Turning Atlanta into a River City
Did you know Atlanta has a beautiful river running straight through the city? Buried behind industrial sites, sewer lines, train stations and golf courses, the Chattahoochee River is a stunning piece of nature that provides Atlanta with an incredible opportunity to become a river city, like Greenville, South Carolina; Rome, Georgia or Chattanooga, Tennessee!
The Chattahoochee River stretches across 430 miles and runs through popular metro Atlanta cities, including Sandy Springs, Johns Creek, Roswell and Peachtree Corners. Not only does the river offer the city natural scenery, but it also supplies approximately 70% of metro Atlanta’s drinking water. Perfect for morning nature walks, rafting with friends or a weekend of fishing, the Chattahoochee River is one of Atlanta’s best-kept secrets.
Encouraging Atlanta to embrace the river, Trust for Public Land, a nonprofit organization, recently began a project aimed towards providing people with access to trails along the river and the river itself. The Chattahoochee River project has proposed 125 miles of continuous trail showcasing 25 new or improved river crossings, 42 trailheads, connected parks and greenspaces and much more!
Much like the creation of the Atlanta BeltLine has spurred commercial and residential development, providing Atlantans with additional access to the Chattahoochee River has the potential to spur many fun hotpots in Atlanta. From riverside dining and outdoor shopping to expansive parks and spacious greenspaces, utilizing the river as a focal point for future developments can transform Atlanta into a destination river city.
Several fun destinations have already opened along the river. These include:
Tucked away behind an apartment community is arguably the best view of the river in Atlanta. It can be accessed by visiting Chattahoochee Coffee Company at Walton on the Chattahoochee. This best-kept secret, even to natives, is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Located in Vinings, Canoe is a well-valued restaurant and event venue situated along the peaceful banks of the Chattahoochee River. Providing visitors with a harmonious balance of natural aesthetics and culinary excellence, Canoe offers brunch, lunch, dinner and dessert menus that deliver delicious dishes all day long. A few of the yummy menu items include Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict, Crispy Chimichurri Chicken Tacos, Roasted Duroc Pork Chop and Peach Pie Sorbet. Canoe also offers a drink menu that features an assortment of beer, wine and cocktails.
Rays on the River is located just off the beautiful waters of the Chattahoochee River and is an exceptional place to grab incredible meals, host a private dinner or enjoy the restaurant’s special events. Offering Sunday brunch, lunch, dinner and desserts, Rays on the River provides its customers with top-rated cuisines, including Challah French Toast, Ray’s Brisket Burger, Bone-In Cowboy Ribeye and Lemon Butter Cake.
The perfect spot for any occasion, Chattahoochee Grill is situated in Gainesville near the Chattahoochee River. Delivering brunch, lunch and dinner, Chattahoochee Grill offers a variety of dishes that are sure to satisfy everyone’s taste buds, including Chicken & Waffles, Pimento Cheese Burger and The Philly Mickelson.
If you are looking to create a destination for people to gather, terra alma is here to help. From train towns to river cities, we can help you find the right commercial real estate for your restaurant, retail shop or emerging brand. For additional information on our services and updates on metro Atlanta developments, sign up to join our email list!