The Buckhead, Georgia, area has plenty of outdoor recreation destinations, from national parks to local community parks to urban parks in the heart of Atlanta. But with so many great parks to choose from, it can be a challenge to pick which one you should go visit on any given day. That’s why Crème de la Crème of Buckhead has put together this list of our favorite parks in and around our hometown. Check out the amenities for each of these six awesome parks to help you decide which one to visit next.

Atlanta Memorial Park

“Rockin’ the Dinosaur” licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Flickr by Michel Curi

Atlanta Memorial Park spans nearly 200 acres, providing plenty of space to run around and get some fresh air. This area pays tribute to the soldiers who fought on this land during the Civil War and features many historical markers to teach you the local history and the land’s importance during the war. 

In addition to history, this park has a wonderful playground for kids, complete with slides, climbing structures, and swings. Your family can also take advantage of the picnic tables and benches to have a snack during your day out. There’s also a golf course and tennis center on the southwest portion of the park, and you can connect to the Northside Trail to explore the lush forests of this park and other outdoor locations along the Beltline.

Chastain Park

Chastain Park is both a community park and neighborhood within Buckhead that makes up 268 acres. Come here to enjoy a live show, including national touring acts, at the amphitheater. If you need a place where you and your kids can play sports or practice for the big game, you can take advantage of the soccer and baseball fields and tennis courts in the area. Horse lovers rejoice for the Chastain Park Horse Park, where you can learn to ride a horse or practice your skills on the jumping course. 

Need to escape from the hot Atlanta sun? Take a dip in the pool. Want to join in on some holiday and seasonal fun? Attend one of the many special events held throughout the year. You can also hit the gym to get in a workout or check out local artists’ work at the art gallery.

Little Nancy Creek Park

Little Nancy Creek Park is a small, 5-acre park located close to nearby Brookhaven. This park is best known for its fantastic playground, complete with swings, slides, climbing towers, and a mini zipline. There’s also a small quarter-mile trail that winds around the park’s perimeter. On your stroll, you’ll also find a quaint lookout spot with a bench swing, a perfectly quiet spot for reading or enjoying the sights and sounds of nature around you. 

In addition, this community park features covered picnic pavilions. Not only can you use these structures for snacking at the park, you can also find local events throughout the year hosted here. You can attend concerts and markets among other festivities.

Peachtree Hills Park

Peachtree Hills Park in the Peachtree Hills neighborhood of Atlanta is a great community gathering place for people of all ages. Children will love running around the expansive playground. The whole family can join in on a ball game at the full-sized baseball diamond or practice their serves on one of the tennis courts. You can bring equipment for other sports, too, like flag football. If you’d rather find a quiet spot to relax, there’s plenty of green space and even a beautiful community garden that provides respite from the area’s hustle and bustle.

You can bring your own picnic from home and enjoy eating al fresco under the covered picnic shelters. Or, you can grab some grub at one of the amazing restaurants right across the street from the park. 

Blue Heron Nature Preserve

Blue Heron Nature Preserve is located north of Buckhead in nearby Roswell. This nature area features 3 miles of trails that take you to various parts of this 30-acre park, including a community garden, outdoor art installations, a turtle sanctuary, and the nature center, which is home to the Atlanta Audubon Society and the Amphibian Foundation. What’s great about this park is that it has many different kinds of habitats, including riparian areas, meadows, wetlands, and woodlands, all with unique animals and plants living there. This makes for a wonderfully scenic and fascinating hike.

You can come here to learn about the preserve’s mission and efforts to protect the wildlife and habitats within the park’s boundaries and what you can do to help. You can also attend educational events and even bring your children to kid-friendly educational programs at the preserve. 

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

Living in Buckhead means you’re a short drive from one of the country’s most beautiful national parks: the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. This park is enormous, with 400 acres of natural landscape and calm river. In the park, you can enjoy more than 10 miles of amazing hiking and biking trails that feature spectacular views of the lush forest and hug the riverfront on many stretches. In addition to hiking, you can enjoy the splendors of the river through rafting and tubing, kayaking, canoeing, and fishing.

This park has a lot of history as it was once a prime hunting and fishing location for the Native Americans who lived in the area before the colonists. Then, as the country was ravaged by the Civil War, the park served as protection and battleground. You can find many remnants of this river’s and natural area’s past, including historical landmarks, during your visit. 

Note that you must pay a fee to enter and park at the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. It’s $5 for a day pass, but if you plan to visit frequently, consider opting for a $40 annual pass instead.

So there you have it, six of the best parks in and around Buckhead. Did we miss your family’s favorite outdoor recreation destination? If so, contact Crème de la Crème of Buckhead to let us know. We’ll be sure to add it to our growing list!