Exploring Atlanta’s Piedmont Park Green Market: A Local’s Guide to This Midtown Farmers Market

The Piedmont Park Green Market is one of Atlanta’s most beloved neighborhood farmers markets, set right inside the city’s iconic Piedmont Park. If you live in Atlanta, are visiting Midtown, or just want to shop more locally, this market is a convenient way to connect with Georgia farmers, food makers, and artisans—all with a skyline view.

What Is the Piedmont Park Green Market?

The Piedmont Park Green Market is a weekly outdoor farmers market that pops up inside Piedmont Park in Midtown Atlanta. It typically runs seasonally on weekend mornings, featuring:

• Fresh, locally grown produce
• Pasture-raised meats and eggs
• Baked goods and prepared foods
• Local coffee, honey, jams, and specialty items
• Occasional live music and family-friendly activities

It’s designed as both a shopping destination and a community gathering space, where you can stock up on groceries, grab breakfast, and enjoy the park in a single trip.

Location, Parking, and How to Get There

Where the Green Market Is in Piedmont Park

The market is usually located near the 12th Street Gate / Piedmont Avenue entrance of Piedmont Park, close to the Dog Park and the Active Oval. Because park layouts and vendor areas can shift slightly over time, look for:

• Market tents set up along park paths near the Midtown (east) side
• Signage for “Green Market” or “Farmers Market” at nearby park entrances

Address for GPS (park entrance area):
Piedmont Park – 12th Street Gate
Approx. 400 Park Drive NE
Atlanta, GA 30306

(Most drivers use the Piedmont Avenue NE & 12th Street NE area as a reference point.)

Parking Options

Parking near Piedmont Park can be busy, especially on sunny weekends. Common options include:

• Piedmont Park Parking Garage at the Atlanta Botanical Garden / SAGE Parking Facility (entrance off Monroe Drive NE)
• Limited street parking along nearby roads such as 10th Street NE, Piedmont Avenue NE, and surrounding side streets, following posted signs carefully
• Paid lots and garages in nearby Midtown (often a short walk to the park)

To save time and avoid circling for a spot, many locals:

• Arrive early in the morning
• Carpool with friends or family
• Combine market shopping with another Midtown activity so parking feels more worthwhile

Public Transit and Alternative Transportation

If you’d rather skip parking:

• MARTA Rail:
  • Use the Midtown Station or Arts Center Station, then walk or use a scooter or ride-share to the park.
• MARTA Bus:
  • Several bus routes serve the Piedmont Park / Midtown area; schedules vary, so it’s best to check current MARTA route info before you go.
• Walking / Biking / Scooters:
  • The market is highly accessible from nearby neighborhoods like Midtown, Virginia-Highland, and Ansley Park.
  • Bike racks are available throughout Piedmont Park; lock up your bike before entering busy pedestrian areas.

Typical Days, Hours, and Season

The Piedmont Park Green Market generally operates on weekend mornings (commonly Saturdays) and runs during the warmer months, often from spring through late fall.

Because schedules can shift from year to year—due to weather, holidays, and park events—it’s wise to:

• Verify current season dates
• Confirm opening and closing times for the specific weekend you’re planning to go

You can usually find updated details through Piedmont Park Conservancy channels or by calling their main office.

Piedmont Park Conservancy (Administrative Office)
400 Park Drive NE
Atlanta, GA 30306
Phone: (404) 875-7275

(Office staff can typically provide the latest public information on market season and hours.)

What You’ll Find at the Green Market

Fresh Food and Local Products

While vendors change over time, the market usually offers:

• Seasonal fruits and vegetables
  • Tomatoes, peaches, okra, greens, peppers, squash, melons, and more depending on the month
• Meats, eggs, and dairy
  • Grass-fed beef, pork, chicken, eggs, local cheeses (availability varies)
• Baked goods & prepared foods
  • Breads, pastries, cookies, breakfast items, and sometimes hot food stands
• Pantry staples
  • Local honey, jams, pickles, sauces, seasoning blends, and nut butters
• Specialty/Artisan items
  • Soaps, candles, small-batch goods, and locally made crafts

Most vendors focus on Georgia-grown or Georgia-made products, making it a good way to support the regional food system while doing your weekly shopping.

