Pirch: The innovative home store showcases leading kitchen, bathroom and outdoor brands within a one-of-a-kind test environment. Nearly every display at Pirch is live — faucets turn on and water flows, hearths flicker, timers beep — allowing shoppers to "test drive" items before they buy. Test 30 shower heads or book a private steam shower or sauna. In the kitchen areas, chefs demonstrate the various appliances, and you can have a one-on-one appointment with a chef to learn the tricks of working with different appliances. Here's the best part: Free cooking classes are offered every weekend, but they fill up quickly so sign up early at Pirch.com. Pirch, Lenox Marketplace, 3535 Peachtree Road No. 230, Atlanta.

Wine Trail Weekend: Dahlonega, just north of Atlanta, is home to Georgia's wine country. Each year, vineyards host the annual Wine Trail Weekend: For $35, get entry to festivities and music at Dahlonega's vineyards. The event is 12:30-5 p.m. Aug. 20 and 21 and includes tastings at six wineries and a souvenir glass (tastings can run $5-$10 each and more). Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Visitors Center, 13 S. Park St., Dahlonega; 706-864-3711 or www.Dahlonega.org.

Garmin: If you spend more time charging your fitness tracker than tracking, consider Garmin's Vivofit. It can pair with a heart rate monitor and has more than a year of battery life versus a standard watch battery. This smart fitness band learns your activity level and assigns goals, displays steps, calories, distance, activity reminders and monitors sleep. Originally $170, it's marked down to $57 and with code SUMMER you save $10. Find it at bit.ly/2aDe4KD.

Nest: The new, big-screen Nest Learning Thermostat 3.0 is a hot item and even better marked down to $199. This is the lowest discount to date and almost $50 off its standard price. Many stores are offering them on ebay.com at the discounted price. If you find them sold out, keep checking back or ask to be notified when they restock.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Foo Fighters closed out Shaky Knees 2024 at Central Park with extended versions of their biggest hits. The indie rock festival has moved to Piedmont Park for this weekend's event. (Ryan Fleisher for the AJC)

Credit: Ryan Fleisher

Featured

In this file photo from October 2024, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler and teammates react after losing to the San Diego Padres 5-4 in San Diego. The Braves and Soler, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels, face a lawsuit by a fan injured at a 2021 World Series game at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com