More than 200 acres (81 hectares) of trees, lawns and gardens are situated right in the heart of Atlanta, next to busy midtown and just northeast of downtown. Piedmont Park is where people from all over the city congregate to exercise and relax. Extensive walking paths, a lake with city views, a range of sports facilities and plenty of picnic areas have made it a favorite spot for decades.

Lake Clara Meer, in the center of the park, is lined with picturesque fishing piers and surrounded by walking paths. This is a great place to watch locals catch bream, bass and catfish. You’ll need a State of Georgia fishing license to have a go yourself, and rods and tackle are available from fishing stores in town.

Take a leisurely walk or jog the wide paths that wind through the park, including a circuit around the lake that’s just under a mile (1.6 kilometers) long. A loop of the whole park is 1.68 miles (2.7 kilometers). A main promenade through the center runs alongside fountains and meadows.

Piedmont Park includes tennis courts, soccer fields and volleyball courts that you can use on Fridays without a permit. There are a number of stores in midtown that rent all kinds of sporting equipment.

The park hosts a wide variety of events. There’s a Green Market on Saturday mornings March - December, where you can pick up fresh local produce from farmers and bakers. Come in April for the annual Dogwood Festival of Art. The 75-year-old festival runs over three days in spring, and includes art markets and live entertainment. The Atlanta Jazz Festival is held here each year over Memorial Day weekend.

There are picnic areas, grilling facilities, playgrounds and free public wireless internet access throughout the park. The grounds are open from 6 a.m until 11 p.m., however some facilities close earlier.

Street parking in the area is limited, and the paid parking lot fills up quickly on weekends. The closest MARTA station is Midtown, a short walk from the park.