Diversity Rules Magazine

Atlanta - Con't from page 9 the most upscale malls in the country and boasts retail bou ques including Fendi, Louis Vui on, and Prada. Don't forget to bring your credit card! The reason I chose to stay in Buckhead is because I wanted to check out the brand new Kimpton Sylvan Hotel. The mid-century modern property is a short ride, or 20-minute walk to the MARTA sta on and features a roo op bar, daily social hour with compli- mentary wine as well as a 24-hour fitness center with Peloton bikes for those looking to work off some cal- ories. Speaking of food, I would highly recommend the Charred Cauliflower + Cucumber from Willow Bar located just outside the hotel lobby. The Kimpton brand is known for being one of the most LGBTQ-inclusive hotel brands in the country so whenever I have the chance to stay at one of their proper es, I usually do. They are also a global part- ner of IGLTA. This September, Atlanta will host the IGLTA Global Conven on. The Interna onal LGBTQ+ Travel Asso- cia on will welcome guests from around the globe to midtown Atlanta for possibly the first in-person LGBTQ conven on since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Registra on is now open through the IG- LTA website. I've been to this conven on numerous mes and can't wait to see all my friends and col- leagues in the same room once again. Midtown Atlanta is the epicenter of LGBTQ culture and nightlife in Atlanta. There is no lack of bars and restaurants here. Some standouts include Joe's on Juniper, Blake's on the Park, and My Sister's Room, a two-story lesbian-owned dance bar which has be- come a favorite among Atlanta's LGBTQ community. The Midtown neighborhood is also known as the cul- tural hub of the city with over 25 different arts and cultural venues and more than 30 permanent per- forming arts groups residing in the area including the Grammy-winning Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and the world-renowned High Museum of Art. Not too far away is Zoo Atlanta, an AZA accredited fa- cility home to over 1,000 animals. Having a deep love for animals, I decided to take the elephant encounter, a one-hour experience that gives visitors a behind- the-scenes look at how zoo staff care for these ma- jes c animals. During the program, we learned about the elephant's behaviors and even had the opportu- nity to feed them. In this case, Tara was especially fond of the le uce that I was giving her. A er touring the zoo, head over to Guac y Margys, an LGBTQ-owned restaurant located along the Atlanta BeltLine's Eastside Trail. Everything I tried here was on point, from the house made guacamole to the slow roasted pork tacos. If you are in the mood to sample a variety of different cuisine, check out Ponce City Market, located in the historic Sears, Roebuck & Co. building. The indoor/outdoor market offers doz- ens of dining and retail op ons including my favorite, Bo walla Indian Street Food. Atlanta is truly a mul -cultural des na on that needs to be explored in its en rety. Venture away from the tourist-focused neighborhoods and meet the locals. You are sure to find surprises around every corner. To learn more, visit h ps://discoveratlanta.com/ 18 |Diversity Rules Magazine|May 2021

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