Sometimes you don’t have to leave Atlanta to have an adventure.
You just need a Sunday, a family member who’s ready to explore, comfortable shoes, and a willingness to see where the day takes you.
This past Sunday, I got the chance to spend the day with my cousin, and as always, the vibes were good! We explored Atlanta history, grabbed some good food, went to an Atlanta United soccer game, walked A LOT, laughed, and created another memory together.
It turned into one of those full days where you get home exhausted but think, “Yep, that was worth it.”
🏛️ Starting Our Sunday at the Atlanta History Center
Our first stop was the Atlanta History Center, which is celebrating 100 years of telling Atlanta stories.
The organization was founded in 1926 as the Atlanta Historical Society with the goal of preserving, studying, and sharing Atlanta’s history. Over the decades, it grew from a small historical society into the 33-acre Atlanta History Center we know today, with museums, historic homes, gardens, exhibitions, and more.
And honestly, that history is one of the reasons I enjoy coming here.
I’ve visited the Atlanta History Center a few times, but somehow I always seem to see something different each time I go.
That’s one of the best things about exploring your own city. You can return to the same place and have a completely different experience.
This was my cousin’s first visit, but she arrived a little late, so we had to do a little history-center speed walking! 😂
And let me tell you…
It was HOT!
But even with the heat, I was glad we came.
There is SO much to see. Between the exhibits, historic buildings, gardens, and stories about Atlanta, you could easily spend several hours here.
🦢 The Beautiful Swan House
One of my favorite parts of the visit was seeing the Swan House.
The Swan House was designed by architect Philip Trammell Shutze for Edward and Emily Inman and was completed in 1928. It is considered one of Atlanta’s most significant examples of early 20th-century residential architecture and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The house itself is gorgeous, but what makes it even more interesting is the story behind the people who lived there and the era in which it was built.
The Inmans were part of Atlanta’s wealthy business community, and the home reflected the elegance and wealth of Atlanta during the 1920s. But the history also gives us an opportunity to look beyond the beautiful architecture and understand the social realities of the time, including segregation and the lives of the African American workers who worked in homes like Swan House.
And while we were there, a wedding was getting ready to happen!
I thought that was pretty special.
Here we were standing inside a historic Atlanta landmark, surrounded by a story that began almost 100 years ago, while someone else was getting ready to begin a brand-new chapter of their own.
History happening alongside new memories.
I loved that.
🍗 Time to Eat: Weezy’s ATL
After all that walking and learning, it was definitely time for food!
Our next stop was Weey’s ATL.
Now, before we even got inside, I had one question:
$20 to park?!
Atlanta, we have GOT to talk about this parking situation. 😂
But once we got inside, things got better.
The patio was nice, the atmosphere was good, and the customer service was good too.
I ordered wings, and I enjoyed them. My cousin ordered oxtails, and of course, I had to try hers.
And yes…
The oxtails were good too!
So I can officially check another Atlanta restaurant off my list.
Would I have preferred not to pay $20 for parking?
Absolutely!
But outside of that, we had a good experience, and I’d definitely say it was another new Atlanta spot checked off the list.
⚽ From Atlanta History to Atlanta United
After food, we headed downtown for our final stop of the day: an Atlanta United game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
And thankfully, Atlanta got the WIN!
Atlanta United was playing Kansas City, and this win made it three wins in a row for Atlanta United.
I have to admit something…
I’m getting more into soccer.
I’ve been wanting to attend more sports-related events around Atlanta, and going to Atlanta United games has definitely helped me appreciate the sport more.
The History of Atlanta United
Atlanta United may feel like a team that has been part of Atlanta forever, but the club is actually relatively young.
Major League Soccer awarded Atlanta an expansion franchise in 2014, with Arthur M. Blank as the club’s owner. In 2015, the club officially revealed the name Atlanta United FC, along with its colors and crest.
Atlanta United played its first MLS match in 2017, becoming Atlanta’s MLS team and bringing professional soccer to the city in a major way.
And then there are the fans.
THE FANS!
The energy at an Atlanta United game is something you have to experience for yourself.
The chants.
The music.
The scarves.
The Five Stripes.
The ATL Crown. 👑
People come ready to represent Atlanta, and I absolutely love seeing it.
The Mercedes-Benz Stadium gives the whole experience another level of energy. It opened in downtown Atlanta as a home for both Atlanta United and the Atlanta Falcons, and its retractable roof and massive video board make it one of the city’s most recognizable sports venues.
But honestly, for me, it’s the people and the atmosphere that make going to these games so much fun.
❤️ Family, History & Creating More Memories
By the time I made it home, I was DONE.
We had walked so much.
We had been out most of the day.
I even came home with a headache.
But you know what?
It was worth it.
I took a good shower, ate some food, went to sleep, and slept that headache right off.
And just like that, I was ready for a new week.
That’s what I love about days like this.
It wasn’t some huge vacation.
It wasn’t a trip across the country.
It was simply a Sunday in Atlanta with my cousin.
But we managed to turn one ordinary Sunday into a day filled with history, food, soccer, laughter, and memories.
We learned something.
We tried somewhere new.
We cheered for Atlanta.
And most importantly, we spent time together.
📍 My Atlanta Sunday Recap
History: Atlanta History Center ✔️
Historic Landmark: Swan House ✔️
New Restaurant: Weezy’s ATL ✔️
Food: Wings & Oxtails ✔️
Sports: Atlanta United ✔️
ATL Energy: Definitely ✔️
Family Time: Always ✔️
New Memories: Absolutely ✔️
Explore Your Own City
One thing I’m learning through my Cece in the City adventures is that you don’t always need to travel far to feel like you’re somewhere new.
Atlanta has SO many stories.
Some are hundreds of years old.
Some are still being written.
And some are being created by people like me and my cousin simply deciding to get out, explore, and enjoy the city.
From the Atlanta History Center celebrating a century of preserving Atlanta stories to Atlanta United building its own relatively new chapter in the city’s sports history, Atlanta is a city where the past and present are constantly meeting.
And I love being able to experience both.
So if you’ve been saying, “I need to get out more,” maybe this is your sign.
Visit a museum.
Explore a historic house.
Try a new restaurant.
Go to a game.
Invite your family.
Put on some comfortable shoes.
And create your own Atlanta story.
Because sometimes the best adventures are right outside your door.
Until the next Cece in the City adventure… keep exploring, keep experiencing, and keep creating memories. 💚
