Content Produced in Partnership with Visit Sandy Springs
Most city dwellers turn their nose up at the thought of heading to the suburbs, but it’s a different story in metro Atlanta. Located just 20 minutes from the unofficial “capital of the South” is an oasis of more than 900 acres of green space called Sandy Springs, Georgia. Framed in part by the Chattahoochee River and oozing Southern charm everywhere in between, the web of greenery and waterways makes Sandy Springs the prime place where Atlantans go to play.Leave the pavement behind
Much of the parkland in Sandy Springs is maintained by the National Park Service, giving visitors exclusive access to some of the prettiest terrain in the Southeast. Called a "hidden treasure", the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and its network of trails are popular with both kayakers and hikers. While adults will enjoy exploring and the super affordable fee (day passes are just $3), those with shorter legs may prefer playing at one of the 16 city parks, like the Abernathy Greenway Playable Art Park. The maze of colorful mosaics and montage of dizzying jungle gyms earned it a top seat as one of the best parks in the Atlanta area.Make some waves
Sandy Springs is located “way down yonder on the Chattahoochee” with nearly 22 miles of shoreline primed for canoeing, kayaking, and tubing. If you don’t have time to commit to a full day adventure down the river country singer Alan Jackson once famously sang about, try a mid-morning SUP yoga session in one of the city’s prettiest parks, Morgan Falls Overlook. While the 90-minute SUP classes are close enough for metro Atlantans to make the drive, the water ensures the city feel miles away. The only thing you’ll be focused on is the lapping of the waves and the occasional heron crying in the distance.Unwind and cast a line
Many locals and visitors would gladly trade the concrete jungle for some time on the water pursuing a favorite pastime in Sandy Springs: fishing. It’s easy to see why. Three of the fifteen Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area units are within the city limits, offering eager fishermen favorable odds of catching that prize trout. Newcomers are encouraged to sign up for a fly-fishing adventure with River Through Atlanta to learn the ins and outs of casting and tackle. All that's required is a good attitude and a willingness to try something new.