Ever wonder where people go to get those great skyline pictures of Atlanta that you see on Instagram?
These are nine of Atlanta's most popular places to photograph the city lights:
Jackson Street Bridge – Sitting pretty in Atlanta's Historic Old Fourth Ward, the iconic bridge rests above Freedom Parkway providing one of the most widely known positions from which to photograph the city. From sunrise to sunset and even after dark, you really can't go wrong with a picture from this beloved location. Map.
Lake Clara Meer – For an iconic picture of the Midtown skyline, head to the southeast side of Lake Clara Meer at Piedmont Park near Charles Allen Drive any time of day, throughout the year.
Atlanta's Restaurants – Polaris, Nikolai's Roof, The Sun Dial, and Park Tavern all offer views of the city not to be missed. Polaris and The Sun Dial rotate, giving photographers and diners a number of different photography options. If you head to The Sun Dial, be sure to have your camera ready during the 85-second ride up 723 feet in a glass elevator. If you're looking for more places to take in Atlanta's skyline, check out these six picks for restaurants with a view.
Oakland Cemetery/Six Feet Under – See Atlanta from a different angle, complete with the capitol's gold dome shining bright in the sun when you photograph the city from Oakland Cemetery or the rooftop of their neighbor, Six Feet Under's Grant Park location.
Grady Statue on Marietta Street – A celebrated Georgian in his day, Henry W. Grady has two counties named after him (in Georgia and Oklahoma), schools in several states, a hospital, and the mass communications school at the University of Georgia. In 1891 the City of Atlanta erected a statue of him downtown at the intersection of Marietta Street and Forsyth Street. Views of downtown Atlanta from the statue feature the original footprint of the city.
The Gulch Parking Deck – If you want Philips Arena all in one photo, there's no better place than the parking deck just a hundred yards from the corner of Marietta Street and Centennial Olympic Park Dr. Head to the top of the deck when it's empty to get the best picture. Stretch your photography prowess by (very carefully) taking to the roof of your vehicle to try a different angle.
Atlanta Botanical Garden – Arrive to see one of the garden's many evening events at dusk when you'll be able to take stunning photographs of Midtown buildings coming to life at night, surrounded by the sunset from the Rose Garden, Great Lawn and steps to the Aquatic Plant Pond.
Ventanas – When you're looking for an outdoor event space in Atlanta, no venue screams "you're in Atlanta" like Ventanas. From indoors, you'll see the city through floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the downtown area. Step out onto their Park Pavilion building 14th and 15th story rooftop and you'll see all the major downtown attractions just waiting to be photographed.
SkyView Atlanta -- Whether you choose to see Atlanta's skyline from the top of the Ferris wheel in summer, autumn, winter or spring, the view is always different and worth photographing.
Need more? Here are other places around town to get the best views of the city.
