Tasty Trips: A Family Food Adventure from Macon to Midtown Atlanta
If there’s one thing my family knows, it’s great food. We’ve never been ones to shy away from trying something new — many of our greatest memories are made in the kitchen, around an oyster table, or enjoying a restaurant meal. That said, we’re pretty spoiled in Charleston, where the options are aplenty and we each have our tried and true favorites. But what about another town… in another state?
On our latest family adventure, we headed to Georgia with an itinerary built around two key objectives: finding delicious food everywhere we went and discovering family-friendly spots that spark adventure. From the soulful streets of Macon to the creative buzz of Trilith Studios in Fayetteville, and finishing strong in the energetic heart of Midtown Atlanta, we discovered just how rich — and tasty — this regional trip could be.
Macon: Music, Museums, and a Taste of the South
Our trip began in Macon, a place where the soundtrack of American soul and Southern rock still echoes through the streets. We checked into Hotel Forty Five—the first of three Tribute Portfolio Hotels we would be staying in along our journey—which is a beautifully restored boutique hotel that feels like a love letter to the city’s musical past. While officially named for being “uniquely positioned at a 45-degree angle, thanks to Cotton Avenue’s diagonal trajectory”, it’s not lost on us that the connection of the classic 45 rpm record is fitting, considering Macon is the birthplace of icons like Otis Redding and the Allman Brothers Band. You can almost feel the rhythm in the air.
After settling in, we headed downstairs to enjoy dinner at Loom Comfort Kitchen & Cocktails, a restaurant helmed by Chef Jayson Reynolds, which highlights “southern charm with soulful sophistication”. The Smoked Trout Dip and Swim Biscuits with country ham were insanely delicious ways to start our meal. And of course, their Peach Tart was a must while in Georgia, the peach state, right? With a light summer rain behind us, we headed to the rooftop of Hotel Forty Five just outside of their Hightales Bar to take in the town below and around us as the sun set.
The next day, we made our way first to the Museum of Arts and Sciences, a family-friendly gem that blends science exhibits, live animals, and planetarium shows. Special thanks to our friends at Visit Macon for that recommendation. The museum’s new exhibit Plume was a colorful hit with the kids, but it was the 44-foot, full-dome planetarium show we watched that truly captivated all of us.
After working up an appetite at the museum, we popped into Ingleside Village Pizza for an early dinner. It’s the kind of quirky, locals’ favorite spot that turns out piping hot pies like the Ultimate Village and White Pizza. After being told by multiple locals to try the breadsticks “Sloppy”, we followed suit and devoured the garlic butter-smothered breadsticks topped with shredded parmesan cheese with joy. The locals weren’t wrong. And while we were just about filled to the brim, we believe there’s always room for something sweet; so when owner Tina Dickson tossed two Brownies our way, you bet we didn’t put up a fight.
A few places we wanted to check out but didn’t get the chance to visit were The Allman Brothers Band Museum at The Big House Museum, Society Garden, and Grant’s Lounge — the last of which, according to their website, “has been a staple on the music scene for nearly five decades. Deemed the Original Home of Southern Rock, this humble establishment in Macon, GA, gave musical starts to giants like the Allman Brothers, Tom Petty, Eric Clapton, The Marshall Tucker Band, and countless others.”
The next morning, we fueled up with breakfast at Loom Comfort Kitchen & Cocktails, savoring every single bite of Thick Cut French Toast and the Whipped Greek Yogurt Bowl with fruit and granola. Before leaving town, we strolled through Macon’s charming downtown, dotted with colorful murals and historic buildings. We grabbed to-go coffees from Reckon — Hotel Forty Five’s on-site coffee shop — and hit the road for our next stop.
Trilith: Movie Magic and a Creative Community Vibe
About an hour and a half later, we rolled into Trilith, a planned community built alongside Trilith Studios, the powerhouse behind Marvel blockbusters like Black Panther and Avengers: Endgame. We stayed at the Trilith Guesthouse, a sleek and welcoming hotel that blends hospitality with cinematic flair. It didn’t take long for the kids to spot nods to superheroes and movies woven throughout.
We cooled off in the hotel pool before grabbing dinner at Prologue Dining & Drinks. Our entrees—especially the Peach Basil Fried Chicken Sandwich and Lemongrass Southern Cioppino—were bursting with flavor, yet the Crispy Brussels stole the show. Not a single Brussels sprout was spared, y’all. The next morning, we returned for brunch at Prologue, again absolutely blown away by the bold, thoughtful flavors in the Blueberry Pancakes with Sweet Citrus Mascarpone and Blueberry Compote, classic Chicken and Waffles, and Crab Cake Benedict.
Another highlight of our Trilith visit? Honeysuckle Gelato. We stopped once after dinner... then again the next day. Don’t judge us, we were on vacation, and their creative flavors and creamy texture made it impossible to resist. We also had salads and bowls one night at Barley Garden that did not disappoint.
