It’s the first weekend of April, so let’s kick this month off with some much needed positivity! The weather is getting warmer, the days are longer, and flowers are blooming. Even though life is a little different at the moment, take a step in your yard or on your balcony and appreciate the vigor of springtime. It’s an admittedly cliché bit of advice, but just know that this too shall pass. Until then, here’s everything you can do at home in Atlanta to have a great time this weekend.
Laugh. Then laugh some more.
One of the easiest ways to beat quarantine blues is with laughter, and the city’s ridiculous batch of comedians is sure to lift your spirits. For dose after dose of comedy, resort to Laughing Skull Lounge’s Instagram. It’s practically a living phonebook of local comedians, so peruse its posts and find some of the city’s funniest locals, from Katie Hughes to Kiana Dancie.
For additional vibes: In person, the Laughing Skull has a two-drink minimum, so we’ll task you with a similar challenge. Grab spirits from ASW Whiskey Exchange and enjoy the rabbit hole.
Get sweaty with local virtual fitness studios
One of the hardest parts about staying home is finding ways to stay active, but several local fitness studios who have made the temporary switch to online operations can help with that. Many are offering classes at more affordable prices, but some -- like CycleBar Dunwoody and Vesta Movement -- are doing free live streams on Instagram throughout the week.
For additional vibes: Don’t immediately cancel out your workout by hitting the snack pantry. Instead, reward your body with some plant-based plates from Recess, who is offering delivery through Uber Eats.
Read books from local authors
It may take you a day or the entire weekend depending on the type of reader you are, but grabbing a new or used book can bring you unrivaled entertainment. Acapella Books is offering free local delivery for orders over $20, so you can escape into the physical pages of local authors such as Anissa Gray, Jamie Iredell, Maurice Hobbs, and Karin Slaughter without leaving your doorstep.
For additional vibes: Once your new (or new to you) book is in your hands, pair it with a nice glass of wine. Look no further than Bocado, who has exclusive wines available for delivery with a 25% discount.
Foster a pet while you quarantine
If you’ve been home alone or having doggy fever recently, then this is the perfect time for you to foster a pet. Like the rest of us, animal shelters like Angels Among Us have limited resources right now, so they are looking for emergency foster parents to safely cut down on operating costs. Apply and see what happens!
For additional vibes: While waiting to hear if you’ll be welcoming a new pet into your home, quell your anticipation with pizza delivered from Slim & Husky’s. Don’t be fooled by the homonym though -- the pizza joint has no connection (that we know of) to huskies.
Go on a digital field trip
For those quarantined with family, finding activities that are appropriate for all ages can be really difficult. But several attractions throughout the city have come together for an applaudable effort to free online exhibits and experiences on Fridays. Among the list is Zoo Atlanta, the Atlanta Botanical Garden, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, and many other great places to virtually explore.
For additional vibes: A dose of culture calls for a dose of sugar to reward yourself. Sublime Donuts -- which is 100% an essential business at this point -- is offering delivery through Zifty, Grubhub, Uber Eats, Postmates, and DoorDash.
Watch Trae Young compete in an NBA 2K20 player’s-only tournament
Basketball was one of the sports hit hardest by COVID-19, with a solid month left of the regular season and playoffs originally scheduled throughout the summer. If you haven’t quite been able to let that go, this e-gaming tournament is bringing you the opportunity to see some of your favorite NBA players, including the Atlanta Hawks’ own Trae Young, compete head to head on NBA 2K20. The tournament startings airing Friday on ESPN and will continue into next weekend.
For additional vibes: For the first major sporting event in weeks, you have to do it justice. That means conveniently ordering in wings, beer, and whatever other game-day essentials you need from spots like Sweetwater Brewery.
Go on a digital shopping spree
With spring here and summer on its heels, now may be the time to rework your wardrobe. If you are financially secure at the moment, consider supporting local stores and boutiques that may also be suffering from lack of foot traffic due to COVID-19. Having a small online shopping spree can go a long way for your favorite local shops.
For additional vibes: For a more spirited shopping session, have some mixed drinks on standby. The Lawrence is selling crafted cocktail mixers that you can pair with bottles from your at-home reserve, so make delicious drinks at home and have the shop-n-ship that you deserve.
Make an essentials run that you can be proud of
If you couldn't find any fresh vegetables or meats on your last store run, just wait until the weekend. On Saturday from 12-8pm, Boxcar is holding a fresh market pop-up shop in the West End so you can stock up on quality groceries while you social distance next week. Meats will include fresh pork chops, Boxcar's homemade breakfast sausage, chicken wings, and more while the locally grown produce will consist of Brussels, cabbage, arugula, and collard flowers.
For additional vibes: There is another essential pop-up happening on Saturday at Barleygarden Kitchen and Craft Bar from 12-7pm called Isolate & Party Appropriately (IPA) Day. The good folks at Barleygarden will be serving more than 40 IPAs by the glass or in 32- and 64-oz growlers, $5 food options, wines, and mixed drinks from the to-go window.
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