhanced audio capabilities.

The performing arts center is a hop, skip and a jump from Truist Park, the home of the Atlanta Braves, and a short Uber ride from our host hotel, the Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead, who welcomed us with open arms and a generous dining allowance.

The Atlanta skyline from Buckhead. ©Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau

The Grand Hyatt is one of the most exquisite properties I’ve ever stayed in. You know you’ve come across something special when you approach its gates in the heart of Buckhead. Once inside, the centerpiece bar, The Fabled, beckons—not only is it a beautiful spot for a classic cocktail or a glass of wine, but you can also dine on large and small bites with ingredients sourced locally. With a garden and waterfall in the background, you’ll feel awash in a sense of serenity.

The Grand Hyatt’s refined luxury carries on throughout the resort, and, most importantly, into its well-designed suites. Ease of movement is top of mind here, and there are many places for lounging, charging your electronics and unwinding no matter the time of day. With extra touches such as Nespresso coffee makers, robes and slippers, you’ll be hard-pressed to leave your room.

Right across the street from the Grand Hyatt (although I don’t suggest you walk there) is Lenox Square mall. Good thing the hotel runs a complimentary shuttle that’ll take you within a two-mile radius. Daily service runs on a first-come, first-serve basis, so be sure to reserve as soon as you know your plans.

Entrance to the Atlanta History Center. ©Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau

Another place the shuttle can take you to is the Atlanta History Center, about a mile away on Paces Ferry Road. You could spend hours at the 33-acre facility, which encompasses historic houses, gardens and the Goizueta Children’s Experience, but be sure not to miss the cyclorama, a 138-year-old hand-painted artwork that is 49 feet tall, longer than a football field and weighs 10,000 pounds.

The cyclorama is one of only two in the United States. The other, the Battle of Gettysburg cyclorama, is on display in Gettysburg, Penn.

Visitors to the history center shouldn’t take the cyclorama’s depiction of the Civil War’s Battle of Atlanta at face value. When it debuted in Minneapolis in 1886, it depicted a Northern victory, to appeal to Northern audiences. But when it was relocated to Atlanta in 1892, it was modified as “the only Confederate victory ever painted” to appeal to its new Southern audiences. Plus, cycloramas served as the IMAX movies of their time and were never intended to be viewed as serious artwork. The chance to get a look into the mindset of the time is fascinating; be sure to attend a presentation by the museum’s curators. 

Atlanta is full of delicious dining options. Find a wealth of choices at Ponce City Market. ©Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau; ©Explore Gwinnett

Before you leave Atlanta, a stop at Ponce City Market is a must. A former regional headquarters for Sears, Roebuck and Co., the 2.1-million-square-foot building is now a mixed-use food hall, shopping center and residential complex. Great dining abounds here, and our first stop was the W.H. Stiles Fish Camp, a casual but beautiful dining room with goodies from James Beard Award-winning chef Anne Quatrano. We didn’t know about the Beard Award when we went, we just stopped in for some succulent fish and oyster selections.

Also, if you can get in when the line’s not too long, snack on Indian street food at Botiwalla by Chai Pani. Then, take some sushi to go at Miso Ko.

Atlanta’s Korean Dining Scene

Korean cuisine is at its best at Jang Su Jang

Atlanta’s diverse dining scene truly offers something for all palates—just head to Buford Highway to find authentic, mom-and-pop restaurants that represent the world’s flavors, everything from delightful dim sum at Canton House to succulent Salvadorean at Rincon Latino.

One of the cuisines with the greatest number of offerings in Atlanta is Korean. Atlanta’s Gwinnett County boasts the largest Korean population in the South and has been organizing its “Seoul of the South” food tours for 10 years. Although the tours consistently sell out, you can take advantage of my experience for a look into two of the tour’s
restaurants.

Jang Su Jang: Jang Su Jang was the first stop on our tour, one chosen by tour leader Sarah Park—who is Korean herself—for its consistency of service. “It’s where I would take my friends or kids,” says Park. Park also likes Jang Su Jang for authentic cooking and the traditional way of eating Korean food. “You order family style, and don’t eat the food alone,” she says.

Although Jang Su Jang is known for its vegetarian and vegan choices, one of its standout dishes is bossam, thin slices of pork belly wrapped in cabbage with kimchi and other seasonings.

Honey Pig: Another restaurant on the tour was Honey Pig, where Korean BBQ is cooked on grills right at your table. This feast is made for carnivores, with different cuts of beef, pork and chicken. It’s thrilling to watch the meats prepared before you, as kitchen-grade scissors are used to cut up the raw meats; as they sizzle, it really whets your appetite.

If you can’t book a tour, don’t worry—Explore Gwinnett, who operates the tours, has a new Seoul of the South pass so you can join in on all the fun via a self-guided tour. For more information, visit exploregwinnett.org/food-drink/seoul-of-the-south-pass. Eat plenty and eat often—you’ll want to explore these restaurants again and again!