Because this trip was so focused on food, we made sure to get our steps in too. One of the surprisingly unique things about Trilith is that with every turn we took, there was something new to discover: sculptures, colorful murals, and creative public spaces that made it feel like we were part of the magic behind the scenes. The whole vibe of the community was exciting and we loved it.
Midtown Atlanta: Greenscapes and Cityscapes
Our final stop was in Midtown Atlanta, where we checked into the Epicurean Atlanta, a food and wine-focused hotel that blends modern design with serious culinary chops. After days of exploring, the rooftop pool was a welcome sight — especially with live music, a bustling atmosphere, and a taco cart serving up fresh tacos just steps away. It felt more like a resort than a hotel, and we all leaned into the vacation vibes, especially while munching on Yucca Fries and Shrimp Ceviche at the Aerial Kitchen & Bar.
Midtown itself offered no shortage of family fun. We spent hours at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, meandering through flower-lined paths and giant sculptures. We considered ourselves extra lucky to have made it to the gardens in the final months of the Alice and Wonderland exhibit, which was truly awe-inspiring and nostalgic. It’s a crazy escape to lush, green gardens right there in the middle of concrete and towering buildings with “30 acres of outdoor gardens, an award-winning Children’s Garden, the serene Storza Woods highlighted by a unique Canopy Walk, and the picturesque Skyline Garden.” Another highlight of the gardens was the Enchanted Trees installation by Poetic Kinetics. According to the Botanical Garden’s website, “ten sculptures will be scattered throughout the Garden, drawing onlookers with their dazzling acrylic leaves”—and it was our job to find them.
Of course, you can’t take a family trip to Atlanta without stopping by the Georgia Aquarium. Home to more than 500 species and thousands of animals, 11 million gallons of water, a 100-foot-long underwater walk-through tunnel, and the world’s largest collection of beluga whales and sharks, it’s the largest aquarium in the United States. We couldn’t help but “ooh” and “aah” our way through the exhibits, genuinely awestruck by the sheer size and beauty of the underwater creatures.
Thirsty? Pop right across the lawn for a fizzy stop at the World of Coca-Cola, where visitors can sip their way around the world through Coca-Cola’s international drink collection.
Dinner that night was at Reverence, the Epicurean’s signature restaurant, and it delivered on every level. From the presentation to the bold flavors, every dish felt thoughtful without being fussy. The Blistered Shishitos started us off right; the Crispy Pork Belly with Shoestring Fries and Calabrian Striped Bass shined effortlessly; and the Chocolate Mousse Cake finished us off in the best way possible. We blissfully retreated to our rooms to get our sleep for one last day of exploring Atlanta in the morning.
The next day—still thinking about dinner and dessert—we headed downstairs to our last meal at Reverence. Similar to almost every meal on this trip, we ate every last bite of our Tiramisu French Toast and fresh fruit plate, amongst cups and cups of well-balanced, freshly roasted coffee.
Even though we’re die-hard Phillies fans, you can’t help but respect the love and attention that’s been put into the new Truist Park, home of the Atlanta Braves. Coincidentally (I promise!), our trip overlapped with the All-Star Game festivities taking place. The ballpark was electric, and the surrounding All-Star Village gave us the chance to play games, win some prizes—like oversized baseball gloves—and celebrate America’s Favorite Pastime.
With one more meal before heading out of town, we said goodbye to Atlanta with lunch at The Office Bar, where the Nashville Hot Fried Chicken Sandwich and Spicy Tuna Bowl were clear winners amongst our dishes. As you can probably tell by now, we happen to enjoy a sweet treat. So just before packing into the car—and in need of more coffee for the ride home—we hit up For Five Coffee for some caffeine and a sugar cookie to share. As the kids say, “we left no crumbs”—literally and figuratively—though I’m sure I’m using that lingo wrong. I’ll ask my teen later.
And while we can’t fit every single family fun activity into one trip, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention that the LEGO Discovery Center Atlanta, Zoo Atlanta, or Six Flags Over Georgia are always winning options too. Another fun fact about the area? Chick-fil-A was founded in Hapeville, Georgia, which means that in Atlanta, it’s more than fast food — it’s a hometown staple. Unique locations like the original Dwarf House offer full-service dining, while spots like Truett’s Luau serve Hawaiian-inspired dishes like pineapple chicken alongside Chick-Fil-A classics. Something fun to pop into if you need to stop while on the road.
A Delicious Way to Travel
Looking back, this trip was about more than just miles logged or meals enjoyed — it was about discovery. Macon gave us rhythm and soul, Trilith gave us creativity and calm, and Atlanta brought the energy and flavor of a world-class city. If you’re dreaming of a family getaway that feeds your appetite and your curiosity, consider mapping out your own version of a Tasty Trip through Georgia. Just be sure to pack your sense of adventure — and obviously, leave room for dessert.