Atlanta is a not just a bustling metropolis, it’s a boundless intersection of history, art and culture. Taking a ride along one of the many immersive bike tours across the city is an enlightening and energetic way to see how those elements intersect.
No matter your fitness level, bike tours are a low-impact outdoor activity that lets riders become one with the city at a leisurely pace.
"You become extremely connected to the place that you are in, and that's the goal of our tours. It's not just for entertainment. We really want people to feel connected to the communities we are in," Civil Bikes Founder Nedra Deadwyler said.
Here are five bike tours that make learning about Atlanta's history a head-turning, sensory and fascinating experience:
Credit: Bicycle Tours of Atlanta's Facebook
Credit: Bicycle Tours of Atlanta's Facebook
Bicycle Tours of Atlanta
659 Auburn Ave. NE. 404-273-2558. biketoursatl.com. Monday through Sunday at various times.
Take a ride through the city in one of the most sought-after bike tours in Atlanta. Bicycle Tours of Atlanta, which is ranked No. 1 on Trip Advisor for Outdoor Activities in Atlanta, offers guided tours daily. This month, riders can go on the "Fall in Love with Atlanta" and "Atlanta's Journey for Civil Rights" tours that last for three hours. Tickets are priced at $65 per rider.
"We have such a beautiful city to show off," Robyn Elliott, Owner of Bicycle Tours of Atlanta, said. "The whole experience is pretty dynamic because people really get an opportunity on some level to interface with the locals."
The company also offers private custom tours, corporate events and team building.
Civil Bikes
409 John Wesley Dobbs Ave. NE. 470-344-9122. civilbikes.com. Weekends at various times and weekdays with a reservation.
See Atlanta's historical landmarks, artsy relics and vibrant culture during a Civil Bikes tour. The company has five curated bike tours and some course through specific Atlanta neighborhoods, such as "The East Side Beltline" and "Early Edgewood-Candler Park" tours.
Deadwyler recommends patrons to try the "Tracing the Roots of the Civil Rights Movement from Sweet Auburn" tour if it is their first time going on an Atlanta bike tour.
"We believe that it's everyone's history, and our goal is to elevate the visibility of those groups here in Atlanta, their contributions and the culture they've provided," she said.
Tickets are $65 and include a bike rental and a taste from a local food vendor.
Atlanta Beltline Bike Tours
Eastside Route: 675 Ponce de Leon Ave., Suite E-184/ Westside Route: 843 MLK Drive NW. 404-446-4404. beltline.org. Saturdays at 9 a.m.
Enjoy free guided bike tours of the Atlanta Beltline and learn about the history of the project. The approximately 13-mile-long Eastside route travels along the Beltline Eastside Trail, and there will be rest stops at the Historic Fourth Ward Park and Piedmont Park. The Westside route will last for about 9 miles and rest stops include Gordon White Park, Washington Park and Adair Park.
If patrons don't have their own bikes, they should come early and rent one from the Mountain High Outfitters for the Eastside Tour or the Relay Bike Share for the Westside Tour. Walk-ons are welcome and check-in begins at 8:45 a.m. on Saturdays.
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Atlanta Street Art Tours
381 Edgewood Ave. 470-729- 2738. atlstreetarttours.com. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 9 a.m.
Get an immersive look into Atlanta's art scene by going on an Atlanta Street Art tour. The tours will take cyclists through iconic spots including Atlanta's most notable street art locations, new art installations along the Atlanta Beltline and historic places in the city. Admission is $25 per person without a bike rental and $50 with a bike rental. Rides last three hours and 30 minutes.
ExploreATL Tours
245 N. Highland Ave. NE, Suite 230-189. 678-636-9310. exploreatl.com. Bike tour dates vary.
Enjoy a history-packed bike ride through Atlanta with ExploreATL Tours, which specializes in walking, driving and biking tours. "The Battle of ATL Bike Tour, West" on May 6 will take riders to locations, such as Sherman's Headquarters, Fort Walker and the McPherson Monument, that were involved in the Civil War's Battle of Atlanta. Check their website for more information about upcoming bike tours. Non-members of Urban Atlanta Explorers will have to pay $30 for registration, but members can attend for free.
