Docent Destinations
Milton, GA with Sarah Mangalapalli
Milton, GA with Sarah Mangalapalli
I live in Milton, GA, a semi-rural suburb of Atlanta. It's a quiet, sweet place to live, surrounded by horse farms yet just 10 minutes away from Alpharetta, a fun and busy modern suburb.
Best way to start your morning?
It's a total treat to stop at Valor Coffee in downtown Alpharetta; they serve perfect coffee (I'm a latte fan, myself) and delicious baked goods from the famous Alon's Bakery (I recommend the peach muffin). They have a fun, energetic vibe indoors and lots of peaceful outdoor patio seating with beautiful flower plantings.
How to fill your day?
I have 4 little boys, so these days all my favorite activities are kid-friendly! I love taking the crew for a hike at Sweetwater State Park or a bike ride on the Big Creek Greenway. We also love to visit the Avalon, an open-air shopping/dining center with great restaurants, a Regal movie theater, our favorite Jeni's Ice Cream, and two upscale hotels for a perfect getaway.
Where to head for a night out?
My husband and I love good food, so whenever we have a chance, we sneak away for dinner out. Our favorite restaurant in the Atlanta area is The Optimist , a casual seafood spot with a fun menu: our favorite dish is the shrimp a la plancha, and I've never had anything there that is less than perfect. If we're going to stay nearby, our favorite local spot is Carson Kitchen in downtown Alpharetta. Sometimes we make a meal at the bar out of their indulgent appetizers and creative cocktails (order the Magarian--trust me)!
Suggestions on where to rest your head?
With our family of 6, we love to do stay-cations here in Atlanta. Sometimes we'll choose a hotel with a pool so the kids can enjoy a swim, and we'll visit all our favorite tourist spots in Atlanta, like the Georgia Aquarium, Zoo Atlanta, the Atlanta Botanical Garden (fun fact--this is where we got married!), and Piedmont Park. It's a great way to shake up the routine and have all the benefits of a vacation without the airfare!
By Tessa Ercoli