Extras: Music, Kids’ Activities, and Community

On many weekends, the market feels more like a small festival than just a grocery run. You may encounter:

• Live acoustic music or small performances
• Occasional chef demonstrations or cooking spotlights
• Family-friendly activities such as kids’ craft tables or seasonal events
• Community information tables related to gardening, sustainability, or local organizations

These extras may vary and are not guaranteed every weekend, but they help make the market a regular part of many Atlantans’ weekend routine.

Quick Snapshot: What to Expect

How the Green Market Fits into Atlanta Life

For Atlanta Residents

For locals, the Piedmont Park Green Market can be:

• A weekly grocery stop for fresh produce, eggs, and bread
• A way to meet the farmers who grow your food and ask questions about how it’s produced
• An easy weekend outing: shop the market, then walk around the park, visit the dog park, or relax at the lawn

Many Atlantans combine a trip to the market with:

• A morning run on the park trails
• A family walk around Lake Clara Meer
• Meeting friends for a picnic after picking up food from market vendors

For Visitors to Atlanta

If you’re in town for a weekend and staying near Midtown, Downtown, or Buckhead, the Green Market offers:

• A local, non-touristy experience in one of Atlanta’s central parks
• A chance to try Georgia-grown foods and small-batch specialties you might not find elsewhere
• A great setting for photos with both nature and skyline views

Visitors often enjoy grabbing breakfast or coffee at the market, then spending the rest of the morning exploring Piedmont Park or walking down to the BeltLine Eastside Trail.

Tips for Your Visit

What to Bring

To make your market trip smoother:

• Reusable bags or a small cart – Vendors often provide basic bags, but reusable totes or a rolling cart are more comfortable if you’re buying a lot.
• Form of payment – Many vendors now accept credit/debit cards and mobile payments, but some may still be cash-preferred.
• Water and sunscreen – Atlanta mornings can get hot and humid, especially in late spring and summer.
• Comfortable shoes – You’ll likely want to stroll around the park after shopping.

Dog and Family Friendliness 🐶👨‍👩‍👧

• Piedmont Park is generally dog-friendly, and you’ll see many people walking dogs near the market.
• Dogs should be leashed except in designated off-leash dog park areas.
• If you bring children, the open lawn spaces and nearby paths make it easy to turn a shopping trip into park playtime.

Best Time to Go

Locals often recommend:

• Arriving near opening time for:
  • Better parking
  • The widest selection of produce
  • Cooler temperatures in summer
• Avoiding the last hour of the market if you want specific items like popular breads or specialty goods, which may sell out earlier.

Prices and Budgeting

Prices at the Piedmont Park Green Market typically reflect:

• Small- and medium-scale Georgia farms
• Handmade, small-batch products

You may find some items cost more than conventional grocery-store equivalents, while others are comparable, especially when in-season. To make the most of your budget:

• Focus on seasonal produce (often the best value and quality).
• Ask farmers about “seconds” (slightly imperfect but still delicious fruits and vegetables), if available.
• Mix staple items (greens, eggs, potatoes, onions) with a few special treats like pastries or specialty sauces.

Community and Sustainability Angle

Many Atlanta residents visit the Green Market not just for shopping, but because it:

• Supports local agriculture in Georgia and nearby regions
• Reduces the distance food travels before it reaches your plate
• Encourages more sustainable, small-scale farming practices
• Strengthens community connections between city residents and rural producers

If you’re interested in gardening, composting, or sustainable living in Atlanta, you may also encounter local organizations with information tables or volunteers at the market over the course of the season.

Who Runs the Market and How to Get More Information

The Piedmont Park Green Market is connected to the Piedmont Park Conservancy, the nonprofit organization that helps maintain and program much of the park.

For up-to-date details on:

• Specific market dates and hours
• Vendor lists or rotating participants
• Any special events tied to the market (holiday markets, themed days, etc.)

you can contact:

Piedmont Park Conservancy
400 Park Drive NE
Atlanta, GA 30306
Phone: (404) 875-7275

If you are a local farmer, food producer, or artisan who wants to apply as a vendor, the Conservancy can usually direct you to the current application process or point you to the appropriate contact person.

Whether you’re an Atlanta resident looking to reshape your weekend grocery routine or a visitor hoping to get a taste of local flavor, the Piedmont Park Green Market offers an easy, centrally located way to experience fresh food, community, and one of the city’s most famous parks all at once.