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Sandy Springs sits just north of Atlanta along the scenic Chattahoochee River, making it one of the most sought-after suburbs in the Southeast. Established as a city in 2005, it is now the seventh-largest municipality in Georgia with a population of over 108,000. The city combines a thriving business district with tree-lined neighborhoods, excellent schools, and abundant green space. From its riverfront parks to its growing arts scene, Sandy Springs offers a polished yet welcoming experience for visitors and residents alike.
The area takes its name from natural springs that once bubbled up through sandy soil near what is now the city center. Indigenous Creek and Cherokee peoples inhabited this land for centuries before European settlers arrived in the early 1800s. The springs became a well-known landmark along the old Atlanta-to-Roswell road, drawing travelers who stopped to rest and water their horses. During the Civil War, Union troops passed through the area during the Atlanta Campaign of 1864, and several skirmishes occurred along the Chattahoochee River crossings. After decades as an unincorporated part of Fulton County, residents voted overwhelmingly for cityhood in 2005, making Sandy Springs one of Georgia’s newest cities and a model for municipal incorporation.
The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area is the crown jewel of outdoor activity in Sandy Springs, offering miles of hiking trails, fishing spots, and kayak launches along the riverbanks. At City Springs, the downtown performing arts center, you can catch Broadway productions, concerts, and community theater performances throughout the year. The Heritage Sandy Springs Museum provides a window into the area’s past with rotating exhibits and historic structures on its four-acre park grounds. For shopping and dining, the Perimeter area features upscale malls like Perimeter Mall along with dozens of restaurants ranging from Southern comfort food to international cuisine.
The Anne Frank in the World exhibit is a powerful educational installation housed at the Sandy Springs headquarters of the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust. The Williams-Payne House, a restored 1860s farmhouse at Heritage Sandy Springs, tells the story of early agricultural life in north Fulton County. The Morgan Falls Overlook Park offers stunning views of the Chattahoochee River from its observation deck and includes a playground and picnic pavilions. Along Abernathy Road, you will find several public art installations and the entrance to the Abernathy Greenway, a linear park that connects neighborhoods with walking paths and pocket gardens.
The Island Ford unit of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area features over five miles of trails winding through hardwood forests and along rocky river bluffs. The Chattahoochee Nature Center in neighboring Roswell borders Sandy Springs and offers wildlife exhibits, canopy walks, and educational programs focused on the river ecosystem.
Morgan Falls Dam and its adjacent park provide a popular put-in for kayakers and paddleboarders exploring the calm waters of Bull Sluice Lake. The city maintains more than 20 parks across its 38 square miles, including Hammond Park with its soccer fields, tennis courts, and shaded walking paths.
City Springs stands as the cultural heart of Sandy Springs, housing a 1,100-seat theater, a studio theater, conference spaces, and an outdoor civic green that hosts concerts and farmers markets. The Heritage Sandy Springs Park preserves the original spring site and features a museum, a community garden, and historic outbuildings that date back to the nineteenth century. The Sandy Springs Festival, held each September, draws thousands of visitors for arts and crafts vendors, live music, a pet parade, and a classic car show. For film enthusiasts, the Sandy Springs Cinema and Taphouse combines first-run movies with a full kitchen and craft beer selection.
Spring and fall are the ideal seasons to visit Sandy Springs, with mild temperatures ranging from the 60s to 70s and abundant blooming azaleas or colorful autumn foliage. The Sandy Springs Festival in September is the city’s signature annual event, featuring local artists, live entertainment, and a 5K race through the scenic downtown area. Summer brings warm, humid conditions typical of Georgia, which are perfect for rafting and kayaking on the Chattahoochee River. Winter months remain relatively mild, and the City Springs holiday programming includes seasonal concerts, light displays, and ice skating that attract visitors from across metro Atlanta.
Here are some of our favorite things to do while visiting Sandy Springs. Select what you would enjoy!
The John Ripley Forbes Big Trees Forest Preserve is a serene 30-acre urban sanctuary tucked into the northern edge of Sandy Springs, Georgia , offering a quiet escape within one of metro Atlanta’s busiest suburbs. Established through a partnership b…