Spring: forward With a new adventure in Alpharetta!

ALPHARETTA, GA (March – May 2011) Daffodils, azaleas and the sweet smell of magnolia in bloom mean that everything old is new again.  And with the warmer weather and clear blue skies, there’s no better time than now to take off for a new adventure in beautiful Alpharetta!

Start with a celebration of the arts at one of the city’s most popular events, the 7^th Annual Alpharetta Arts StreetFest (alpharetta.ga.us), April 16 – 17.  The streets of Historic Downtown will be closed as nearly 100 artists, musicians and performers from throughout the U.S. are showcased. Enjoy a beautiful spring weekend as you stroll through outdoor galleries filled with fine art in 14 medium expressions, create children’s art and experience live jazz, roots rock, Celtic music, cultural dancing and more. Admission and parking are free.  Nearby, explore the work of local wood turners, glass artists, quilters and painters at the recently opened Gallery 35(gallery35.com)or the high end paintings and sculpture by nationally and internationally known artists at Monfort’s Fine Art (monfortsfineart.com). Stay in one of Alpharetta’s 23 hotels with any one of our Awesome Alpharetta Hotel Packages and extend your cultural experience with a trip to the Atlanta Dogwood Festival, the Atlanta History Center, or Alpharetta’s own Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre (vzwamp.com) for a concert under the stars.  Check website for concert dates and times.

Not to be missed in a quest for food adventure is the Taste of Alpharetta (alpharetta.ga.us), being held this year on May 12.  In its 21^st year, it’s the largest “Taste of” festival in the South featuring food samples from over 60 area restaurants.  On the main stage, local chefs will compete in five categories including Best Fine Dining Entrée and Best Dessert as well as for the coveted People’s Choice Award.  Join 50,000 fellow foodies, families and festival-goers at Alpharetta’s most popular “Don’t Miss Event”! 

For an adventure every girl will love, escape into the welcoming world of the American Girl Boutique and Bistro (americangirl.com).   Kanani, the Girl of the Year for 2011, has made her debut and we hear that she loves to share the spirit of her tropical island home.  Plan your visit to find out more about her at one of the Girl of the Year celebrations, continuing through March.  Make your reservations now for an American Girl hotel package (awesomealpharetta.com) where your American girl, and her doll, will be treated to cookies and milk delivered right to her room, a doll-sized bed that she can take home with her and other special surprises.  It’s a princess experience without the princely sum.

If you and the kids are on overload, plan a new kind of outing that will de-stress the entire family.  Take a rock climbing class at the Ed Isakson/Alpharetta YMCA (ymcapass.com).  Race around a track in a formula go-kart or challenge yourself on the only indoor High Ropes Course in Georgia at Andretti Indoor Karting and Games (andrettikarting.com).  Discover a new comedy act at the Funny Farm Comedy Club (funnyfarmcomedyclub.com), an all-ages club located inside Andretti.  And make it a family weekend with an entertainment package (awesomealpharetta.com) that includes a hotel stay, Andretti Fun Pass and complimentary breakfast at a great price - family friendly indeed!  For a hands-on experience your youngest ones will never forget, visit the weekend of April 30 when Touch a Truck, Alpharetta’s kid-friendliest event, gives children an opportunity to explore their favorite life-sized toys.

Longing for more time in the great outdoors?  We have options for new adventures you can’t experience just anywhere.  Try a game of disc golf at Wills Park’s newly-redesigned course (willspark.com), now one of the best in the state, or kick it up a notch - or two - at Honda’s Motorcycle Safety Foundation campus (msf-usa.org), where dirt bike and street bike riders can master their skills on multiple courses.

Nature lovers can stop by Alpharetta Outfitters (alpharettaoutfitters.com) to find everything they need for a fly-fishing, hiking or camping excursion in the beautiful North Georgia Mountains, only a short drive away.  Walk, skate or bike the 6.1 mile Alpharetta Big Creek Greenway (bigcreekgreenway.com), or run it in preparation for the Alpharetta Mayor’s Challenge on May 14, a Peachtree qualifier for the serious runner or a fun run/walk for the entire family.  No matter which direction you choose, we make it easy for you to find the right hotel with packages to suit every fitness buff or every active family.  Try one of our bicycle packages (awesomealpharetta.com) including bike rental, delivery and access to an indoor pool or spa to soothe those aching muscles.  So get moving and make your reservations now.

Perhaps your idea of adventure is simply finding a delicious meal – a perfectly prepared steak, the freshest sushi or maybe just a great burger.  In any case, an epicurean expedition awaits you in Alpharetta where there are over 100 delicious dining destinations.  For a great organic option, 5 Seasons (5seasonsbrewing.com) offers locally grown organic meats and vegetables and hand-crafted beer on a menu that changes with the seasons.  And the brew master taps a new cask every Thursday afternoon at 5:55!  Want to prepare an organic meal yourself?  Visit Publix Apron’s Cooking School (publix.com), the only one in the state, for a variety of classes including “Growing Your Vegetable Knowledge” and instruction by celebrity chefs Jose Garces and Lauren Chattman.  Discounts on classes at Apron’s are available with one of our culinary packages (<
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