Chastain Park
One of Atlanta’s Favorite Year-round Spots
Situated in trendy, upscale Buckhead is Atlanta’s largest city park, Chastain Park. The park beckons visitors and locals alike with an array of excellent attractions on its 268 acres. Enjoy a swimming pool, tennis courts, gymnasium, walking trails, playgrounds, softball diamonds, a golf course and even a horse park. Chastain is also home to the Chastain Arts Center and Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park, known for its concerts under the stars.
There’s so much ground to cover at this popular park that its security team actually patrols on horseback. Whether you’re up for a heart-pumping run along its leafy trails, a hands-on class at its arts center or getting in the saddle at its beautiful horse center, Chastain is one of Atlanta’s favorite year-round spots.
Reasons to Visit Chastain Park
- Live music under the stars: The Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park is the centerpiece of the park’s attractions. Since opening in 1944, the outdoor stage has played host to a who’s who of legendary artists including Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, Paul Simon and Bob Dylan. It also attracts a stellar rotation of newer stars.
- Sports and athletics: The Chastain Park Athletic Club opens its pool during the summer and is free to the public on weekday mornings. Nearby, the Chastain Park Tennis Center offers lessons and league play for adults and kids, while the Northside Youth Center maintains a gym and playing fields and hosts youth football, cheerleading, fast-pitch softball, baseball and basketball.
- Golf course and horse park: Golfers love Chastain Park’s public 18-hole course, where the hilly terrain provides stellar views of the Buckhead skyline. Equestrians of any skill level can take lessons at the Chastain Horse Park, which maintains a therapeutic riding program for people with disabilities and, in the summer, hosts the Horse Lovers camp for kids.
- A hub for the arts: Outdoor activity isn’t the only draw at Chastain Park. The Chastain Arts Center and Gallery is the oldest of Atlanta’s educational arts facilities and has been offering workshops and arts education for more than 50 years. Classes include mixed media book making, illustration and comics, picture framing, figure drawing, ceramics, collage art and printmaking. There are even yoga classes that cater specifically to artists.
Additionally, the park hosts the annual Chastain Park Arts Festival where visitors enjoy fine art and crafts, a children’s area and gourmet food trucks along with local acoustic musicians.
- Walking and hiking trails: Chastain Park is a good destination for active types who want to walk or run along a paved path. Several trails — two 5Ks and a 3K — are managed by the PATH Foundation. The yellow-marked trail makes a three-mile trip, and the red and blue trails clock in around five miles. Each route takes you past the golf course, over Nancy Creek by bridge and around a fish-filled pond where you’re likely to spot wild ducks and geese.
- Children’s playground: Kids will have a blast at the Chastain Park Playground, where giant “oodle” swings allow two children to swing together. They can also race downhill on bumpy slides, scramble up a climbing wall and go exploring in a tree house. There’s even a music area where kids can play drums and chimes.
Insider Tips
- Chastain Park offers multiple parking lots at the north end of the park and a small parking lot next to the playground. Additional street parking can be found along Chastain Park Avenue and Chastain Memorial Parkway.
- Bathrooms and water fountains can be found at main structures and at the playground.
- You won’t have to go far if you get hungry as Buckhead is brimming with dining options. Take your pick from Southern fare, Korean barbecue, eateries near Buckhead Village District and the cluster of great dining establishments around Lenox Square, just a 10-minute drive from the park.
- Buckhead is also booming with topnotch accommodations.
Know Before You Go
Where is Chastain Park Located?
140 Chastain Park Ave. NW
Atlanta, Ga. 30342
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