Paces - Atlanta, GA

Buckhead originated in the late 1830s when Henry Irby bought 202 acres of land at the junction of Peachtree, Roswell and West Paces Ferry for the modest price of $650 with the idea of putting a tavern at the juncture. Around the beginning of the 1900s, Buckhead began to change as local Atlantans started building extravagant summer homes in the area. In 1907, the addition of a trolley car between downtown Atanta and Buckhead cemented its future growth. By 1952, Atlanta annexed Buckhead and it has grown ever since into a modern commercial and residential district.

From casual to formal, the Paces area offers a seemingly endless variety of places to dine and enjoy. From the crossing of Paces Ferry and Peachtree, with its variety of clubs, to the more secluded area around the Chattahoochee River, Paces features a mix of casual and formal entertainment unique to Atlanta.

Locals seeking fine dining enjoy Canoe, only a short jaunt down Paces Ferry Road. Known for its upscale cuisine, this beautiful venue by the riverfront also provides a great spot for larger parties and catered events. Make reservations in advance as Canoe enjoys regular capacity dining from loyal customers. You'll find Canoe renowned equally for fantastic lunches, dinners and Sunday brunches. Appetizers include a slow braised beef short rib with turnpike grits, while entrees feature Long Island duckling, Georgia rabbit and Sapelo Island clams. For dessert, enjoy poached pears with candied ginger panna cotta or a sweet potatoe creme brulee to get a real flavor of the South. Canoe's seasonal local menu means something always new and wonderful can be found on the menu. Dinner will average about $50 per person minus tax and tip.

If you're seeking a more relaxed atmosphere, head eastward to Goldberg’s. While it may come as a surprise to non-locals, Goldberg's represents a traditional New York deli. Its known for its authentic bagels with homemade cream cheeses and its Brooklyn reubens, Goldberg's enjoys being a mainstay with locals for casual lunches. The place can also be an excellent spot for chance celebrity sightings. Avoid high traffic times (before 9 a.m. on weekdays and at lunch times) if you don’t like waiting in line for a seat.

As an epicenter of Atlanta nightlife, the Paces and Buckhead area truly signifies too many options to list. However, Sanctuary Nightclub stands out from the pack. This lively venue eclipses its neighbors as a favorite with locals looking to unwind after a hard day's work. They offer free salsa lessons on Fridays between 9:15pm and 10:15pm with only a $10 cover charge. The amazing staff makes this one of the most popular salsa clubs in the area. With prepaid VIP packages and fantastic music, you don't want to miss this.

Residents find Paces most easily traversed by car or foot. There are ample sidewalks all about the area. If preferred, use Uber or taxi service, but don't expect to hail a cab in this area. Outside of late night by the popular bars, cabs are not found awaiting fares. That being said, expect to pay for parking if driving into this area. This usually runs about $5 to $10 for the evening with valets in attendance to secure your vehicle while you relax. Main roads should be avoided by cyclists.

Drivers find access by highway and expressway difficult during rush hour times. The easiest access is east by I-75 or west I-85, both of which take about 15 minutes during off hours from either direction. While traffic can be challenging, public transportation runs directly through Paces. The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority serves the area with multiple bus lines.

The Cherokee Town and Country Club can be found off West Paces Ferry. While memberships require an invitation, visitors will find the facilities extensive and beautiful. On the other side of the spectrum lies Frankie Allen Park, a completely adorable and free public park with a meadow for picnics, tennis courts, and baseball diamonds. Children are welcome as well as dogs, provided the latter stay on leashes and in certain parts of the park.

The cost of living in the Paces area does stand higher than for most of the surrounding city. Residents expect a median price for a one-bedroom residence of about $1,600. That being said, the massive amount of entertainment venues competing for customers will keep such things as drinks at the local pub to around $6. Gas prices usually stay in line with the U.S. average, while public transportation offers unlimited distance one-way trips at $2.50 on bus and rail lines.

Paces offers a seemingly endless amount of options for shoppers. For groceries, Whole Foods and Publix services residents. For those seeking a farmer's market, the Peachtree Road Farmers Market stays open every Saturday from April to mid-December, selling locally farmed and prepared goods from artisan sellers. You'll also find cooking shows from well-known local chefs and music often offered at this family and pet friendly venue in the parking lot of St. Phillips Cathedral on Peachtree Road.

High-end shoppers visit the two malls nearby. Phipps Plaza offers a Tiffany’s and Saks Fifth Avenue as well as a Versace store (amongst many designer boutiques and galleries within the mall). Lenox Mall, across the street, has many upscale specialty stores like Neiman Marcus, Williams Sonoma and Burberry.

On the west edge of Paces, there is a well-known consignment store called Labels Resale which has been voted Atlanta's best consignment shop. It offers everything from real high-end designer labels to clothes and accessories from respected chain stores.

Look for specialty shopping in two areas of Atlanta, West Village and East Village. Small shops sell everything from guitars at Maple Street Music to custom gardens and furnishings at Lush Life. In the East Village, Maple Street Music enjoys renown as one of the most helpful and interesting “real” guitar stores in Atlanta. They have lessons in the store from working musicians that perform locally and their stock is widely ranged and of high quality. Lush Life, located on the edge of the West Village, will charm visitors as a beautiful shop for home and garden. They also do floral arrangements for homes and events that you will find simply gorgeous.